Yuletide Stalker

“Because I couldn’t wait to show our guest the view. Maddie, this is Roselina Pukui—my housekeeper, friend and parole officer. If it wasn’t for her, I’d get in all kinds of trouble.”

Laughing at Linc’s remarks, Roselina waddled toward them, her gentle black button eyes smiling.

“Don’t pay no heed to him, honey.” She wrapped her arms around Maddie, crushing the floral lei. The sweet scent of the orchids surrounded them. “Welcome to our home.”

Even from her short stature, Maddie could look over the housekeeper’s squat figure. Forming an immediate fondness for Roselina, Maddie returned Linc’s affectionate smile.

Releasing Maddie and patting her long, golden hair, Roselina said, “And I was expecting a little girl, not a grown-up woman. Why’d you fib to me, Mr. Linc?”

“I was surprised, too, Roselina. I was expecting the little girl I’d remembered.”

“Well, you’re pretty as a picture, Miss Maddie. Let me show you to your room, and then we’ll have a little snack before you take a rest. I know what a tiresome trip it is from the mainland. My two kids live in California, and I go to see them once a year. It takes a day or two to rest from the long flight.”

Recalling Ahonui’s comment about Maddie’s reputation, Linc cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking, Roselina, that Maddie might be more comfortable in the guesthouse. It’s ready for company, isn’t it?”

Roselina’s startled eyes met her employer’s, then she took another, appraising look at Maddie. “Of course, Mr. Linc,” Roselina said quickly. “She will have more privacy. Come this way, Miss Maddie.”

As Maddie followed Roselina to the small cottage, she wondered at this sudden change in where she was staying. Maybe she hadn’t lived up to Linc’s expectations, and he didn’t want her around all the time. Maddie knew she should curb her sensitive nature, but it was hard to break a lifelong habit. She’d always found it difficult to believe that people really wanted her for a friend.

“You’ll like the cottage better than the bedroom in the house,” Roselina said as she walked next to Maddie. When the housekeeper opened the door to the one-room cottage, Maddie agreed with her.

“Oh, this is wonderful,” she said. The bedroom and bathroom area were separated from the combination kitchen and living room by a wooden screen. “Listen to the ocean waves. What a peaceful place to sleep. But why do you need a cottage when the house is so large?”

“Long ago, this was the office of the plantation owner, and Mr. Linc thought it would make a good guesthouse. He entertains business friends here sometimes, so I keep it ready for use.” She opened the small refrigerator. “Soft drinks and ice are in here.” Pointing to a box on the wall, she said. “Intercom to the house. Also a private phone if you want to call home. Nice, huh?”

“Very nice.” The room was warm so Maddie laid her jacket and purse on the small couch. By the time Roselina had shown her where the extra towels and blankets were kept, Linc arrived with her luggage.

“Do I have time to take a shower and change before lunch?”

“Yes, take your time. I’ve prepared cold snacks for lunch, and I can serve them when you’re ready,” Roselina assured her.

Trotting beside Linc as they returned to the main house, Roselina demanded, “Why isolate the little thing when there’s a nice room all ready in the house?”

Flushing slightly, Linc said, “Yes, a nice room directly across the hall from mine. I really didn’t expect Maddie to be so…” He hesitated. “So mature. She’ll prefer the privacy of the guesthouse.”

Ahonui’s remarks had made Linc more conscious of his responsibility while Maddie visited him. And he hadn’t been prepared for the emotional jolt Maddie’s appearance had caused. Since Stanley Horton had been his friend, Maddie probably thought of him as a father figure, and he’d have to be sure that he kept it that way. Trouble was, he didn’t know how a father should act, either. But he knew that he would be more comfortable if Maddie didn’t occupy the bedroom across the hall from his own.

When Maddie showed up for lunch wearing white capris, a coral tunic and a pair of white canvas sandals, Linc groaned inwardly. The casual garments she’d exchanged for the light blue tailored suit she’d worn made her even more attractive. How could he spend a month treating Maddie as the daughter of his friend when he suspected that she embodied the traits he’d looked for in a woman most of his adult life? Since he didn’t date much, his friends often accused him of being too picky. And maybe he was, because he hadn’t found anyone before whose presence affected him as Maddie’s did.

After lunch, Maddie said, “I’m very tired, but I’d like to take a walk down to the beach before I go to bed. I’m too keyed up to sleep yet.”

“Just take a little nap,” Roselina advised, “and tonight you can get adjusted to the local sleeping schedule.”

“I’ll show you around,” Linc said.

Narrow stepping stones marked the path to the beach, and they walked single file. Following Maddie, Linc carried two lounge chairs.

“It’s a small beach but fairly private except for pleasure boats traveling by.” Gesturing in a wide arc toward the palatial hotels dominating the coastline in both directions, he said, “You can see we’re situated in a cove between several large resort hotels.”

Maddie kicked off her sandals, walked across the sandy beach and waded into the gentle surf. “I can’t believe it,” she said, jumping up and down, splashing water in her excitement. “Maddie Horton walking in the Pacific Ocean. I must be dreaming. Is it safe to swim here?”

“Perfectly safe,” Linc assured her. “I usually take a swim when I come home from work.”

“My swimsuit is in the piece of luggage we’ll pick up tomorrow, so I can’t swim today.”

Linc unfolded the lounge chairs. “We can sit and enjoy the view until you get sleepy.”

Maddie stretched out on the chair, leaned her head back and listened to the regular rhythm of the incoming whitecaps. A large white bird with red feet landed on the beach and strutted serenely through the water, turning its head toward Linc and Maddie as if expecting a handout.

“Is that a seagull?”

“We don’t have seagulls in Hawaii. That’s a Red-footed Booby.”

Maddie frowned. “What an ugly name for such a pretty bird.”

“You’ll notice many birds that are strange to you. There’s a bird book in your cottage for guests—you can use that to identify them.”

The long plane trip had been exhausting and Maddie sighed. Despite the disturbing news she’d read about the naval officer’s death, she had never felt more content in her life. These few hours with Linc had proven he was the same thoughtful, caring man who’d supported Maddie and her mother through Stanley Horton’s funeral years ago. She went to sleep wondering if Linc was in love with Ahonui.

Linc unashamedly watched Maddie as she slept. The breeze whiffed the long golden tresses around her face, and occasionally Maddie brushed them aside. Her face was relaxed and she seemed vulnerable, as if she was still the girl he remembered, but she wasn’t a child. Nor did he want her to be, although he didn’t dare hope that she would regard him romantically. Maddie sighed wearily and an agonized expression spread across her face.

Suddenly Linc felt like a Peeping Tom, and he turned on his side away from Maddie, but not to sleep. The recent news that an investigation was being initiated into Stanley Horton’s death had come as a shock to him. If he’d had any notion of such a development, he wouldn’t have invited Maddie to visit. He didn’t want to ruin her vacation, but she should be made aware of these new developments. What was the best way to tell her? He decided to say nothing until she had rested.

They ate their evening meal of chicken, potatoes and mixed vegetables in the dining room with a full view of the Pacific.

“Except for some of the spices, this meal could have been served back home,” Maddie said. “I’m curious about what kind of food you prepare for Christmas. And how do you celebrate here in Hawaii? Are your customs different?”

Laughing, Linc said, “Different from what I knew as a kid. I grew up in Iowa, and I remember going to Grandma’s house for a traditional Christmas dinner. We didn’t travel in a horse-drawn sleigh, but we had snow most of the time. You obviously won’t see any snow, but people do a lot of decorating. And we serve ham and turkey with all the fixin’s in my restaurants and people like that. I heard a news anchor say last week that you can always tell you’re spending Christmas in Hawaii when ‘Silent Night’ is played on a ukulele and Santa arrives on the beach in a canoe.”

“That’s funny,” she said with a grin. “I’ve been thinking how strange it will seem to spend Christmas Day at the beach. Do you decorate a tree?”

As Roselina cleared the table for dessert, she said, “Christmas trees are brought in by ship—sometimes by plane. Mr. Linc usually brings home a fir tree, and I decorate it for him. European seamen brought Christmas to the islands, but I don’t think much attention was paid to the holiday until Hawaii became a U.S. territory.”

“I read in the newspaper last week that the first Christmas was supposedly celebrated in Hawaii when an English ship captain and his crew observed the holiday in the South Pacific not far from here.” Linc grinned and added, “Their menu consisted of roasted pig and coconut milk. I’ve always served roasted pork at my restaurants, and this year, as a specialty for the Christmas season, we’re serving chilled coconut milk.”

Mention of the newspaper reminded Maddie of the article. Suddenly the joy of celebrating Christmas in Hawaii took second place to the suspicion that her father could have been murdered.

Noting her change of expression, as soon as they finished the meal, Linc asked Maddie if she wanted to go to her cottage.

Stifling a yawn, she said, “But I should help Roselina with the dishes.”

“No, no,” the housekeeper said. “I have a dishwasher, and it will take no time. You can help next time, but you should rest your first night here.”

As soon as the sun set, darkness came immediately, and Maddie felt apprehensive. She willingly agreed when Linc said, “I’ll walk with you to the cottage. I don’t have dusk to dawn lights because I like the peace of total darkness, but it might be intimidating if you aren’t used to it.”

He turned on the light over the garage door, which was near the cottage. “I’ll leave this light on all night.”

Maddie thanked him, because the darkness did frighten her. And it was deathly quiet except for the continuous slapping of waves on the beach.

“Sleep as late as you want,” Linc said, “and when you’re ready, come to the house for breakfast. We’ll spend the next two days in Honolulu visiting the World War II sites that you want to see and also laze around on Waikiki Beach for a few hours.”

He opened the door. Hesitantly, she said, “Do you have time to come in?”

Wondering, he said, “Yes, of course.”

“I want to show you something.”

Maddie went into the bedroom area and returned with the newspaper she’d gotten on the plane. She spread it out before him and pointed to the article that had disturbed her. “Do you know anything about this?”

Linc threaded his fingers through his thick hair. “I’m sorry you found out before I had a chance to tell you. If you’ve read the paper, you know as much as I do. The prison break was reported on television, but since residents have both English and Hawaiian names, at first I didn’t connect the escapees with your father’s death. Since the military is doing the investigation, they won’t release much information, but I’m sure that it is Commander Horton’s death.”

“Will you tell me about Daddy’s death? I’m sure I heard details of the accident when I was a child, but Mother didn’t like to talk about it. I don’t remember what really happened.”

“Yes, I will, but shouldn’t we wait until tomorrow? You must be tired, and if we start talking about this tonight, you probably won’t go to sleep.”

“You’re right, of course.”

His eyes were compassionate as he said, “It must have been a jolt for you to learn about this new development when you’re so far from your family and friends.”

“Actually, I don’t really have a family. I’m an only child, and except for a few cousins I rarely see, there isn’t anyone. My grandmother died soon after my mother did. After that, you know that I spent two years at the Valley of Hope.”

Linc nodded, and she continued, “And the last two years I’ve lived in a college dorm. I’ve gone to school winter and summer because I didn’t have anything else to do. I have some very special friends, however, and I’m thankful for them.”

“I guess we have a lot in common. I’m an only child, too, and I joined the navy after my parents died in a car accident. I have several aunts and uncles and lots of cousins, but we don’t keep in touch. My fault, not theirs.”

Stifling another yawn, Maddie said, “Because I don’t have any home ties, I do appreciate this invitation to visit you. Christmas has always been a sad time for me, so I’m determined to enjoy myself while I’m here despite this disturbing news, which may concern Daddy.”

Linc squeezed her hand gently.

“Hey, I’m a loner, too,” he said with a gentle smile. “The pleasure is mine. You’re going to keep me from being lonely this Christmas.” Tugging gently on her hair, he laughed and said, “Once you get used to the angels in the nativity scenes wearing leis instead of halos, you’ll enjoy Christmas in Hawaii.”

Maddie stood in the door and watched Linc’s long stride as he returned to the house. His last words sounded as if he was speaking to a child. Why did that annoy her?

THREE

After the long flight, Maddie had expected to fall asleep quickly. The bed was comfortable, the room was cool, and she was irritated when she flounced until the covers resembled a war zone. She couldn’t stop thinking about Linc. The affection she’d harbored for him since she’d first met him had been like a child’s security blanket. Following the death of her father, she’d needed a physical reminder to keep his memory alive in her heart and mind. Linc had been that reminder.

During her teen years, after her mother had gotten ill, she’d also needed an anchor, and Linc’s memory had provided that. Thinking of Linc as her special friend had helped her bear the loss of both parents. Although their contact had been infrequent, she’d remembered him in her heart as a sort of knight in shining armor. She had imagined him to be all that was good, noble and caring. How did the Linc she’d met today measure up to her dream man?

Maddie groaned, turned on her stomach and buried her head in the pillow. Linc was even more charming than she had ever imagined. Would spending a month with him bring her a lot of grief? He obviously thought of her as a child. And what about his relationship with Ahonui? If she allowed herself to fall in love with Linc, would she go home with a broken heart?

Tears stained the pillow before Maddie finally fell sleep, but she awakened at daylight. She showered and dressed for the day in jeans and a blue-and-white stripped tunic-length cotton shirt. Since her fair skin burned easily, she thought the cuffed three-quarter-length sleeves would be helpful. The shirttail hem allowed the blouse to hang loosely about her hips. She put on the sandals she’d worn yesterday. She hadn’t brought many clothes, because she hoped to buy a few locally made garments.

Linc hadn’t said what time Roselina served breakfast, but since it wasn’t yet seven o’clock, she walked to the beach. The tide was out, and she picked up several small shells to take to her friend Lucy. She stepped out of her shoes to test the temperature of the water. It was cool, but not too cold, and she thought she could easily swim each morning.

Hearing a sound behind her, Maddie turned and waved to Linc, who walked toward her. He wore white walking shorts and a red knit shirt. Her heart fluttered like a leaf caught in a strong wind, and this reaction to Linc’s appearance irritated her. What had happened to her common sense?

“You’re up early,” he said.

“I couldn’t sleep. My mind and body are still operating on Eastern Standard Time.”

“That happens sometimes,” he said. “It will take a day or two for you to get over jet lag.”

Laughing up at him, Maddie said, “I didn’t realize what jet lag was until I woke up before dawn this morning.”

“Ready for breakfast?” Linc said. “Roselina has everything prepared. I have a full day planned for you.”

“Such as?”

“Since you want to research World War II in Hawaii, I’ll take you to the Punch Bowl Cemetery to see the memorial to the men who died in that war. We’ll also go to Pearl Harbor and visit the USS Arizona memorial. After you get a general view of these historic places, you can do more detailed research if you like.”

“I’m planning to collect books and pamphlets, as well as take pictures. I brought some disposable cameras with me.”

Roselina served breakfast on the patio. In the distance, large ships plied the open waters of the Pacific. Palm trees along the coast swayed like ballerinas in the mild breeze. Sun had warmed the air, but the breeze had a cooling effect.

Sipping on a glass of pineapple juice, Maddie said, “This can’t be me—Maddie Horton—in paradise. We’d already had snow and some zero temperatures before I left home. Pinch me so I can tell if I’m dreaming.”

Playfully, Linc reached across the table and pinched her arm lightly. It was a simple gesture, but an electrifying one. Blue eyes looked into gray ones, and for a moment the universe seemed to stand still, as if they were seeing each other for the first time.

Coming out on the patio with a tray, Roselina said, “Here’s a—” She stopped abruptly. But her words had broken the spell. Linc shook his head and felt his face reddening as he expelled the breath he’d been holding. Maddie clutched a napkin in her hands and looked away.

Groaning inwardly, Linc wondered how to deal with the unbidden emotion that had suddenly filled his heart. If he thought the attraction was one-sided, it would be easier, but he was convinced that Maddie had experienced a similar reaction. He would have to keep reminding her and himself of the eleven years difference in their ages.

He turned to Roselina who stared at him—speechless for a change. Clearing his throat, he said, “Are you going to keep us in suspense? Have you made one of your special omelets?”

“Of course, Mr. Linc! Special food for a special guest.”

She took the lid off the serving dish and swept the tempting omelet onto the table between them. “You like omelets, Miss Maddie?”

“I’ve bought them in restaurants lots of times. I’ve never eaten a homemade one.”

“Then you’re in for a treat,” Linc said. The difficult moment passed, but it wasn’t forgotten by any of them.

After they finished the meal, Linc pushed back from the table and propped his right ankle on the opposite knee. Roselina poured another cup of coffee for him and brought hot tea for Maddie. Preparing a cup of tea for herself, she joined them at the table.

“This is as good a time as any to tell you what I know about your father’s death,” Linc said. “He was sent to Hawaii on a short-term assignment to test a new plane the navy wanted to purchase. While he was here, he investigated and brought about the arrest of some Hawaiian employees who were stealing military supplies and technology and selling them to foreign governments.”

Shocked at this disclosure, Maddie gasped, “I’ve never heard that. I’m sure Mother didn’t tell me.”

“She probably didn’t want to worry you,” Roselina said. “Mothers are like that.”

With a somber face, Linc continued, “A father and two sons were involved in the theft. The father was killed resisting arrest at the time. The sons were imprisoned, but they escaped from prison a few days ago. The oldest son was recaptured and died from wounds he’d received while trying to escape. Before he died he confessed that he’d been involved in the death of Commander Horton. He’s a member of an ancient Polynesian cult that practice ‘a life for a life’ religion. To his way of thinking, Stanley Horton had caused his father’s death, so he sabotaged the plane Stanley was flying.”

“That’s sounds medieval,” Maddie said, shocked. “I didn’t know anything like that went on anymore.”

“Not many people in the islands hold to the old ways, but there are a few. The police think the other escapee was injured, but he hasn’t been captured yet.” Getting up from the table, he reached his right hand to Maddie. “Don’t think about it. Let’s get started so you can see Honolulu.”

But he wasn’t sure he wanted Honolulu to see her. Well rested, she was even lovelier than she’d been when she’d arrived yesterday.

Since they had two hours before they could enter the Pearl Harbor memorial, he drove to the Punch Bowl Cemetery. Maddie took several photos of the whole area and close-up shots of the towering memorial to World War II veterans.

A motor launch quickly took them from the mainland to the site of the USS Arizona. Maddie’s lips trembled and tears misted her eyes as she looked at the pieces of the ship still visible through the waters after more than fifty years. She scanned the long list of those entombed in the wreckage during the air raid that had plunged the United States into World War II. The deaths of these servicemen made more vivid poignant memories of her own father’s death.

Linc had been aware of the sadness Maddie was experiencing. When they returned to the launch to take them back to the main island, tears slowly slid down her cheeks. He wiped them away with his handkerchief, and throwing caution to the wind, he put his arm around her. She leaned her head on his shoulder. When they reached the dock, she looked up at him with grateful eyes. “Thanks,” she said, and he squeezed her hand as he helped her out of the boat.

“I’m not sure I can write a paper on this subject,” she said. “It’s such a sad chapter in the history of our country, I don’t know if I can deal with it.”

“Don’t make up your mind now. Every war has had its tragedies. Too bad nations can’t learn to live in peace.”

He left the parking lot and turned toward the city of Honolulu, thinking it was time for Maddie’s mind to be diverted from the horrors of war. She’d had enough tragedy in her young life. Had he made a mistake to take her to the war memorials before she saw the lighter side of Hawaii?

Maddie had heard of Waikiki Beach all of her life, and when she knew she’d be coming to visit Linc, she’d rented a travel video about the beaches of Hawaii. But the film hadn’t prepared her for the beauty of this area—the tall, swaying palm trees, the wide sandy beach, the sun shimmering on the tranquil water.

They accessed the beach on the western end, and the first thing to catch her eye was Diamond Head a few miles down the coast. Then she looked seaward at the blue, placid Pacific where people were swimming, surfboarding or riding in outrigger canoes. Others lay on the beach under tents, and numerous visitors sunbathed in lounge chairs.

“Oh, I love it! I love it!” Maddie said. “Makes me wish I lived near an ocean. I can see I’ve missed a lot of fun things.”

It seemed natural for them to hold hands as they strolled along the walkway.

“I’ll see that you experience Hawaii to the fullest before you go home.”

So intent was Maddie on looking at everything, she didn’t notice the frequent stares of the men along the walkway. But Linc noticed, and he didn’t appreciate their attention.

When they approached a man holding two gaily plumaged birds, Linc asked, “Do you want to have your picture taken with one of the birds?”

Maddie nodded and her eyes gleamed with excitement when the man placed one of the birds on her shoulder.

“How about you, sir?” he said. “Get in the picture.” Linc held out his arm and the other bird perched on it. “Stand close to the young lady.”