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Angel shook his head. “Have you painted since?”
She snorted softly. “Who has time? So many of my employees relied on their jobs. The art gallery and my studio are gone. The tours employ more people. I had to focus on getting those businesses up and running so that at least some of them could start earning a living again.”
“Have you looked into renting a building in another town where you can open a gallery?” he asked. “One with room for a studio?”
She shook her head. “No. What’s the point? I’m too busy working the tours to do anything else. We’re still waiting for the authorities to open up Lahaina so that we can start rebuilding. They’ve started clearing the harbor. Hopefully, we’ll be allowed in soon.” She lifted her chin. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather talk about something else.”
Angel nodded. Hawk had warned him that the people affected by the fires might not want to be bombarded with questions. The media and tourists couldn’t get enough and had pushed them past their usual friendly demeanor. “Fair enough.” Taking his cue, Angel steered away from the Lahaina tragedy and talked about some of the places he’d been.
Their meals came, and they ate in silence for a while. When Leilani laid down her fork, she smiled. “That was some of the best Mahi Mahi I’ve had in a while. Did you know that the beef served here comes from the Big Island?”
“I have heard that the Big Island has one of the largest cattle ranches in the States. In fact, the Hawaiian branch of the Brotherhood Protectors is based on that ranch.”
“Really?” Leilani’s eyes widened. “How did Hank score that ranch for the Hawaii location?”
“He sent one of his guys out to provide protection for the ranch owner’s daughter. The man he sent was a Navy SEAL but had prior experience in ranching. Apparently, the ranch owner’s daughter wasn’t keen on having a bodyguard, so Hawk, the guy Hank sent, hired on as a ranch hand. He saved the daughter’s life. They fell in love, and the ranch owner offered to let him stay and start another branch of the Brotherhood there. It’s been a few years in the making, but Hank’s finally staffing that branch. That’s why we’re here.”
“Timing couldn’t have been better for me,” Leilani said.
“If they’d staffed it earlier, I might not have been assigned this location at this particular time,” Angel said. “I might have gone to one of the others.”
“Like Eagle Rock or West Yellowstone, Montana, or Fool’s Gold, Colorado? Maybe even...what was the other?” Her brow furrowed and then cleared. “Bayou Mambaloa. That one sounded interesting.”
He grinned. “You did your homework.”
She nodded. “I’m impressed with how many different offices have been established.” Her lips twisted. “At the same time, it’s sad that there’s such a need for protection. Why can’t people get along? We shouldn’t have to be afraid that someone will attack us.”
“True,” Angel said. “But I’ve been in worse places.”
Leilani nodded. “I can imagine.”
“I’m just glad Hank let my team come as a package. If we’d gone to one of the other locations, we might have been split up. It’s nice that we’ll stay together. At least we’ll work out of the same office. Our jobs could take us anywhere.” He laid down his fork and napkin. Though the meal was complete, he didn’t want the time with Leilani to end. “It’s a beautiful night. Would you like to have a drink out by the pool? They’re supposed to have live music and dancing.” He nodded toward her. “It would be a shame to put that dress to bed early.”
She laughed, her hand smoothing over the material. “If you only knew what I had to do to find a dress on such short notice.”
“Tell me,” he urged.
Her lips curled in a secretive smile. “And take away the mystery? No way.” She lifted her chin. “But you’re right. This dress deserves a little more nightlife.”
Angel grinned, rose and helped Leilani to her feet. With a hand at the small of her back, he led her through the restaurant and outside where a small band played on the patio near the infinity pool.
He ordered drinks at the bar and found chairs at the farthest end of the patio with an ocean vista and an endless view of the stars.
He sat for a while, absorbing the music and enjoying being with Leilani more than he had thought possible on such a short acquaintance. Being with her felt natural, unpretentious and really good.
“I don’t think I’ve been this relaxed in a long time,” she whispered.
“Same,” Angel said.
She took another sip and raised her face to the sky. “Must be the wine.”
“For me, it’s the company,” he said, risking scaring her off. But it was true.
She raised her empty hand toward him.
He took it, curling his fingers around hers, holding her lightly. If she wanted to pull away, she could. This woman had enough on her plate. She didn’t need to feel trapped.
“Thank you for inviting me to dinner,” she said. “It was nice to share a meal with someone.”
