Someone must have followed her here and waited until shed gone to the beach to leave the note. Unlessunless Ryan left the envelope on the seat when he got out and was going to pretend the threat was from someone else.
She dismissed the idea. That didnt feel right. He might want her to sell the farm but he wasnt a criminal. She couldnt see him stooping so low now. He seemed more straightforward and honest.
Then who?
The same person who blew up the truck?
Angry at the note, the note writer and herself for being spooked, she grabbed a scrunchie out of the glove box, shoved the note among the other hair bands and slammed the compartment closed.
Shed figure out what to do about the note later. Right now she needed to go home and make sure nothing bad happened.
Apprehension scraped along her nerves. She shivered even as the sun beat down on her shoulders with enough heat to redden her brown skin.
Was Tutu in danger?
THREE
Ryan come up for air after being smashed into the ground for the umpteenth time in the last hour and noticed a certain tall beauty missing. He immediately headed for dry land and refused to look at the reason for his concernno, make that curiosity.
He accepted the towel Ginger held out with a smile. Thanks. Wheres Kiki?
She went to get me a scrunchie, replied Carol, her dark eyes assessing him as she gathered her thick hair in her hand and lifted the mass up off her shoulders, exposing the long brown-skinned column of her throat in a practiced move.
Shes not true Hawaiian, you know, Ginger remarked.
Ryans smile tightened in annoyance. He didnt like the way the woman made Kikis mixed heritage sound second-rate. Beats not being Hawaiian at all.
You like Kiki? Carol asked, her gaze speculative.
Hmm. Good question.
Hed certainly enjoyed verbally sparring with her since hed first contacted her for his client last spring. He appreciated her loyalty and dedication to her grandmother and the family business that produced some beautiful product. Sure.
He liked her. To his surprise, a lot. But his feelings for Kiki had nothing to do with his purpose for being on Maui.
The smirk on Carols face made the hair on the back of his neck rise. He could feel Kiki behind him.
Prepared for some smart remark, he put his most lethally charming smile in place and turned around, but one look at Kikis tense face killed the smile.
She was upset and he instinctively doubted her distress had anything to do with overhearing Carols question or his answer.
He stepped closer and took her hands. Whats wrong?
For a moment indecision crossed her face, then she pulled her hands away from him. Nothing.
Her denial didnt ring true. Something.
She slipped a red fabric elastic band from around her wrist and handed it to Carol. To Ryan she said, Pano can return you to your condo.
Taken aback, he frowned. Youre leaving? He searched her face. What was she thinking now?
She turned away to gather her things.
No way was he letting this opportunity to build trust between them slip through his hands. Im coming with you.
Keeping her back to him she said, No need.
But he did need to. He needed to keep the lines of communication open between them. He wanted to.
Yes, there is. Im done for the day, he replied, unzipping the wet suit, which clung to him like a second skin and peeled the thing off.
See you two later. Im going to go see if the boys are ready for lunch, Ginger said, and ran off toward the water.
With a sly smile, Carol followed Ginger, leaving Ryan alone with a quiet Kiki.
Im afraid Ill soak your car seat, he said.
Kiki shrugged distractedly. No big deal. You sure you want to leave?
He gathered his belongings together. Yes.
She sighed. All right, then. Hop to it.
Kiki led the way back through the grass and trees to the parking lot in silence. Ryan folded his towel in half and laid it on the seat to help absorb some of the water from his wet shorts, the lack of conversation continuing.
They drove for several minutes in silence. Along the side of the road a family of mongooses foraged for food along a hedge. Kiki and Ryan passed the woman with the jewelry stand. Ryan made a note to himself to stop there some time to pick up something pretty for his mother and sister. He slanted a glance Kikis way.
She didnt wear jewelry. Her ears didnt have the piercings in the lobes and he hadnt yet seen her slender neck adorned with a necklace. Though he wasnt surprised that her graceful hands, with their blunt nails, didnt sport any rings, since she used her hands so much working with the plants she cultivated.
Studying her profile, the tapered nose, the high cheekbones and the concentration on her face made him wonder what was going on in Kikis mind? The worry lines around her mouth and eyes didnt sit well with him. What had her so tied in knots? Something more than a pipe bomb?
He wanted to ease her tension and break through the barrier that kept her from agreeing to sell the parcel of land. Now might be a prime moment. Ryan asked, Would you like to stop for lunch? Im buying.
Her hands gripped the steering wheel so tight color drained from her knuckles. I need to go home, Kiki stated.
He laid a hand on her arm. The warm supple skin branded his palm. Tell me what has upset you.
How do you know Im upset?
I can just tell.
She took a deep breath and seemed to be debating with herself before she flipped on the blinker and brought the car to a halt on the side of the narrow dirt shoulder. Reaching past him, she opened the glove compartment and pulled out a white envelope. This is why.
He slipped the folded sheet of paper out and read the words. Shock and anger spiked in his veins. Where did it come from?
When I came back to the car to get Carol a hair tie, I found the envelope with the letter inside on the seat.
Someone had been in the makeshift parking lot while they were at the beach. Concern for Kikis welfare arced through him and overshadowed his own agenda. You have to take this to the police.
Right. She pulled back onto the road. What are they going to do? Its just a stupid note.
That freaked her out.
After what happened yesterday? Are you kidding me? This is a threat. Any threat should be taken seriously.
He refolded the note and tucked it back into the envelope, wishing he could as easily put away the roaring trepidation kicking its heels in his blood.
Someone wanted the flower farm sold badly enough to threaten the Kaapas.
Ryans client, Horatio? The syntax of the note was off, though. And certainly not something Ryan pictured Horatio Lewis, the owner of the largest land development company in the nation, doing. Though there had been rumors over the past year that Horatios business practices bordered on unethical. But on the previous deals Ryan had worked on with Horatio, Ryan hadnt seen any hint of underhanded dealings. No, the note was toounsophisticated to have originated with Horatio. Wasnt it? Do you think one of your neighbors could have left the note?
The thought occurred to me. But I cant see any of them trekking all the way here to leave a note on my car seat.
They have something to gain if you sell the land, however.
True. She blew out an agitated breath. I have to check on Tutu. If something happened to her, II dont know what Id do.
He held open his cell phone. Call.
She reached for the phone, but Ryan returned her attention to the road with a tilt of his head. With another sigh, she rattled off the number and Ryan dialed. She took the phone from him while keeping one hand on the steering wheel.
After a moment, she handed it back, her eyes bleak. No answer.
Then lets go straight to the farm, Ryan said.
Ill drop you off first.
No. He wasnt about to let her walk into some unknown situation by herself. He prayed that his worry was unfounded, but just in casehe was sticking close to Kiki. Id like to check on your grandmother, also.
She shot him a quick glance. Why?
Because I like her. And I certainly dont want anything bad to happen to her. Or you.
Her lips pursed together and she didnt comment again as she sped down the Piilani Highway into the countryside away from town. She turned the car onto the long dirt drive running alongside the fields and leading up to the ramshackle traditional-style Hawaiian house.
The rows and rows of flowering blossoms stretched toward the sun without any signs of uninvited guests. Nor were there signs of life near the greenhouse, the big huge metal building off to the left or the tiny shed barely visible beyond that.
All was quiet and still. Almost too still.
Kiki stopped the car in a spray of gravel and jumped out before the engine had even stopped rotating. Ryan quickly followed her up the porch steps. He slipped his sandals off, leaving them beside Kikis flip-flops and entered the house.
Tutu? Kiki called, her voice a little high. She disappeared down the hall, only to reappear a moment later, her eyes wide and panicky. Shes not here.
Kiki looked as if she was about to hyperventilate. Ryan grasped her by the elbow and made her sit on the faded upholstered couch. Could she be out shopping? Buying groceries?
I suppose. She rose and headed toward the door.
Ryan hurried after her, but he at least paused long enough to slip his sandals back on before vaulting down the porch steps to catch up with her. She halted as they rounded the corner of the house. Her car is gone.
Relief eased through Ryan. There you go. Shes out shopping, doing errands or whatever else, so theres no reason to worry. He hoped.
But I told her Id get groceries after I got back from the beach. Shes seventy years old, Ryan. Tutu shouldnt be out driving around.
Ryans mouth twitched with a smile. The lady wanted to be in control and sure didnt like it when she wasnt. Your grandmother is a vital, energetic woman whos more than capable of doing as she pleases. At her age, shes earned the right to go shopping by herself.
Kiki frowned at him. Of course. I know that. Its just
The note. The threat. The explosion yesterday. Anger burst anew in his gut.
Yeah. The note. Im sure it doesnt mean anything and Im being ridiculous. It just unnerved me.
Which I would imagine was the senders intent. But the pipe bomb yesterday wasnt meant only to scare, it destroyed your truck. Im telling you, call the police.
She waved his suggestion away. Later.
Waiting is not a good idea.
That stubborn, youre-not-going-to-tell-me-what-to-do look came into her eyes. He could argue with her until he was blue in the face and he wouldnt get anywhere. So he took a different tactic.
He grabbed her hand. My father was a cop. One of my brothers is a sheriff. Ive heard enough stories to know waiting is never a good thing when it comes to threats of any kind. Yeah, it may be nothing but it might be something and wouldnt you rather be proven right than wrong?
Her gaze narrowed but the worry there didnt lessen. Fine. Ill go call Nik.
Good idea. Nik seemed competent.
Ryan released her hand and she went inside.
Taking a seat on the porch steps, Ryan blew out the tension and focused his gaze on the tropical vista spread out before him. No wonder someone had decided this piece of property would be the perfect spot for a resort.
The rolling landscape, full of colorful foliage extending toward the rugged cliffs, was a glorious contrast above the churning, white-capped waves of the Pacific Ocean. The darker hues of the water blended with the brighter blue sky at the horizon line. A truly captivating scene.
He shifted his attention to the flower farms rows of exotic plants. He had no doubt that even when the beautiful array of red, yellow, white and pink of the cultivated flowers were gone, the view would still be breathtaking.
He could envision a lush, manicured lawn in place of the crops and a huge white gazebo for weddings. Possibly even a small stage for miniconcerts. The place would be a gold mine in the tropics. A gold mine that would fill his own bank account.
Niks on his way, Kiki stated as she joined him on the stairs.
Great. Ryan shifted his gaze to meet hers. This would be a wonderful place for a high-end resort set up for weddings and events where people want more privacy than can be found at the other resorts right on the beach.
She frowned and turned her gaze toward the ocean. There are other places on the island that would work. Places that arent currently occupied and arent important to me.
A cramp of remorse gripped him but he suppressed it. This was the land his client wanted. He purposefully ignored her last statement. Really? Hmph. I didnt find any other suitable properties when I researched the island.
A flash of annoyance crossed her face. Thats because you dont know where to look.
So where are these other places?
Ill show you after church tomorrow.
Was she suggesting they spend more time together? Unaccountably pleased by the notion, he teased, Does that mean youre inviting me to church?
She met his gaze dead on and straightened her spine. Yes. I guess I am.
He blinked. Pleasure, followed closely by a twinge of guilt, chased down his spine. Hed just imagined her beloved flower farm being replaced with a mega resort. How would this personal step affect his deal? Hmm. He wasnt sure he wanted to analyze that. I would love to join you for church.
Really? So youre a churchgoer?
Every Sunday, growing up. Faith is very important to my family. And to him. Though there were times he wished he understood God better.
Good. Her mouth twisted wryly. Its not your traditional church.
His eyebrows rose. What does that mean? You dont offer sacrifices or burned offerings, do you?
She laughed, the very appealing sound tingled in his chest.
No, of course not, she said. Its a Christian church, but with some Hawaiian traditions incorporated into the service.
That sounds interesting. He held her gaze, liking how open she was at the moment.
As if she sensed his appreciation, she looked away, following the same visual path he had wandered moments ago. Though he doubted she was envisioning a five-star hotel.
I hate this waiting. Where could Tutu be?