Page 6 of Always Another Sunset

Bella looked on the verge of saying something but then let out a sigh, nodding in the direction of the trail. “Never mind. I’m ready to do this if you’ll go slow.”

Curious but not ready to press, JC started them on the trail at an easy pace. “I can do slow,” she murmured. As they left the sandy beach behind, the sound of the waves faded, and the path narrowed with lush tropical foliage on both sides.

Multiple colors of green were sprinkled with bits of color from the variety of hibiscus flowers. “This is so beautiful,” she heard Bella murmur from behind her and slowed to look back. “I mean, I knew it would be. This is Hawaii, but…” Her words trailed off. Again, JC had the impression Bella didn’t spend enough time outdoors. Just then, a bird chirped in the distance. Bella stopped, her eyes searching the trees.

JC smiled at her reaction. “I’iwi,” she said before Bella could ask. “Part of the endangered species here. Pretty sound, right?” A flicker of red gave away where the small bird perched on a branch. Cocking its head, it seemed to contemplate them for a moment before darting away. No matter how many times JC saw one of the little creatures, she found them inspiring. The last of their kind. She turned to Bella. “I want you to know, that was special. Rare to see one anymore.”

Bella’s eyes widened. “Really?” she asked softly. “Everything about it was beautiful.”

Watching the woman continue to scan the trees for another sighting, JC studied her. She remembered the long, dark hair and petite body, but the aura around her was different.Less confident? Definitely,she thought.And much more closed off. Where did the carefree young woman set to change the literary world go?

Stepping closer, JC leaned in. “You’re lucky,” JC said, making Bella turn toward her.

She stared. “Me?” she said with a shake of her head as if JC’s words were impossible. “Why?”

JC smiled, wanting to find a way to break past the walls Bella had clearly built over the years. “Almost no one sees the I’iwi,” she said. “I’ve led dozens of people, including devoted bird watchers, on tours here, and as much as they try to find it, the little bird doesn’t show up.”

Bella bit her lip and let her eyes roam back to the trees. “But that never happens for me,” she whispered. “Why today?”

“Maybe you’re in the right place at the right time,” JC said softly, believing her words to be true for both of them. Although she didn’t know precisely why Bella was on the island, she believed things rarely happened by accident. Her emotions toward the woman grew stronger by the minute. Everything she learned about Bella drew her closer.And it’s not only because we have a history as friends,she thought.Even if we first met, I think the chemistry would be there.An urge to tell Bella what she felt was enough to make JC hold her breath. The last thing she wanted was to scare her away with some random statement about being attracted.But before this day is over, I will find out why she is here in Hawaii.JC wouldn’t leave until the mystery of why Bella Wood was on the island was solved.

Baskingin the glow of not only hearing the song of but also seeing the bright red I’iwi, Bella followed JC’s slow pace along the dirt trail. The woman had said Bella was lucky, and she wasn’t sure what to make of the statement. There were times in her life she was fortunate, but those days seemed like distant memories.Of course, I feel like today is something special, she thought, looking at the back of her long-lost friend. Seeing solid shoulders and a fit body from kayaking, Bella couldn’t help but appreciate the view. She guessed JC spent a lot of time outdoors from how she looked.But then, who wouldn’t here in paradise?After being cooped up in her rented condo trying to write, the fresh air lightly scented with plumerias filled her, and the warm sunshine felt amazing on her face. For the first time since boarding the van that morning, Bella was truly happy she decided to be brave and come on the adventure.

“Penny for your thoughts?” JC said with a smile, looking back over her shoulder. “Or am I interrupting?”

Bella smiled back. “Not at all,” she said. “I was thinking about how amazing it is here and that I’m so very glad I came today.” She sighed with contentment. “This day was exactly what I needed to get my creative juices flowing.”

JC turned until she was walking backward. It was obvious she knew the trail like the back of her hand. “Creative juices?” she asked with a tilt of her head. “That sort of talk sounds vaguely familiar from our days in the dorms.” She grinned. “Does this trip have something to do with your writing?”

Shy for a reason she couldn’t understand, Bella shrugged a shoulder. “Yes, pretty much,” she said. “I’m finding it hard to think of anything to say lately. I’m stuck.”

“I see,” JC said, nodding. “Is this still your memoir from college?”

Bella paused to think before answering, realizing JC had no idea what she had accomplished since they last saw each other. “Well,” she started, in a way glad JC wasn’t aware of her bestselling novel. The last thing she needed was for her to be like so many others expecting another book to appear. By not knowing, JC liked Bella for her and not the love story she wrote last year.So, what do I tell her?she wondered as they walked.She’s looking at me, and I need to say something.

She shook her head. “No, I gave up on that,” she gave a little laugh. “Why is it people at twenty-four think they have enough life experience to write such a thing anyway?”

JC laughed too and shook her head. “Good point,” she said. “But what are you working on then?” Biting her lip, Bella walked a little further before making up her mind. The last thing she wanted was to deceive her friend after finally seeing her again after so long.Especially since I can tell she is pretty special,she thought.And no doubt honest as the day is long.

“Well,” Bella started. “I write angst-filled sapphic romance novels.”

“Sapphic?” JC asked.

Bella nodded. “Yes, women loving women predominantly,” she answered. She looked away into the distance. “I actually wrote a bestseller.”

JC stopped in the middle of the trail. “No kidding,” she said a frown on her beautiful face. “How in the world did I not know that?”

Giving her head a little shake, Bella came to a stop barely a foot away from JC. “Do you read lesbian romance, JC?” she asked, not immune to the closeness between them. All she would have to do was reach out, and Bella could touch the woman’s face.How would she react?she wondered before forcing herself to focus.

Clearing her throat, JC looked almost apologetic. “Well,” JC said. “No, I don’t. I’m kind of into thrillers. But still…” Her look softened and Bella could see nothing but tenderness in her eyes. “It’s you.” The two words could infer so much, Bella didn’t know what to say. She met JC’s eyes with her own. Suddenly, all the years lost between them were gone, and she was back in her dorm room, longing for JC to bridge the gap between them. To reach for her. To lean in. She bit her lip and watched JC swallow hard. “I can’t wait to read your book.” Her voice was husky, full of something Bella hoped was longing.

“You don’t have to do that,” Bella murmured, keeping up the small talk while her emotions whirled inside her.If only I could say what I am feeling,she thought but was afraid to ruin the little bit growing between them. “It’s not a big deal.”

JC shook her head but held her eyes. “It is to me.”

8

Watching as a blush slowly crept up Bella’s cheeks, JC couldn’t understand why her friend would think for even a second that her writing any kind of a book wasn’t special. Especially to JC. As if to underline her discomfort, Bella rubbed the toe of her sandal in the sandy dirt to dislodge a pebble, no longer meeting JC’s eyes. “I’m glad you think so,” she mumbled. “But it’s really not a big deal. I think I was lucky.” JC continued to study the woman’s face.Lucky? I don’t believe that. Where is her confidence? What has happened to change her?she found herself thinking again.This is not the same person I knew in college. In school, she had every expectation of being a bestselling author. Why does she seem almost embarrassed by her achievement?

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