Startled by the offer- because she’d almost forgotten that she was drinking alcohol, Molly nodded. She had read a lot about Kauai and knew that the locals were very friendly. Nonchalantly, she glanced down at her large straw purse where a copy of Travel Magazine (one of her few secret vices) was safely tucked.

“Thank you,” she said politely as the bartender put the blue drink in front of her. At this rate she’d be smashed by dinner, she thought.

“This your first time in Kauai?” He was being friendly again, though Molly wasn’t here for the company. She was used to the solitude of her own thoughts. She tossed her wavy brown hair over her shoulder and looked him in the eye. She needed the practice. “Yes.”

“Well, Aloha, then.”

His friendliness was contagious. She raised her drink to him and returned the greeting with a warm smile, “Aloha”.

That’s how he saw her when he walked onto the sandy deck of the outdoor bar. She was quite out of place – so obviously a tourist that he had to smile. She had a big straw hat sitting on the bar next to her big, bulky straw purse. She wore a crisp new sundress and sandals that looked like they were causing her winter feet to blister and she sat up straight as a pin. Her skin was as pale as the white sand, her eyes bluer than the ocean. Her smile, though shared with half a heart, was a bit crooked. He pegged her as a Librarian and certainly not his usual type, but he was amused enough by the smile. He felt the gentle nudge of his body’s response to her as he took the stool next to her. He’ll just enjoy the company.

Bristling when the huge man sat beside her, Molly quickly moved her hat out of his way. “Thank you,” he said in a voice she thought was appropriately deep for his enormous size. She nodded in acknowledgement. Why did he have to sit beside her? There were at least a dozen empty stools around the bar; perhaps she should move to one of them, but then again that would be terribly rude. Sighing, she sipped at her drink, which tasted better with every sip.