§ § § -- January 26, 1998

"So," said Roarke Monday morning at the plane dock, "is the rumor true, then?" He spoke to a grinning Devin Reilley and a beaming Josie Waring.

"Every last gossipy word of it, yep," Josie said, showing off her diamond engagement ring to their hosts. "I was the biggest skeptic in fifty states and ten territories, but you did it, Mr. Roarke. I got my fantasy after all—both parts of it!" They all laughed; Devin shook hands with both Roarke and Leslie and loped off toward the plane while Josie hung back, seeing the expression on Leslie's face that said she had a question. "What's up?"

"Suppose he climbs back on that old high horse of his?" Leslie wanted to know. "What'll you do then?"

Josie smirked. "We reached an understanding last night at dinner in my bungalow," she said, addressing both Leslie and Roarke. "He stays humble, and I don't give him any more strawberry-daiquiri baths." She grinned and gave them a thumbs-up, then sauntered away in Devin's wake, leaving her hosts roaring with laughter.

The plane had vanished from the lagoon before Roarke and Leslie got full control of themselves again; the car pulled up to take them home, and Roarke suddenly seemed to remember something. "Oh, Leslie, wasn't your friend Myeko seeing Mr. Reilley's brother?"

"Yes, they looked like they were having a terrific time at the luau Saturday night, and I think they took their kids to the amusement park yesterday afternoon," Leslie said, sliding into the middle seat of the station wagon. "If things go the way I hope they do—and the way Myeko deserves them to—there might be another wedding in the Reilley family."

"Perhaps even in time for Mr. and Mrs. Devin Reilley to attend while he is shooting that movie," Roarke agreed, smiling. Leslie sat back in her seat and crossed her fingers, thinking of all she wanted to tell Christian in her next e-mail.