White Ginger (3 page)

“That’s what I booked and they told me they had none left.”

“I’ll sort it out with Jimi.” Arne’s voice deepened. “I can’t imagine who would have thought that gray pile would be suitable for this end of the island. It’s rough driving here.”

“And yes, I did tell them where I would be driving, and for how long.”

She leaned a hip against the cupboard, an odd mixture of exasperation and elation filling her chest. She’d be without transport for several days, a nuisance, surely, but not an insurmountable problem. However, if not for the abysmal failure of her hire car, she would not now be enjoying Arne’s company. Strange how one got what one wished for.

She looked across the room, meeting his chocolate brown gaze.

A girl could lose herself in those eyes.

“So…how long will you be on Kauai?”

“Three months.”

Arne folded his arms and leaned back against the door frame. His slow smile touched something in her, lightening the depression of Victor’s walking out on her. “I’d be happy to chauffeur you until your car is ready. By the way, there’s a luau on the point just out of town the last Friday of the month. Would you like to come and see how it’s done?”

His gaze locked with hers. He could suggest any destination and she’d accept if she were the object of his attention.

What a welcome to Kauai.

“Thank you, yes.”

The hot pot whistled.

“Coffee?” she asked.

* * * *

Arne parked in front of her cabin late the next afternoon. Would Amelie like the Australian chardonnay he’d selected? He hoped a taste of home would be welcome. He called out as he mounted the steps.

“Amelie?”

She came through the screen door wearing an oversize, paint-spattered khaki man’s shirt, and carrying a loaded paintbrush in one hand and an artist’s palette in the other. A smudge of blue paint highlighted her cheekbone and her hands were covered in a mix of greens and blues. Strands of hair escaped from her high ponytail. Her sea-blue eyes lit up with pleasure as she greeted him.

“Hello. Sorry I didn’t hear you arrive. When I’m working I become so focused, nothing short of a hurricane would register with me.” She laughed and held the door open with her hip.

He liked her laugh; she had an earthy chuckle that suggested a deep enjoyment of life, even though her eyes were still shadowed.

“Have you recovered from your flight?”

“More or less, thanks.”

“I thought you might like this,” he announced holding the bottle aloft. “It’s Australian. We can celebrate your new car–a four-wheel drive by the way–and with a refund of a month’s rental. Jimi was most apologetic. Said he’d fire the idiot who didn’t treat his customers well.”

“Thank you, again. I’m impressed you managed to organize it so quickly. And here was me thinking I’d have no one to help me out of an awkward situation when that stupid car carked it.”

“I take it that means when it died on you?”

She laughed again. “I see I’m going to have to teach you Aussie speak. Give me a chance to have a quick shower and change and I’ll cook you a thank you meal.”

“Sounds good. I’ll open the wine.” Suiting action to words, Arne poured a glass for himself and one for Amelie and then carried them out onto the veranda.

He leaned against the upright, contemplating the twists of fate that had crossed his path with that of the woman inside.
Three months
she’d said. Who knew what could develop in three months? If he hadn’t set out to check on his furthermost weather station yesterday instead of today, he wouldn’t have run into her when she needed assistance. And now he’d found a golden opportunity to see her regularly over the next few days.

Amelie joined him a short time later. Dressed in a white shift dress, her hair loose and smoothly brushed to curl around her cheek, she seemed more relaxed. He noticed a faint smudge of color on the back of her hand as she took the glass of wine he offered her.

“An occupational hazard?” he asked.

She glanced at her hand. “Absolutely. I didn’t even stop for lunch.”

“So, you had a productive day? Cheers, by the way, and welcome to Kauai.” He clinked his glass against hers.

She nodded. “ Thanks. Yes, I think I’ll create some of my best work here.”

“What sort of painting do you do?

She sipped her drink. “Designs for decorator fabrics. We have a Hawaiian collection coming out next spring based on what I produce here.”

“I’d like to see it. Will you show me?”

Wide-eyed, she glanced up at him, pausing with her glass halfway to her mouth and then her gaze slid away. She sipped her wine, half turning to the garden below.

“Sorry, maybe that’s presumptuous of me?”

On twenty-four hours acquaintance, Arne boy, maybe it is.

“Nothing’s finished yet. Perhaps later though.” Leaning over the railing, she breathed deeply. “Isn’t this the most beautiful spot? I can’t believe my luck. I feel like I’m in paradise.”

He smiled at her enthusiasm. “That’s its Hawaiian name.”

The scent of white ginger sweetened the night air. He leaned on the railing beside her. Bare-footed, she would just be able to lay her head on his shoulder. He had a sudden desire to pull her close and kiss along the tender skin of her neck, all the way to her luscious full pink lips.

Great way to start a dinner date, making her think you’re going to nibble her neck.
He schooled his features to reflect a more appropriate thought.

She turned to look up at him, elbows resting on the railing. “What do you do, Arne?”

“Dive, swim, look at fish.”

“Umm, that sounds idyllic.” Her brow creased into a tiny puzzled frown.

“It is. And that’s just my work…I’m a marine biologist.” He grinned as the joke registered and her beautiful smile reappeared. That was a smile to keep a man coming home every day.

“You should dive with me and experience the world of the reef,” he suggested thoughtfully. “The colors are brilliant, unbelievable. The waters are clear, and the silence is something else.”

Without thinking consciously, he took her free hand in his, excited at the thought of sharing his world. “The fish swim in so close you can pat them. Would you like to see it, Amelie?”

She shuddered slightly and pulled away. Wrapping both hands around her glass, she finished her wine. “I’m not a really strong swimmer. And I’ve never dived before.”

“I’ll teach you. It’s easy. “

“We’ll see. Anyway, no fish here tonight. Pasta bake is what you’re getting. Hope you’re not a meat and three-veggie kind of guy.” She pushed away from the railing and headed for the door.

“What can I do to help?”

She spun around. “You can cook?”

“Should I be insulted by that remark? I’m not helpless in the kitchen.” He grinned.

“Sorry. Not many men I know can, that’s all. Actually, I can’t imagine you helpless at anything.”

She’s wrong. I’m helpless right now with wanting to kiss her but it’s too soon.

He cleared his throat. “Would you like another glass of wine? You know the saying–one for the food and one for the chef.”

She handed her glass to him and her fingers brushed his. Sparks like electricity raced up his arm. Her wide-eyed gaze met his. A strident buzzing from the stove timer announced dinner was cooked. Amelie blinked several times.

“I better get that before it burns.” She turned slowly away.

She felt it too.

Chapter 2

Amelie painted a background wash of pale blue on her canvas. The penciled curve of beach sweeping across the lower third of her work captured the point just outside the town, reminding her of the luau. Arne said there would be Hawaiian dancing and music. How much more vibrant her work would be if she better understood the community and experienced for herself the tastes and sounds of the local culture. But, if she was honest with herself, any time she spent with Arne was the real pleasure. His presence was quickly becoming the highlight of her days, his disturbing maleness, so very desirable.

In the months since her breakup with Victor, she’d shunned parties and gatherings. Seeing other couples and families happy in each other’s company and not belonging twisted her stomach in knots.

Had she imagined the tender feelings for Victor in her need for company after the death of her mother a few months earlier? Victor’s driven classic A-type personality had kept her sorrow at bay.

But Arne’s company was easygoing, entertaining and attentive.

Friendly. Nonthreatening.

She relaxed with him, except when his arm accidentally brushed hers in the car. The sensual shock of his lightest touch set her nerves tingling. What woman with breath in her body wouldn’t enjoy that strong physical attraction? He was beautiful. And he hadn’t made a wrong move.

Do I want him to?

Sighing, she paused, loaded brush poised above her landscape. She was the one fantasizing about running her hands over his powerfully muscled chest, or brushing back the dark curl that flopped to one side of his forehead, about him kissing her. A single look from his dark eyes,
bedroom eyes
, set her stomach fluttering, as though he saw into her soul. What would his kiss be like? But he remained the perfect gentleman.

Since fate had thrown them together that first day, they had enjoyed a couple of outings. A shopping trip to town to collect further art and grocery supplies, followed by a movie, and on another day, Arne took her with him on his delayed trip to check the weather station on the tip of the island.

She replayed the trip to the weather station in her memory. Awed by the isolated beauty of her surroundings, she stood beside him on the low cliff as he recorded readings.

“I thought these stations would send remote readings to a central computer.”

“Most do. This is one of the last to be read manually.” He locked the box and slipped his keys into his pocket.

The sea breeze blew his hair across his brow. Fingers itching to smooth it back, Amelie folded her arms behind her back and faced him. “So you’ll be stuck behind a desk more of the time?”

“I guess so. I’ll miss the drive out here when it’s updated.”

“It’s incredibly beautiful.” She paused, a wicked thought occurring to her. “Maybe this station will conveniently
malfunction
and need your personal attention sometimes. What do you think?”

“I think you ask intelligent questions. It is a pleasure sharing my island with you.” A kernel of warmth grew in her at his response, and she hugged his approval close.

“You know so much–the history, the legends, the fish.”

He laughed. “Perhaps I talk too much about the reef–”

“Oh no. I didn’t mean that. What I meant was…” His grin widened and her lips twitched before she laughed with him. “So, do you learn all this stuff in school or are you just naturally curious?”

“My grandparents and parents taught me the legends and history of the Islands. I am a… bitsa too, French-Hawaiian ancestry.” A shadow passed over his face and his jaw tightened. Quietly, he added, “I’m proud of my history.”

“As you should be. So tell me–”

He grabbed her by the shoulders and turned her to face the bay. Startled, she turned back to him.

“Look!” He pointed to two dolphins at play in the lazy waves. They jumped and swam on their sides, never far from one another. Diverted by their antics, she was still intensely aware of Arne’s hand still resting on her shoulder, the intimacy of his body so close to hers. His warm breath tickled her right ear as they stood without speaking, watching the dolphins play until, with a final leap, they vanished.

Amelie sighed. “How beautiful they are. I think they’re my favorite sea creature…and I think they must have a sense of humor too because they’re always smiling.”

Arne grinned at her. “When dolphins are around you know you’re safe. They’ve been known to attack even large sharks. And over the centuries, mariners have claimed dolphins have guided them to safe harbor. Come on. I want to show you more while we’re here.”

He pointed out natural features and good photo opportunities and shared stories of the islands. Passionate about his Hawaiian heritage, his voice and hands wove tales from long ago, bringing to life legends as old as time. As he spoke, she could almost see the lost lover, the vengeful Pele, the shark slyly stealing the young daughter.

“You’d be a great personal tour guide if ever you want to change jobs.”

“Ah, but I only do this for special people.”

Her heart flipped and, despite her promise to herself, her fascination grew. There was an honesty about him, a strength and an integrity that went to his core. She knew instinctively he wouldn’t walk out on a woman like Victor had. But there was a reserve about him that intrigued her, and she wanted to break through it.

Slowly
, she warned herself.

Don’t push it.

Despite the thrill that ran through her when he looked at her with his compelling eyes and the compulsive jolt of her nerves at his touch, he’d not made a move on her.