Finding Paradise Read online

  Finding Paradise

  New Beginnings Series - Book One

  by Laura Westbrook

  Text copyright © 2020 Laura Westbrook

  All Rights Reserved

  This book is licensed for personal enjoyment only and is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to people, living or deceased, places, or events is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the author’s written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in articles or reviews. The people or person depicted on the cover are models, not related to any of the characters or actions, and don’t necessarily endorse or condone the book’s contents. Individuals pictured are used for illustrative purposes only.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

  Chapter One

  Hanna stared out the window, watching the sparkling water shimmering beneath them. The plane was coming in for landing, and Hanna had never been so excited. With all her movement, she bumped Cassie’s elbow. A small bag of peanuts fell to her feet, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was the small island growing bigger by the moment.

  Cassie glanced over and caught her eye. “I can’t believe we’re almost there.” Her voice was slightly higher in pitch and threatened to stay there until they exited the plane.

  “I know.” Hanna smiled and glanced out the window again, letting her eyes focus on the lush scenery below them, the waves that seemed almost jewel-like in their intensity, the perfect color, the perfect scene. It was everything that Hannah had hoped for and more. She had a feeling that Hawaii would live up to the hype.

  She shook her head. “When you mentioned Hawaii, I thought it was just a pipe dream, you know? I thought you were crazy.”

  She leaned over Hanna, craning her neck to get a better view of what lay beneath them, what waited for them on their vacation. “Of course I’m crazy. You already knew that part. Only a crazy person would chop her social life in half just to save up enough money for an out-of-nowhere Hawaiian vacation with her best friend. Real people just don’t do that.”

  “Well, we do. That’s good enough for me.” Hanna leaned back in her seat to give Cassie a better view. Cassie’s excitement was contagious, and it was impossible to ignore. If Hanna was being honest with herself, she never would’ve attempted this vacation if it hadn’t been for Cassie’s bold spirit and sense of adventure. When Cassie had first brought it up, Hanna thought she was crazy for even suggesting it. Hanna worked in the admin department, and her salary wasn’t exactly the best in the world.

  Still, Cassie was her best friend, and they always split expenses when it came to big things like trips. They usually went on vacation together and hung out after work, so Hanna wasn’t exactly going to break her best friend’s heart by turning it down. Still, it had seemed impossible at the time.

  And yet, here she was, staring out the window of a plane, watching the green cliffs of Hawaii rush to greet them and about to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Sure, it had taken a few extra hours at work here and there and a few years of saving, but Hanna could already tell it was worth it. After all, she’d never seen Cassie this excited, and they had been on some memorable road trips.

  Besides, she had a feeling this was going to be a lot of fun. Hanna was usually a cautious person but, for once, she threw caution to the wind and embraced the vacation ahead. She made a mental promise to herself to embrace the wild side of the island, the freedom, the excitement. She promised she’d let herself have fun. She owed it to the both of them.

  Cassie moved her tray to an upright position. “I’m not holding a pina colada right now, and we need to fix that.”

  Hanna nodded. “Sounds good to me.”

  * * *

  Hanna tapped the toe of her shoe on the ground as she waited for the luggage rack. It went by so slowly, she imagined being there for hours just waiting for it to appear. When finally the right shade of red crawled by, she grabbed the handle. She hummed to herself as Cassie grabbed her bag.

  “So, to the hotel?” Hanna asked.

  Cassie nodded. “Yeah, I’ve got the booking slip in my purse. It’s supposed to be one of the best hotels around. I figured why not go all in? We may never be back here in our lifetime. We may as well make it a night to remember.”

  “One of the best, huh?”

  “Honestly? The hotel ran a special and I jumped on it. I stalked the website for months.”

  “I’m glad I left all the booking up to you. You have the knack for it.”

  Cassie shrugged. “What can I say? It’s a gift. I’m glad I left the budgeting up to you, Miss Numbers.”

  Cassie’s luggage clicked as she pulled it across the tile floor. Hanna hurried along behind her, feeling the swish of her dress against the back of her legs and the softness of the silk brushing her skin. This was the freest she’d felt in a long time and they were only just starting the vacation.

  Hanna shrugged. “Hey, I just know how to make my money work for me.”

  “Yeah, well, maybe I should take some lessons,” Cassie said.

  As they left the airport, Hanna was greeted by the sight of a thriving infrastructure surrounded by the beauty of nature, vast and magnificent, just out of reach. She took in a deep breath and felt the heat rush up to meet her. The air was humid and warm. It would’ve been stifling if not for the breeze that rushed past her face and teased through her hair. She took a great big breath, enjoying the sensations that passed through her.

  Cassie seemed to mirror her thoughts. “Oh wow!” she said, her voice a soft murmur.

  Hanna just nodded. She couldn’t agree more, couldn’t find any words to talk about such a beautiful island. She already felt in awe of her surroundings. Hanna had lived most of her life in the small town of Coopersville, North Carolina. It was landlocked and a bit ordinary, and she’d never expected an island—with a magnificent coastline and a beautiful atmosphere—could ever feel this freeing. She’d thought all the water would be daunting, that she’d feel like a speck in the universe, but instead she felt great.

  “We’d better call a cab,” Hanna said, and Cassie nodded. It didn’t take too long to flag down a ride. As they slid into the car, Cassie passed the driver the hotel address, and Hanna felt a growing sense of anticipation. They were almost there.

  “Now, don’t try to plan everything. Don’t worry about how fast the time goes by, or how much time is left. Just enjoy our vacation. Got it?” Cassie said.

  Hanna sank back against her seat. Cassie was right. She was always micromanaging her life. As soon as she agreed to the Hawaii vacation, she’d started number-crunching. She was constantly looking at ways to figure things out, ways to make things work. If left up to her, she’d chop their vacation into tiny slivers and try to fill every microsecond with the “perfect” activity, probably undoing the whole point of their vacation.

  She’d done that on a few of their road-trips, and usually, Cassie just laughed it off, but this time, it was more serious. They were in Hawaii, in the beautiful city of Waikiki, and Hanna didn’t want to ruin their vacation by directing it like a financial spreadsheet. So far, it was the most freeing trip they’d ever experienced, and she wasn’t going to let her managing ways stop that.

  “I won’t. I promise,” Hanna said. “Believe me, I’ll be so impulsive and reckless, you’ll wonder what became of your best friend.”

  “Don’t go too crazy. Just…relax and be yourself. And whatever you do�
��”

  Cassie cut herself off and almost jumped out of her seat, “Oh look! We’re here.”

  Hanna followed her gaze to see a hotel stretching out before them. They’d arrived quicker than she’d expected, but Hanna supposed that was part of why the hotel was so popular. It wasn’t far from the airport. The driver found a place to park, and Cassie all but leaped out of the car to grab the luggage.

  Hanna shook her head and grabbed her purse, fishing out a few bills and handing it to the driver with a smile. “Keep the change.”

  A thrill ran through her. After months of penny-pinching, it felt incredible to say that. She felt giddy with the reckless spending. At last, she was the one living it big, if only for a short time. Cassie was right. One vacation wouldn’t spoil her. After all, she’d worked hard. She deserved this.

  As the car pulled away, Cassie handed her a bag, and they made their way to the entrance. Inside the hotel, it was pleasantly cool, the air-conditioning having been turned to the perfect temperature, which actually wasn’t much different than outside. The tropics clearly knew what they were doing when it came to comfort.

  Of course, their vacation wouldn’t take place entirely inside. There were pools and patios and outdoor balconies everywhere, waiting to be visited, but Hanna had a feeling that even the heat would be inviting once they were sipping cocktails or in the water. For once, she wouldn’t have to make any plans. They had all been made for her—she just had to relax and enjoy the ride.

  They headed to the front desk, and Cassie checked them in. It didn’t take long to process everything. Then the manager had someone take their bags up for them, proof that Hanna’s cares would be managed by someone else, for this vacation at least.

  When they arrived, she just stood there, amazed. She’d seen the pictures, but they hadn’t prepared her for the reality. The room was stunning. Everything was in cool colors, and the sheets looked like they would be soft as silk. Sheer curtains fluttered in the breeze, and the towels at the ends of their beds looked fluffy and soft. The floor beneath her feet was smooth and polished, and the carpet felt even fluffier than the towels looked. It was like a wonderful dream she never wanted to wake up from.

  Cassie plopped down on the bed. “This place is absolutely perfect. Have you seen the view?”

  Hanna hadn’t, so she headed over to the window and leaned out. A stunning vista of the whole island stretched out in front of her, showing off Hawaii’s lush curves and sparkling ocean. It was just like the pictures, only better because it was real. She was there. It was every bit as beautiful as the brochures had claimed, and Hanna was entranced. The sun was just setting, painting the horizon in colors of orange and red, gold and pink, lighting up the sky with its fire. She loved it, loved every moment of it. It was better than the reviews and the pictures online. It was paradise.

  Hanna sighed in delight as she pulled back and shut the window and the curtains. She regretted doing so, but her stomach was telling her in no uncertain terms that it was time to stop sightseeing and start thinking about dinner.

  “What do you think about hitting up the hotel restaurant once we’re done here?” Hanna called out.

  “Sounds great. Just give me a minute to get ready,” Cassie called back.

  “A Cassie minute or a real minute?” Hanna couldn’t help herself.

  “A real one, thank you.”

  Hanna chuckled to herself and rummaged through her wardrobe. Cassie was fun to be around. She didn’t know where she’d be without a friend like her. After some thought, Hanna settled on a little, black dress that was surprisingly flattering. At first, she’d only decided on loose, comfy outfits, but Cassie had convinced her otherwise. It had turned out to be a mix. Satisfied, she did her hair and applied some subtle makeup. Simple jewelry and a spritz of perfume finished the job and left her feeling glowing.

  “Ready yet?” she called as she slid into some low heels.

  “Almost…yep.” Cassie sauntered through the door into Hanna’s side of the room. She looked great in a bright, red dress with lipstick to match. She was so much more colorful than Hanna was, but that was her style.

  “Shall we?”

  “You look great, by the way,” Cassie said in the hall. Hanna felt her cheeks grow warm, and she shrugged off the compliment. She couldn’t barely take compliments from men, let alone her best friend.

  She didn’t have long to think about it as they walked into the dining room. It looked absolutely magnificent, with pressed linen and candles spotting the dining area. Hanna was glad she’d opted for a black dress. She would’ve felt out of place in anything less formal.

  A waiter appeared at their sides within moments. “May I show you ladies to your seats?” Cassie took the lead, accepting for both of them, and soon they were led to the table.

  The waiter set down the menus. “My name is Sebastian, and I’ll be your waiter this evening. I’ll be back in a few moments to take your drink orders.”

  After he left, Cassie leaned forward. “Everything okay there, Hanna?” There was a knowing smile on her face.

  “Hmm?”

  “He’s cute, isn’t he?” Cassie’s smile grew, and Hanna sighed. She was being ridiculous.

  “I didn’t really notice,” Hanna said.

  “I knew this vacation would be perfect. You already have a crush on our waiter.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. If you like him so much, then why don’t you talk to him. Besides, making a move on the waiter while on vacation? Isn’t that a little cliché?”

  Cassie shrugged. “I didn’t say to make a move. But who’s to say he won’t?”

  Hanna shook her head. “You’re being ridiculous. I came here to have a great time with my best friend, and that’s what we’re going to do. First things first, right?”

  “Right.”

  It was just then Sabastian came over, as if he sensed the change in the table’s atmosphere. “What can I get you?” he asked as he took out his notepad.

  “I’ll have a white wine,” Hanna said. “A house one is fine.”

  “Give me your fruitiest drink,” Cassie said. “One with plenty of tiny umbrellas.”

  Sabastian cracked a smile. “I can do that. I’ll be back soon to take the rest of your order.”

  After he left, Hanna stared at Cassie. “Tiny umbrellas?”

  “What? We’re on vacation, and unlike you, I intend to live a little and enjoy it.”

  “I am enjoying it. Just because I’m not hitting on a waiter doesn’t mean I’m not.”

  “Then a toast to our vacation.” Cassie raised her water glass, and Hanna laughed, following suit. “To a great time and an even better friendship.”

  Chapter Two

  The next morning dawned with a beautiful sense of promise. Anything could happen—opportunity was just around the corner, calling out to them. Hanna stretched, feeling the silky, soft sheets slide against her skin. She sighed in contentment and just lay there for a moment, savoring the sunlight streaming through the windows. For once, she could linger. There was no rush to get to work, no errands that needed running. The day was hers to do with as she liked.

  Hanna pushed herself up, the possibilities tugging on her mind. After looking out on the scenery and the sparkling ocean, she had an idea.

  She straightened her pajamas and headed to the phone. She rummaged around in the cabinet until she found the tourist book of sites to see and things to do. She skimmed through the pages until she found the one she wanted and dialed the number.

  It rang a few times before someone picked up. “Hello, this is Josh speaking. How may I help you?”

  “Oh. Hi, Josh.” She curled her finger around the cord. She was rarely this spontaneous. “I know this is last minute, but I wondered if you had any bookings available for today.” She bit her lip. “I’ve always wanted to scuba dive…I mean, if you’re fully booked out, I understand.”

  “We actually had a recent cancellation. We have a couple of spots l
eft on the boat for the early afternoon trip.” His voice was soft, smooth, and reassuring, but maybe he’d just mastered the art of welcoming people as part of his job.

  She heard the rustle of papers in the background.

  “How many people will be going with you?” he asked.

  “The two of us. She’s my friend.” The last part came out a little rushed. She scrunched her nose. No reason for that.

  “Great. We only have two spots left, so that works. Any previous experience?”

  “First time for both of us. Is that okay, or do you need some special classes first?”

  “No, it’s fine. We have safety videos we’ll have you watch, but we have special equipment for those who aren’t scuba certified. We’ll take care of everything.”

  “Is there anything we need to bring?”

  “Just swimsuits. We provide the rest of the gear.” He made a sound like he was thinking. “How does twelve noon sound?”

  Hanna realized she hadn’t even checked the time, but suddenly it didn’t seem all that important. Even if she had to rush through her morning, she’d be there. “Yes, twelve is perfect.”

  “Great. See you then. Oh—and the name for the booking?”

  “Hanna.”

  “Sounds great. See you at twelve, Hanna. I look forward to it.”

  Hanna placed down the phone and took a deep breath. She felt giddy with excitement. She’d always wanted to do this, but it had always sounded so intimidating, swimming deep underwater with an air tank on her back. But not today. Today, she was determined to take the chances she was given and seize the opportunities. Just like she and Cassie had promised each other, she was going to enjoy the moment.

  Now all she had to do was tell Cassie. Hanna grabbed her cell phone and checked the time. It was almost eleven, so they didn’t have much time to get ready and grab breakfast. Oh well. Cassie had wanted her to be more spontaneous and live more, and now she was.