The Bride's Best Man. Judy Christenberry
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yes, I think that’s a very relaxing sound.”
“Me, too.”
After they were both in bed, Shelby intended to question Kay about her relationship with Dan. But she discovered her aunt Kay was already asleep. Apparently nothing was bothering her conscience. And nothing should. She was a wonderful person, in spite of the tragedies that had surrounded her life.
Kay’s parents had died in a car crash when she was ten. That was when she’d moved into Cordelia’s home. Shelby had been born that same year. Cordelia had turned Kay into a babysitter at once. Though Shelby had vague memories of her father’s presence, she didn’t remember much about him. But Kay’s presence in her life was clear. Together they went through the trauma of Cordelia’s divorce and the ensuing years. Shelby remembered her mother’s hysterics before every one of her father’s visits. Now she could admire his courage, but it hadn’t lasted long. The visits soon stopped.
She remembered being upset when she didn’t see him again, when she couldn’t picture him in her mind. But as she listened to her mother describe him in mean, hateful words, soon it became easier to forget him. Cordelia loathed him so intensely, she had Shelby’s name changed back to her maiden name, Cook. It was as if all memory of her father had been erased.
Then, after her mother remarried, Shelby learned men were untrustworthy. It was a life lesson she’d rather forget but would always remember.
Banishing the memories, she listened to the waves and let them rock her to sleep.
Morning had barely dawned when Shelby awoke. A peek at the bedside clock told her it was only six-thirty, but the time change was wreaking its usual havoc.
“Guess you haven’t adapted to the time zone, either.” Apparently Kay was awake, too.
Shelby got out of bed. “I’ll probably fall asleep right after lunch.” Then she noticed her aunt was already dressed, in a blue pantsuit. “You’re on the go already?”
“You remember, I’m going to do some work with Pete today,” Kay explained, looking all too happy, in Shelby’s opinion. When she made a face, her aunt sobered. “You’re okay with that, aren’t you? I mean, you’re not…jealous, are you?”
Shelby stopped her hairbrush midstroke. What reason would she have to be jealous of her aunt spending the day with Pete Campbell? Actually, she was counting her lucky stars that she got out of joining them. She continued brushing her hair and affected a light tone. “Why would I be jealous?”
“Well, Pete was your…escort last night.”
“If you want him, Aunt Kay, you can have him.”
Her aunt came up behind her at the dresser mirror. “You’re not interested in him? I mean, he is handsome. And successful and charming and—”
Shelby turned around to silence Kay. “I’m not interested in Pete or any man right now.”
“But you’re finished with school. It’s no longer an excuse for you to ignore men.”
“I haven’t ignored them. I just haven’t had time for them.”
Before Kay could argue, she was interrupted by a rap on the door and a male voice calling, “Room service.” She turned to Shelby. “I hope you don’t mind, but I ordered us breakfast. I thought we could eat on the lanai.” She went to the door and directed the waiter where to set the tray.
When they were sitting on the lanai enjoying the fresh island pineapple, Kay let out a sigh. “Oh, this is so nice.”
Shelby gave her a smile. “Now that I won’t argue with.”
Kay, not to be deterred, asked, “Are you sure you don’t want to go with us today?”
“I’m sure. I’m going to sit at the pool and study, and maybe take a walk on the famous Waikiki Beach. A nice, relaxing day.”
“But you’ll be back for dinner, right? You remember our plans.”
Shelby set down her juice, not saying anything. What she wouldn’t give to get out of that little soiree tonight. She looked up at her aunt, at the expectant look on her face, and couldn’t back out. “Yes, Kay, I’ll be ready.”
After all, she reasoned, she didn’t want to leave her aunt alone with Dan until she could figure out what he was up to. And what her aunt was up to, she added. For a moment there Kay seemed almost too intent on Shelby joining them, as if there was a special reason. Could Kay have an ulterior motive?
Aunt Kay? An inner voice questioned. If ever there was an honest person who didn’t know guile, it was Kay Cook.
No, Shelby told herself. If there was something going on, it was on Dan’s part. And tonight she’d do her best to find out what.
After a peaceful, solitary afternoon, Shelby took a taxi to Dan’s office. He’d called to offer her a ride to dinner, but she’d insisted on meeting him at Island Traders.
She looked at her watch and realized she’d be a little early, but she decided to go ahead to Dan’s offices.
Maybe Kay and Pete would already be there. Shelby had worked in Kay’s store frequently as she’d grown up. She was eager to hear what they had found today.
She enjoyed the solitary ride in the back of the taxi. Hawaii was an incredible state, so different from the others she’d visited. When the taxi stopped in front of a three-story white stucco building surrounded by palm trees and colorful hibiscus, she paid the driver and walked in.
She made her way up to the third floor, where, according to the lobby directory, Dan’s company was located. About to open the door to Suite 300, she heard Pete’s voice.
“Why did you invite her?”
“Because Kay wants her here. What’s the problem? You said you didn’t mind helping me out.” That was Dan’s voice.
“I just don’t see the need for her. She’s stiff and unfriendly.”
“But she’s pretty,” Dan said.
“I’m not interested!” Pete protested.
“Careful, or you’re going to ruin my plan.”
Plan? Shelby immediately wondered what his plan was. Could Dan have an investment he was trying to sell Aunt Kay? Did he want to steal her money?
Before she could think further, Pete said, “I’d better go down if I’m going to pay her taxi when it arrives.”
Panicked, Shelby turned and ran down the hall as the door opened.
She hadn’t escaped unnoticed because Pete hollered, “Shelby, wait!”
She didn’t. When she reached the elevator, she jabbed the button, but the door didn’t open, so she chose the stairs. Glad her sandals were flat, she hurried down the two flights of stairs.
When she opened the door on the ground floor, she found Pete leaning against the wall beside it.
“Whoa! Shelby, stop running.” He caught her arm to ensure she did as he ordered.
“Let me go!”
“Why? You’re supposed to join us for dinner.”
She glared at him. “I’ve changed my mind!”
“Why?”
Shelby tried to twist her arm free of his hold, but he wouldn’t allow it. “Because I don’t like the idea of Dan’s plan!”
Pete studied the young woman he was holding. Last night he hadn’t been at all attracted. Her sharp tongue had cut him with one too many sassy retorts. At times she’d been aloof, at others, downright surly, and always uninterested. In everything except Dan.
Today, though, her blue eyes flared to life, her red locks flamed in the sunshine pouring through the