Claws for a Cause (A Klepto Cat Mystery Book 15) by Patricia Fry Page B

remember. I want to change into something more subdued and maybe wear a hat.” She began to cry again. “I don’t want him to recognize me. I’ll feel so vulnerable out there on the beach.”
    “Hey, we don’t have to go with the others today. Why don’t we do something else this morning?’
    “No. I don’t want to miss out just because of that darned guy.” She stood and said, defiantly. “We’re going, dammit. He’s not going to ruin my trip.”
    “That’s my girl,” Michael said. “Now go make yourself incognito and let’s get on with our vacation, shall we?”

Chapter 4
 

    Two hours later, the photographers trekked back to the hotel, chatting excitedly about their first group outing.
    “Tomorrow morning, we’ll take the bus to the North Shore and photograph surfers riding the big waves,” Rebecca announced. “You can go on the group bus or meet us there by car or the island bus, if you want. This might be a good opportunity to see the rest of the island. You can hop on and off public transportation along the way. I recommend stopping at the Crouching Lion for coconut pie on the east side of Oahu.”
    Before Rebecca could continue, a gentleman interrupted. “I heard it closed down.”
    “Oh?” Rebecca said.
    Others chimed in with comments of disappointment, including Gladys, who said, “Now that’s a shame. I was looking forward to a piece of that pie.”
    “Well, there are many interesting restaurants and other places to visit throughout the island. So keep your eyes and your mind open,” Rebecca continued. “There will be a lot of photo ops, too. So be aware of your surroundings. You don’t want to miss a potentially good shot.”
    “Or some good food,” Shelly added.
    Once the group had scattered, Michael asked Savannah and Gladys, “What do you ladies want to do now?”
    “We ought to get the baby in her bed where she can rest more comfortably,” Gladys suggested, looking at Lily, who was asleep in Michael’s arms.
    “Yeah, maybe we should rent one of those all-wheel-drive strollers so we can push her on the sand,” he suggested. “I’m going to check into it.” He looked at Savannah. “For now, I’ll carry Lily up to the room and get her settled, then let’s go talk to security, shall we?”
    “Security?” Gladys questioned.
    “Yeah.” He glanced at Savannah again. “We’ll tell you about it later, Gladys.”
    As the trio stepped into the lobby of their hotel from the beach side, they heard a voice. “Hello, pretty lady.”
    They glanced up to see the man known as Mikala standing off to the side, grinning at Savannah. As he approached them, she said, “Hello. Um…Mikala, this is my husband, Michael.”
    He nodded politely toward Michael. “Same as my name,” he said. When the couple looked puzzled, he explained, “Mikala is Michael in the Hawaiian language.”
    “Oh,” Michael said, half-heartedly. “Interesting.”
    “What is the little girl’s name?” Mikala asked, smiling.
    “Lily,” Savannah said.
    “Actually, Lillianna,” Gladys corrected.
    “Oh, it is the same in my language,” Mikala said. “Still Lillianna. Is she an island girl?”
    Savannah shook her head. “Is there a translation for Savannah?” she asked. “That’s my name.”
    “Yes, I remember. It is Kawanaha.”
    “Oooh, pretty,” she said. She practiced pronouncing it: “Kawanaha. Kawanaha.” She then turned to Mikala. “What’s Gladys in Hawaiian?”
    “Kalakeke.”
    “Kala…” Gladys started.
    “You are Kalakeke,” Mikala said.
    “I like it. Thank you.”
    “Yes, thank you,” Michael said. “We’d better put the island girl to bed—she’s getting heavy. Maybe we’ll see you around.”
    “No doubt you will,” Mikala said, winking at Savannah.
    “I think he has a crush on you, hon,” Michael said in a hushed tone as they approached the elevator.
    “Oh, Michael, they’re just friendly people.” She frowned. “…well, except for that awful