She and Marc had been forced to spend the Fourth of July weekend in the hospital, and Pete and his girlfriend Sal had smuggled in a holiday feast.
They’d spent the afternoon tearing through ribs, potato salad and corn on the cob, followed up by one of the best peach cobblers she’d ever tasted. The couple claimed it was their planned dinner and they were just sharing it with them. But the bland taste of the food immediately told Liz that Sal had cooked the meal just for Marc using very little salt and seasoning.
Realizing the time, Liz asked, “You’re here kinda late, aren’t you?”
Pete shrugged. “Yeah, pulling a double. My old lady is on the warpath about my spending habits, so I thought it best to stay out of sight until she cools down. Know what I mean?”
Dee tilted her head to the side with a frown. “What did you do this time?”
“What?” He shrugged again. “A man’s gotta have his fun.”
Liz knew from experience that Pete’s idea of fun was spending half his check on lottery tickets. “How much, Pete?”
His eyes widened. “Damn. We’ve known each other too long.”
“How much?”
He shrugged again. “Three-fifty.”
Now Liz’s eyes widened. “Three hundred and fifty dollars?!”
His lips twisted in a smirk. “Three fifty-four if you want to be exact.”
She shook her head, and in a rash moment of generosity made an offer. “I’ll lend you the money so you can go home, but this will have to be the last time.”
Dee shot her a strange look, but said nothing.
He held up his hands. “No, no, I can’t take any money from you.” He shook his head insistently.
“It’s just a loan.”
“No way.” He leaned across and placed his hand on Marc’s shoulder. “Look, you got real problems—and you need your money. No way could I take money from you. I wouldn’t even be able to sleep at night.”
Liz wanted to tell him that no amount of money could express her gratitude for his friendship and support over the years. Because of her frugal spending habits, the help from Aunt Dee and the medical benefits of her long-term substitute teaching job, Marc’s medical expenses were mostly taken care of. But how did she say thank you for all the times Pete used his breaks to make special trips to the floor to tease and entertain the sick children there? Or the comic books he provided the unit faithfully from his own small paycheck? Those were just a few of the small things this man had done for them with no expectation of return and for that much kindness she would pay anything.
But Liz could tell by the determined glint of his eyes that this particular discussion was closed. And secretly she was glad for it. Although she would’ve given him the money, she really had none to spare.
Still she asked, “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely. Sal will cool off after a day or two.”
“Or three,” Dee said with a smirk.
Pete grinned, exposing his gaps. “Whenever, and then I’ll be back in like Flynn. You’ll see.”
With a shake of her head, Liz turned to her family. “Did you guys forget it’s wrestling night?” That reminder was all it took to get their little group headed toward the glass doors.
“See ya next time, Pete!” Marc waved as he headed out the door.
“All right, little man, and next time I want a rematch.”
As Liz approached the valet station and offered the ticket, her cell phone rang. With the city noises surrounding them, Liz covered one ear to better hear the caller. “Hello?”
“Ms. Donovan? This is Scott Banton.”
Liz felt her heart skip a beat, and moved a few feet away from Dee and Marc. She swallowed hard. “Any news?”
Liz watched the driver pull her small sedan to the door, but even as her family climbed inside she stood frozen to her spot while soft white flakes fell around her. She was totally oblivious to the snow, as well as to the people moving around her as they entered and exited the hospital, going about their lives. She stood motionless as the winter cold filtered its way into her down coat.
She was waiting for the world to change. Waiting for a miracle to be offered. Waiting for the private detective she’d hired to give her the lifeline she so needed.
Finally the male voice on the other end of the phone spoke the words she desperately wanted to hear. “Yes. I found him.”
The Hawaiki Inn
Tairua, New Zealand
Darius pasted on his best professional smile. “Congratulations.” He handed the room key to the new groom. “I hope you both enjoy your stay.”
The blushing bride was practically beaming with happiness and she gazed up at her new husband. “How can we not? This place is beautiful.”
Just over the couples’ shoulder was a floor-to-ceiling picture window that overlooked the Tairua Harbor. The turquoise-blue water almost matched the color of the cloudless blue sky exactly. In the distance the lush green mountainside of Paku volcano stood high in the middle of the perfect skyline. The palm trees swayed only slightly as a soft breeze rolled by and the bright sunlight warmed the hot-pink, soft lavender and bright-red tropical flowers indigenous to the area. Tairua was as close to paradise on earth as one could hope to get and yet Darius was certain the newlywed couple before him would probably never leave their room over the next two weeks.
As they turned from the counter heading up the stairs to their room, Darius returned to his task of entering invoices into the computer system when the phone rang. He answered on the second ring. “Hawaiki Inn—a little touch of paradise on the Coromandel Peninsula. How can I help you?”
A woman cleared her voice softly. “May I speak to Darius North.”
“Speaking.”
“Darius?”
“Yes.”
There was such a long pause, Darius wondered if the caller had disconnected. “Hello?”
“Darius…this is Liz. Elizabeth.”
His heart stopped for a moment, and then he realized it couldn’t possibly be his Elizabeth. He struggled to find his voice. “Hello, Elizabeth, how can I help you?”
“Darius, it’s me. Elizabeth Donovan.”
His heart stopped once again, and, as if by some reflex reaction he slammed the phone down on the base. He took several deep breaths trying to control his breathing. Liz Donovan?
He walked around the check-in counter and took a seat on one of the plush tangerine-colored sofas scattered around the hotel lobby. Why would Liz Donovan be calling after all these years? How had she found him? What
