Page 22 of Duty and Desire

“The lady who looks after my bungalow? She thought you had a stalker. She was worried. Then I saw him. I also saw your expression. Whoever this guy is, you know him.”

He pushed out a sigh. “Yes, I know him all right.”

“Hey, if you want him to take a hike, I can have a word.” I flexed. “I can be forceful if the situation demands it.”

He laughed again, and the sound lightened my spirits. “No, you’re okay. He’s harmless. And there’ll be just the two of us for dinner.” He stilled. “This lady who’s worrying about me… would that be Aulani?” I nodded, and he smiled. “That makes sense. Our paths have crossed a few times. She’s a wonderful person. Good to know she’s looking out for me.”

“What time do you want to meet?”

Nick glanced at the sky. “Well, if we make good time going down the trail, we might reach there in time to watch the sun set while we eat.” His eyes sparkled. “Which I know sounds kind of romantic.”

“I’m a sucker for a sunset dinner.”

Especially if it’s with you.

A little voice in my head warned me not to read too much into this, but I told it to go to Hell.

Nick stood. “In that case, we’d better make tracks. Because we are both going to need a shower before we eat.”

“We can always make it a race to the bottom.” I grinned. “Just to prove to you I can do it, even at my advanced age.”

He snickered. “Maybe that’s not such a good idea. I don’t want to spend my evening at the hospital because you fell and broke your leg.” That sparkle was back. “When I’d much rather spend it eating good food—and in good company.”

“I’m looking forward to both those things.”

Especially the no-stalker part.

Chapter Eight

April 8

Nick

“You’d better not be in the bathroom,” I yelled as I closed the front door behind me. I knew Claudia was back from sunning herself: my buggy was in its usual place.

“It’s all yours,” she hollered. “Knock yourself out.”

I shook my head as I undressed, discarding my dirty clothing on the floor. “You are picking up some bad habits, you know. The ClaudiaIstudied with wouldn’t have been caught dead coming out with that last phrase.” I hurried into the bathroom and flipped the shower on. I climbed in and stood under the jets, letting it sluice away the grime of the hike.

“People change,” she retorted from beyond the door.

Not all people, unfortunately.My stomach clenched.

“Okay, why are you in such a rush?”

I reached for the shampoo. “I’m going out. How was your day?”

“I read, I soaked up some rays, had a few long drinks that contained a lot of juice, ate some terrific lobster salad that wassodelicious, and batted my eyelashes at one really cute guy,” she replied, raising her voice above the sound of the water.

“How far did that get you?”

“Not very far. I think he sat on your side of the church.”

My vocabulary already contained that phrase. “Sorry.”

“Never mind, I’ll live. Want to tell me where you’re going? I take it I’m not invited.”

A pang of guilt lanced through me. “I’m sorry.”

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