CHAPTER 14

Skipper sat at the edge of the jungle leaning up against a coconut tree. His hat was in his hands, and he looked rather sad as he gazed out over the water.

The canoes were long out of sight, but he wasn't ready to go back to the clearing yet. He knew that Gilligan would be sleeping deeply, so he sat down . . . and reflected.

He thought back to Lalani and saying good-bye to her.

As the natives loaded up their canoes and said good-bye to Skipper, Lalani stood off to the side. Her hands were behind her back and she was slowly swaying her hips back and forth, with a small smile on her face.

After he shook hands with Kapena and gave Kalia a kiss on the cheek, he approached her. He reached out, and she put her hands in his, got on her tip-toes and kissed his lips. Smiling, she said, "We will meet again, Jonas. I will make sure of it, my handsome Captain."

He kissed her back and tried to smile, even though, inside, he was crying.

"You take care of him," she said. "He needs you right now. You're his best friend and his father-figure."

Skipper nodded and looked out to sea.

"After we get through the wedding ceremony and celebrations, I will try to come back. Maybe in a few weeks' time, Gilleegan can travel. Then you can come to our island and visit us."

He stood at the edge of the water, the waves creeping up on him, and he watched them paddle away. Every so often, Lalani would look back and wave again. He was determined not to move until she was out of sight. He wanted her last look to still see him standing on the beach.

Now, they were gone, and he had moved into the shade of the trees. He wouldn't stay much longer. He was surprised to feel a small rumble in his stomach. At the breakfast table this morning, he had not felt much like eating. He realized now that it must be close to lunch-time.

He hoisted himself up, brushed himself off and placed his hat on his head at a jaunty angle. As he walked up the well-worn path to the clearing, he put his hands in his pockets and started to whistle a catchy little sea-ditty.

As he rounded a curve in the path, he looked back at the water once more. This time, though, he had a smile on his face. At long last, he had something to look forward to . . . something wonderful . . . something with emerald green eyes and a dimpled smile . . . something like love.