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Those words exposed something raw and sad about Vanessa. What had happened to her? “Are you defining dirt as the soil plants need to live, or are you looking at it as something you’re ashamed of? Like the dirt you want to keep outside your home?”

She met my eyes. “Why are you so smart?”

“Because I’m talking to an intelligent woman who’s making me think.”

“Let’s just say dirt has many meanings. I’ve learned to accept and appreciate its wisdom.”

I placed my hands on her shoulders, spinning her around.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Trying to make sure you’re the same Vanessa who came here with me. She seems to have transformed into a new person.”

“You’re being silly.” She rolled her eyes. “Nothing’s changed. You just haven’t really looked at me until now.”

Oh, I’ve been looking, Lily Pad.

She pressed a finger to my forehead. “You were too busy planning.” Something gleamed in her eyes. “Let’s go home and have dinner and enjoy the sunset before it’s too late.”

“What do you want to eat?”

“You decide. I’ll be happy with whatever.”

She took my hand, swaying it back and forth as we headed back to the parking lot. “Are you in the mood for another adventure?”

“What kind?”

“It’s dangerous, and we can both get hurt,” she said. “It will require your absolute trust in me.”

I stared at her. “What do you have in mind?”

“I’ll only tell you if you promise me one thing.”

What was going on?

“I’ll promise my wife anything.” Mischief glittered in her eyes, and I wanted to kiss her so badly. “Tell me.”

Aserious expression splashed onto her face. “You can’t tell anyone about it. What happens in Maui stays in Maui, okay?”

“Are you planning on murdering someone?”

She laughed. “No.”

“Then we won’t have a problem. When are we heading to this so-called dangerous adventure?”

“Tomorrow at four in the morning.”

I widened my eyes in horror. “If that’s the case, then we need to hurry and eat so we can go to bed.”

“That’s right,” she said.

I didn’t know what my wife had planned, but I loved seeing the happiness on her face. I wished she could be like this all the time.

As we got to the car, my phone buzzed. I looked at it and frowned.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing important.”