Healing Tides by Lois Richer Page B

bitterly cold weather.” She pointed to her bare feet and purple-tinted toenails. “I want my picture taken under a palm tree with my toes in the surf at Waikiki.”
    “Just like any other tourist, huh?” He couldn’t stop his laugh.
    His calendar had a ton of notations. Forms due, reports overdue. Not the best time to goof off, but for once Jared didn’t care.
    “Okay, I’ll take you to Waikiki and wherever else you want to go. But we’ll have to leave right away. The road gets so crowded later we wouldn’t make it back till late.”
    “Hmm. I’m ready.” She lifted the straw bag she’d left outside his door and tossed him a cheeky grin. “How long will you be?”
    “Conned again. It’s getting to be a habit.” He grabbed his suit, a beach towel and stuffed them into a bag. “Elizabeth should have warned us about you.”
    “Why?” She blinked innocently. “I’ve done everything you asked me to, the hospital is running smoothly and we deserve a day off.”
    Because he wanted to forget, because he was tired, because her bubbling delight always soothed his stormy mind, Jared would go and bask in the happiness that spilled over.
    She was right. She had worked hard and she deserved to see more than Agapé’s few acres while she was here.
    He owed her that much.
    “Sister Phil?” he asked as he backed out of his parking spot.
    “Is well taken care of. If she needs help, Dr. Xavier promised he’d go.”
    “Do up your seat belt,” he ordered.
    But she’d beaten him to it.
    The Hawaiian sun lived up to its reputation as they drove the winding road. Jared slid on his sunglasses, wondering if Glory preferred the roof up. Watching her nixed that idea.
    Old ships bore carved mermaids on the bow. Glory resembled one now with her eyes closed, her thick golden lashes fanning over lightly tanned cheeks, nose thrust forward, hair streaming behind. She pushed her face into the wind as if daring it to push back.
    Glory was well named.
    “Stop staring at me.” She didn’t open her eyes or turn her head.
    “Why? You look lovely. I believe you’ve even got a bit of a tan.”
    She did open her eyes then, her glare censorious.
    “I have a lot of tan. For me, that is. And it’s taken me ages to get it.” She pushed her hand next to his arm and sighed. “It barely shows. I’ve poured on so much sunscreen, I should have bought shares. I’m sure they’ve gone up at least twenty percent.”
    Jared’s tension blew away with his laughter.
    “You should laugh more often. It gives you this handsome, who-cares attitude that women find very attractive. But then you probably knew that.” Glory closed her eyes and resumed her pose. “How long will it take to get there?”
    So she thought he was handsome. Considering his attitude toward her, Jared couldn’t imagine why.
    “We’ll be there in less than an hour.”
    “Good. You’ll have plenty of time to think about the gift you’re going to buy. What does Pono like?”
    Life. The big generous Hawaiian thrived on his family and friends and he lived each day as if he might not get a second chance to enjoy himself.
    Unlike him.
    “Jared?” Glory touched his fingers where they rested against the gearshift. “Did I say something wrong?”
    “No.” He fiddled with something on the dash to escape her touch. “Didn’t Kahlia say you should buy the gift?”
    “Hmm. What does Pono like to do?”
    “He grows orchids, beautiful rare ones. He’s been a member of the horticultural society for as long as I’ve known him.”
    “So flowers are out.” Tiny lines fanned out across her forehead. “I’ll think about it, but I’m not very good with conventional gifts. Though I do like shopping.”
    “You should have told me that before we left. I’m a terrible shopper. I once bought Diana a toaster for her birthday.” He stopped, swallowed hard. Not too bright, Steele. Like the lady wants to hear about your dead wife.
    Glory didn’t seem to notice his gaffe.
    “A