Page 33 of Try Easy

Henry’s house was built into the hills overlooking the ocean. His backyard was a sloping green carpet lined with messy hedges and overgrown shrubs that meandered down to the waterfront. Everywhere she looked was green or blue. The vibrant hues didn’t look like anything nature could conjure up. Lou felt like she had been plucked out of gray Seattle and dropped down into a fairy tale.

“I’ve got to get my camera,” Lou said, turning to step back into the house.

“The view from the beach is even better,” Henry said, coming onto the deck with a tray of food.

Lou glanced down at the tray and saw a delicious selection of food. It smelled incredible. She decided to wait until after breakfast to take some pictures.

They sat down together and enjoyed the breakfast of fresh fruit and spam sandwiches that Henry had made. Lou had never tried spam before, and she wasn’t sure she was going to like it.

“You can’t come to Hawaii and not try spam,” he said, taking a bite. “And poi.” He made a face that showed what he thought of poi.

“It’s not bad,” she said, taking another bite of the sandwich.

Henry had pan-fried the meat-like substance so that it was crisp on the outside. It was salty and flavorful and reminded Lou of thick bologna.

“I’m sorry I have to work again today,” Henry said.

“That’s okay,” Penny said. “Bones and Keoni said they would show us around.”

“Actually,” Lou said. “I wanted to talk to you about that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. I think we will be fine on our own. Exploring by ourselves will be fun. It will be an adventure.”

“But Keoni and Bones know all the great spots.”

Lou held her ground. “We can find our own great spots.”

“Didn’t you like them?” Penny asked. “I thought they were nice.”

“Keoni and Bones are great guys,” Henry said.

Lou pushed her plate away and picked up her coffee. “It’s not that I didn’t like them. I just thought it might be fun for us to be on our own a bit,” she said. “When Henry’s off later this week, he can show us around.”

Penny stared at Lou so hard that she felt it all the way to the roots of her hair.

“You liked them too much, didn’t you?” Penny asked.

Lou started to deny it, then she dropped her gaze and nodded.

“I knew it!” Penny said. “You aren’t as innocent as you like to seem.”

“I am innocent, and I want to stay that way.”

Henry burst out laughing. “Did Keoni play his guitar for you?” he asked.

“Yes,” Lou said.

“Don’t feel bad,” Henry said. “There’s never been a woman yet who didn’t fall in love with Keoni after hearing him play his guitar.”

“He sang, too,” Penny chimed in.

“I’m not in love with him,” Lou insisted.

Penny and Henry shared a knowing glance but remained silent. After a moment, Lou picked up her coffee and drank, ignoring them.

“What do you want to do today?” Penny asked after a long silence.

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