Thanks so much for all of the kind feedback! I'm so glad you like this story. We're getting close to the end now - only one more chapter after this. Standard disclaimers still apply...I don't own anything, it's all in good fun, yadda yadda. As always, I hope you enjoy. -abby
Thomas had been back at the Nest for three days, and so far had been willing to humor Juliet and remain at the main house with remarkably little argument. For her part, Higgins was trying not to be too overbearing with the 'mother henning' but found that she was still hesitant to leave him alone for very long.
Juliet had also discovered that sunshine really did seem to improve Magnum's mood so she had taken TC's advice to heart, doing whatever she could to get her charge outside as much as possible. Fortunately it usually didn't take much convincing. During her morning yoga sessions he agreeably drank coffee on the lanai and willingly went along with Juliet's suggestion to sit out on the lawn in the afternoons, watching as she and Kumu played ulu maika. And while he still tired easily and slept a lot as he recovered his strength, he always seemed willing to take Juliet up on her offers of a walk along the beach. To his credit, if the private investigator was aware of her ongoing efforts to surreptitiously keep an eye on him - and she didn't see how he couldn't be - he had not said a word.
"Magnum?" Higgins knocked on the door to his temporary bedroom and heard nothing but silence on the other side.
She knocked again. When there was still no answer, her heart skipped a beat and she pushed the door open. "Thomas, answer me," she said firmly. He was not in the bed, nor the attached bathroom, and Higgins allowed herself a small sigh of relief. She'd half-expected to find his fevered body crumpled on the tile floor and wondered, not for the first time, when her worry would taper off. Quit being so paranoid. The doctor says he's doing well, she scolded herself.
Somewhat satisfied that Magnum had just gotten restless and slipped out of the house while she was busy, Juliet decided to take a walk around the massive property.
It wasn't long before she found the object of her concern. Wearing nothing but a pair of old board shorts he sat cross-legged on the beach, staring toward the ocean in the warm morning sun. Higgins left her shoes on the grass and silently settled in the sand next to him.
"Hey," he said softly, not bothering to look away from the view.
She couldn't help herself. "You shouldn't wander off."
He snorted, finally tearing his gaze from the sparkling blue water. "Dr. Hendricks said the antibiotics are working as they should. My arm is hardly swollen anymore, my headaches are gone, and my ribs finally quit hurting every time I breathe." His tone quieted. "I'm fine, Higgins. Don't worry so much."
She studied him intently, taking in the fading bruises on his face and ribs. He still cradled his bandaged arm in his good hand and while he had all but admitted that it was not entirely pain-free, he otherwise really did look much better. The dark circles of exhaustion under his eyes had disappeared, and his color was back to its natural healthy shade. After a moment, she shook her said. "You're right. I sound like my grandmum. You just..." She stopped, sighing heavily. "You just really frightened me, that's all."
"I know. And I'm sorry."
"You don't have anything to be sorry for, Magnum."
He smiled sheepishly, lifting one shoulder in a shrug. "Either way, I guess I really owe you now that you've saved my life twice."
Higgins' own smile was sincere. "You don't owe me." She paused. "In fact, I believe it is I who owes you."
She chuckled softly at the confusion that crossed his handsome features.
"A promise is a promise, Magnum. And as such, there are quite a lot of malasadas waiting for us back at the house."
Surprised, Thomas laughed. "That sounds fantastic."
She regarded him thoughtfully for a moment. "Actually, come to think of it I suppose there is one thing you can do for me."
"What's that?" His dark eyes focused raptly on hers, awaiting the response.
"Try not to let anything like this happen again."
"Hey, now come on. None of this was really my fault," he reminded her.
Higgins considered. "Not technically, no, but it all started with one of your cases. Just...be careful. That's all I ask." She stood, reaching a hand down to help him up. "Come along - those malasadas aren't going to eat themselves. Although Rick and TC have likely arrived by now, which means we'd better hurry."
Obediently he reached for her hand, keeping his right arm settled against his bare chest as she gently pulled him to his feet. "You know, in spite of what you think I really do try to be careful."
"And yet, somehow trouble always manages to find you," she replied matter-of-factly, tucking her hand companionably into the crook of his left elbow as they walked toward the main house.
Rick and TC had indeed arrived and were chatting with Kumu on the lanai. They looked up, smiling as the pair rounded the corner. Releasing Magnum's elbow with a gentle squeeze, Juliet stepped away to get herself a cup of coffee as he took a seat.
"Good morning," Kumu greeted the private investigator warmly. She handed over a pillow and helped him prop his injured arm comfortably in his lap. "Want some coffee?"
Thomas smiled at the older woman. "That would be great, Kumu. Thank you." She patted his knee and stood, joining Higgins at the table where they'd arranged a large spread of food and beverages.
"Thomas, my man," Rick said cheerfully. He examined his friend with a critical eye before declaring, "You're looking halfway decent."
TC laughed heartily. "Not much to be done about the ugly mug but yeah, definitely a little less like roadkill."
"Gee, thanks," Magnum replied pleasantly, not offended in the slightest.
"Just calling it like we see it, brother," Rick chuckled. His eyes twinkled playfully as he lifted his coffee in a mock toast.
Magnum shook his head, laughing.
"Here you go, Thomas," Kumu offered him a steaming coffee cup, which he accepted with his left hand. "Cream and sugar, just the way you like it."
He grinned up at her. "You're the best, Kumu."
The estate curator laughed. "I know." She had a plate full of malasadas in her other hand, which she placed on the table between the three men. "Komo i ka. Enjoy." She turned to Rick and TC. "Leave some for Thomas," she admonished them sternly. She knew that Magnum would be hampered somewhat, limited as he was to the use of one hand.
"Nope, he's on his own," teased TC as he reached over to swipe two pastries at once. Thomas made a face at the pilot, then set his mug down so he could swat Rick's incoming hand out of the way and claim his own malasada.
Juliet curled up in the chair next to Thomas. Sipping her coffee, she furtively watched as he bantered and joked with his friends. Even as she smiled at the comfortable, close bond between the three men a memory flashed. Out of nowhere, she recalled Magnum's confused ramblings from the night of the accident and realized she hadn't yet asked about it. Trying to shake off the dark memories and resurfacing concern, she resolved to talk with him whenever the time was right.
"These malasadas are really good," Magnum observed, unintentionally pulling her out of the reverie.
Higgins lowered her mug and smiled at him. "I promised the best on the island, didn't I? I always keep my promises." She looked over at the woman seated on her other side. "However, I can't take all the credit. Kumu knew where to get the best malasadas, of course."
"Mahalo, Kumu," Thomas said sincerely.
"Yes, mahalo. They're fantastic," Rick chimed in, licking sugar from his fingers. Mouth full, TC could only nod.
Kumu inclined her head with a kind smile. "No'u ka hau'oli. You're very welcome."
Juliet gestured at the table, where several boxes of the pastries remained untouched. "I also promised all you can eat. There are plenty more where those came from, so please help yourselves."
"Thanks, Higgy," three voices said in unison.
"It was my genuine pleasure, gentlemen."
