Free Jewel of the Pacific by Linda Lee Chaikin Page A

ivory envelope, and put it back in the drawer.
    With his other treasures
, she thought bitterly.
    She closed the drawer. No one would ever know that she’d discovered this secret. She was cold. She wrapped her arms tightly about herself and sat down.
    The cabin door opened quietly and Aunt Lana stepped inside.
    “My goodness, Eden, what’s happened?” She looked at Jerome asleep in the bunk. “Is Dr. Jerome all right?”
    Eden couldn’t find her voice for a moment. Lana took over, pouring water into a glass and bringing it to her.
    “Here, drink this and clear your throat.”
    Eden’s hand shook as she took the water and drank, spilling some on the front of her pinafore.
    “It’s no—no good. Everything is destroyed. It’s all over this time—”
    “What’s all over, dear? Jerome looks to be recovering.”
    “R-Rafe. He doesn’t love me anymore—”
    “Rafe—oh, come. People can’t fall in and out of love that easily.”
    “It—it’s been a long time coming. He said so.”
    Lana was quiet. She drew her fair brows together. “Did he say that? I thought you hadn’t heard from him?”
    “I’ve disappointed him too many times. He’s disillusioned.”
    “This doesn’t sound like Rafe Easton.”
    “Oh, Lana, it’s all over between us for certain this time.” She burst into tears, trying to keep quiet.
    Lana put her arms around her and held her in understanding silence.
    After a while Eden, emotionally spent, watched as Lana slipped over to the bed, checked Jerome’s pulse, then returned to Eden. “Try not to worry too much.”
    Eden went to the cabin door, and stepped out.
    Outside the cabin door Eden felt the wind blow against her, loosening her dark hair. She hoped her eyes were not red or puffed from tears.
Never again.
Tears were useless.

    If Eden had looked toward her right when she’d come out of the captain’s cabin she would have seen Keno emerging from the morning sunlight. He did, however, notice her.
    He watched Miss Green Eyes slip out of the cabin, her gray nurse’s skirt floating behind her as she went down the steps to the hold. Something in her expression, in the way she held herself, disturbed him.
    Had she found the picture? Naturally she had. What else could go wrong for his pal Rafe?
    Keno thought of the time he’d told Rafe he’d commandeer the ship to take them and their supplies to Molokai. Rafe had also requested, “When Eden arrives the place will be a shock for her. Keep an eye on her, will you?”
    “Sure thing, old pal.”
    Keno walked to the cabin and entered quietly. He noticed that Dr. Jerome was sleeping and walked to the desk.
    Well, I haven’t done a very good job of taking care of her
. He opened the drawer.
Yep, Miss Green Eyes made a search all right. So she did see me with it. I was sure she hadn’t noticed. A lesson, Keno, never underestimate a woman’s desire to know her man. Worse thing, though, this will just hurt her and Rafe. Miss Bernice Judson would probably smile
.
    He held the envelope with picture and card in hand and murmured, “I should’ve put it in my pocket. And that’s exactly what I can hear Rafe telling me!”
    None of us have been too smart lately, including Rafe. What was he thinking of, going off without talking things over with Green Eyes?
    Keno shook his dark head. The rift would tear Rafe and Eden asunder, even if going to San Francisco without talking to her didn’t.
    Keno shoved the drawer closed, just as the cabin door opened again and Mrs. Bolton entered, looking at the bunk where Dr. Jerome was still oblivious to all going on around him. She saw Keno and paused.
    “Keno, aloha. Dr. Jerome is doing much better.”
    “Good news, ma’am. He’s still asleep. I’ll leave, and let you to your business.”

Chapter Eight
Ride the Waves

    T he following morning Eden was dressed before daybreak.
    Wearing a hooded cloak, she joined Uncle Ambrose on the upper deck and huddled over a tin mug of hot coffee.
    From a distance