Page 72 of The Maverick
She knew me more than she realized.
“I’ve always been an outsider,” I said. “The norm is too boring. Just enjoy this vacation with me. Don’t worry about anything.”
The weather in Maui couldn’t have been better. Vanessa had worn khaki capris with a floral shirt. I wore jeans and an aqua polo shirt.
I bought a pink lei made of orchids and plumeria for her, and she bought me a jasmine lei.
“Stop paying for me.”
“I don’t mind.”
“But I mind. Just because you have all the money in the world doesn’t mean you should spend it carelessly.”
“It’s not careless when I’m spending it on my stunning fiancée. She deserves to be spoiled.”
“I can’t argue with you.”
I wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That’s why you shouldn’t. You should obey my every demand.”
She laughed and elbowed me in the ribs. “Dream on, Whistler.”
We walked to a beach with tables and umbrellas. Several vendors sold food on the side. A band played in a nearby restaurant.
“I haven’t had that in a while.” Vanessa gestured to the vendor selling coconut drinks.
We found a table with an umbrella.
“You sit.” She pointed to the chair took my cane, and leaned it against the table. “Let me treat you to a coconut drink, okay?”
“Okay. Since I’mobeyingyou, does that mean I get a reward later?”
“Yeah, astrawto drink from the coconut.” She smirked.
No woman had made me smile more than her.
As I sat and watched her walk up to the vendor to place her order, peace filled my heart. I hadn’t felt that in a long time. I inhaled the ocean breeze and took in the pretty blue sky.
As she walked back, a man wearing a red backpack rushed up to her and shoved her to the ground. Anger shot through me as I clasped my cane, rushing over to her. No one else was near to help her.
“Get off me!” She scratched him.
I whacked him on the head with my cane and yanked him off her.
The man looked at me with glazed eyes. “Must kill!” He whipped out a pocketknife and swung it at me.
I dodged him and tripped over the coconut Vanessa had dropped. He leaped onto me, but I punched him. His nose cracked, and blood poured out of it, but he showed no pain.
Vanessa picked up my cane and whacked his back. “Help us!”
Her scream for help appeared to enrage him even more. I shoved my knee into his balls. That should have been a painful blow, but he rolled off me and lunged at Vanessa.
I gripped his leg, making him fall.
Three men approached and helped me subdue the madman. They held him down by the legs, arms, and shoulders while I examined Vanessa.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
Though her hands trembled, she said, “I’m fine.”
