Page 51 of The Ranger Gets His Girl

He avoided her gaze and nodded as he took another bite, but he didn't elaborate.

She rubbed her hands together, then said, "I'm going to Pearl Harbor then to the pineapple plantation. Is that ok with you?"

He shrugged. "Sounds fun. I like military history and have always wanted to see Pearl Harbor."

They rented a car and took off on an adventure. As far as adventures go though, it was rather boring. They spent a few hours at Pearl Harbor, got lost in the maze at the plantation, ate at a little restaurant for dinner, then began the drive back to the resort.

Mason kept looking in his rear view mirror and frowning, which led her to looking in her side mirror. An old green car followed them for miles. Had it been there since they'd left the restaurant?

Eventually he pulled onto a small dirt road that opened to a dirt parking lot.

She looked around, sitting up in the seat. "Everything ok? I thought we were going back to the resort?"

"Yeah, give me a few minutes." His voice made it clear that he was distracted, and his body was definitely tense. He looked in the rear view mirror as the green car drove past the turn off.

She couldn't see into the car, but Mason seemed to relax after they left. He smiled and reached behind him to pull out a backpack.

"How do you feel about hiking? The sign says there's a trail head here to the cliffs."

She shrugged and opened her door. "Sure, I'm all for seeing new things."

He opened his and joined her at the front of the car, pulling out a bottle from his backpack. "It's one of the things I appreciate about you, Lucy. Your sense of adventure makes me very nervous, but I'm glad I'm here with you today."

She turned her back to him and sighed at his hands on her back. "Me too, Mason."

They lathered up the sunscreen. He was so gentle, but his hands made her spine tingle with awareness. He leaned over and placed a soft kiss on the top of her shoulder.

The more time she spent with him today, the more relaxed she became. They walked hand in hand, and Mason carried the backpack. He must've planned this, and it made Lucy feel warm and loved to know he'd put effort into making their day enjoyable.

They stopped along the path to read different signs on the history and significance of the area. But when they reached the western most tip over an hour later, she was breathless.

A Hawaiian couple stood on one side, the man's arms wrapped around the woman's pregnant stomach as they gazed to the sea. Lucy and Mason stood several yards away, hand in hand as they listened to the ocean crashing on the rocks below.

Neither of them spoke, but she wasn't sure if he felt what she did. It was magical here. She felt a sense of peace wash over her.

The couple approached, and the woman held out a seashell. "For you."

Lucy nodded. "Thank you."

The man kept a wary eye on them but asked, "You're tourists?"

Mason nodded, his hand protectively sliding to Lucy's back as she took the seashell and held it in her palm. It shone opalescent purples and blues in the bright sun.

The woman nodded to the water. "You toss the shell into the ocean. This is the leaping point to the spirit world. The shell will help ensure safe passage for your loved one to the afterlife."

"These are sacred grounds," the man said.

Mason angled his body slightly in front of Lucy and said, "We're sorry. We didn't mean to intrude. Apologies."

The pregnant woman put her hand on her boyfriend's arm and smiled. "It's fine. This is a public park, after all, and you're here for a reason. Perhaps it's time to let them go."

Lucy frowned. "Let who go?"

The woman smiled and rubbed her stomach. "Only you know that answer. You can find more shells over there if you need them. Enjoy Hawaii. Aloha."

They turned and walked back down the path. Lucy glanced at the shell in her hand and frowned, her hand closing over it.

She looked over the water. "Do you think she's right?"

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