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Maui is a dream within a dream. And the fact that I get to spend the day with Ransom is the cherry on top of that dream.
As soon as we hit land, we jump into the rental car Ransom has waiting for us. Ransom has traveled to the islands so many times he has everything dialed in as far as transportation, food, and sightseeing goes.
We head straight for the north shore of the island, and once we arrive, we hit a rental shop and pick up some snorkel gear before heading to one of our favorite beaches, Kapalua Bay.
The bay is a small cove with soft sand and a grassy knoll just above that. A couple of banyan trees stretch out their branches like wings and offer a scant amount of shade to the tourists huddled beneath them. But for the most part, bikini-clad bodies are strewn over the sand, most of those reading a book while the gentle waves lap over the shoreline.
The crystal blue waters are brimming with swimmers, people in inner tubes, and even a few paddle boarders out by the horizon.
Ransom and I get right in that warm water with our fins and snorkel and immediately a sea turtle the size of a kiddie pool greets us.
Ransom offers me a thumbs-up at the sight before taking my hand as we swim side by side exploring the cove and following its curve to the next bay over where it’s a bit more desolate of humans but teeming with colorful fish in every shape and size.
The dimly lit underworld blooms around us, as bubbles fill our ears and pale legs struggle to tread water in the distance. Parrotfish, butterfly fish, and entire schools of silver minnows swim past and between us.
We swim for what feels like hours, coming up for cool air every now and again, and to steal a few heated kisses. On our way back from the cove, we swim past what look to be underwater caves, giant black boulders that make up the side of the landscape below the surface. I spot something glowing in between the rocks and lead us that way just as something long and slithery jumps out at me like one of those snakes in a can that my son used to delight in scaring me half to death with.
A shrill scream drills from me as I race to the surface and Ransom catches up, laughing as he pulls me close.
“It was just an eel,” he says.
“Just an eel?” I balk as I wrap my legs around his warm body. “For your information, it is never just an eel. It is one of nature’s most terrifying instruments of terror. That thing came after me with a vengeance as if I were trying to steal its lunch.”
He offers a mournful smile, albeit short-lived. “Speaking of lunch, have you eaten yet?”
“A little.” That might sound like a little lie, but it’s all relative.
Just a year ago, the food I had for breakfast this morning would have qualified as an aggressive dining experience, but since I’ve given up counting how many calories or meals I have in one day, it’s more or less a snack compared to what I’m capable of shoving down my pie hole now in an entire day.
Speaking of which, Bess, Nettie, and I have decided we need a do-over as far as that food tour goes, seeing that we chose to fight crime rather than the lines at all the local restaurants. And believe me, that do-over is taking place before we leave the Tropics.
“How about we pick up some lunch?” he offers. “I’ll take you somewhere memorable, and we can make a picnic out of it.”
“Sounds like heaven.” I bite down on a smile and take in this handsome man before me.
Ransom Baxter on dry land is a sight to behold, but Ransom Baxter dripping wet is a demigod worthy to be worshipped. I land another kiss to his lips, and this time we linger, right there under the warmth of the tropical sun, in the warm bath of the Pacific, with Maui serving as a glorious backdrop.
I never want to forget this moment as long as I live.
Ransom Baxter is a man’s man through and through—and he’s all mine. I can’t imagine what could possibly come between us.
We return our snorkel gear to the rental shop and decide on a food truck for lunch—sushi. Two California rolls—mostly crab—and two dragon rolls—crab, avocado, and eel! Take that, you little jump-scare in the ocean. Two spicy tuna rolls and two salmon rolls. But as if that wasn’t enough, the scent of burgers grilling from the next truck over practically demands that we sample a few, so we each pick up a burger, along with a bag of kettle fried plantain chips.
We nosh on the kettle chips as Ransom hits the highway. And the plantain chips are to die for. They have a hint of banana with just the right amount of sugar and salt sprinkled on them. And they’re heartier than I would have thought.
Ransom exits the highway, but we don’t end up at the harbor. We end up at the airport.
“Are you ready for our next adventure?” he asks as he weaves his way through the facility.
“Does it involve unclaimed luggage?”
His brows furrow my way. “No.”
“Then I’m fine with whatever you have in mind.”
Here’s hoping I won’t live to regret those words.
CHAPTER 15
