Chief Distraction Page 5

  Back in her car, Blythe waved and honked as the chiseled Fire Chief pulled away, a billow of dust rising up behind his SUV’s tires. Before starting the ignition, she sat for a moment thinking about their meeting. It would be a long week waiting for a chance to spend time with him again, but surprisingly she was very much looking forward to it. His energy was downright addictive.

  Blythe’s thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock at the window. She’d been so caught up in a daydream about Makaio Kalani that she hadn’t noticed anyone approach. Standing beside her car was a woman, around her age, nicely dressed and squinting in the bright sunshine. Blythe put her window down.

  “Hi there,” the woman said, leaning down so they were eye to eye. “I don’t mean to be rude or presumptuous, but were you here with Chief Kalani romantically?”

  “Um, no. Why do you ask?” Blythe knew exactly what was coming.

  “It’s just that you don’t look like you’re from around here, and, well, I just wanted to warn you about him.”

  “Oh?” Blythe couldn’t wait to hear the woman’s interpretation of the sorted details.

  “How do I say this,” she leaned in even closer. “He’s cursed. But since you’re not interested in him that way, I suppose it’s irrelevant.”

  Blythe smirked, her annoyance heightening over the woman’s unnecessary meddling. “Oh, I’m fully aware of the curse. And, now that you’ve so graciously given me your advice, I think I will pursue him romantically. I like playing with fire. Thanks!” Blythe smiled a giant smile as she raised her window. She started the car as the woman took a few steps back, mouth gaping. Blythe laughed as she pulled away, feeling defiant and triumphant all at once.

  <><><>

  Mak turned out of the parking lot and hit the open highway, passing pineapple fields to his left and palm trees to his right. He lost himself in thoughts of the feisty reporter. Why couldn’t Blythe be like the other women on the island and avoid him at all costs? It would certainly make things easier. She seemed to pop up everywhere in his life. Except for this lunch – which he’d calculated thoroughly – and their interview on Kahoolawe. He knew he was playing with fire. Perhaps subconsciously he enjoyed orchestrating his own rejection. After all, it was inevitable. If she already knew about the curse, she was a damn good actress. If she didn’t, it wouldn’t take her long to vanish like all the others. Why did she have to be so drop-dead gorgeous? And smell so damn good, and have insightful intelligent things to say? He’d met his match and he knew it. He could feel it deep down, all the way to his overdriven libido.

  Chapter Eight

  “Chief, who am I picking up at the peer?” asked Pono as he stood on the deck of one of the fire station’s three rescue boats.

  “A reporter named Blythe Davenport.”

  “Kay. What’s she look like?”

  Without hesitation, Mak’s mind drifted to every delicious detail. It wasn’t something hard to remember. Her skin was pale, yet supple and flawless. Smooth. Her hair a deep auburn with natural golden highlights. She was special, different. Unique. He’d never met anyone like her. “Red hair, tall, kind of thin. She’s with Big Lou so you can’t miss her.” He could easily have gone into detail about the size of her breasts – just big enough – or that her long lean legs led to a perfect backside, but that would be unprofessional to say the least. “On second thought, I’ll take the boat to the peer and out to the island alone, make it easier. That way you don’t have to wait around for us. You can go straight to the convention. Sound good?”

  “Sounds great. This convention gets me outta diaper-duty for a while too.” Pono hopped down from the boat to the dock, threw Mak the keys and practically ran for his van. “Enjoy frying in the island sun and watch out for landmines.”

  <><><>

  Sitting in the truck waiting for the boat bound for Kahoolawe, or Target Island as Chief Kalani had affectionately called it, Blythe was reluctant to pry for answers about Mak, but her curiosities were far more powerful.

  “So Lou, what’s the story with Chief Kalani?”

  Big Lou sipped his macadamia-flavored latte. He looked over, his face scrunched. “A haole like you would think it’s weird.”

  “Try me.”

  Lou blew the foam to cool the scalding drink down. “Shoulda got an iced latte,” he stalled. “Well, the Chief’s cursed.”

  Blythe leaned away from him in mock astonishment. “Get out! So, he’s into witchcraft and hocus-pocus stuff?”

  “No!” Big Lou chuckled and shook his head. “Told you. City girl.”

  “Seriously, what kind of curse? I want to know.”

  The distant honk of an approaching boat filled the silence. Big Lou’s face contorted in concentration, “It’s a kinda personal story, but I guess most people know it now anyways. It’s been, wow, twenty-one years since it happened. Around that.”

  Blythe leaned in closer, wanting Lou to be quick and thorough before the boat arrived. “What happened?” she asked, though deep down she already knew every detail of Makaio Kalani’s story.

  “When Mak was nineteen, he was driving home from a party. His girlfriend was in the passenger seat. It was dark and he was going pretty fast on the Piilani Highway, you know how teen guys are when they drive.”

  Blythe nodded.

  “It was dark and Mak was goin’ too fast and there was this mudslide up ahead on the road he couldn’t see. The car slid off the highway and the force of impact killed his girlfriend instantly.”

  Blythe stared at Big Lou’s lips, trying to let it all sink in. The beginning of this story was one she’d never heard. For a moment, she was disoriented. “Wait, what?” Blythe shook her head, confused. “His girlfriend died? Beside him?”

  “Yeah. Not good, huh?”

  Blythe put a hand over her mouth. “My God, that’s awful.” A sinking feeling engulfed her chest. “But I thought he dumped his girlfriend and she put a curse on him?” Blythe’s voice was hushed.

  Lou shook his head. “Nope. That’s not what happened. Whoever told you that is a liar. There was an article written about it long ago too sayin’ what you just said. A lie.”

  “Apparently.” She’d gotten it wrong. All those years ago, she’d written a completely different – completely misinformed and incorrect – account of Makaio Kalani’s curse. This man had been through so much heartache and her article had been the extra kindling on the fire. “So how is he cursed then?” she pried, wanting to get the real story this time.

  “The girl who died, Melini, her Kupuna is Reverend Okelani, a very well known elder and superstitious Kahuna in our community. She was leaning over Mak’s hospital bed when he finally came around.”

  “What do you mean, ‘came around’? Was he unconscious?”

  “Yeah, from the impact. The Kahuna told him Melini was dead and that it was his fault. That she had been his responsibility and he’d been going too fast, probably drinking. Not once did anyone say it was a natural disaster. Mudslide’s in the dark are common. He didn’t stand a chance in those conditions.”

  “Nobody would!” Blythe added. “So, he’s cursed because he feels responsible for her death?”

  “No, no, it’s a real curse. Reverend Okelani told him he’ll never find love and happiness, never have the chance to ruin another woman’s life ever again.”

  “Never?”

  “Never, ever.”

  Blythe swallowed hard. “That’s not fair. Did he believe her?”

  Big Lou shot her an annoyed look, his eyebrows raised. “See, you don’t believe.”

  “You don’t have to be a city girl to know how ridiculous this sounds.”

  “Look, she cursed him and she’s an elder, a very respected one. She’s very spiritual. We believe in that stuff, Blythe. Everyone does. It’s part of our culture.”

  “Then why stay? Why not go to the mainland and start over…or ask forgiveness?”

  “It’s not that easy to just run away from your family or your history. Mak coul
d easily have become a burnout, but he was determined to prove his worth. He’s done that with his career. His love life? That’s another story. It’s bad, real bad.”

  Blythe shook her head again, consumed by the needless sorrow and loss that Mak had experienced all due to some silly tradition. If anything, he should have had the chance to grieve for his girlfriend and become a man without having some curse hanging over his head. The guilt alone was enough of a curse, but to be publically shunned by a respected elder, it was like receiving a Hawaiian scarlet letter on his forehead.

  Blythe’s face felt hot and she fidgeted nervously in her seat as the fire department’s rescue boat approached. Spotting Mak in the drivers seat, her anxiety ramped by the minute. She’d written a fabricated article on false information years ago and now it was coming around full circle to bite her in the conscience. Wanting to squash the sinking feeling of regret deep in the pit of her stomach, Blythe tried to make light of it.

  “What’s so bad about the curse? It’s not like if you get with him you’ll die or anything.”

  Big Lou paused, looking at her with a knowing intensity. “Yep. It’s a death wish.”

  She stared at him blankly.

  “Okay, maybe not that bad. But for some reason, women never stick around. It’s like he’s got a contagious disease.”

  Although she didn’t want to think poorly of Mak, her logical side naturally took over. “Could it be he’s just not fun to be around? Maybe he doesn’t have anything to offer them.” She already knew this wasn’t true based on her lunch with the Chief. He was witty, personable, and charming. Not to mention easy on the eyes.

  “Ouch, that’s harsh. Why don’t you go out with him and let me know? I’m not a chick, so I can’t answer that one.” Lou shrugged his bulky rounded shoulders. “Mak has akahai. That means he’s modest. I never saw that guy be arrogant, even when he had every reason to be. He’s just a good guy.”

  Blythe knew that meant a lot coming from Big Lou. He didn’t give out props lightly. She’d received two genuine compliments from him in the past, the rest of the time his sentences were woven with sarcasm or silly jokes.

  As if to end their chat, Lou lumbered to the end of the dock in preparation for boarding. She followed, her head swarming with the Chief’s possible inadequacies. As the boat pulled up beside the dock, she locked eyes with Chief Kalani and her uncertainties evaporated. The magnetism she felt in his presence was getting more difficult to deny. She’d been guarded before, cautiously mindful that he was a player who’d been cursed by a slighted girlfriend. Now that the truth was out, she felt intense guilt mixed with an overpowering desire to protect him from further harm.

  “Here, give me your hand.” Chief Kalani leaned over the edge with his arm outstretched expectantly. She looked over at Lou who smiled lazily and winked. Rolling her eyes, she took his hand, the skin on skin action sending sparks to the depths of her belly. She held on firmly before hoisting her legs over and into the boat as gracefully as possible. It was a tricky feat in a skirt, but she managed. Standing back, she watched Big Lou pass the Chief his camera case before he practically rolled himself over the edge and onto the boat, his size and girth making the task a daredevil stunt. Blythe felt the boat tilt to the left with his additional weight.

  “They don’t call you Big Lou for nothing,” Chief Kalani laughed and slapped Lou on the back as he straightened up.

  “The hard part’ll be gettin’ off,” Lou joked as he took a seat beside Blythe and held on for the ride to the island.

  The rescue boat rocked from side to side in the choppy ocean waters, making the ride seem even longer than Blythe had anticipated. As they drew closer to the island, it stood grander than she’d envisioned, the lack of vegetation caused by the previous year’s wildfires having taken their toll on the overall aesthetics. The landscape looked low and barren in patches; lush and overgrown in others. The steep crests and gullies that skirted the waterline made the island look unapproachable, the natural barrier a way to keep outsiders away. If the crests and gullies weren’t uninviting enough, the jagged rocks protruding from the shallow waters around the island were. A boat would be ripped to shreds if it happened to drift in the wrong direction. It would only take a split second to be stranded on Target Island. Blythe said the name again in her head as a chill traced through her. The interview would only take a couple of hours and then they’d be on their way home. The less time with the Chief meant less chance of him discovering who she was…and the less chance of her heart allowing him access.

  “You see,” Chief Kalani pointed as he steered the boat gingerly around the protruding rocks toward the dock. “Faults and dikes are everywhere from the thousands of shells that dropped on the island over the years. Cliffs and deep grooves from heavy rain and erosion make it even more dangerous. We’ll have to be careful. This island’s like a giant war-wound, all scarred and fragile. It’s certainly not what it used to be.”

  “It needs savin’, that’s for sure. There’s no respect for nature, man,” Lou added.

  “Everyone should embrace the island ways and nurture what they have, take pride in the beauty,” Chief Kalani said and Lou nodded.

  Blythe suddenly felt very mainland indeed.

  Chief Kalani sidled the boat up beside the dock as Lou reached out and tied rope to two rusty metal loops to secure it. Blythe held Lou’s hand as she stepped from the still swaying boat onto the solid dock.

  “I’ll unload my camera stuff while you guys look around a bit, figure out where you want me to film you.”

  “Sounds good,” Chief Kalani said as he practically jumped from the boat to the dock effortlessly. He turned to face Lou. “You need help hauling that load out?”

  “You talkin’ about me or my camera?” Big Lou chuckled and waved them away. “I’ll be fine. Just holler when you need me. And hey, careful in those, city girl.” Lou pointed to Blythe’s high wedge sandals. “You’ll twist an ankle. Maybe the Chief can give you a piggy-back.” Lou giggled from the depths of his large frame and rocked back on his heels before lumbering to the front of the boat.

  Blythe glanced at Mak who smiled and held out his arms. “Hop on.”

  “Um, no. Thanks.”

  “Suit yourself.”

  His full lips teased into a smile that automatically made your own lips pull at the corners. His energy was palpable, his positive vibe overflowing. Given these outward qualities, Blythe couldn’t help but wonder what this guy had to be so happy about. For someone surrounded by a curse that wouldn’t rub off, you’d never know by looking at him. Humor and compassion shone in those brown eyes. He was a complete anomaly.

  Walking side-by-side down the wooden dock and up a long winding dirt path with their arms almost touching, he stopped on top of a rough soil ridge overlooking the ocean. Blythe followed his lead, turning to take in the breathtaking view. The short climb had her winded, the midday heat beating down on the crown of her head mercilessly.

  “I should have brought a hat,” she sighed, wiping the beaded perspiration from her forehead. She glanced at Chief Kalani who stood comfortably on the path, his hands on his hips in an athletic stance. His aviator sunglasses, tanned skin, and white shirt with rolled sleeves made him look like he’d just stepped off the pages of GQ magazine. The shirt was tucked neatly into navy cargo pants that hung relaxed down to his warn-in hiking boots. His attire screamed rugged, capable firefighter, but also relaxed island native. He clearly belonged in this environment.

  Blythe, on the other hand, felt like a fish out of water. She regretted her choice in attire the minute they’d stepped off the boat. Her stylish sandals pinched already, and her cotton blouse and above the knee skirt offered little protection from the elements. The consolation: at least she’d remembered to apply tons of sunscreen to her fair, reliably burnable skin. At least they wouldn’t be here long. The plan was to get the interview, take some wide-angled shots of the wildfire devastation, and return home by sundown. Easy.

&nb
sp; “Do you want to leave your purse in the boat?”

  Blythe looked around, leery of the island. “Is that safe? My wallet is in it.”

  Chief Kalani smiled, his white teeth gleaming in the sunshine. “Who’s gonna steal it? There’s no one here but us.”

  “I’d better keep it. It has my sunscreen in it.”

  “Yeah, you’re definitely gonna need that out here.”

  “Who besides scientists do they allow on the island?”

  “Mostly Native Hawaiians interested in the island history. Kahoolawe’s a State of Hawaii cultural reserve. And, of course, any military personnel involved in the ordnance cleanup. They’re federally funded.”

  “Hmm,” Blythe looked around. “Not very many big trees here. Is that because of the fire?”

  “Yeah, it burned the trees down like they were matchsticks. Wind’s a real problem on this island. It can get fierce and blow you right over. It was one of the main reasons the wildfire spread so quickly. The high winds continuously re-ignited the flames too. At one point we ended up mitigating the damage. We monitored and found a system to put out the low brush fires, but with minimal water, we were forced to dig low trenches. Even that became too risky because of, well, you know…”

  “Landmines.”

  “Yep. My guys really stomped out the fires here though. It was fierce.” He turned slightly and pointed. Blythe’s gaze followed as she put a hand up to shield the sun. “Half of that peak lit up like a bonfire. Got in there, though. My crew really knows how to shoot it down.”

  “I can tell you’re proud of them.

  “The minute the alarm sounds at the station my team is in motion. Yes, I’m so proud of them all.”

  Blythe’s ears perked to his casual tone. He was such a Maui man, just by the rhythm of his speech. His passion for his homeland drew her in deeper.

  They stood in silence for a moment, waiting. At this distance the rescue boat looked tiny, like a toy bobbing in a massive bathtub. Blythe could make out Lou heaving his girth out of the boat, and yes, he practically rolled himself off and onto the dock. She couldn’t help but smile and shake her head.