Burned

Will’s mother glanced over at Ned, who had just gotten up from the next table, and caught his eye. They both stared at each other. She stood and went over to him.

“I know that you know who we are,” Almetta said evenly. “And I know who you are.”

Ned didn’t reply.

“I won’t tell anyone that you sold the lei to us if you won’t let it be known that we had it for all those years. That’s the last thing Will needs right now. He had nothing to do with Dorinda Dawes’s death. Thank God her killer has been caught.”

Ned nodded.

Almetta smiled. “You know, your toes aren’t that bad. Buy yourself a pair of sandals.”

Ned smiled back. “I already did.” He turned and walked off. The next day he applied for a job with the Peace Corps. I’m only going to do good from now on, he promised himself.

Everyone loved Claude’s muumuus. They were a huge hit. Scores of women had changed into them in the bathrooms and were now out on the dance floor in force. Brimming with satisfaction, Claude whispered to Jazzy, “I don’t think we should do any more harm to this hotel. You don’t need Will’s job. They’ll sell our clothing anyway. I’ll make you my partner. And if you’ll have me, I’ll make you my wife.”

Jazzy kissed him. “Oh, Claude. It’s what I always wanted.”

He kissed her back. “Me, too. Now tell Gle

“I love you, Claude.”

“I love you, too, Jazzy. From now on, we always do the right thing. Life’s too short. Especially around here.”

The next morning Regan and Kit were at the Honolulu airport together.

“Another adventure, huh?” Kit said sheepishly. “We’ve been through a lot together in the last ten years, but this outing really takes the cake.”

“The next guy will be the right one for you. I just know it.”

“Promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“You’ll be sure to check him out. No matter how gaga I am.”

Regan laughed. “That’s a guarantee. Especially if you’re gaga.” Her cell phone began to ring. She quickly answered it. “Aloha, Jack. Nothing’s changed since we spoke ten minutes ago. I’ve had two more calls from my mother. She’s still freaked out, but Kit and I are fine.”

“I need to see you, Regan. They just reopened the airports here. I’ll get a flight to Los Angeles. I can’t wait until next weekend…”

“I can’t either. Kit and I are about to board a flight to New York.”

“You are?” Jack’s voice was exuberant.

“Yes. I wanted to surprise you, but I guess we’ve had enough surprises lately. Kit will get a co

“And not soon enough, your life as a bachelorette. I’m thinking we should move up the date of the wedding. We can talk about it when you get here. And you’re not taking any taxi-I’ll be at the airport waiting for you with open arms.”

Regan smiled broadly as the a

Carol Higgins Clark