Page 96 of And Still Her Voice
“The most exotic place in the world.”
“How about you?” he asked.
“I’m headed back to Los Angeles.” I pointed to the empty seat next to me.
He sat. “Where’ve you been since that day I saved your life?”
“India, on a sort of self-reflecting journey.” I peered into his eyes for emphasis.
“So now that you’ve seen how the other half lives, you can appreciate your life at home.”
“Maybe, but I think I’d rather be heading to Hawaii like you.”
“Well, why not? You seem like the kind of girl who would do that sort of thing.”
“Do what?”
“Fly with the wind.”
Hawaii did sound tempting. Just then there was an announcement. My flight to Los Angeles was delayed due to mechanical issues.
“There’s your sign. Come with me.” Tommy seemed sweet and with his deep-set blue eyes, ski-slope nose, and chiseled jawline—he even had one of those dimples in his chin. He was also pretty easy to look at, but what did I know about whom to trust?
I smiled. “It is a tempting idea.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cross the line.” He stretched out his long legs. “So, seriously, what were you doing in India?”
“Looking for peace.”
“World peace would be nice.”
“I was looking for inner peace.”
“Yes, of course, it all starts there.”
“This coming from a man who’s just been fighting in Vietnam.”
I walked over to the counter to find out when the mechanical issue would be fixed. Before the counterperson could tell me anything, the loud speaker announced the flight cancellation.
I changed my flight and ended up on my way to Oahu with Tommy.
CHAPTER 34
The RoyalHawaiian
The smell of sweet plumeria greeted us as soon as we landed in Hawaii. Our cab stopped in front of the big pink hotel I recognized as the Royal Hawaiian. I’d only seen pictures of it, but now up close and in person, it seemed even more grand. It was a honeymoon destination for those so inclined, like my sister Patty who talked about it and how it had been a dream. Too bad, as Mom put it, she’d put the cart before the horse as far as marriage went. Their only honeymoon celebration was in the hospital after she gave birth. The candy stripers had served up a nice dinner to the new parents, including a glass of Champagne.
I side-eyed Tommy and then turned to face him. “This is not part of my budget.”
“Well, it’s not part of mine, either, but I’ll be living in the barracks soon enough, and for now I’m on R & R and we’re gonna live it up. We’ll pretend we’re married, get a honeymoon suite.” Off my face, he corrected himself. “With two beds.”
“In a honeymoon suite?”
“You’re right.”
As it turned out, a room with a queen-sized bed and a sofa was more in his budget. At least it had a balcony facing the ocean.
“I’ll take the sofa,” he said.
