Bridget and I followed Lee to the helicopter, its propeller already lazily spinning. I ducked my head into the front with Lee while Bridget sat in the back.
“Here, put these on.” Lee handed us headsets after he put on his. “This will block out noise and we’ll be able to hear each other.” He flipped switches on the control panel, the blades picked up speed, and the helicopter lifted off the ground. “Ready? Here we go.”
My muscles tightened and I folded my hands onto my lap. The farther up he went, the faster butterflies swarmed in my center.
“Yah!” Bridget’s laughter filled my earpiece.
People, cars, buildings, and the town shrank to little dots, while we lifted higher into the sky with scattered white clouds. Lee banked left, giving me a view of the vast ocean. So beautiful in its simplicity from up high. As he got closer to the mountain, waterfalls sporadically appeared here and there.
I took out my camera and started clicking.
“There’s the Wailua Falls.” Bridget pointed, her forehead pressed to the window.
A painting of this waterfall hung in Abby’s gallery. Lee had admired it that day he purchased Cupid.
“It’s beautiful. Where are we?”
“North of Lihue,” Lee said. “Did you know this waterfall is famous?”
“Really?” My curiosity was piqued.
“It’s most recognized from the opening credits of the old TV show Fantasy Island. But I’ve never seen it.”
“Now I have to see it.” I snorted and took more pictures.
Lee began to lower the helicopter. “We’re going to land soon and have lunch.”
As I continued to admire the breathtaking view, I’d expected some hidden gem of a restaurant in the mountains, but there was nothing here. I supposed he meant picnic.
While Lee landed the helicopter on a flat area atop a mountain, I gaped at the waterfall. Crystal-clear water cascaded from a dizzying height, droplets shimmering in the air, and splashed into a small pool lined with boulders and shrubs.
Lee helped us out and grabbed a picnic basket and a big blanket. We climbed down a steep slope in a single file between glossy green leaves. Mist dampened my face from the waterfall like soft kisses and I let them dry on their own.
Lee led the way to a grassy area, and I helped him spread the blanket. I backed away and snapped pictures of him and Bridget with the waterfall background, a few with the boulders and tall shrubs behind them, and then the waterfall itself.
Exquisite. Perfect.
“Don’t tell me this is your property?” I placed my camera down beside me on the blanket.
Lee chuckled, taking the water bottles out of the picnic basket. “No. I wish. I found this spot while flying around aimlessly. It’s secluded and no one comes here.” Lee took out a stack of aluminum containers next. He handed me one and then one to Bridget. He opened the silver lid and stream rose. “Bridget picked the restaurant. It’s Chinese food, and it’s warm. Please, eat away.”
I eyed the dumplings, hot buns with meat inside, and noodles with beef. “I didn’t know we were having lunch here. I would have brought something as well.”
“No need. I asked you to come.” He took a bite of the hot bun.
I took the chopsticks he handed me and twirled the noodles around. “Do you come here often?”
Bridget held out two fingers, her little mouth stuffed with dumpling.
“We came twice this year,” Lee used the chopsticks to pick up a dumpling. “It depends on how busy I am. My business slows down in December. I also take Bridget to see snow.”
“Here?” It sounded ridiculous after I had said it. It didn’t snow in Kauai, or any of the Hawaiian Islands.
The corners of Lee’s lips tugged. “No. Not here.”
I flipped open the water bottle cap and took a drink. “I would love to go where it snowed one day. I’ve never been.”
Lee swallowed. “Really? What’s so special about the snow?”
“The sight of snow always fills me with peace, the way the sound of wind chimes does. Snow also reminds me of Christmas and all the magical things. Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. It’s about family and friends. Helping your neighbors and strangers. Giving and receiving.”
“I agree with you, and I can take you to see snow whenever you like, but before it melts.”
I let out a light laugh. I hadn’t been hinting at Lee to take me, but it was nice of him to offer, and if our friendship continued, I just might accept.
I took a bite of my dumpling and the other half fell on my plate. “You must travel a lot with your line of business.”
He nodded, slurping noodles into his mouth. “I used to enjoy it, but when things happened”—he jerked his head toward Bridget—“I didn’t enjoy it as much. I feel a sense of duty and I don’t like to be away. But I took on business responsibilities as well, and I need to honor those commitments. It’s difficult juggling both. I’m hoping my younger brother will take some business responsibilities off my hands.”
I figured there were some issues with his brother, but I didn’t ask. Lee had opened up to me, more than I’d ever expected, so I wasn’t going to push him. He would tell me if he wanted to share.
“How about you? Have you traveled much?” He took a long drink from his water bottle.
“Not internationally, but hopefully one day. I’d like to visit Asia and Europe especially, since my family comes from both.”
“It’s an experience. You would love it. I’m going to take Bridget when she’s old enough to handle long flights.”
Bridget, who had been eating quietly, frowned. “I can handle it now. I’m a big girl.”
Lee chuckled. “We’ll see. Maybe next year.”
Bridget got up and dusted the front of her shirt. “I’m done. Can I have dessert now?”
“Oh, I almost forgot.” Lee reached inside the basket and took out another container. “Fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies from the local bakery. These are the best.”
My mouth watered. “This must be my lucky day, Lee. Thank you.”
I let Bridget take one out first and then grabbed my own. I didn’t bother finishing my plate of noodles as I sank my teeth into the soft cookie, the chocolate chips melting in my mouth.
“You’re right, Lee. These are the best,” I said with a mouthful.
“Yummy.” Bridget stuffed the cookie in her mouth so fast crumbs fell all over her shirt.
Lee and I laughed.
“Slow down, sweetheart,” Lee said. “You’ll choke. Drink some water.” Lee shook his head and handed her a water bottle. “You would think she’d never had cookies.”
“Can I go over there?” Bridget pointed to the waterfall.
Lee gave her a pointed look. “Do you remember the boundary?”
“Don’t pass the fifth boulder and stay by the small rocks.”
“Good. Yes, you may go.” He watched her and then turned to me.
“So ...” I washed down the last bit of cookie and picked out a little white flower growing within the grass. “You’ve been taking care of Bridget for the past two years. Do you get to go out with friends or date much?”