Holy Night

  © 2013 by Colleen Coble

  All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

  Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

  Thomas Nelson, Inc., titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail [email protected].

  Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Coble, Colleen.

  Holy night : an Aloha Reef Christmas novella / Colleen Coble, Colleen Coble.

  pages cm. -- (Aloha Reef series)

  ISBN 9781401689957DG

  1. Hawaii--Fiction. 2. Christmas stories. I. Title.

  PS3553.O2285H65 2013

  813’.54--dc23

  2013029520

  Contents

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Reading Group Guide

  An Excerpt from Distant Echoes

  About the Author

  One

  The fresh aroma of the sea was welcome after the stale air of the airplane. Leia Kahale inhaled, then swept her arm toward the broad expanse of the golden sand of Shipwreck Beach on Kaua’i’s south shore. The waves were always treacherous here, but strong swells had been battering the island for three days and few people were in the water.

  She pointed. “We could put the tent up here, Bane. I’d love for Makawehi Point to loom in the back for great wedding pictures. And with poinsettias, it will be just perfect.”

  Her fiancé, Bane Oana, draped his muscular arm around her shoulders. He wore black board shorts and a turquoise aloha shirt that looked good with his black hair. “Whatever you want, honey.”

  Leia lifted her face into the warm December breeze. Her heart felt full to bursting as she pressed against Bane’s warm chest. “It seems almost wrong to be this happy.”

  Bane smiled down at her. “I haven’t had any trouble adjusting to our new normal.” He brushed a kiss across her lips. “I like your curves in that dress. I might have to fight off the other men on the beach.”

  The way her skin heated at his touch never failed to thrill her. How could one person affect her so dramatically? She held his face and kissed him again. “Do you know how much I’ve missed you?”

  Bane’s younger sister, Kaia, nudged him, breaking their kiss. She tucked her long dark hair behind her ears. “Hey, you two, we have work to do. Less kissing, more planning. The wedding is in five days. There are a ton of details to see to. Bane, I need you to run by The Beach House and pay for the rehearsal reception, then stop and pay the catering bill. Leia and I will show the staff where we want the tent and tables.”

  He groaned. “My fiancée just arrived from Moloka’i and I have to leave her to write checks?” He didn’t drop his arm from around Leia.

  “That would be a good guess.” Kaia smiled and patted his arm.

  Leia smiled and tipped her face up for another kiss. His spicy scent made her heart speed up. Heat rushed to her cheeks at the realization they would only be apart a few more nights. “Talk to you tonight. Wait, when does Mano arrive?”

  “About five. I’ll pick him up, and we’ll meet you at Kaia’s for dinner.” He lifted Leia in his arms. “Or maybe I’ll just take you with me.”

  She laughed and kissed him again. “Put me down, you big oaf. We have work to do.”

  He sighed. “You know what they say about all work and no play. Look at that surf. It’s just begging for a board.”

  “And we’ll go surfing. But later.” She smiled as he put her feet back on the ground. “And I’ll fix you lomilomi salmon tonight to make it up to you.”

  His expression brightened. “I’ll wax the board when I’m done. Don’t be too late.” He walked across the thick sand toward the Jeep parked in the lot across the street.

  “Leia, look at this!” Her sister, Eva, waved to her from a tide pool. “There’s a starfish.” Her beautiful blond hair turned men’s heads wherever she went until they noticed her Down syndrome features.

  “In a minute, Eva.” Leia ignored Eva’s pout and turned back to face Kaia. “I love Bane so much, but I’m a little nervous. Will I be a good wife and mother? I mean, I didn’t really have a great role model.”

  Kaia smiled and squeezed Leia’s hand. “You know about giving to other people. You’ve practically raised Eva yourself, and look what a good job you’ve done with her. You and my brother are great together.”

  Leia sighed. “You’re right. I know we are. It’s just—”

  A scream pierced the air behind them and a board shot up in the roiling waves off the beach. Then a hand waved.

  Leia pointed out a dark head. “Someone’s in trouble.”

  “Go get the lifeguard from the Hyatt!” someone yelled.

  Kaia kicked off her OluKai slippers and ran for the heavy surf. Everyone on the beach gathered to watch as she plunged into the big waves and struck out toward the figure. She worked with dolphins and was an excellent swimmer, almost more at home in the water than on the land.

  Leia joined the crowd and held her breath, praying all the while. Kaia reached the area where the hand had gone up, but the woman couldn’t be seen. Kaia dove into the water, and seconds went by in an agonizing trickle until two heads popped up in the surf.

  Only then did Leia exhale. She kicked off her slippers, then rushed to help Kaia bring the woman ashore. It would be a tricky exit from the sea here with the tide adding to the ocean’s power. Kaia got close enough to stand, and she steadied the woman she’d just rescued, clearly a tourist from the beet-red sunburn on her face and arms.

  Leia waded out a few feet, though it was all she could do to stand when the waves slammed into her. She licked her salty lips and watched for a break in the surf.

  Kaia spoke to the woman, who nodded. Then, looking at the sea, Kaia grabbed her arm and propelled her toward the shore at the right time. As they neared, Leia took the woman’s other arm and helped her as they staggered to the sand. The woman collapsed, and Kaia stood panting as a lifeguard rushed up.

  The woman sobbed hysterically as the lifeguard checked her over. “I almost drowned.” She looked up at Kaia. “Thank you, thank you.”

  “Glad I was able to help. You’ll be all right.”

  Leia retreated a few more steps as a paramedic arrived. She glanced around for Eva. The tide pool where she’d been splashing was deserted. Leia moved toward the crowd. Eva might have been watching the rescue. But after two minutes Leia still hadn’t caught sight of her sister’s blond head.

  Maybe she’d gone to get something to drink. Leia hurried to the Hyatt, but there was no one around the outdoor lagoon or the drink area. She retraced her steps to find Kaia standing by their abandoned shoes with a towel someone had given her. “Kaia, I can’t find Eva.”

  Her friend frowned. “She has to be here somewhere.”

  “Maybe the excitement frightened her. She could be back at your car.”

  “Let’s go check.”

  The women hurried past the Hyatt’s main entrance to the parking lot. The little red Volkswagen Kaia dro
ve was empty. Leia stopped a couple putting their things away in a van. “Have you seen a blond woman about twenty-three? She has Down syndrome and she was wearing a red sundress.”

  The woman, about forty with pudgy legs sticking out of her shorts, nodded. “I did just see her. She was with a man.”

  Leia’s gut clenched. “Where did they go?” Eva trusted everyone, and Leia had to watch carefully to make sure men didn’t take advantage of her.

  The woman pointed. “Up the cliff.”

  Makawehi Cliff was a popular place with the locals to jump into the water, though it was dangerous, especially on a day like today. Eva would never do that on her own, even on a calm day.

  Kaia started that way. “I’ll check there, mahalo. Leia, you stay here in case she’s just in the restroom or something. She’ll panic if she can’t find you.” Kaia started across the parking lot toward the cliff.

  “Hope you find her.” The woman got in the van with her husband.

  Dread congealed in Leia’s stomach as she looked around the lot. A scrap of paper on the wipers caught her eye, and she stepped to the Volkswagen and retrieved it. She unfolded the note. The words jumped out at her and nearly drove her to her knees.

  I have Eva. If you call the police, you’ll find her dead body. If you tell Kaia or Bane, you’ll find her body. Wait.

  The paid catering bill was tucked in the pocket of Bane’s board shorts when he walked into Tomkats. He smiled as his favorite cat sidled up and wound around his legs. The scent of macadamia-encrusted mahimahi filled the space. A few locals and several tourists glanced up when he walked in, then went back to their meals. The tables were decorated for Christmas, and potted poinsettias added color to the plants growing in the courtyard.

  He glanced around for his younger brother. He’d dropped Mano here while he stopped by the caterer’s. Mano beckoned to him from a table in the back by the window. Broad and capable, Mano looked every inch a former Navy SEAL. He lifted his soft drink in Bane’s direction. “You seem calm for a man about to be married. I thought Annie would have a nervous breakdown before our wedding. The craziness hasn’t hit yet?”

  Bane pulled out a chair and sat. “Leia is pretty calm about it all. We both are.” He eyed his brother. “You’ve got that flat mouth. What’s going on?”

  Whenever Mano was dealing with something unpleasant, he pressed his lips together and didn’t look Bane in the face. Mano ducked his head.

  “Mano? Everything okay with Annie?”

  His brother’s head came up then. “Oh sure, Annie is great.” He heaved a sigh. “I guess you have to know. They released Zimmer.”

  Bane straightened. “When?”

  “Last week.”

  “And they’re just now telling us?” Bane flopped back in his chair. “Don’t they realize he’s dangerous? Why didn’t I get a call?”

  “The DA called the house when they couldn’t get you on your cell. You were probably diving. I took the call.”

  Bane was an oceanographer and did sea salvage. He was often where his cell phone didn’t work. Dennis Zimmer, a name he’d tried not to think about the past few years. He and Zimmer had been friends once, but Bane had caught the ex–Coast Guard ensign stealing supplies and selling them. A Coast Guard seaman had been killed in the last heist. Bane had found the evidence and had been forced to testify against Zimmer, who was convicted of robbery and manslaughter.

  He exhaled. “Is he headed this way?”

  “The DA suspected he might be. When did you get the last letter from him?”

  Bane thought back. “About a year ago, I think. I need to warn Leia to be careful.” He rose. “I’d better go talk to the police and see if they can keep an eye on flights into Kaua’i.”

  “You haven’t even eaten.”

  “I’m suddenly not very hungry.” Bane strode out the door toward where he’d parked his Jeep.

  He yanked open the door and slid inside. When he slammed the door, he realized the truck was tilted to the left like it was on something. He got back out and glanced at the tires on the right. They looked fine so he went around to the other side. Two tires rested on their rims. Closer inspection showed they’d been slashed.

  The blood rushed from his head. Zimmer was already here.

  Two

  Wait. But Leia couldn’t just wait here for some unknown person to call her, not when she felt like she’d just downed fifteen cups of coffee. And what was taking Kaia so long to climb the cliff and get back?

  Leia stared at the note. How could this kidnapper even ask her to keep it from the man she loved? She couldn’t handle this without Bane.

  Maybe it was someone trying to scare her. She eyed the Hyatt. Eva could be in there chatting away with someone. Or she could have spotted a monk seal down the beach and gone to see it. She prayed this was a hoax of some kind, someone’s idea of a weird joke.

  Slinging her bright orange beach bag over her shoulder, she started back to the beach. Her cell phone chirped in her bag, and she dropped to her knees and dug for it. Her heart pounded as it rang four times, then five, before her fingers closed around it.

  “Hello?” Her voice was breathless. “Eva?”

  “Eva is fine. For now.” The distorted voice on the other end had to be from a machine. “But if you don’t do exactly as I say, you’ll find her body under the Point. Dead.”

  “Don’t hurt her.” Leia licked her dry lips. “She’s like a child.”

  “Then you’ll do what I say. Go find lover boy and tell him you’ve got cold feet. You don’t want to marry him after all.”

  Leia gripped the phone with a damp hand. “What? Why?”

  “When you’ve done what I say and the wedding date is past, I’ll release your sister.”

  “B-But that’s five days away!” Leia’s voice shook. “She’ll be terrified. You have to let her go. Please, I’ll do anything!”

  “Then do what I tell you. And no police. Tell no one you’ve received this call. If you simply change the wedding date, I’ll know. Make Bane believe you or Eva will be dead.”

  “You’re asking me to do the impossible,” she whispered. “Everyone will want to know where Eva is. Kaia is looking for her right now.”

  “When Kaia gets back, tell her you got a call from Eva asking if she could stay with a friend for a few days.”

  “No one will believe that!”

  There was a pause. “Then come up with a story they will believe. Your sister’s life is resting on you.”

  “Please, just let Eva go.” Her eyes burning with the effort to hold back her tears, Leia paced the lot.

  The call ended and she stared at her phone. This could not be happening. She scrolled through the received calls, but the last call was from a blocked number. No way to call him back.

  Her knees went weak and she sank to the pavement. The hot concrete burned into her flesh, but even that pain didn’t come close to the agony squeezing her lungs. The man had put her in an impossible position. She saw no way of convincing anyone that Eva was fine. And Bane would never believe she didn’t want to marry him.

  Yes, he will.

  She’d dragged her feet long enough, making excuses for putting off the wedding. First it had been she couldn’t desert her grandmother as she was making plans to move into an assisted-living place. Then she had to sell her kapa business, and that had taken awhile. The base of all of it was fear, plain and simple. She’d buried herself in her little town on Moloka’i, happy to be in her element with people she knew. But as Bane’s wife, they’d be traveling, meeting new people. Bane had been patient with her, but if she told him she’d changed her mind, he would think she didn’t love him. Their past would be enough to convince him. She’d sent him away once before.

  Her thoughts scattered like pikake petals in a hurricane. She had to convince the man she loved that she didn’t want to marry him. How could she hurt him like that? But she had to do it to save Eva.

  Kaia waved at her from the base of the cliff.
Her face was pink from exertion, and her dark eyes were strained as she came toward Leia. “Eva jumped off the cliff with a man, but I can’t find her.”

  Leia gasped, and spots danced in front of her eyes. How was that possible? She’d just talked to him. Could there be more than one person involved? “D-Did anyone see her after that?”

  Kaia shook her head. “Let’s look along the beach. Most people jump off that thing with no trouble.”

  Leia swallowed hard and squared her shoulders. “She knows better than to do that.”

  Kaia nodded and put her hand on Leia’s arm. “If we can’t find her, we have to call the Coast Guard. You know that.”

  “I-I know. But she’ll be all right. I know she’s all right.”

  “Of course she is.” But Kaia’s glance slid away. “Let’s go look.”

  Tears finally escaped Leia’s eyes. “Pray, Kaia.”

  Kaia took her hand. “I haven’t stopped.”

  The sun was setting over the ocean to the west, bouncing rays of gold and pink off the water. Bane’s stomach burned sourly. They’d walked two miles, all the way to Maha’ulepu Beach, a remote stretch of sand frequented only by locals. Still no sign of Eva. A Coast Guard cutter cruised offshore as well. Kaia and her husband, Jesse, were on another boat with Kaia’s bottle-nosed dolphin, Nani. If Eva was out there, Nani would find her.

  Eva could have been washed out to sea.

  Or drowned.

  He stepped closer to Leia, who stood on a rock at the edge of the water. She barely took her attention off the whitecaps rolling toward the golden sand. “We’ll find her, honey.” He put more confidence into his voice than he felt.

  Tears shimmered in her eyes when she glanced at him before turning her attention back to the water. “I should have been watching her, Bane.”

  “There was a near drowning, Leia. Of course you and Kaia wanted to help.” A wave soaked his feet as he waded in closer to her and slipped his arm around her waist. “We’re not doing her any good here. Let’s go back to Shipwreck Beach and head the other direction.”

  “Mano and Annie went that way. They’ll call if they find her.” She glanced at him again. “Any word from Kaia?”