“That’s perfect!” Teri agreed. “You’ll love living here. I sure did.”
“You’re welcome to stay with us as long as you want,” Jessica offered. “We can help you find a place, too, if you like.”
Lauren thought about how wonderful it would be to live in the garden room, at least for a while. “I’ll be glad to pay rent,” she said. “Especially if you need the extra income since you won’t be working.”
Teri burst out laughing.
Jessica said gently, “That’s okay. I really appreciate your offer, but we’ll be fine. We’d love for you to be our guest.”
Gordon was yawning and trying hard to stay awake.
“We have an early start in the morning,” Kyle said, giving them a quick rundown on the travel itinerary. He concluded with, “So it might help if we have everything packed tonight.”
“Teri, do you still want us to ship the gifts to Maui after we get back?” Jessica asked.
“I think that would be the easiest. I might even leave an extra suitcase or two with things I don’t need right away, if you wouldn’t mind shipping them as well.”
“We would be glad to,” Kyle said. “You had better get your man to bed. He’s about to fall asleep on us here.”
Gordon’s yawn at that moment was so huge Lauren felt sleepy watching him.
“That’s what I get for marrying an old man,” Teri teased. “Come on, honey. The party’s over.” She took his arm and helped him out of his chair. Gordon shuffled beside her until they reached the doorway and then all of a sudden scooped her up in his arms and successfully carried her over the threshold.
“Aha!” Gordon shouted triumphantly. “I knew I could do it.” He put Teri down gracefully, and she pretended to pound his chest. Gordon looked over his shoulder and in a droll voice told his audience, “I can’t keep the woman off! She’s absolutely crazy about me.”
“One of us is loco,” Teri agreed. Then, wrapping her arms around her husband, she planted a big smacking kiss on his lips and said, “And I love him just the way he is.” They headed upstairs, whispering to each other, leaving a sprinkling of invisible love dust in their wake.
Jessica said she needed to check on Ida to see if she had gone home yet. Lauren asked Kyle if she could borrow the phone and then realized she would be better off calling her parents from the airport tomorrow since it was so late.
“I was going to show you this book last night,” Kyle said, pointing to a fat volume on the desk, “since you said you like old books. This is my only contribution to Jessica’s collection.”
Lauren examined the blue, hardback book, which was written in some kind of Aramaic looking language and opened backwards, like a Hebrew Bible she had seen once. “What is it?”
“See if you can guess.”
On the front cover was a picture of a frail man looking up with a huge sack slung over his back. The copyright inside appeared to be 1904, although the numbers were the only thing Lauren could read. An inscription read, “For my favorite ‘Pilgrim’: May all your progress lead you safe to the arms of Jesus. Forever, Lindsey.”
“Pilgrim’s Progress,” Lauren said with an appreciative smile. “What a treasure! Doesn’t it always make you wonder who the person was when you read an inscription?”
“Lindsey was my fiancée,” Kyle answered.
Lauren looked up, startled. “Oh.”
“She’s in heaven,” he explained.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to …,” Lauren said, closing the book and placing it carefully on the edge of the desk.
“To what? Bring back a memory of someone who’s gone? It’s okay. Just because I once loved another woman doesn’t make my love for Jessica any less. Nor am I embarrassed by my past love.”
Lauren wondered if she wasn’t somewhat embarrassed that she had loved Jeff. After all, she had tried more than once to convince herself that what went on between them wasn’t really love. Somehow, Kyle’s words freed her. She didn’t have to apologize for having loved Jeff. She had loved him. But that didn’t mean she couldn’t go on now and love another man. The burning question was whether KC could still love her.
“May I ask you a question?” Lauren said.
“Sure,” Kyle answered.
“Jessica told me she wasn’t very responsive to you when you first met.”
A slow smile spread across Kyle’s lips. “You could say that.”
“Well, what if she had done something that hurt you horribly. Would you have been able to forgive her and still love her?”
“We had our ups and downs, that’s for sure. I believe the main, and perhaps the only reason we ended up together, was because God worked everything out. See, it’s my belief that if two people are both seeking God’s best and if they are meant to be together, then nothing—and I mean nothing—can stop them from ending up together.”
“I hope that’s true,” Lauren said.
“I should tell you, though,” Kyle said leaning forward, “I also believe the reverse is true. If two people are seeking the Lord and if they aren’t his best for each other, then nothing they try will keep them together.”
“I know that’s true,” Lauren said.
Kyle smiled. He shook his head and said, “I wish my brother could have met you. He needs someone open and level-headed with a big heart like you.”
“Actually, someone is in my life already. We have a few things to work out. I did something without thinking through the consequences. But I’m not ready to give up on the relationship yet. I don’t know if he is or not.”
Kyle gave her a brotherly, sideways hug and said, “Keep trusting God. It will turn out the way it’s supposed to.”
Chapter Twenty-Six
The trip to Hawaii began early the next morning. It seemed like a dream to Lauren, even after they had landed in Honolulu and caught a connecting flight to the island of Lana’i. She sat by the window and was captivated by the azure Pacific below, dotted with white sailboats and tiny white caps on the rippling waves. They flew over beautiful, long, green Moloka’i with Maui to their left. Bubbles of excitement rose inside Lauren as they landed at the Lana’i hilltop airstrip among pineapple fields. She tried to maintain the same cool, calm demeanor as the other four and not let on that this was her first such adventure.
A Polynesian woman in a flowered muumuu greeted them as they deplaned. “Mr. and Mrs. Buchanan?” she asked. When Kyle acknowledged that was he and Jessica, the woman placed a purple orchid and white tuberose lei around his neck and kissed him on both cheeks. “Enjoy your stay on our island,” she said and turned to present Jessica, Gordon, Teri, and Lauren with leis and kisses. “The van is waiting for you out front. Aloha.”
“Is this like Fantasy Island or what?” Lauren whispered to Teri.
“No, this is like Lana’i. You don’t get this kind of treatment on Maui. Ah, but Maui has the same warm, sweet trade winds.” She tucked her hand in Gordon’s and said, “We’re home, honey.”
After gathering their luggage and loading it into the van, the group headed past the pineapple fields where vast rows of green spiny shoots reached heavenward. A long driveway led them past towering Norfolk pines to the front of a huge lodge tucked in the highlands of Lana’i. Koele Lodge had the look of an English country manor. A wide porch circled the entire building, and painted on the triangle overhang that canopied the entrance was a giant pineapple. It made a lovely first impression.
“This is beautiful,” Lauren said, unable to contain her enthusiasm any longer as the van stopped and the driver helped her out. A bellhop appeared at her side and offered to take her bag. “Sure. Thanks.” She followed the others into the elegant lobby to register. A gigantic bouquet of bird of paradise, anthurium, and wild ginger greeted them. “Have all of you been here before?”
“We have,” Jessica said, casting a smile at Kyle.
“Not us,” said Teri. “I’ve never been on this island. Have you, Gordo?”
“Only in my dreams,?
?? he answered. “And only with you.” He gave his wife a kiss.
Lauren wondered if she would be able to stand an entire week around these honeymooning mushpots. Certainly the options for activities on such an island would be limitless. She could rent a jeep and explore if all they wanted to do was lounge around. It would give her a chance to think through how she was going to explain everything to KC.
It took only a few minutes to register, and then they followed Kyle down the hallway, past an intriguing game room and gift shop, out some double doors, and down the long veranda to an adjacent building. All along the breezeway were wicker chairs with footstools that silently invited guests to stop and sit for a while. In each chair was a patchwork pillow, each sewn with a different Hawaiian quilting design.
In the adjacent building, Kyle led them to a group of four suites and handed out room key cards.
“So what does everyone feel like doing?” Kyle asked.
“I’m hitting the pool,” Teri said.
“I’m with the lady in the swimsuit,” Gordon said.
“A swim sounds great,” Lauren agreed.
“Okay. Ten minutes then? The pool is out that way. We’ll see you guys there.”
Lauren slipped her key in and out of the door lock, letting the bellhop bring in her luggage. The large, airy bedroom was decorated in an inviting blue and ginger pattern and had a four-poster bed. A door led out to the front veranda. It was by far the nicest hotel room she had ever been in. “Thanks,” she said, tipping the young man in the white coat. As soon as he left, she flopped onto the bed and drew in a deep breath of her wonderful surroundings. “This is where I want to come for my honeymoon.”
On the table was a carafe of fresh pineapple cider tucked in ice. She poured herself a glass and read the note from the hotel’s general manager. He invited her to savor her Koele moment and stated that he hoped her stay would be “an unforgettable moment of Old Lana’i hospitality.” She had no doubt her stay would be unforgettable as she downed the refreshing beverage. Within minutes she was in her bathing suit and on her way to the pool.
Gordon and Teri were already there, snuggle-swimming in the shallow end. A pool attendant greeted Lauren and offered to lay out a towel for her. He spread two fluffy white towels on the lounge next to Teri’s and asked if Lauren would like something to drink.
“No, thanks. I’m fine.” She stretched out and surrendered to the intense sun pouring over her skin, soothing her every pore. The attendant returned a few minutes later to lay out towels for Jessica.
“Come on in!” Gordon called. “The water’s wet.”
“I like to get hot first,” Jessica said. “What a perfect day!”
“I know,” Lauren murmured back. She cracked one eye open and noticed Jessica was alone. “Where’s Kyle?”
“He went to check on a tee time.”
“Do they serve tea here?”
“Yes, at four. In the music room. But actually, Kyle went to check on a tee time for golf.”
“Oh,” Lauren said.
Before she had a chance to be embarrassed about her fumble, Gordon lifted himself to the edge of the pool and said, “Did you say tea, Jess? I haven’t gone to tea in a long time.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jessica said. “You want to come, Lauren?”
“Sure.”
“I’ll stay here and bake,” Teri said, getting out of the pool and patting her face dry with the thick towel.
“Tea time is one of the fine things in life Teri hasn’t gotten used to yet,” Gordon said. “We made a deal. I’ll eat her tamales if she’ll have tea and cakes with me once a week.”
“And tell them how many times we’ve had tea in the past week,” Teri said, wadding up her towel and tossing it at Gordon.
“Only twice.”
“Right. So I’m a week ahead. Feel free to go without me.”
Lauren had forgotten what a no-frills woman Teri was. Pure, simple, and straightforward. She wished she could be that way more often. So much of her life was spent evaluating her words before speaking them and analyzing her every action. Lauren turned from conflict and fled; Teri hit it head-on.
I wish I’d faced KC head-on last Friday. I wish I’d walked right up to him, looked him in the eye, and said, “I’m Wren. Kiss me.” Of course she would never really do that.
“We’re on for nine tomorrow morning,” Kyle said, joining the group and slipping off his shoes. “I hope you’re ready for the game of your life, Gordon, because when it comes to golf, I provide some pretty stiff competition.”
“Sorry to spoil your fun, but I don’t golf,” Gordon said.
Kyle looked shocked. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. I’m what my loving wife here calls, ‘athletically challenged.’ ”
“Don’t look at me,” Jessica said to Kyle. “Do you like golf, Lauren?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never tried to play,” she said, thinking of how KC had told her his two sports were volleyball and golf. Ever since then she had wanted to give it a whirl.
“Great!” Kyle said, pulling off his shirt. “We’re on for tomorrow morning at nine.”
“Well, we’re going to tea now. Would you like to come with us?” Jessica asked Kyle.
He handed her a tube of sunscreen and sat on the edge of her lounger waiting for her to cover his back with the stuff. “That’s okay, Jess. You ladies go have yourselves a tea party, and Gordo and I will hold down the fort here at poolside.”
“Gordon’s going with us,” Jessica said.
“What are you doing to me, buddy? You don’t golf, but you take the ladies to tea? You trying to score some points here?”
“We all gotta do what we do,” Gordon said with a wry grin. “I do tea; my wife doesn’t. She’ll keep you company.”
“Great,” Kyle said. “I just happen to have my portable backgammon game here. As I recall, you have yet to beat me at this game, Teri.”
“Think back, oh small-brained one,” Teri teased. “It just so happens that on our first missions trip to Mexico I took you on twice, whipping you both times.”
“I demand a rematch,” Kyle said, setting up the board on the table next to Teri’s cabana.
“We’re going, dear,” Jessica said, playfully kissing her hubby on the neck. “Play fair.”
“I always do.”
Gordon offered one arm to Lauren and the other to Jessica. “Ta-ta,” he called over his shoulder. “We civilized folk will leave you to your competition.”
“I think Kyle’s idea of a dream vacation is one competitive event after another with lots of food delivered between matches,” Jessica said quietly as they walked away. She didn’t sound mean about it. Lauren observed that these two loving couples had their own areas of interest which they obviously pursued without offending their mate. She wanted a relationship like that.
“We should wear something kind of nice,” Jessica suggested. “I can be ready in fifteen minutes.”
“Let’s meet in the lobby, then,” Gordon suggested.
It took Lauren closer to twenty minutes to change clothes. Gordon and Jessica were waiting for her. As the threesome entered the music room, sweet chords from a harp rolled past them. The music floated around the small tables and chairs upholstered with mint-colored fabric and made of rich koa wood. The small round tables were grouped in fours for close conversations for the dozen or so hotel guests who were already there. On the walls hung a variety of antique instruments, including lutes, mandolins, and many Lauren didn’t recognize. In the center of the room, hanging from the ceiling, which was painted with pineapples and palm fronds, hung an exquisite light fixture with bunches of glass fruit hanging from its many elegant arms. Lauren spotted an amber pear, light purple grapes, and red apples.
To the side of the room, a long tea cart and buffet were set with three-tiered trays, layered with delicate triangle cucumber sandwiches, ladyfingers, petit fours, and an assortment of cakes and breads.
Lauren w
ent first in line and filled her individual silver teapot with steaming water. She glanced through the packets of tea in the basket and then asked the attendant, “Do you happen to have any Irish Breakfast tea?”
“I’ll check in the kitchen,” she said and noiselessly slipped out. Lauren went ahead and selected her goodies, placing them on a china plate. She wove her way between the tables to an empty one in the corner and sat down, waiting for Jessica and Gordon. The attendant entered and with a white gloved hand offered Lauren two Irish Breakfast tea bags on a glass plate.
“Will madam be staying with us long?”
“Just until the end of the week,” Lauren said, not accustomed to such service.
“I’ll make sure we have your choice of tea each day this week.”
Just then a loud clatter broke the subdued sounds of tea time. Lauren watched as Gordon, who apparently had collided with the tea cart, stumbled to catch his balance. With a thunderous crash and a gangly swoop of Gordon’s arms, the tea cart toppled over.
Everything spilled but a flying slice of sponge cake which Gordon somehow managed to catch with his saucer. The room fell silent with all eyes on a red-faced Jessica and Gordon. He held up the undamaged slice of cake as if it were a trophy.
“Light as a feather, these!” he said.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know,” Teri said, pretending to stop up her ears at the dinner table that evening. They dined in formal attire, which was required at the hotel restaurant.
“Let’s just say I won’t be taking tea tomorrow. Or ever again in this fine establishment. Although, I must say, I’ve done worse,” Gordon said, the candlelight reflecting in his dancing eyes.
“I know,” Teri groaned, turning her head to look at her husband. Lauren watched as intense, pure love shot from the eyes of her old college roommate and connected with Gordon’s gaze. The love between them was electric. It amazed Lauren. She had never seen this in Teri before.
“Did you tell them about your first baptism?” Teri asked, her eyes still glued on Gordon.