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.We’re going to need to make coffee and sandwiches for the firefighters and police.”“What are you talking about? Are up planning a picnic?”“Look, they’re going to be working hard for who knows how long? The least we can do is provide food and beverages to keep them going.Mateo said it’s the hut where you and Kona keep your tools.”Eyes widening with shock, she tried to get past Rae and run to the door, but she grabbed Layla’s arm.“It’s too late to save anything.Do you understand? Nothing is more important than your life.” Shaking her, Rae stopped her headlong flight.Layla fought back tears.“You’re right, I know, but now Van and Logan are in danger.What if the stalker harms them? I’ll die, Rae.It will be my fault.”“Come with me.We can see the beach from the patio if we stand on chairs.At least we can watch what’s happening from here.Together, they rushed to the patio and climbed up on the chairs to see the fire.Thick, billowing black smoke rose, tarnishing the beauty of the scene.Layla bit her knuckle, shocked at how deeply she felt for Van and Logan, her two men.“Talk to me,” Rae said, taking Layla’s hand in hers.“Tell me about your relationship with your men.”Nearly forgetting about the crisis, she smiled, her heart filled with love for them both.As they watched the flames rise in the distance, Layla talked about her experiences.“They were amazing.I’ve never felt so safe before, and never so loved.When they touch me, I turn into a ball of flames.I’m so glad you and Tara told me about what you’d enjoyed.I’m ready for more ideas,” she said, laughing aloud.Rae laughed with her.“You do seem a lot brighter today.It really does lift your spirits, doesn’t it?”“I’ve never felt so good in my life.”A sudden boom made both of them jump.“Oh, my God!” Layla cried, stepping down from the chair.“The guys are there.It must be the canisters of kerosene we have stored in the hut.They could be hurt or worse.I have to go to them, Rae.I have to.”Rae was in agreement, but she warned, “You have to stay by my side or Van will kill me.Please, will you do as I ask?”Layla nodded.“Let’s go.”Terror rushed in as they both raced for the door and headed down the pathway to the huts.It only took a few minutes to reach the scene, but Layla thought it was a lifetime.Flames billowed out of the windows as Logan and his fellow firefighters battled the blaze.He was dressed in gear, his name emblazoned on the back of his jacket.“Logan!” she shouted.He looked up and frowned, coming to her side.“I thought you were told to stay at the house.”“Where’d you get your uniform?”“I stored it on the truck since I was going to be here.Don’t change the subject.I have to work.You have to stay safe.Now, go back to the house with Rae.”“She’s with me here.” Rae linked arms with Layla and stood firm beside her.Neither of the women was going to stay away, not while there was danger for the men.Layla spoke up.“There are a few cans of kerosene in the hut.We use it in our fire dances.I heard one explode.Tell your men that there are more in the back room.”“They know about the front room.The arsonist who started this fire used it as an accelerant.Now, will you please go?”Van came rushing over, his expression dire.“What the hell are you doing here?” he shouted.“Don’t yell at me, Van.I’m here to provide information about the contents in the hut and to find out if you’re still alive!”“What are you talking about?”Furious at his attempt to control her, Layla fought back tears and swore.“I’m talking about you, Logan, Mateo, and Kona.Where are they anyway?”“Mateo and Kona are down on the beach, trying to keep people away from the fire.It’s dangerous here, and you should be at the house with Rae.” He glared at Rae, placing his hands on his hips.“And that’s where you should be, with Layla.”“We’re fine here, with you,” Layla snapped.Van growled, dropping his chin to his chest.“You are absolutely impossible, Layla.Why can’t you get it in your head that you are in danger?”Her hands balled into fists as she faced him down.“I’m not a delicate piece of china, Van.You need to stop thinking of me that way.”For once he was speechless, his anger hot enough to incinerate.The smell of kerosene was getting stronger as the wind shifted.The flames reached out toward the next hut.Van took both of them by their arms and began walking down to the beach with them.“You’re hurting my arm,” Layla shouted as she tried to pull free of his grip.Rae didn’t say a word.When Mateo saw them, he raced over, his own anger showing in his gaze.“Why—”Layla put her hand up, palm facing him.“We’ve already been given the riot act.Give it a rest, Mateo.”“Mateo!” Kona yelled from the campfire.“I need your help.”Mateo took Van’s place and walked the women toward Kona.Van turned around and went back to the hut to help.“You two are going to be in so much trouble when I get you back to the house.For now, sit on this log and stay there,” Mateo said in a low growl.Once he made sure they were sitting, he moved over to where Kona tried to talk a couple into staying with them for their safety.“For crying out loud! These men think we’re helpless.I feel like taking a walk just to spite them.”“Layla, you know we can’t do that.Let’s stay here where you’re safe.”“How can you say that? Rae, we came down here to help and to make sure the guys were okay.Now that we’re here, we should be on the lookout for the arsonist.”“You used to be so meek and quiet.Boy, have you come out of your shell,” Rae said, grinning from ear to ear.Layla laughed with her.“Much to Van’s dismay, anyway.Logan doesn’t seem to mind me being strong willed, while Van looks like he’ll have a fit at any moment.”“All these years that you’ve known each other, neither one of you spoke, so imagine his surprise when you started fighting your own battles.Why don’t we head back to the house? There’s nothing we can do here, Layla.”“Of course there is.We could try and keep the guests busy.I’m going to teach an impromptu hula class.Come on, it’ll be fun.”“Okay, but I must warn you, I’m not such a good hula dancer.”“Watch and learn.” Layla went over to the musicians and asked for some music.They were happy to help.Hawaiian dance songs filled the air.“Come on everybody, let’s do some hula!”Layla began to sway her hips, waving her hands like she was part of the ocean.She tied the bottom of her shirt above her belly button and began shifting her body to flow like water.“Let’s get you all in a circle and we can practice together.”Many of the guests were happy to learn, while others stepped back and shook their heads.“Don’t be shy.It’s easy as pie.Use your knees to help with the waves like so.”Her hips and hands moved together, the drummers beating a sweet hula song that helped her capture their attention.Faster and faster they beat, and Layla kept the pace.As soon as one song ended, another began, keeping everyone busy until the fire was under control.Van and Logan came down to the beach, but Layla ignored them and continued her lessons.Kona also began teaching the men how to do the male version of the dance, bringing much laughter to the group.Mateo came over to stand next to Van.“Where’s Rae?” he asked, looking over the crowd.“Layla? What did you do with Rae?” Logan shouted over the noise.Layla stopped cold, pointing to the log they’d been sitting on.“She was right there.Rae?” she cried [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]