Kona Winds by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online

Emily Harmon in the living room, she went on upstairs to her bedroom. She went over the work sheet she had drawn up for the next day's subjects and went to bed shortly after ten. To her knowledge, Ruel Chandler hadn't arrived home.
     

 
    Chapter Four
     
    DURING HER FIRST WEEK, Ruel Chandler only had dinner with them twice. He was pleasant and courteous to Julie, but he didn't go out of his way to make her feel a part of the family. His attitude was such a contrast to everyone else's that she sometimes let it bother her. Wanting everybody to like her had always been one of her faults. So she tried to ignore the frustration she felt.
    Her first free weekend she decided against doing any sight-seeing. She would have time enough to tour the whole island in the next few months. Wearing a swimming suit beneath her slacks and blouse, she thought she would get a bit of sun and do some souvenir shopping for her friends and family. Emily suggested that she could accomplish both in the small town of Haleiwa and offered to loan her one of the economy cars. But Julie decided to go by bus, even though it meant a long walk down the switchback road to the highway.
    Haleiwa was a quaint village with its old storefronts and roadside fruit and shell stands. A small shopping center, recently erected, maintained the rustic motif of the older stores, complete with board sidewalks. It was a peaceful seaside community.
    After exploring a general store and a neighborhood art gallery, she lunched outdoors at a sandwich shop. Then she wandered down to the small harbor. With the protection of a sunscreen, she lay out for a couple of hours in the sun and watched the sailing boats and cruisers going in and out. Later she returned to the town proper, purchased some souvenirs and caught the bus back.
    Having been walking almost all day, she found the road leading to the house seemed much longer, plus she had the added burden of the purchases she'd made. She began to wish she had accepted Emily's loan of a car as she eyed the steep switchback road to the upper plateau.
    A car roared toward her from behind and Julie moved to the grassy shoulder. Instead of swerving past her, it slowed to a stop beside her. At first glance she saw only the sleek, black sports car with the passenger door opening before she finally recognized Ruel Chandler behind the wheel.
    "Hop in," he ordered smoothly.
    With the daunting prospect of climbing that hill, Julie didn't need a second invitation. "Thanks." She slid into the bucket seat, juggled her packages, and closed the door.
    Immediately the car was shifted into gear and it shot forward. "Been shopping, I see." His blue gaze flicked to the assortment of bags on her lap.
    "I've been into Haleiwa," she offered in explanation.
    "Nothing more ambitious than that?" He sounded as if he were mocking her, but Julie couldn't be sure. She was determined not to let his condescending attitude get under her skin.
    "Nothing more ambitious than that," she returned the phrase as a statement. "Not this weekend." The low-slung car seemed to snake around the tight curves up the hill. "I thought I'd go to the beach tomorrow, swim, just take it easy."
    "If it's swimming and sun you want, you're better off making use of the pool at the house," he told her. "We have some very strong currents here on the north shore and powerful undertows, not to mention coral reefs that are as sharp as razors. The beach at Haleiwa or Waimea Bay is about the only place for what you have in mind. If there aren't any breakers, you can feel safe swimming at Waimea."
    "I'll remember that, thank you." She accepted his advice. Within seconds he was braking the car to a stop in the circular drive of the house. "Thanks for the lift, too. It would have been a long hard walk." She was determined to be pleasant and properly but not overly appreciative.
    "It was no trouble."
    Leaving the car parked in the drive, Ruel walked up to the house with her and opened the door, since