Once a Hero...

Luke glanced across the beach and concentrated on how the sun, surrounded by vibrant peach, pink and purple altostratus clouds, was just about to sink into the sea. It didn’t help his problem.

“But, then, I haven’t seen one that wasn’t gorgeous since I’ve been here.” She abruptly turned and headed north. “So, have you, uh, been out on the beach at that time of night before?”

He knew what she was fishing for. He nodded. “Once or twice.”

“Ha! Well, I guess you were wondering about my behavior, huh?”

He shrugged, reluctant to admit the words crazy and suicidal had crossed his mind.

“There’s just something about the moon when it’s so big in the night sky. And especially here, it just seems huge, don’t you think?”

Big. Huge. He closed his eyes and willed away the images those words conjured up. “I think …” He cleared his throat. “It’s the lack of anything to compare its size to, when it’s juxtaposed to a wide expanse of sea.”

“Yes, exactly.” She smiled and touched his arm. He flinched and she frowned and removed her hand. “Anyway. I was just … enjoying life.” She lifted her arm and face to the sky as she had those nights.

Enjoying? Oh, to be so carefree. In his world, life was more about enduring.

“I guess that seems silly.”

He glanced at her. Her voice had gone all quiet, and she was staring at her clutch purse as she picked at one of the seashell details covering it.

“No.” He put his hand over hers. “That wasn’t what I was thinking.”

Their eyes met and held and their steps slowed. And then she smiled, directly at him, only for him, and her blue eyes—a true sky blue—twinkled with happiness.

Luke realized two things. First, his breathing had quickened when she smiled at him. Second, he wanted to see her do it again.

She curled her hand around his and when she continued walking, she didn’t let go. Palm trees and lush bougainvillea lined both sides of the road as it curved and took them farther from the edge of the ocean.

If anyone had told him a month ago he’d be strolling down the Maui coast holding hands with a gorgeous blonde, he’d have ordered them a brain scan. The scenario just didn’t fit with the world he lived in. But the longer his fingers stayed entwined with hers, the stronger the sensation inside him grew. It was warmth, and a longing to slide his hand up her arm and pull her into him and hold her.

He pictured his hands circling her tiny waist, sliding up her spine, lowering his mouth to hers….

Settle down, Andrews. Think about something else.

He took stock of his surroundings. The only place he’d been since he’d flown into Maui was the beach, but he remembered the shopping center they were passing from his drive from the airport. A grocery store, a surf and dive shop, a couple of fast-food chains and even a famous coffee shop. The next block sported several bars: The Tiki Lounge, The Flaming Flamingo and the Tradewinds Bar and Grill, where Kristen worked. Where he’d gone for a cold beer.

Kristen passed that corner and turned east. About a block down was the seafood place. Once they were seated, she ordered a cola. “I serve cocktails all night,” she explained, then picked up her menu. Luke ordered a beer.

“I’ve heard the lobster’s really fresh here.”

He nodded. “Sounds good.”

“And some shrimp scampi?” At his nod, she repeated the order to the waiter and handed him her menu. Once he left she pulled a sheepish expression. “I really don’t have a very good reason for being late except that I—I went shopping and had my hair done.”

So, she’d bought this dress just for tonight? He liked that. And he didn’t. His condition worsened.

She fiddled with the fork and napkin. “I didn’t get back from diving until after two—”

“You’ve been scuba diving today?” Desperate for a distraction, he latched on to the topic.

She nodded. “I dive every day, but usually only for a few hours in the morning. I’ve been diving since I could walk, practically. Used to go with my dad to San Onofre State Beach every Saturday morning. We still do. In San Diego.” Her expression turned wistful. “I’m living with my mom and dad at the moment. They love it, of course. But my older brother gives me a hard time about it. He’s been living in L.A. since he graduated high school. He just likes to tease me, though. He’s been doing that all my life. But I guess that’s what older brothers are for.

“I’m only living here for a few months,” she added. “You’ve heard of Geographic Universe, right?”

He nodded, but she’d already continued. “Each year they sponsor an international photography contest. I’m entering the nature category. The grand-prize winner gets their photo published in the magazine, ten thousand dollars and a chance to work with Geographic Universe‘s head photographer.”

As she talked, their food arrived. It smelled delicious and he grabbed his fork.

“But,” Kristen continued, “they get tens of thousands of submissions. In order to win, my photo has to be beyond exceptional. The place where I’m diving now is a known breeding ground for the humpbacks.”

Luke frowned, swallowing some shrimp. “That sounds like it could be dangerous.”

She shook her head. “I don’t have to get that close. Besides, they’re too busy, er … mating.” Her cheeks pinkened. Was she really that innocent? Or was it just first-date embarrassment?

Whoa. He was on a date. How long had it been since he’d gone on a conventional date? Before his residency. Maybe even before med school. There hadn’t been time—or energy—for more than a quick roll in the sack back then. For him or the women residents. Looking back, he realized quick and impersonal had become a habit for him where his sex life was concerned.

It’d been so long since he’d thought about his life before earning his medical doctorate. Those days seemed like a lifetime ago. At eighteen he’d never given a second thought to his decision of becoming a doctor, and nothing would’ve stopped him. Not even the lack of a way to pay for the schooling. He’d joined the Army and never looked back.

His mom, and his sisters and brothers, had coped without him. His sisters were married with kids. Still living in Rankin, they’d visited while he’d stayed with his mom the first week of his leave. And his brothers … at least Matt was in college.

God, he felt old.

Meanwhile, Kristen appeared like a fresh-face coed. Except for her eyes. There was something in her eyes….” How old are you?” he blurted out before thinking better of it.

Her eyes widened and her spine straightened. “Twenty-four. Why?”

What was wrong with him? He’d been so rude. “Sorry. I’m obviously not fit for polite company. You’re here now to get pictures of the humpbacks and then you’ll go back to San Diego?”

“Yep, whether I win or not—and it’s a long-shot—I want to finish my degree. I’ve only got two semesters to go.”

“Degree in what?”

She bit her bottom lip and closed her eyes. “Accounting.” Opening her eyes, she leaned forward and poked her fork in the air. “I know. I can admit it now. I didn’t even realize I was just playing it safe until …” Her brows drew together and her lips pursed. “Well, I felt like I had to give this a shot. It’s a dream I didn’t even dare to dream before.”

Luke was mesmerized by her expressions. Everything she was feeling showed right there on her face. He couldn’t imagine her ever being fraudulent, but he couldn’t imagine her dealing with anything devastating either. She was too delicate, too … hopeful.

“So, I borrowed some money from my grandmother—she says she would’ve given it to me anyway, but I’m going to pay her interest on the loan—and decided to give myself three months to try for this contest. I dive by day and waitress by night. I’ve always been a photo bug and it would be a dream job to work for Geographic Universe. But I’ve only got a few more weeks left before the submission deadline and I haven’t shot anything extraordinary enough.”

He’d been nodding, absorbed in learning about her until her expression took on a dawning horror. “Oh, God, I’ve been totally talking about myself this whole time. I’m so sorry. So, tell me about you, where are you from? What do you do?” She scooped up a forkful of lobster and watched him expectantly.

Luke felt as if he’d been suddenly shoved onto center stage with a spotlight trained on him, while an audience waited breathlessly for him to perform. But how could he tell this young, carefree woman anything about what his life was like?

BEING A CITY GIRL, Kristen had never actually seen a deer caught in her headlights. But if she had, she imagined the deer would look something like Luke Andrews did right now.

Was he in the Witness Protection Program? An international spy? Maybe he had amnesia and he didn’t remember where he was from or what he did for a living? That would explain the haggard look to his features and the dark circles under his eyes. She hadn’t noticed those until she’d seen him in the daylight earlier. And what about his being awake at two in the morning the past few nights?

Nah. She’d watched too many soap operas in college.