Page 98 of One Night in Hawaii

“It is,” I said.

She put a hand to her mouth. “It’s perfect.”

Penelope slapped my arm. “You proposed to her in the dark when she couldn’t see the ring? Amateur.”

“No,” Shiloh said and walked into my arms. “It was perfect. It was the perfect time and the perfect spot. He could have given me a string around my finger and I still would have said yes.”

“Yep, she’s a keeper,” Penelope said, smiling. “I can’t wait to have a sister. We need to start talking about wedding planning.” She hooked her arm through Shiloh’s and dragged her away.

“I’m happy for her,” Ryder said. “I’ve waited a long time to see her that happy. Thank you for being the man she needed.”

EPILOGUE

SHILOH

Two Years Later

It was a chilly morning, the kind that sends shivers down your spine and makes you crave a warm embrace. I reluctantly left the comfort of our bed, knowing the day ahead held a promise of adventure and discovery. Pulling on a thick sweater and then my trusty rain jacket, I prepared myself for the Alaskan weather.

As I stepped onto the deck of my boat, I found Archer seemingly immune to the cold as he leaned against the railing watching chunks of ice float by. A thermos of steaming coffee in his hands provided a tantalizing source of warmth.

The thick fog had enveloped our surroundings, turning the world into an ethereal mist. Visibility was limited, but our excitement remained undeterred. It was our second excursion to Alaska together. Our current mission was to follow a pod of humpback whales, a journey that had brought us to the breathtaking beauty of Valdez, Alaska.

I moved to stand beside Archer and leaned into him. I welcomed the comforting feel of his arm wrapping around my shoulders. It was an intimate gesture, a bond between two people who understood each other beyond words. Together, we faced the challenges and wonders of the ocean, and I couldn’t have asked for a better companion on this expedition. He had turned out to be one hell of a first mate. He was a quick learner and had been helping me record information while taking lots of pictures.

“Good morning, wife,” he said and kissed my forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“As well as can be expected on these wobbly waters,” I replied with a hint of humor, referring to the gentle rocking of the ship. “How about you?”

I had come down with a case of seasickness that I couldn’t shake. I had gone to bed early last night to try and sleep it off. I was sure it was the cold weather. My body was used to the tropical climate. The cold zapped my energy and wiped me out.

Archer’s eyes crinkled with amusement, and he gave me a playful squeeze. “Slept like a log,” he said. “But nothing beats starting the day with this view and your company.”

The fog swirled around us, creating an atmosphere of mystery and excitement. Despite the limited visibility, we knew where we were going. We were following the whales. Their navigation system was better than anything technology could put out.

As the morning light slowly crept through the fog, we got a few glimpses of the surrounding landscape. We stood side by side, ready to embrace whatever the day had in store for us. With Archer’s arm around me and the promise of witnessing humpback whales in their natural habitat, I couldn’t have asked for a more perfect moment. I loved that I got to share this with him. I wouldn’t want to have the experience with anyone else.

Archer held me close, his concern evident in his eyes as he kissed me gently on the forehead. “Are you sure you’re feeling better?” he asked, his voice filled with warmth and compassion. “You look a little pale.”

I managed a weak smile and nodded, trying to reassure him. “Yeah, I’m feeling a little better now,” I replied, my voice still shaky from the bout of seasickness I had just endured. “I just need to sleep and get warm.”

“You’re going right back to bed,” he said.

“Not yet. This is too pretty to sleep through.”

“Do you want to rent a car and just spend a month driving around Alaska for the next month?” he proposed, his eyes filled with wanderlust. “I’d love to see it all with you. We’ve got plenty of time.”

The idea of exploring Alaska together sounded enticing, and normally, I would have jumped at the opportunity. But right now, with the dreadful bout of nausea, the thought of sitting in a car for extended periods didn’t sound appealing at all. I didn’t want to be on anything that moved.

I groaned softly, the discomfort still lingering in my stomach. “That sounds amazing, Archer, but right now, I don’t think I can handle sitting in a car for too long,” I confessed, my voice tinged with regret. “Ask me again this afternoon or tomorrow.”

Concern crept back into his expression. “Are you okay?” he asked, his hand gently rubbing my back. “I’m worried.”

“I’m fine,” I assured him, trying to dismiss the nausea that was threatening to resurface. “I just need some fresh air and a cup of coffee.”

Without hesitation, Archer handed me his coffee cup. I took a grateful sip, hoping the warmth would soothe my queasy stomach. But the moment the liquid went down my throat, a wave of seasickness unlike anything I had experienced before hit me like a tidal wave.

Panic flashed in Archer’s eyes as he saw me turn pale. I managed to utter a hurried apology before leaning over the side of the boat and losing the contents of my stomach to the ocean below.

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