Chapter One — Unexpected Passenger
“Jingle Bells” blasted at Lihue airport on Kauai, only I wasn’t dashing through the snow. I was sprinting through the terminal with a carry-on duffel bag hiked over my shoulder and a smaller one clutched in my hand.
Outside the terminal, dark gray clouds clumped like gloomy snowballs. Rain was imminent. All the travelers scurrying over the tile floor toward the doors had the same plan—to catch a cab before the downpour.
Footsteps pounded around and past me. People bumped into me as I hurried along. My duffel bag became heavier the longer I carried it. Even as I struggled to keep pace with the flow, I admired the garland adorned with red baubles, coiled around the pillars.
The beautiful twelve-foot Christmas tree with twinkling lights distracted me as I passed, and I almost ran into someone who’d stopped in the walkway.
“Sorry. Excuse me,” I said. Good grief, Kate. Pay attention before you do some damage.
He waved a hand with an affable grin and tugged his rolling suitcase away.
I arrived breathless at the outside baggage center, sweat beading my forehead, but was soothed by the sweet fragrance permeating the air. In every direction were kiosks selling handmade leis, some with beads or coconut shells. A lady waved a pink fresh-flower lei in my face, but I politely declined and walked toward the taxi line under an awning about fifty yards away.
The cool wind kissed my cheeks and tousled my long brunette hair, and I pulled my unbuttoned sweater off. Seventy-two-degree weather didn’t warrant a sweater even with the rain. As soon as I joined the line for a cab, the sky unleashed its wrath and water pelted the ground like bullets.
This line will take forever.
People squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder under the awning while they waited to catch a shuttle or flag down a taxi. All the line jostling caused my neighbor to bump my arm when a suitcase slammed into him. My eyes watered as someone’s strong perfume fought with the fragrant leis. I grimaced and wondered what had happened to personal space. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” belted through the outside speakers, but the crowd and weather offered no cheer.
I had promised my sister she could count on me this year for Christmas, especially since I hadn’t been there last year. I couldn’t wait to spend time with her and my nephew. The last time I had seen them had been in early spring for my brother-in-law’s funeral in New York where they used to live.
I pulled out my phone to text my sister to let her know I had arrived.
Abby: I’m sorry I couldn’t pick you up.
Me: Don’t worry. I’m on my way.
As I pushed send, a taxi pulled up and parked across the street.
Abby: Good. Tyler and I can’t wait to see you.
I had two choices: stay dry under the awning and wait for my turn, or grab the taxi across the street.
Forget staying dry. Forget waiting in line.
“Taxi!” I waved frantically as I made a mad dash with my head lowered against the pouring rain. The likelihood of snatching that taxi was slim. But I had to try. I kicked at the puddles with every step, my socks soaking water up.
A few cars honked as I dodged past. Not a good idea. “Sorry,” I bellowed. A roll of thunder drowned out my voice.
The wind had kicked up and practically pushed me across the road. With my luggage trying to take flight, I felt like Mary Poppins, only less graceful and more drenched to the bone.
Not a good idea? More like horrible, dangerous, idiotic idea. I could have been hit by a distracted driver. Or I could have slipped, and in the rain, no one would spot me until I’d been flattened. What was I thinking?
But I made it safely across.
I jerked open the door and threw my bags—and my soggy self—into the back.
“Hi.” I flipped my damp hair to the side and checked that I’d closed the door. My cold wet clothes stuck to me like a second skin, I sighed with relief and positioned the smaller bag on my lap. “Poipu, please.”
Beside me, someone cleared his throat.
I gasped and jerked, my heart thundering with the storm. I hadn’t expected anyone else in the backseat, especially a good-looking man with slicked-back dark hair and wide, annoyed eyes.
He smoothed the lapel of his out of place, but classy, gray tailored suit. Who flew to Kauai in business attire? He sure smelled nice, though. A scent of cedar and pine permeated the small space.
Either I was hallucinating my dream guy, or he had gotten in the cab at the same time. But I had been the only crazy person running across traffic. I’d done a quick check before I got in, but the tinted window had prevented me from getting a clear view.
He clutched a dry, folded umbrella on his lap. I waited in case he was a passenger that hadn’t gotten out yet. A guy in a suit like that might be hesitant to run into the rain.
He blinked the most beautiful chestnut-colored eyes framed with thick eyebrows. The intensity of his stare drew me in and made me forget about the pelting rain, but I imagined cozy nights and intimate dinners. Then a muscle twitched in his jaw, and he wiped away the water I had flicked on his face with my hair.
I covered my mouth in horror. Oops.
“I’m ... I’m so sorry.” I swallowed, expecting him to yell or shoo me out of the cab. “I didn’t see you. I’ll just go.” But I didn’t move.
It’d take forever to get another taxi, because I’d have to get back in the long line and wait my turn. When I finally broke the gaze, I clamped my fingers around the metal door handle just as a gentle hand rested on my shoulder.
“It’s fine. You stay. I was just leaving.”
Combined with the tension in the car, his swoony eyes, and the unexpected touch, his smooth baritone sent a surge of pleasant electricity through me. It had been so long since I’d felt this magnitude of attraction ...
Forget it!
He was probably leaving for a business trip, anyway—he was dressed much better than the average tourist. But then the taxi would have dropped him off at the departure terminal and not across the street.
“What do you mean?” The driver twisted at his waist and propped an arm along the seat back. “You just got in. I can take you both.”
The man gave an uncomfortable laugh. In spot-on timing with the song “Baby It’s Cold Outside,” playing softly in the background, the man said, “I can’t stay.”
Keep me company. I parted my mouth and the words almost escaped. I was surprised how much I hoped he would. So much for my holiday vow to forget men.
“It’s okay. You can stay. I mean, you do what you want. I’m sorry I got you ...” I winced. “Wet. I honestly didn’t see you there. We can share a cab, and I am more than willing to pay.”
Stop rambling. Act like a grown woman.
“No need to apologize,” he said in that smooth voice.
“But—”
Before I could say more, he stepped out and raised his black umbrella, shielding himself as he leaned over the door.
“Brandon, take this lovely lady where she needs to go. Put it on my tab and add the same amount of tip as usual.”
“Thanks, Lee.”
Did he just call me lovely?
“What? Wait.”
“Have a good day. Don’t worry about me. I can call my driver.” He offered a gorgeous crooked grin and shut the door.