Free Jewel of the Pacific by Linda Lee Chaikin

Francisco to see an expert in vision problems. Even so, in a time of personal crisis, where did Rafe choose to go?
    Not to me. To San Francisco. And who was there? Bernice
.
    As the woman in Rafe’s life, she felt put aside by him.
    She stared at the desk drawer. It couldn’t be locked. She would have seen Keno use a key.
    Even if I’m caught looking at the letter what will they do? Nothing
.
    Yet she simply stood there.
    Suddenly she reached forward and pulled the top desk drawer open.
    Footsteps sounded outside on deck. She pushed the drawer shut and stepped away from the desk, her heart jumping. She held her breath and stared at the cabin door, expecting Keno to fling it open.
    The footsteps passed.
    She returned to the desk, looked toward Jerome still asleep, and reopened the drawer.
    She sorted through maps and drawings. There was a handwritten drafted agreement between Parker Judson and Rafe creating a partnership for a pineapple plantation on Honolulu.
    Besides these she saw business papers concerning the ship, folders stuffed with papers, a small stack of envelopes tied with string, and another folder holding photos and correspondence. A white corner of a newer envelope looked as if it had been quickly shoved in one of these folders. Setting her conscience aside, she leafed through the folder, glancing again toward the door.
    There were some pictures of Rafe’s parents, including his uncle, Ambrose Easton, as a young man. She saw the resemblance between Matt and his elder brother Ambrose.
    Next, she pulled out an envelope addressed to Rafe at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in San Francisco.
    Eden bit her lip. The return address was written in a flowing, feminine hand. It was from Bernice.
    Should I?
    No
.
    Don’t give in. Flee temptation
.
    Her heart beat faster.
    But I must—because I always suspected something between them.
When Bernice had visited Honolulu, she had shown an obvious interest in Rafe, though he did not seem to return her interest. Zachary was the one who had fallen over his feet to win her attention. He still wanted her, and had broken his engagement to Claudia Hunnewell.
    Stoically, Eden opened the flap and removed a card. Eden opened the card, and a photograph fluttered onto the desk like a little bird released from its cage. A young woman with gold hair and stunning gray eyes stared at her. Eden turned the photograph over and read the flowery handwriting.
    For you, Rafe, always yours, Bernice
.
    The card was also signed.
    Happy birthday, Rafe. When will you again admit that you do love me still?
    Eden stood immobile. The creaking wood, the water slapping, the wind, the sounds held her captive. Slowly her heart seemed to die. The surge of raw, angry jealousy and humiliation burned itself out and settled at her feet. Then she saw an ornate box that had been tucked under the folder. Inside was a remarkable jade comb, beautifully crafted. No doubt, for his secret love.
    And he never once hinted he’d ever cared for her. At least Bernice claimed in her card that he’d once loved her and perhaps still did.
    This implied that Rafe had carried feelings for her all along, and for some unknown reason he’d never acted upon them.
    Why? Because Bernice lacked a strong Christian faith? His commitment to Christ meant he would be unwise to marry an unbeliever. So after his travels he’d gone back to Eden Derrington the girl with the missionary heart?
    If so, why did he say he loved me? Perhaps he did love me in his own way
.
    But the fact that he’d kept the photograph and card goaded her to know why they were important to him. And why were they here aboard the
Minoa
and not in his hotel room or at Hawaiiana or Hanalei?
    The picture of his parents was here—why not also keep one of a woman who suggested he’d cared for her?
    She blinked hard to keep tears from forming.
Everything is ruined between us. Why should I care!
    With numb fingers she replaced the photograph in the card, placed the card in its