Page 43 of Always Another Sunset

43

Feeling better than she had in a very long time if not ever, JC smiled. The ocean was perfect. Bella sat in the front of the kayak, Gracie perched in the middle, and she brought up the rear. Paddling them through the calm waves, JC reflected on the full circle her life had come. In less than two months, the world she once considered content had blossomed into something much more magical. As she watched Bella’s dark hair, pulled back into a long ponytail, sway with the rhythm of their movement, her chest filled with happiness.I really, truly love her,she thought.And today, I am going to tell her exactly how much.Luckily she had time to work with Blake on a few quick purchases, plus she had taken her partner for the day, Shaun, aside to clue him in on her simple plan.

Like the last time Bella and JC visited the island together, they would split off from the group to take the easier and faster hike to the lagoon. In the short window of alone time, JC had a very important question to ask Bella.Let’s just hope I’m not blowing things way out of proportion,she thought, feeling the slightest twinge of anxiety that she quickly squashed. It was not the time to worry about her decision, but rather the time had come to take life by the horns and go for it. Bella loved her, she knew it, and they needed to be together, even if it meant JC had to make significant changes in her life.

As the group of kayaks started to turn to make their approach to the island, Gracie barked. Looking at where the dog focused, JC saw the flicker of a school of tiny silver fish slightly below the surface as they caught the sun. Less than an inch long and shiny as any lure, the creatures moved in unison like blades. When the hundreds of little bodies jumped and broke the surface, JC heard Bella gasp and Gracie barked again. “Stay in the kayak, Gracie,” JC cautioned her dog even though she wasn’t too concerned. More than anything, Gracie was showing her excitement at the spectacle.

Bella pointed the end of her paddle toward the departing fish. “Did you see those little fish?” she asked. “I’ve never seen anything like that. It was so beautiful.”

“I did,” JC said. “And I agree. The oceans are full of spectacular views.” She grinned. “Maybe I’ll get you to snorkel now that you’re embracing kayaking.”

A nervous laugh from Bella confirmed for JC their current adventure was a special event and not likely to be repeated often. “How about we focus on getting me to dry land on that little island over there for now?” the woman said.

“Your wish is my command,” she said, turning them with the next wave to let it start to propel them toward the beach. The rest of the group had already made shore, and JC had no problem running them up onto the sand. Gracie immediately hopped off, with JC following to move into place to lend a hand to Bella. Next came the one tricky part of JC’s plan.

She needed Bella to agree to split from the group like they did last time, but before she could pose a question, Bella beat her to it. “Last time I didn’t get to see the view from the summit, so I say we attack the trail and go the harder route. I’m in better shape now, too,” she said with a smile JC couldn’t contradict. JC made eye contact with her Shaun, who was clearly unsure of what to do since Bella’s suggestion was the opposite of what JC had planned. She gave him a slight shrug before focusing on Bella.

With a smile, she slung the drybag they brought with them over her shoulders. “I think that’s perfect,” she said, and as the group started up the trail single file, she went last, hoping to come up with an idea of how to get Bella alone later.

Momentsbefore the group reached the summit of the small island, Bella was on the verge of second-guessing her decision. The hike was steeper than she estimated, and although she was more active thanks to JC’s influence, a sharp climb was outside her usual comfort zone. Luckily, with JC hiking behind her and giving her murmurings of encouragement that they were almost to the top, Bella broke out of the trees to a magnificent view. The other four in the party were already oohing and ahhing the vast expanse of turquoise water laid out before them. Even though she was tired and breathing heavily, the landscape was enough to make her pause with wonder.

JC stopped beside her. “Worth it?” she asked with a hint of playfulness in her voice.

Clearly she already knew the answer from the amazed look on Bella’s face. “Oh yes,” Bella whispered. “I’ve never seen anything like it outside of photographs.”

“It never gets old either,” JC said. “I have seen it pretty much twice a day for years now, and I always still love that first step out from the trees to see the ocean below.” Moving closer, she put her hand on Bella’s back. “I’m glad you find it special too.”

Reaching, Bella took JC’s arm. “I really do,” she said, feeling an emotional tug at the knowledge she could never ask JC to walk away from a job she loved so much. The thought only reconfirmed Bella was about to make the right decision. It was only a matter of getting down to the lagoon and finding the perfect moment.

After another few minutes, where selfies were taken, and the view was duly appreciated, Bella made ready to go with the others down the other side of the island. “Why don’t you four go on ahead?” JC surprised her by saying to the three tourists and Shaun. “We can meet you in a bit.”

Not sure what was happening and concerned her plans for the day were somehow in jeopardy, Bella shook her head. “I don’t need to rest any longer if that’s—” she started, but JC gave a shake of her head and looked pointedly at Shaun.

“We will be ten minutes behind you,” she said. “Nothing to worry about.”

Bella was surprised as the young man reacted as if taking a cue and started to nod. “Right,” he said, motioning the others toward the path headed in the direction of what Bella assumed was the lagoon. “See you there.”

Then the man winked, and Bella watched JC’s face flush a little pink.What in the world is going on?Bella wondered, noticing as the rest of the group left that JC started to fidget with the drybag on her back. As she watched, she saw a slight tremble in the woman’s hands. “JC, are you all right?” she asked, glancing at Gracie, who sniffed the edge of the bushes around them, apparently not alarmed by any of the happenings. Somehow, Bella found the behavior reassuring.Would Gracie sense if something was wrong?

For a moment, JC didn’t answer Bella’s question and only focused on the clasps on the pack. “I think so,” she finally said once the flap of the drybag was open. She drew out a white box about a foot long and half as wide. “But you’re the one that will have to tell me for sure.”

Bella furrowed her brow. “What do you mean?”

“This is for you,” JC said, holding out the box for Bella to take. “It’s a little unconventional, but I admit things were a bit last minute.”

Taking the box, Bella wasn’t sure what to think, but her heart started to beat faster. “What is it?” she asked, and JC motioned toward the box.

“Open it,” she said, and slowly Bella did. Inside was a Hawaiian lei of purple orchids and white tuberoses. Suddenly, JC was beside her, lifting the ring of flowers from the package and facing Bella. “The Hawaiian lei is a symbol of love. I wanted to give you one today, in a beautiful spot like this, and ask you something.” Feeling her breath catch, Bella waited as JC placed the lei over her shoulders and leaned in closer until their lips almost touched.

Having a very good idea of what was happening, Bella smiled. “Well, maybe you won’t believe this, but I wanted to ask you something today, too,” she said softly. “Someplace beautiful like this.”

JC hesitated. “You did?”

“I did, and I do,” Bella said with a slight nod. “So… who goes first?”

EPILOGUE

As JC picked up her backpack from the desk at Oahu Paddle Adventures to get ready to leave, she racked her brain for any last detail she might be forgetting. “JC,” Blake said from where he stood patiently at the counter. “It’s not like you can’t call if you think of something.”

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