03 - Three Odd Balls Read Online Free PDF Page B

about them while you were checking us in.” She reached over and patted Wilson’s hand. “Thank you for getting me and my things settled. You are such a darling.”
    He blinked again. “Did you say ukulele?”
    “Mm-hmm. Evidently they stay here every year for the annual Yuletide Ukulele Jamboree. This year’s the tenth anniversary. Can you imagine?”
    I turned to Louise, who nodded ominously. “According to Davy, we’ll be hearing ukulele music all week. The Hoochie Coochies like to practice a lot.”
    While I let that unsettling news sink in, my mother elaborated. “Well now, they’ll need to practice won’t they? What with the big competition on Christmas Eve.” She clapped in glee. “I’ve never been to a ukulele contest before. Won’t that be fun?”
    Luckily, our waitress came by and saved us from answering. Young and enthusiastic, Bethany touted the dinner specials as she passed out menus. “The Wakilulani has a reputation for authentic Hawaiian cuisine,” she told us. “And our new chef Makaila Isiano? Wait ’til you see. She’s fantastic.”
    “She must be fantastical,” Louise agreed. “Just look at all these people!”
    I had to agree that the dining room of the Wakilulani was downright crowded. Buster was in the middle of the action, scurrying from table to table, pointing out the empty stage to one startled group of diners after another. He carried a stack of menus but was too excited about the Hoochie Coochie Brothers’ imminent appearance to actually distribute any of them.
    Bethany shook her head. “You folks want something to drink while you decide?”
    Bless his heart, Wilson suggested another round of pink drinks, and Bethany left to place our order with Davy, who now stood behind the dining room bar. He winked at me, or perhaps at my mother.
    “He is quite handsome, isn’t he?” she said as she fluttered a few fingers in his direction.
    “Too young for us, Tessie,” Louise said. “Not everyone has your daughter’s luck at these things.”
    I rolled my eyes at Wilson. “Will I ever hear the end of the fact that you’re five years my junior?”
    “Five? I thought it was closer to ten.” You guessed it—the ever-charming Christopher Rye had arrived. He smirked down at me and introduced his companion. “This is Emi Ulii,” he said. “Can she join us?”
    “Of course she can,” several of us answered, and with a shuffling of chairs we added two more to our grouping. Wilson caught Davy’s eye from across the room and held up two fingers.
    “The Pele Melees are quite tasty,” my mother assured Emi as everyone got introduced and situated.
    “They sure are, Mrs. Hewitt.” Emi smiled at Mother and explained that Davy’s drinks were famous on Halo Beach. “I work down at the Cabana Banana, but our bartender can’t compete with the Pele’s Melees here. Davy keeps the recipe a deep dark secret.”
    “Some men are like that,” I mumbled with a glance at Wilson.
    “Are you a bartender, too?” Emi asked him.
    “Dad’s a cop.” Chris frowned at me. “He doesn’t tell his secrets to just anyone.”
    I thanked Chris for reminding me and was happy to see Bethany arrive with our beverages.
    And Bethany? She was thrilled to meet Chris, but a bit less enthused by Emi’s presence. Clearly the two young women already knew each other. “Are you still working at Bananas?” Bethany asked her.
    Emi sighed. “Yeah, but I’m not getting the hours I want. The manager’s kind of mad at me.”
    “More time for surfing, then.” Chris flashed the Rye grin and looked up at Bethany. “I’m starving. What’s good?”
    Everything, apparently. With a lot of help from Bethany and a little coaching from Emi, we placed our orders for exotic-sounding fish, fruit, and vegetable dishes, which were, in fact, as delicious as promised. We had made it to dessert, and Louise was quizzing Emi about the macadamia nut soufflé Bethany had just placed in front of her, when Buster leapt onto