“My name is Marla,” she said, setting the glass of tea in front of Genie. “If you need anything else, just flag me down.”
When the waitress came around, Genie ordered a warm flank steak salad with mint and cilantro, and a fruit bowl. Once the waitress walked away, Genie checked her phone for messages. She ignored them all, except the text from Cami asking how she was doing. Genie answered back: Fine, thanks. Looking forward to a few more lazy days on the beach and not having people pitying me.
After she’d sent the message, Genie laid her phone on the tabletop and steered her gaze back toward the ocean. It practically hypnotized her. The resort’s guests were sunbathing on the beach. Children were playing along the water’s edge. Swimmers splashed around. Surfers road their boards out, in hopes of catching a decent wave. The scene was idyllic and, if only for a moment, chased her troubles away.
When the food arrived, Genie barely tore her gaze away from the scene as she began eating while still concentrating on the panoramic sight before her. The simplicity of the waves rolling back and forth left her with a peaceful feeling. She wouldn’t mind staying here forever.
Marla had been watching the lone diner, the pretty girl she’d seated out on the terrace, while she ate her meal. She’d half-expected to see a man join her, but no one ever did. She couldn’t imagine the young woman being in Hawaii alone, but if she was, Marla would use it to her advantage. She headed toward the girl.
“Honey…” Marla said, standing over her. “Is your husband off working and leaving you to fend for yourself?”
“Huh?” The girl looked up at her.
“I can’t imagine why you’d be here eating all by yourself.”
“No.” She chuckled. “I don’t have a husband. I’m dining alone because I’m here alone.”
Marla sighed. “May I?” she asked, nodding toward the empty chair across from the young woman.
The girl shrugged. “By all means.”
“What in the world would bring someone such as yourself to Hawaii alone?”
“It’s a long story.”
Marla sensed the pain hiding behind her smile. Her sad blue eyes gave it away. “Well,” Marla said, “you’ve come to the right place, Miss…”
“I’m sorry.” The girl blushed a little. “I’m Genie Wainwright.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Genie. Where are you visiting us from?”
“California. Just outside San Francisco.”
Marla stood. “If you need anything at all, be sure to let me know. If you can’t find me, just ask around for me. I’m Marla Taylor.” After a quick smile, Marla strolled away. She had everything she needed, for the time being. For now, she was going to find out how long Ms. Wainwright would be with them. As long as she wasn’t leaving tomorrow, there was no reason in the world why she and Donnie shouldn’t meet.
CHAPTER 2
DONNIE TAYLOR HAD COME TO LEARN that it was never a good sign to find his mother behind the registration desk. He strolled toward her with a smile, in hopes of putting a stop to her latest stunt—whatever it was.
“Mother…” He stopped across the counter from her and looked at her for a long moment. “I thought you were manning the hostess station in the Beachcomber?”
“I am,” she said.
Donnie looked around. “Mother, this is the registration desk. The restaurant is over there.” He pointed over his shoulder.
“I know. I know.” She propped her hands on her hips and shot him a scowl. “But you know all those tickets we received for dinner cruises on the Blue Pacific…the one you’re thinking about buying?” She paused and didn’t continue until he nodded. “Well, I was thinking that you probably don’t want to distribute those tickets to our guests until you’ve seen the ship. Right?”
“Your point, Mother?” Donnie cleared his throat. Marla paid no mind to his glare.
“I met one of our guests today. She’s such a sweet, sweet girl, yet so sad and dejected. Something awful has happened to her. I don’t know what, but you could give her something to smile about if you’d invite her to dinner. And if dinner was on the ship, you could cheer her up and check out the dinner cruise’s operation at the same time. Multitasking. Isn’t that what you call it?” Marla gave him that look. The one that said she had a right as his mother to demand outrageous things of him. “And you never know, you just might have a good time.”
“Mother.” He sucked in a breath, hoping it’d help him stay calm. “Contrary to what you might think, your job at the hotel is not matchmaker. In fact, you don’t have a job here at all.”
Marla marched around the counter and grabbed Donnie’s arm, leading him toward the center of the lobby. “Donnie… what’s it gonna hurt if you escort a pretty girl to dinner? She’s all alone.”
“It’s not a good idea.”
“Why not?”
Donnie laughed as a trapped feeling washed over him. “If she’s here alone, I’m sure it’s for a reason. And I doubt she wants me intruding.”
“Oh, great…” Marla threw her hands in the air. “You’re just going to let her wither away until her heart is beyond repair?”
“I’m sure someone is up for the task of saving her. Maybe even someone here at the hotel.” Donnie shrugged and shook his head. “But it’s not me.”
“It’s not gonna kill you just this once.”
Donnie’s jaw clenched, but he managed to get his objection out anyway. “Mother, I don’t have time to go roaming around the hotel looking to invite all the single women to dinner.”
“You don’t have to invite all of them. Just one.” Marla took on a triumphant smile. “And you don’t have to go looking for her.” She turned Donnie around. “She’s right over there,” she said, giving him a push in the direction of the gift shop.
Donnie scanned the area at the shop’s entrance. The only solitary person he saw was a tall, slender woman. Her long hair was dark, like espresso, her face pretty. Maybe he could just say hello. It would be rude of him not to inquire after her comfort and contentment.
As he and his mother approached the young woman, she caught sight of them and smiled. “Marla…”
“How are you today, Genie?” Marla asked.