The Big Island

By Ed Carlson

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This story is purely fictitious. The names used herein are for character

identification and should not be construed as real people, alive or dead.

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The flight from the mainland was uneventful. It had been long, but still uneventful. The feeling of a tropical paradise filled my senses as I walked down the open-air concourse in the busy airport. It was great to be away from the upper Midwest during this part of the year. I had an hour to get to my next flight, so I decided to walk to the inter-island terminal. The walk felt good after the long flight.

As I walked down the sidewalk along the busy airport drive, my heart skipped a beat when I saw the armless beauty getting out of a cab. The cabby had opened the door for her, and her long seductive legs helped to further catch my attention. Her neatly done hair flowed perfectly over her white blouse and down over her shoulders. I just wanted to walk up to her and offer to help. Just as I had my courage up, a sky-cap came over and took her bag. Darn, there went my chance to meet the girl of my dreams. She led the way, and the sky-cap followed carrying a small bag and pulling a wheeled suitcase.

I followed at a short distance, all the time enjoying the view of the armless beauty ahead of me. The leather miniskirt and high heels helped to show off her seductive long legs as she walked through the terminal. She had a small purse slung around her neck. From behind, it appeared as though she had no arms at all. The short sleeves of her blouse appeared to be completely empty and hung tightly against her body. When the sky-cap put her luggage behind the counter, she had him take a tip out of her purse. It was midday, and the terminal was not overly busy. She was second in line on the short flight to the big island. I stepped in line behind her.

Soon the first customer was gone, and she stepped up to the ticket counter. The way she talked, it seemed as though she knew the ticket agent behind the counter. She had the agent take a ticket from the purse. The agent dropped the ticket, and it fell almost at my feet. I quickly bent over and picked up the ticket and handed it back to the agent. The armless beauty smiled broadly and said, “Thank you.”

I smiled back and managed to reply, “You’re welcome.”

When she had checked in, the ticket agent placed her boarding pass in her purse so that it would be readily available for the gate attendant. The armless beauty walked away from the ticket counter and into the waiting area. She took a seat facing the window with her back to me.

I stepped up to the ticket counter and checked in. My luggage had been checked through, and I was given a boarding pass. I walked over to the waiting area and found a seat where I could watch her. The view was tantalizing, to say the least.

The gate attendant announced the first call for boarding for those people who need a little more time to board. With this call, the armless beauty got up and walked over to the gate attendant who took the boarding pass from her bag. The gate attendant also seemed to be acquainted with her, as they chatted briefly. She disappeared down the jet-way.

Soon the gate attendant announced boarding for the rest of us. I gave the gate attendant my boarding pass and walked down the jet-way and into the plane. I looked at my ticket jacket for the seat number. I looked around for the armless beauty as I walked down the aisle, but I could not locate her. I found my row and sat in the aisle seat. The window seat was still vacant. I removed a magazine out of the seat-back and began to thumb through it as the rest of the passengers continued to file in. The last of the passengers filed in, and the flight attendants began to close the door. I was glad the seat beside me was still empty. I had just put the magazine back in the pouch when I heard a sweet woman’s voice say, “Excuse me please.” I looked up, and standing there was the armless beauty. I was stunned.

“I need to get to my seat,” she said softly as she smiled and nodded toward the empty seat next to me.

“Certainly,” I said as I slid out of my seat and stood in the aisle as she slid into the seat next to the window. I slid back into my seat and smiled at her. How could I have such good fortune? “Hello, my name is Dave,” I said as I fastened my seat belt.

She smiled broadly and said, “My name is Helen.”

“Do you need help with your seat belt?” I asked.

“Yes, if you would be so kind,” she replied. “I can’t do seat belts anymore.”

She arched her back as I reached over her and pulled the belt and buckle from under her on the outside and then the one nearest me. She relaxed back down, and I snapped the buckle shut. “There, how’s that?” I asked.

“That’s great. Thanks,” she replied as she crossed her long seductive legs.

“Are you from around here Helen?” I asked.

“Why yes. How did you know?” she said.

“Lucky guess,” I said. “The tan, and you seemed to know the airline people.”

“I used to work with them before my accident,” she replied, “Now, I have plenty of time to work on my tan. Where are you staying on the big island?”

“A friend of mine is letting me use his place. It’s just up the coast a little way from the airport,” I replied.

“He says it’s right on the beach. I’ve never been there before.”

“If it’s the one I think it is, it’s really nice there,” she said, “I’m sure that you’ll like it.”

“That’s great. At the end of my week, I probably won’t want to go back. He says the people that he bought the place from live near by and are really great folks,” I replied.

“What kind of work do you do Dave?” she inquired.

“I’m an investigator for an insurance company in the Midwest,” I replied, “I investigate mostly fraud. It’s great to be away for a while. I’d look at another line of work if it came up.”

“It sounds like you already have an interesting job,” she said. “We have a coffee plantation just up the road a little way from the airport on this side of the island. I’m sure it’s not nearly as exciting.”

The engines started. ‘We,’ I thought. ‘She’s probably married. Damn.’

The flight attendants went through their spiel. Helen said it right along with them.

“I used to do that for a living before the accident,” she said as the plane began to taxi.

“I bet you were good at it,” I replied.

“Are you all buckled in Helen?” the flight attendant asked.

“Yes, thank you Sue. Dave is taking good care of me,” Helen replied.

“You take good care of her Dave. She’s pretty special you know,” the flight attendant said.

“I’ll be more than glad to do it,” I replied.

The plane made its turn, and we began to roll for take off. The force of the acceleration pushed us back in our seats as the plane rotated and lifted off. Helen and I chatted about living out on the big island. She had lived out there most of her life. The flight attendants came around with beverages. I put her tray table down, and she was given her drink in a tall glass with a straw. The time went quickly, and all too soon, we were getting ready to land.

“Dave, would you put your arm around me as we land?” she said. “I still have a problem with this part of the flight.”

“How’s this?” I asked as I slipped my arm around her shoulder.

She leaned over next to me and said: “Thank you. That’s great.”

I could feel her shoulder as I held her. Her arm was missing right at the shoulder. There was no upper arm bone left. She had only a depression at her shoulder socket. Her shoulder closest to me felt the same way. As we landed, she cuddled even closer and closed her eyes tight. I could feel her tense up when the wheels screeched on touchdown. She relaxed as we taxied, then looked up and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

“Thank you,” she said as she sat up. “I still have a hard time dealing with landings.”

We taxied to the gate. The plane stopped, and I unfastened my seat belt and then hers. We decided to sit there while the other passengers stampeded to get off. When the plane was empty, I got up and stepped to the rear. She got out of her seat and walked down the aisle ahead of me. She started down the stairs that roll up to airplanes first. She waited when she got to the bottom, and we walked side by side to the terminal building. Once inside, she looked around. An older man came over and gave her a big hug and kiss. I could feel the chemistry between the two of them. I thought how lucky he was to have a girl like that. I started over to baggage claim when I heard her call to me. I turned and walked over to her and the older man.

“Dave, I’d like you to meet my father,” she said.

“Nice to meet you sir,” I said as we shook hands. He had a good firm handshake.

“Dave was nice enough to help me out on the plane,” Helen said.

“Thank you for helping her,” he said with a proud smile as we walked over to retrieve our luggage.

“The pleasure is all mine. I’m glad that I was there,” I replied. “She’s a great flying companion.”

“I think she’s pretty special,” he said. “Dave, can we give you a lift?”

“I have a car reserved. Thank you for the offer,” I replied as our luggage arrived. Helen’s father picked up her bags, and I retrieved mine.

“Thank you again Dave,” Helen said.

“It was nice to get to know you,” I replied. “Maybe I’ll see you around.”

“It’s a small island. You never can tell,” she said with a sly grin.

I stood there and watched as they walked away. I was frozen and wanted to run after her. I couldn’t move though. It was like my feet were suddenly cast in blocks of concrete. Her father opened the car door for her, and she seductively slid her long legs in the car. She looked back and mouthed a kiss as they drove away. I managed a wave and a smile.

I walked over to the car rental. The open-top, import, jeep-style vehicle that I had reserved was ready for me. I signed the paperwork and loaded my luggage. I took out my map to study it. Helen had looked at the map and given me driving directions. I pulled out of the airport parking lot and turned right just like she told me. I was on a main highway heading south. I continued on down the highway until I was past town and the area with all the large hotels and condos. I was well out in the countryside when I found the turnoff. I went down the little winding road and came to a small house. My friend’s name was on a sign over the door.

I walked up to the front door, unlocked it, and went in. The place smelled like it had been closed up for a while, so I opened some windows and went back for my luggage. I took my luggage into one of the two bedrooms and went back to the combination living room kitchen. Large windows faced the ocean. I opened the double doors out onto the deck and stepped out. The beautiful blue ocean met my gaze as I stood there watching the breakers hit the rocks and beach beyond. The only thing that could make this little piece of paradise any better would be to share it with the lovely armless Helen. I just couldn’t get her out of my mind. I wondered what kind of accident had taken her arms like that. From the way she acted on the plane, it must have had something to do with an airplane landing. Whatever it was, it must have been terribly traumatic. I wondered if I’d ever see her again.

I walked back inside and snooped around more of my home for the next week. This place would do just fine. It’s great to have good friends like Phil and Carol. I sat down and flicked on the tube. The little satellite dish put me in touch with the world I had left behind. I’d seen enough of that stuff before I left the Midwest, so I took my book that I had started on the long trip from the mainland and went back to the deck. The warm afternoon sun felt great as I stretched. I set my book down and walked down the steps and out onto the lawn. On the other edge of the lawn was a sandy beach. It was wonderfully still and lonely. The solitude was just what I needed. The sound of the surf was wonderfully relaxing. As I turned to walk back, I noticed a very large house high on the hillside. It had a large deck, which ran its full length and faced the ocean. I could barely make out two figures standing at the deck rail. I walked back to the deck and climbed into the hammock. I picked up my book and began to read. The warm afternoon sun felt wonderful, and I was soon dozing off.

It was later in the afternoon when I awoke from my nap. I glanced up at the big house up on the hillside. My eye caught a glimpse of a shiny object at the edge of the large deck. My curiosity was getting the best of me, so I went into the house and found a pair of binoculars. I walked back out onto the deck and trained them on the large deck. The deck was deserted, but the glint was coming from a brass telescope mounted on a tripod.

My curiosity satisfied, I walked back into the house. I was getting hungry so I looked through the empty cupboards. I hadn’t stopped for groceries in my rush to find the place. I decided to head back to town for dinner and then groceries. I got in the jeep and started back up the hill to the main road. When I got to the stop sign, I turned to the right, rather than the left back to town. I drove up the main road a little further. The sign at the entrance to the next road, the road that I guessed to be the road to the big house, read Johnson Coffee Company. Again, my curiosity was satisfied, and I turned and headed back to town.

I found a little bar café combination just on the outskirts of town. It looked like it had been there for years. I went in and took a seat at one of the tables by the window that overlooked the ocean. The friendly waitress was obviously a local, as were the rest of the patrons in the place. I ordered a beer and the fish special, then sat back to watch the locals interact. Watching people has turned into a hobby as well as my job. The waitress brought over my beer and asked, “How long have you been on the island?”

“I just got in this afternoon,” I replied.

“I thought so,” she said.

“What gave me away?” I asked.

“You’re white as a ghost, and your rental jeep is too clean,” she replied with a big grin.

“Busted,” I said as I took a drink of beer. I turned to enjoy the view. Soon the locals departed, and only the waitress and I were left in the place. She brought my fish and sat down across from me. “I ran into an interesting girl on the flight over. Maybe you know her?” I said.

“Probably do. What’s her name?” the waitress asked.

“Her name is Helen,” I replied.

“No arms?” she asked.

I nodded yes.

“That’s Helen Johnson,” the waitress said. “She and her father own Johnson Coffee just up the road.”

“I sat next to her on the plane,” I said: “She seemed like a very nice person. She introduced me to her father”

“She is really sweet,” the waitress replied. “They moved here when she was only three. We grew up and went to school together. Just like the rest of us, they just barely squeaked by for a lot of years. She got on with the airline, and after the big settlement from her accident, they bought the coffee plantation. They’re doing really well now, and I’m glad.”

Customers came in, and the waitress got up to serve them. I finished my dinner, and she brought my check.

“Does she ever come in here?” I asked.

“Not very often,” the waitress replied. “She and her father keep pretty much to themselves.”

I paid my bill and continued on into town. The grocery store was quite well stocked, but anything that needed to be imported was quite expensive. They had great buys on local produce. I got my groceries and headed back. I pulled off at a turnout to watch the magnificent sunset. The sun had turned to a great red orb as it sank into the sea. I continued on to the place and took my supplies into the kitchen. After I put them away, I went back out onto the deck again and assumed my position in the hammock. The night was clear and warm as I lay there and looked at the stars. The pounding of the surf almost lulled me to sleep again.

After a while, I went back in and turned on the tube. The national news was showing a clip of Blackie Condor, a gangster that I had worked for years to put away. Suddenly my picture was on TV, and the commentator was saying that the gangster had vowed to finish me off now that he’s out of prison. Blackie blamed me for all of his troubles. I jumped when the phone rang. I got up and answered it.

“Dave, this is Phil,” my friend’s voice said at the other end of the line. “Did you watch the news tonight?”

“Yes. It’s on now. What’s up?” I said.

“That nut is serious about getting you,” Phil said in a shaky voice, “I want you to stay alert out there.”

“OK Phil. I’ll stay alert,” I said. “Hey, your place is great.”

“It is, isn’t it,” he said. “Have you met the neighbors yet? Like I told you, you’ll like them,” he said. “By the way, Carol and I are the only ones who know where you are. You take care, and I’ll call you later.”

He hung up hurriedly. I thought that this must be serious for Phil to be that rattled. I turned up the news again. The weather forecast was for eighty-three degrees tomorrow. I watched a couple of shows, then the movie, before bed.

The next morning after breakfast, I decided to go for a swim. I’m not much of a diver, but I was having fun watching all the little fish darting about in the crystal clear water. I was swimming along when something touched the back of my leg. I quickly surfaced, and just as I did, another head popped up beside me.

“Good morning Dave,” Helen said breathlessly.

“Hi. This is a pleasant surprise. What brings you down here?” I said.

“You’re swimming in my ocean, you know,” she said jokingly, “This is where I usually swim.”

We swam back to shore and sat on the rocks. The bikini swimsuit that she was wearing left very little to the imagination. Her breasts were quite large and pulled tightly at her top. Her shoulders were just like I had imagined, narrower than at her bust line and sharply rounded. She had slight depressions at her shoulder sockets and faint, thin white scars. Her missing arms certainly did not detract from her beauty. To my eyes, they only enhanced it.

“I saw you on TV last night,” she said. “I didn’t know I had been sitting next to a celebrity.”

“I’m no celebrity,” I replied. “My boss is pretty shook up though. He wants me to stay alert while I’m here for the week.”

“Well, I think you’re a great asset to the neighborhood,” Helen replied.

“Where is your place from here?” I asked.

“We live in the house up there on the cliff,” she replied. “There’s a path down here to the beach.”

“Can I offer you anything?” I asked.

“No I’m fine,” she said. “I would like to get dried off, if you don’t mind. I left my beach bag on your deck.”

We got up and walked across the lawn and onto the deck. I took the towel out of her bag and began to dry her back. When I finished her backside, she turned and faced me. I dried her face and neck. I carefully dried her shoulders. When I began to dry her breasts, she moved closer, and soon our lips met. I dropped the towel, and held her close as the kiss grew more passionate.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since we were on the plane,” she whispered just before we began to kiss again—this time more passionately than the last.

“So did I,” I said when the kiss was finished. “You’re all that I’ve been able to think about. Say, how did you know where I was staying?”

“I watched you through the telescope,” she replied coyly. “Besides, Phil and Carol called to say that you were coming. I thought you were the one when we were on the plane, but I wasn’t sure.”

“Well, you can watch me anytime you want,” I said. “How do you know Phil and Carol?”

“We sold them this place after we built our new one,” she replied. “I really like them.”

“Are you sure I can’t get you something to drink? I’m thirsty. How about some fruit punch?” I said.

“OK. But I need a straw,” she replied.

We walked into the kitchen, and she sat at the breakfast bar while I opened the juice. I poured us each a glass and found a straw for hers. I set her drink down in front of her, and she leaned over and took a sip while I took a drink of mine. “Thanks, I guess I was thirsty,” she said as she straightened up.

“That really hit the spot,” I retorted.

“This place really brings back memories,” she said as she looked around. “I grew up in this house. Life was simple then—before the accident—when I had arms.”

“I really like this place,” I said. “It’s perfect for my hideout.”

“Well, aren’t you going to ask me?” she said.

“Ask you what?” I replied.

“How I lost my arms,” she said. “Most people want to know but don’t ask.”

“I knew that you would tell me when you were ready,” I replied. “I am curious and would like to know. From what you’ve said, I’ve assumed that it happened when you worked for the airline and probably during a landing.”

“That’s pretty good,” she said. “It did happen when I was a flight attendant. We were coming in for a landing with a strong cross wind when we had a landing gear collapse. I was strapped into the rear-facing flight attendant’s seat. With the shoulder harness in place, you can’t move at all. The seat was designed with metal rails on both sides that stuck out from the bulkhead about six inches. When the plane started to cartwheel, the galley came lose and began to violently crash around. It caught me first in the left shoulder and took my arm off like it had been cut with a giant scissors. It crushed my upper arm bone right at the socket. Then it slid back and came at me again catching me in the right shoulder that time. In an instant, that arm was gone too. I remember screaming when I saw both of my arms lying on the floor. The plane stopped, and the other flight attendants deployed the rear slide. I was unable to release the harness and was trapped in my seat. I was engaged to Bill, the pilot. He and the copilot got me out of my seat and carried me to the slide. Bill went back for my arms, and the copilot slid down the slide with me. I remember looking up when we got to the bottom of the slide and seeing Bill’s white shirt covered with my blood before he disappeared back into the cabin. I heard a muffled explosion, and Bill scream as the plane caught fire. I passed out. When I woke up in the hospital, both of my shoulders were heavily bandaged, and I was in a great deal of pain and had no arms. They said that there had been a Vietnam vet on board. He had been a medic and had applied pressure to my shoulders until we got to the hospital. Without him, I would have bled to death on the runway.”

“Wow, that’s quite a story,” I said as I took another drink.

She took a sip, then said: “They kept me pretty doped up for a week or so, and then weaned me off of the pain medication. Finally, they only would give me a shot when they changed the bandages. Once the bandages came off, I started rehab. They made me manual prosthetic arms with hooks, but without any arm stumps, they were almost useless. Myoelectric arms hadn’t been perfected yet, and both types are too hot and uncomfortable in this climate. So I learned how to do things using my toes. My old ‘hooks’ are at home in the closet. Of course, there are a lot of things I need help with.”

“I’ll be glad to help as long as I’m around,” I said as I leaned across the counter and gave her a kiss.

“Thanks. I knew you’d say that. You were so kind on the plane. You seem like a nice guy,” she said. “What’s your story?”

“Not much,” I began. “I grew up in the Midwest, got married to my high school sweetheart, and started college. After the mob killed my wife in a botched robbery, I quit college and joined the military and ended up in special forces. You know they taught me a hundred ways to kill people silently. I saw some action, and then was chosen for military intelligence school, another contradiction of terms. I got out after my hitch and went back to college. I graduated with a degree in criminology. I started tailing Blackie Condor. He’s the one who killed my wife. I should have used one of my many killing techniques on him but chose to have him arrested and sent to prison. After the trial, I went to work for the Phil at the insurance company. He let me use this place for my week of vacation, and here I am.”

“Do you miss your wife?” she asked.

“To tell you that I didn’t miss her would be telling you a lie,” I said. “I’ve thought of her every day for seven years now. Even though her memory is starting to fade, it’s still with me. Avenging her murder has been the driving force in my life for a lot of years. When the jury brought back a guilty verdict against Blackie, it provided me with closure to that portion of my life. I’m able to move on now.”

“Aren’t you worried that he might find you here?” Helen asked with a concerned look on her face.

“I’m concerned, not worried. I can take care of myself,” I said. “I think I’d like to meet him and do the job myself. We tried the court method, and his slick mob lawyers got him a lesser charge because of a technicality—when he should be on death row.”

“What can I do to help?” she asked.

“Just having you here as a friend is help enough,” I said. “Everyone is right. You are a very special person.”

She got down from the stool and came around the counter. I took her in my arms and began a long and protracted kiss. When we finished, I said softly: “I am concerned that you not get hurt if he shows up out here. He’s ruthless and would stop at nothing to get to me.”

“I feel safe when I’m around you. I feel especially safe when I’m in your arms,” she said before we kissed again. “It’s times like this when I wish I had my arms back so that I could hold you too.”

We finished the kiss and walked out onto the deck and sat down on the love seat and watched the ocean slowly roll in and crash on the rocks that were below her house. “I never tire of watching the ocean,” she said. “Not to change the subject, but my father wanted me to invite you to dinner tonight.”

“I’d love to,” I replied. “What’s the attire?”

“Casual is fine,” she said. “You don’t need to wear socks.”

“What time is dinner?” I asked.

“Come up any time after six,” she said as she gave me a kiss. “I’m going to have to get going. I’m the bookkeeper, and it’s payday.”

“Can I give you a ride up the hill?” I asked.

“I know you; you’re just trying to get on my good side,” she joked and gave me another kiss. “I’ll walk. The exercise is good for me. Thanks though. See you anytime after six.”

She gave me another quick kiss, and we both got up. She stepped into her deck shoe style loafers, then I walked her to the base of the trail. One more quick kiss, and she was off. From the rear, her lack of arms was much more apparent without her breasts as a distraction.

I walked back and assumed my position in the hammock and began to work on my book. I read until lunchtime. I fixed myself a sandwich and opened a beer. Both were quickly devoured. I went back and worked on the book a little more and then went for a swim. After the swim, I took a long walk on the beach and then a nap in the hammock. When I awoke, it was getting late. I looked at the clock, and it was five-thirty. I took a shower and shaved. I put on some decent clothes and grabbed the bottle of wine that I had picked up the day before. It was just about six by this time, so I got into the jeep and drove up to the main road. I pulled up onto the main road and drove to the sign. I drove down the long drive through a grove of coffee trees and pulled under the covered entry that was part of the circular drive.

The house was beautiful. It was open and spacious—designed to be cooled by the ocean breezes. It had a tile roof, and other than the beautiful stonework, it was all natural wood.

I walked up and rang the bell. Helen’s father answered the door and welcomed me inside. “Good evening sir,” I said.

“You don’t need to call me sir,” he said. “Please call me Frank. Come in, and have a seat.”

I followed him through the beautifully tiled entry hall into the huge living room. The feeling was open, airy, and spacious. The beautiful hardwood floors reflected the light coming in on two sides of the room. The room was designed to maximize the view but still feel comfortably intimate. I handed him the wine and sat in the overstuffed chair that he had indicated. He took the wine into the kitchen and came back and sat in the other large chair. “Helen will be out in a minute. So how are you settling in down there?” he asked.

“I’m doing quite well, thank you,” I replied. “I could get used to living in a place like that without any trouble at all.”

“Speaking of trouble, I saw you on TV last night,” he said with a frown. “Do you think that thug will really try to get you?”

“Probably so,” I said. “He blames me for sending him to prison. Hell, all he did was kill my wife. Why shouldn’t I have sent him to prison?”

“Aren’t you concerned for your safety?” he asked.

“I’m not too concerned about my safety. With my training, I can take care of myself,” I replied. “Like I told Helen this morning, I’m concerned who he may hurt trying to get to me.”

“What are you going to do?” Frank asked.

“Nothing for a while,” I said. “He will probably never think of looking here for me, at least for a few days until he realizes that I’m not at my home. In the meantime, I plan on relaxing and enjoying my week of vacation.”

“I’m glad you can relax,” Frank said. “I don’t think I could if I knew someone was trying to kill me.”

Helen walked into the room. She was wearing a white peasant blouse, pulled down so that her shoulders were exposed, and tan walking shorts. She was barefoot. I stood up, and she gave me a peck on the cheek and said, “Welcome to our home.”

“Thank you,” I replied as I sat back down.

She sat down on the couch and crossed her long seductive legs. “Leah tells me that dinner will be ready in a few minutes.”

“How long have you lived here?” I asked.

“Well, Helen and I moved to the island right after her mother died when she was three,” Frank said. “We’ve lived in this house about five years now. We used to live in the house where you’re staying.”

“That’s what Helen told me. This is really a nice place,” I said. “It’s so nice and airy. I love all of the natural wood and how you’ve taken advantage of the view.”

“Well, this place is all Helen’s and mostly her design,” he said. “The settlement from her accident bought us this place and the house. That’s when we, actually she, started the coffee company.”

“Don’t be so modest Father,” she said. “Without you, I probably would have blown it all.”

A woman walked into the room and announced that dinner was ready. We all stood up, and I was shown the way to the formal dining room. A beautifully set, long dark-mahogany table occupied the center of the spacious room. Like the rest of the house, the windows maximized the ocean view. I was seated across from Helen, and Frank was seated at the head of the table. He offered thanks for the food, and then the woman poured the wine. I had not seen Helen use her toes and was intrigued when she picked up the long-stemmed wine goblet as Frank offered a toast ‘to a new friend.’ She deftly brought the glass to her lips and took a drink and placed it back on the table in front of her. She smiled at me as she saw me staring but didn’t say anything. The woman brought out our food already dished up. It was a fish dish of some kind. Helen’s food had already been cut when it was placed in front of her. She picked up a fork with the toes of her right foot and began to eat. We continued to have light conversation during our meal, mostly about Phil and Carol. I tried not to stare at Helen using her toes as we ate our meal, but I couldn’t help it. We were served a delicious cobbler for dessert.

After dinner, we returned to the living room. Frank sat in one of the overstuffed chairs, and I sat on the couch with Helen beside me. Frank offered a liqueur, and both Helen and I accepted. When he left the room, she and I engaged in a passionate kiss. We were finishing as he walked back with the tray of small glasses and set them on the coffee table. He and I each took a glass, and Helen picked hers up with her toes. We all replaced the glasses when we finished. The three of us sat and talked for a long while. It was decided that Helen would show me the volcano the next day. Eventually, Frank stood up and said: “I’ll be leaving you two now. Dave, thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for inviting me. I’ve had a wonderful evening,” I replied as I stood up and shook his hand.

“Please stay and enjoy each other’s company,” he said. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight.”

I sat back down on the couch next to Helen.

“What’s the matter, haven’t you seen anyone eat dinner using their toes before?” she asked jokingly when he was gone.

“As a matter of fact, no, I haven’t,” I replied.

“Well, you sure were staring,” she said still jokingly. “If I didn’t eat that way, either you’d have to feed me or I’d have to put my face in my plate like I was in a pie eating contest.”

“I’m fascinated by the way you do things with your feet. Next, you’re probably going to tell me you can write and run a computer too,” I commented.

“Yes, I can,” she said frankly. “They taught me how to do that in rehab. It took a lot of hard work, but I think I do quite well.”

“If it’s anything like the way you ate dinner, I’d be impressed,” I said.

“Let’s go out on the lanai and watch the ocean,” she said. We stood up and walked out through the open double doors and onto the deck. A full moon illuminated the waves as they crashed onto the rocks below. We stood there for a few moments just enjoying the view and each other’s company. Soon we were engaging in extremely passionate kissing.

I enjoyed the warm tropical air as I drove the open-top Jeep back down to the small house. I parked and went inside. I was physically inside the house, but mentally and emotionally, I was still in the big house up on the hill. I went to bed still thinking of armless Helen eating dinner using her toes.

The sun was streaming in the window when I awoke. I got up and put on some shorts and a tank top. I had just gone into the kitchen to fix some fruit when Helen walked up onto the deck. I greeted her at the door with a passionate kiss. She was wearing a white low-cut top and salmon-colored cutoff shorts. The bulging top didn’t leave much to the imagination. I invited her in and offered her some fruit. She accepted and was soon eating again, sitting at the bar using her toes to manipulate the fork. As we finished, she said: “Be sure to bring a flashlight. I’m going to show you something spectacular tonight. Bring a blanket too. We’ll stop along the way and pick up some food.”

I grabbed a flashlight, the blanket, and a jacket. Helen bent over and grabbed the strap for her beach bag with her teeth, and with a quick toss of her head, she had the strap over her shoulder and around her neck. “You hang around this armless kid, and I’ll show you lots of things,” she said coyly and seductively.

“I just bet you will,” I replied before I grabbed her butt and then kissed her. We walked out to the Jeep, and I took her bag and fastened her seat belt. I, of course, had to give her another kiss before I went around to the other side and got in. I buckled myself in and started up the driveway. I took a right when we reached the main road. We had driven about an hour when she told me to pull over. I pulled into a parking lot for a small building surrounded by tall palm trees.

“We can get our dinner here,” she said, “There’s no place to get food where we’re going to be this evening. We’ll have a picnic tonight.” We got out and went into the little bakery deli combination. Helen knew the person behind the counter and introduced me. She picked out our dinner and drinks. I paid the bill, carried our meal to the Jeep, and we were on our way again.

We had driven for about another two hours when we reached the park. We stopped for lunch at a little hamburger stand. I held her hamburger while she ate it. After lunch, we toured the caldera of the volcano. It wasn’t erupting but was still steaming. It looked like a large lake that had frozen over with rock. We drove around and went down into one of the old lava tubes. It was a great place for a passionate kiss. We continued to wander around and look at the rest of the exhibits until late afternoon. I constantly watched this armless beauty and was amazed at all of the things that she did by herself.

It was almost sunset when we pulled down to the beach. We were both hungry by this time. I took our dinner and the blanket, then we walked out to a little point and spread out the blanket. We lay down and engaged in some heavy petting before dinner. We found it was easier for me to feed her while we were sitting on the blanket. I certainly didn’t mind, and she enjoyed the extra attention. After dinner, I lay down on my back, and she lay almost on top of me for more petting. We watched the sunset, then picked up our blanket and garbage, and walked back to the Jeep.

I took the flashlight, and we walked down the road. It was still dusk when we reached the place where the lava had been flowing across the road. The park rangers had roped off areas where the lava was still flowing. But they did let you get close enough to feel the heat still being given off as the molten rock cooled. As we stood there and looked at the hillside above us, it looked as though we were out on a lake at sunset and looking back at the sun’s reflection on the windows of the houses on the hillside as it set. However, the sun had already set. This was glowing hot lava we were seeing. It was awesome to stand there and watch liquid rock flow down the hillside.

We walked back to the road and sat on the rock guardrail. From there, we could see the lava flowing into the ocean. It was an amazing thing to watch. I enjoyed it even more being there with this armless beauty, especially when she leaned back and nestled in my arms. The show was continuous and probably the most awesome power of nature that I had ever witnessed. The lava gave off great hisses of steam as the red-hot liquid rock fell into the water. Sometimes the waves would roll one of the newly formed rocks back onto the beach and crack it open to reveal its still molten core. We sat and watched for several hours, never tiring of the awesome sight or of each other’s company. As we walked back to the Jeep, we looked back at the hundreds of little lights that dotted the hillside. It was pitch dark by this time, and we really needed that flashlight.

It was a long drive back to her place, and we got there about midnight. I saw her to the door and unlocked it for her. After a passionate goodnight kiss and I was sure my armless beauty was safely inside, I drove down the winding driveway to my little house. I got into bed and quickly fell asleep reflecting on the wonderful day in paradise.

I awoke to the sound of a bird outside my window singing a song. The sun was already up. I slipped on my bathing suit and then wandered into the kitchen. I decided that I wasn’t hungry yet, so I went for a quick morning swim. All the colorful little fishes were darting about. The ocean somehow seemed calmer today.

I looked up on the hillside and saw Helen start down the path. She was wearing a bikini swimsuit, so I assumed that she was coming down for a swim. She finished her trek down the path and walked up on my deck. She bent over, and the bag strap came free from around her neck. She kicked off the deck shoe style loafers that she usually wore and joined me in the water. After a long kiss hello, we swam and frolicked in the water. Watching this armless beauty swim was something to behold. Her powerful kick propelled her rapidly through the water. I had to work hard to keep up with her. We got out and sat on the rocks for a while.

“What part of the island are you going to show me today?” I asked. “Or do you have to work?”

“No, everything is done in the office,” she said, “I wanted to spend the day with you. Would you like to go for a hike through a tropical jungle or go and play in the snow?”

“If I wanted to play in the snow, I would have stayed home,” I replied. “I’d love to see the jungle. That is, if there are no lions or tigers there.”

“No lions or tigers,” she said. “But there are a lot of colorful birds there.”

“I have never been in a tropical jungle before, and it sounds like fun,” I said.

We went up on the deck, and I dried her off. As before, when I began to dry her breasts, much kissing ensued. I walked into my bedroom to change. She picked up her bag and was carrying it by grasping the strap with her teeth. She followed me into the bedroom and dropped her bag on the bed. “I want to watch you change,” she said.

“That’s fine,” I replied. “I really don’t mind.” I had my back to her when I dropped my bathing suit and stepped out of it.

“You’ve got a cute butt,” she said. “Aren’t you going to turn around?”

I turned slowly and faced her. “Are you satisfied now?” I quizzed.

“You’re pretty cute on that side too,” she said with a big grin on her face. I slipped on some underwear and khaki shorts. Then I put on a tee shirt and sat on the bed beside her.

“Well, did I pass inspection?” I asked.

“You’ll do,” she said slyly. “Now, it’s my turn to change.”

“Go ahead,” I said.

“I can do most of it by myself, but you’re going to help some,” she said. With that, she lay back and was able to put her foot under the strap around her neck. She used her toes to bring the strap over her head. She stood up and, with the loop of the neck strap hanging about waist-high, used her toes to remove the top completely. She rubbed her butt on the bed, and then rolled over and rubbed her lower front on the bed. Then she rolled onto her back again and rubbed her butt on the bed until she had her bottom off. “Well, how did I do?” she asked as she faced away from me.

“Turn around,” I said.

She turned and faced me, then said, “Well?”

“You’ll do,” I said with a smile on my face.

“It would be faster if you dressed me,” she said as she walked in close between my legs. By this time, this was all of the encouragement that I needed. I held her close and enjoyed sucking on her ample breasts. When I kissed her pubic hair, she stepped away and said, “If we keep this up, we never will get going.”

I opened her bag and held her panties while she stepped into them. After I had pulled her panties up, I held her shorts for her to step into. I pulled them up, then zipped and buttoned them. I looked in her bag and took out a top. “No bra?” I asked as I looked in the now empty bag.

“I didn’t bring one,” she said. “It will probably be too warm.”

I pulled her tee shirt on over her head and then pulled her long hair out of the neck hole. The tee shirt was snug, and her breasts with her now very erect nipples shone nicely. I took the brush from the bag and brushed her hair.

“We need to stop by the house. I’ll get a pack and my hiking boots,” she said as we walked back into the living room. We got in the jeep. I, of course, went through the kissing ritual as I fastened her seat belt. We drove to the top of the hill and over to her place. We went into the house to get her things. Her father was there, and before she disappeared into her room, she said, “We’re going hiking in the jungle on the other side of the island today.”

“How did you enjoy the volcano?” he asked.

“It was fantastic,” I said, “I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

“You watch out today. That trail can be pretty steep in places,” he said.

“I’ll take good care of her,” I said.

“I know you will son,” he replied.

Helen appeared with a light backpack in her teeth and hiking boots slung over her shoulder by the laces that were tied together. I took the backpack from her. She said, “I’m ready.”

“You two have a good time and be careful,” Frank said. “Remember, I won’t be home until late.”

“We’ll have fun,” Helen said back over her shoulder as we walked out to the Jeep. I put the pack and her boots in the back, then fastened her in. I got in and drove back to the main road. As we started for town, she asked, “Did you have any breakfast?”

“No,” I replied, “I could eat anytime.”

“Pull into the shopping center. We’ll have breakfast there, and then get something for lunch too,” she said.

I continued down the main road, then pulled into the shopping center and stopped in front of the restaurant. I got out and came around and helped Helen get out. We walked into the little restaurant, quaintly done in island style. Helen knew the waitress and introduced me. We decided on just some juice and doughnuts. We also ordered some pop and sandwiches to go. The juice came with a straw, but I fed my armless beauty her doughnut. I didn’t mind at all. When we got back to the Jeep, I put our lunch into the backpack. I helped her get situated and, of course, collected my kiss for fastening her seat belt. I got in and drove to the service station and filled up the Jeep. “These gas prices are something else,” I complained.

“It is the price you pay for living on an island,” she said as we started out of the parking lot. “Take a left,” she said when we got to the main road. We started up the road and were soon out of town driving through the lava beds. We drove for about fifteen minutes, then she had me turn off onto a lesser traveled road. We stayed on that road for close to an hour. The further we drove, the more lush the vegetation became. “Turn off here,” she said as we came to a dirt road. “You’re going to need four-wheel drive up ahead,” Helen said. We soon came to a large wet area. I stopped and got out and engaged the front hubs. I got back in and put it in four-wheel drive. When we hit the wet area, the road suddenly became very slick, and the Jeep slid around a lot, but we made it though in fine shape. We went up a steep hill and came to the end of the road.

“We’ll have to walk from here,” she said. “Will you help me with my hiking boots?”

I got out and walked around the Jeep and passionately kissed her before I released her seat belt. She spun around in the seat as I put a sock on her right foot. I slipped her ankle-high hiking boot on her foot and laced it up. I did the same to her left foot.

“Thanks,” she said. “Now I’m completely at your mercy.”

I just stood there with a puzzled look on my face.

“The boots,” she said. “When you tied the laces on my boots, I can’t get them off. I only have my teeth now. I can’t use my toes. To me this is like being tied up.”

“I’ll behave,” I said as I helped her out of the Jeep.

“Oh darn,” she said jokingly. “I was hoping that you would take advantage of me.”

I put on the backpack, and we started down the trail through high brush. Soon we were out of the brush and onto a windswept cliff high above the beautiful blue ocean below. The billowy white clouds helped enhance the beauty of the scene that spread before us. The wind blew her hair back, and the empty sleeves of her tee shirt flapped in the breeze. I put my arm around her waist as we stood and gazed at the vast and seemingly endless ocean that spread before us. The moment was too good to pass up: I took her in my arms and kissed her. She kissed me back very passionately.

We started down the trail that led away from the ocean and into a canyon. The trail was wide and well maintained. She led the way. I enjoyed walking behind her and seeing the empty sleeves dangle freely from her abbreviated shoulders. Her butt was fun to watch too. The jungle foliage grew denser, the further we went. The foliage was magnificent, and the colorful birds were everywhere. When we came to a steep part, I went first so I could catch her if she fell. There was no need of my precaution. She was sure-footed and had great balance. After about an hour of hiking, we reached the bottom of the canyon and came to a grassy clearing next to a small stream.

I took off the pack, and we sat by the stream. I took my tee shirt off, and the beautiful armless Helen asked me to remove hers too. I did as she requested, and I spread out the blanket from the pack for us to lie on. We were soon passionately kissing. Her tongue on my chest was driving me wild. I fondled and kissed her breasts. She was lying on her back and squirmed when I put my hand on her crotch on top of her shorts. I undid the button and slid my hand down inside her panties. Just as my hand reached her pubic hair, she said, “Dave, please don’t. I’m not quite ready for this yet.”

 “What are you going to do if I don’t?” I replied as I rested my hand where it was in her pants.

She lay there for a minute, and tears started to come to her eyes. “There isn’t a damn thing I can do,” she said. She bit her lip and continued, “You could rape me now, and I’d be powerless to stop you.” She turned her head away.

“I’m so attracted to you that I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you,” I said as I pulled my hand out of her pants and lay on my back beside her.

She sat up and turned to face me. “I’m attracted to you too. Why are you attracted to me?”

“At first because you didn’t have any arms,” I replied.

“Oh that,” she interrupted.

“Now I’ve grown fond of the person—the whole you. I love the way you laugh and smile, your wit, your intelligence, the way you have of making me do anything that you want to do, and I love the way we kiss,” I replied.

“What about my armlessness now?” she asked.

“I accept it as a part of the beautiful woman that I’m becoming fonder of by the minute,” I said.

“Would you like me if I still had arms?” she asked.

“That’s a very definite yes,” I said. “Why are you attracted to me?”

“It was your good looks at first and how kind you were on the plane,” she said.

“And now,” I asked.

“For a lot of the same reasons that you’re attracted to me. But you have arms of course—quite strong arms,” she said. “I also have grown to respect you and your integrity.” She lay down on top of me and said, “And I do want to have sex with you.”

We kissed passionately, and when we finished, I replied, “I want to have sex with you too. I too would like our relationship to deepen first. I can wait until you’re ready, even if I have to come back to the island again.”

She kissed me again and said: “I’m not going to make you wait that long. Besides, what if I don’t want you to leave?”

“I only had a week out here. I have a job to get back to,” I replied.

She rolled off of me and lay on her back beside me. We watched the billowy clouds move through the sky in silence. Finally she said, “I’d like for you to stay.”

“I know you would,” I replied. We both closed our eyes and dosed for a while.

When I awoke, she was sitting cross-legged on the blanket watching me. “When are you going to feed this armless kid?” she said. “I’m still tied up with these damn shoes on.”

I sat up and got out our lunch. I opened our pops and put a straw in hers. I unwrapped the sandwiches. I ate mine and held Helen’s for her as she ate. We had gotten some potato salad, and we shared the same spoon as I alternated spoonfuls between the two of us.

“Who owns this place?” I asked.

“I do,” she replied. “I always liked it over here. I had the opportunity to buy it when it came on the market for back taxes.”

“That’s neat,” I said.

“I turned it into a nature preserve and wildlife refuge. That way nobody builds on it, and I get the tax break,” she said frankly.

“You asked me the other day; now can I ask you a tough question?” I said.

“OK,” she replied.

“You asked me about my wife. Do you miss your fiancé?” I asked softly.

She turned away for a while, and when she turned back toward me, she had tears in her eyes. She said: “I try not to think of him, but I can’t help it. He died trying to help me. I’ve always wished that he would have come down the slide after me rather than going back for my severed arms. My last glimpse of him standing there with my blood covering his shirt is my lasting memory of him. Like your memory of your wife, my memory is starting to fade. Because of the trauma and the loss of my arms, I don’t think that I ever will forget. I loved him very much. Like you, I’m ready to move on now. Especially now that I’ve met you.”

“Thank you for sharing that with me,” I said softly. “I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

“I like sharing my thoughts and feelings with you,” she said. “I’ve never been able to do that with anyone before—even Bill.” She moved closer, and we embraced in a very passionate kiss. Letting her feelings out was good for both of us. We broke off the kiss and sat there for a while in silence.

Suddenly there was a chill in the air. “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I think it’s about to rain on us,” she said.

I picked up our stuff and helped her put her tee shirt back on. I left my shirt off as we started our trek back up the hill. We were both winded when we got back to the top of the hill. It had started raining down in the valley but was dry up where we were. We walked back to the jeep, and she sat in the seat.

“Will you take my boots off for me?” she asked.

“And what if I want to just leave you tied up like that?” I said.

A worried look came over her face, and she said: “You wouldn’t. I’m helpless this way.”

I moved in between her legs and said: “Now I’ve got you where I want you. You’re powerless.” We kissed, then I removed her boots and socks.

“That’s a strange feeling for me,” she said.

“What do you mean?” I quizzed.

“I had the sudden urge to be dominated by you. I almost wanted you to leave my boots on,” she said, “I’ve never had that feeling before.”

I held her close and kissed her again. When the kiss broke off, I put my tee shirt back on and buckled her in. I got in and turned the Jeep around. We drove back toward the main road. I stopped and disengaged the hubs before we started down the main road.

It was late afternoon when we got back to her place. “How about if I fix dinner for us tonight?” she said. “I used to be a pretty good cook. My father won’t be home until after midnight, and it’s Laura’s day off. We have the place to ourselves.”

“You talked me in to it,” I said as I unfastened her seat belt and helped her out of the Jeep.

We went into the house and out onto the deck. We cuddled in the swing lounge for a long while. Eventually, she got up and went to fix dinner. I offered to help, but she insisted that she do it. She did let me come and watch. She sat on a high stool with a low back while she used her feet and toes to prepare the meal. I was fascinated with her dexterity with her toes. I set the table out on the end of the long lanai, and she pushed the serving cart out with her stomach. I poured some wine and offered a toast, “To us.”

We had a leisurely dinner. I was still fascinated with the way she used her toes to hold her fork. We laughed when I tried it. After dinner, I cleared the dishes and she put them in the dishwasher. “We make a pretty good team,” I remarked.

“I think we do too,” she said. “Let’s go back out and enjoy the sunset.”

We sat back down on the swing lounge and enjoyed each other’s company as well as the sunset. We kissed and talked out there for a long time. Eventually she asked, “Would you like to get in the hot tub for a while?”

“That would feel good,” I said. “I’m starting to stiffen up after our hike today. I’ll run down to my place and get a bathing suit.”

“The bathing suit won’t be necessary. We have the place to ourselves,” she said seductively as she stood up. I followed her back into the house and down a long but spacious hallway. “This is my room,” she announced as we walked into a very large bedroom. The matching furniture was done in a rich mahogany. The center of the room was occupied by a king-size canopy bed. The mirrored dressing closet and adjoining bath were also neat and tastefully furnished. The hot tub was located outside of the large sliding glass door on a private deck that overlooked the ocean. “Please,” she said as she faced me.

I removed her tee shirt and fondled her breasts a little in the process. She didn’t object, just smiled broadly. I removed my tee shirt, then removed her shorts. I removed my shorts and underwear. I removed her panties and then held our bodies close as we kissed passionately. When the kiss was over, she walked into the dressing room and asked me to wind her hair up so that it wouldn’t get wet. I did as I was asked and put a clip that was lying on the counter in her hair. She thanked me and then walked over to the sliding glass door, and it opened by itself. I followed her out and stepped into the hot tub and turned and held her waist as she stepped in. We both sat down in the wonderfully refreshing warm water. “I could get used to living like this,” I said as I slid down.

“That can be arranged,” she replied. We sat there in silence for a long while and then started a conversation about a different subject. We stayed in the hot tub for about an hour, and we both got pretty well pruned. We got out, and again I was lucky enough to dry off my armless beauty. We went back into her bedroom. She sat nude on the side of her bed while I put my clothes back on. She stood up and gave me a goodnight-kiss as I held her tight.

“Are you going to be all right here by yourself?” I asked.

“I’ll be fine,” she replied.

“Do you need help with a nightgown?” I asked.

“I don’t use one,” she said. “I always sleep in the nude.”

“Me too,” I replied.

She had a big smile on her face as she walked me to the front door and gave me another kiss.

I drove back to my place and went in. I quickly undressed and went to bed. I fell asleep almost instantly.

The sun was well up when I awoke. The sunlight streaming in on the bed was really warm. I got up and slipped on my bathing suit. I walked out onto the deck, and to my pleasant surprise, Helen was occupying my spot in the hammock. Her bikini was smaller than the one she had worn yesterday. “Good morning. I’d just about given up on you,” she said.

“Good morning. This is a pleasant surprise,” I said as I walked over and bent down to give her a kiss.

“What brings you down here? I thought that you might have to work.”

“No, I don’t have to work today. This is the off-season. This time of year, I only have to do a small payroll for the roasting crew. We ship most of the beans unroasted,” she said. “Besides, I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” I replied. “Thank you for a wonderful day yesterday. How about some breakfast?”

“No thanks. Dad and I had an early breakfast,” she said. “You know, he sure likes you.”

“I like him too,” I replied. “He and I just seem to click.” I gave the armless beauty another kiss and said, “But not as much as I click with you.”

“So what are you going to do about it?” she asked.

“I’m going to spend just as much time with you as I can, until I have to leave,” I said.

“What if I don’t want you to go?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied. “I’ve thought a lot about staying. I just don’t know.”

“Enough of that depressing talk. What’s on your agenda for today?” she asked.

“Well, I got up,” I said. “Other than that, my busy schedule is clear. What do you have in mind?”

“Nothing today, probably just hang out,” she replied. “My father wants to take you golfing tomorrow, if you golf.”

“I golf at it,” I said. “I didn’t bring any clubs.”

“You can use my old set if you want. They should fit,” she replied. “I sure don’t need them anymore.”

“You are coming along too, aren’t you?” I asked.

“No. I think he wants this to be a guy thing,” she said. “I’ll hang around the house and slave in the office while you two are out playing around.”

“Let him know I’d like to go,” I said. I walked into the kitchen, and she followed. I fixed myself a bowl of cereal. We decided to go for a swim. We swam and played in the waves for about an hour and then got out.

We walked back up onto the deck, and I began to dry us off. “Why don’t you take my top off and do it right?” she said as she turned her back to me. I untied the little strap that held her large breasts in place and pulled the neck strap up over her head. I laid the scant piece of clothing over the deck rail and turned back to her. “That’s better,” she said as she brushed her breasts against my chest.

“You got that right,” I replied as I started to feel my bathing suit bulge.

“What are you going to do about that?” she said seductively as she rubbed against my growing bulge.

“What would you like me to do?” I replied.

She turned and walked into the house as I followed close behind. She turned and whispered seductively, “You know damn well what I want you to do.”

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“Yes,” she whispered as we started a long passionate kiss. “I almost jumped you in the hot tub last night.”

After the kiss, I removed her bikini bottom leaving my armless beauty totally nude. She dropped to her knees and pulled down my swimsuit with her teeth. I stepped out of it, and she led me to the bedroom. We stood there and kissed, both of us totally nude. She lay down on the bed, and I lay down beside her. Our lovemaking was more passionate than I had ever engaged in before.

When we were finished, we lay beside each other. Both of us were exhausted. She had been like a woman possessed. It was by far the best sex that I have ever had. “Now will you stay?” she whispered.

“If you keep that up, I never want to leave,” I replied.

“I do want you to stay you know,” she said.

“I know that,” I responded. “I would love to stay if I could find a job. There probably isn’t a lot of demand for private investigators out here. But my largest concern is for your safety if Blackie ever tries to get to me.”

“Don’t worry about a job,” she said as she snuggled close, and I held her close for a long while.

We got up, and I dressed us both at the same time. Helen had clothes in her beach bag. “Why the long pants?” I asked.

“I thought we might want to go horseback riding,” she replied.

“I haven’t been riding in years,” I said. “But it sounds like fun. Where do we go?”

“A friend of mine runs a little ranch I own up in the hills. She keeps my horses up there so I can ride anytime I want,” Helen said. “Let me give her a call.”

“Great. Let’s do it,” I said excitedly. “Do you need help with the phone?”

“I can manage,” she said as she walked into the kitchen. She sat on a bar stool, and using her toes, she removed the receiver from the cradle and, with her great flexibility, managed to put it between her ear and shoulder. She held it there by raising her shoulder and cocking her head to one side while she used her toe to dial the number. She talked briefly with someone at the other end and hung up using the same procedure in reverse. “We’re set,” she announced.

“That’s really something the way you handle the phone,” I remarked.

“If you don’t have arms, you have to do some things a little different,” she replied, “Flexibility exercises are the key. I have a routine that I do every day. Swimming is part of it.”

“How about sex?” I said with a big smile.

“It’s not part of the prescribed routine, but we’ll have to try again and see if we can make it a flexibility workout,” she replied. “Having sex with you is better than I fantasized it to be.”

“I’ve never had better,” I whispered before I took her in my arms and we passionately kissed.

The kiss ended, and we got into the Jeep and drove up to her friend’s place. Susan was about our age and tall and lanky—definitely an outdoor girl. Helen introduced me, and then we walked out to the corral. I quickly noticed Susan walking with the stiff legged gate of an AK amputee. She had two horses saddled for us. She helped Helen onto her horse, and I got on mine. The reins on Helen’s mount were looped around the saddle horn. Her horse had been trained to respond to her voice and leg pressure commands.

Helen led the way as we started up the trail and into the trees. The trail eventually broke out into a clearing, and we were able to ride side by side. We went back in the trees and started a steep climb. We broke out of the forest again and went a bit further until we were high atop a ridge with a magnificent view of the whole area. We stopped, and I dismounted. Helen leaned toward me trustingly and fell into my arms. This offered the perfect chance for a kiss from my armless beauty. We sat and enjoyed the view for a while. After some kissing and fondling, we decided to continue on. I helped Helen back on her horse, then I mounted mine. Helen led the way back into the trees. The underbrush grew heavy, and I could hear the sound of running water. We came to a beautiful little stream and waterfall cascading into a pool. “Have you ever swum under a waterfall before?” she asked.

“No,” I replied.

“Now is your chance,” she said. “Help me down.” I dismounted and helped her get off her horse.

“Undress me please,” I did as she requested, and soon she was standing there nude. As I looked at her magnificent body, it was all I could do to control myself. I undressed too as she watched me. We waded into the pool. The water was fresh but warm. The pool was shallow enough to be able to touch just about anywhere. It stung a little when you would swim under the waterfall, but it was refreshing. We swam and embraced. Kissing led to underwater fondling, and soon we were having sex in the water. That was another first for the both of us. We got out and sat in the sun on the warm rocks to dry off a bit. While we waited to dry, more kissing and fondling were necessary.

When we were relatively dry, I dressed her, then dressed myself. I helped Helen back up on her horse, then I remounted. We started back to the ranch, and the horses knew it. The closer we got to the corral, the faster they wanted to go, until they were almost at a full gallop. Helen was a fantastic rider, and it was all I could do to stay on. Helen spoke to her horse, and it stopped on command. We rode back into the corral. Susan was there to meet us. She said that she’d take care of the horses and for us to go on.

We got back in the Jeep, and I brushed Helen’s hair. We drove back toward her place and stopped in the little café I had frequented earlier. Most of the people in the place seemed to know Helen, and I was introduced around. “I see you found her,” the waitress said as she brought us each a beer.

“What was that remark from Sharon about?” Helen quizzed once the waitress had left.

“I asked about you the first day I was here,” I replied with a coy smile on my face, “before you found me swimming in ‘your’ ocean.”

“OK then. I was just checking,” she said. “What did she have to say?”

“Nothing that you haven’t told me,” I replied. I took a drink of beer from my glass. Helen leaned forward, placed her lips around the neck of the bottle and, grasping the bottle firmly with her lips, tilted her head back and took a drink. She tilted her head forward and set the bottle back on the table. “That’s an interesting solution,” I remarked.

“Some things I just do a little differently,” she said. “We used to drink beer like that all the time when we were in school. It was just a game then, but all that practice paid off.”

We decided that we should go out for a fancy dinner at one of the hotels. We finished our beer and left. I pulled into the parking place in front of Helen’s place and walked her to the door. She invited me in for a minute. I spoke with her father and told him that I would like to play golf with him. He said that he would pick me up at ten the next morning. She announced that we were going out for dinner.

We walked into Helen’s office. It was set up for her. Everything was on a low desk that she could easily operate with her toes. She sat down at her computer and, using her toes, called up the online phone book. She found the listing for the restaurant and had the computer dial the number. She used the speakerphone to make the reservations for seven-thirty. She hung up and stood back up so that we could engage in a kiss. When the kiss was over, we walked back into the living room. I said goodbye to her father and drove back to my place.

I took my place in the hammock for a while. I thought of Helen and how much she now meant to me. I knew I wanted to stay, but I didn’t want to endanger her or Frank with the likes of Blackie Condor. Once he was out of the way, I would stay just to be with her. I could never live with myself if anything happened to her.

It was getting late, so I took a shower and got ready to go. I put on the nicest clothes that I had brought on the trip. I drove back up to the house.

Helen was ready when I pulled up. I walked up to the door, and she greeted me with kiss. She was wearing a stunning black dress with a short black coat. The sleeves had been removed, which emphasized the square shoulders of her coat. Her radiant smile shined from a face that was outlined by her beautifully done black hair. She was undoubtedly the most beautiful girl on the island.

Frank stepped into the entry and said, “Since you love birds are so dressed up, why don’t you take the Lincoln?” He handed me the keys.

“I’ll take good care of it,” I said.

“It’s her car,” he said as he smiled and nodded. We walked to the place where the black shiny car was parked. I held the door for her as she slid in. When I got in, I collected a kiss as I fastened her seat belt. I carefully pulled out of the parking place and down the driveway.

“This is a lot better than the Jeep,” I remarked.

“Every car has its purpose,” she replied. “This one wouldn’t do well going out to the jungle.” The wonderful conversation continued as we drove to the hotel. I helped her out of the car, and the valet parked it for us.

The hostess knew Helen, and they chatted briefly before she showed us to our table overlooking the lawn and the ocean beyond. We ordered wine, and Helen, of course, used her toes for drinking. We were seated in such a way that most of the other patrons could not see her, which avoided a lot of stares. We both ordered steak, and she asked me to cut hers when it came. I gladly obliged, and then she picked up her fork with the toes on her right foot and began to eat. I watched and tried not to stare.

“I love to watch you,” I finally said.

“I love to have you watch me,” she said. “In fact, I’ve fallen in love with you.”

“I’ve fallen in love with you too,” I said. “And I do really want to stay.”

“You will stay then?” she said as her face brightened.

“I’m terribly concerned for your safety,” I said. “The guy is a killer. He’s already killed my wife, and I don’t want him harming you. He could show up here anytime. I can’t risk putting you in that danger. I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you.”

“I take it your mind is made up then,” she said sadly. The brightness had quickly faded from her face. “Isn’t there some thing I could say or do to make you stay?”

“I couldn’t stand to see you hurt,” I replied.

“You don’t think even the thought of you leaving hurts?” she snapped.

“It hurts me just as much as it does you,” I replied. “There just has to be some solution to our dilemma.”

She thought for a moment, “Would it be possible to put a tail on him to let us know where he is?”

“Phil already tried that. He gave our guy the slip in less than an hour,” I said.

The music started, and the dance floor filled quickly. “Will you dance with me please?” she asked.

“I’d love to,” I said as we got up and walked to the dance floor. She put her head on my shoulder, and I put my arms around her and held my armless beauty close as we swayed to the lovely slow tune. All too soon, the song ended. We sat down and ordered a dessert that we split.

“It’s my turn to ask you to dance,” I said. We got up and danced again. This time, the song lasted much longer. We sat down after the dance, then decided to leave.

The drive home was quiet. The talk of me leaving had obviously upset her. I pulled the car into its parking spot and helped her get out. I walked her to the front door and opened it, then held her tight for a goodnight kiss. The passion was gone from her kiss. She had tears in her eyes when we finished. She didn’t say anything, just pushed the door open and walked in. It clicked shut without me seeing her again.

I was quite dejected as I drove the Jeep down the hill. I stood on the deck and watched the ocean crash on the beach in the moonlight. I looked at the big house on the hill. I thought I saw her standing at the rail, but I couldn’t be sure. I went in, undressed, and climbed into bed.

I did not sleep well and woke early. I took a quick dip in the ocean before breakfast. When I finished eating, I went out to the hammock for a while. I couldn’t get last night out of my mind and couldn’t concentrate on my book. I set the book down and closed my eyes.

“I need to apologize for last night,” she said.

I opened my eyes to see the beautiful armless Helen standing over me.

“That was awfully unkind of me not to even say goodnight,” she continued. “I was pretty upset about you leaving. It just really got to me.”

“No apology is necessary. The discussion was my fault,” I replied.

She crawled on top of me in the hammock, and we kissed passionately. When we finished, she said, “Have you ever had sex in a hammock before?”

“I can’t say as I have,” I replied. “Do you want to try now?”

“We don’t have time. My father will be here in fifteen minutes,” she said. “You should probably get ready.”

We got up from the hammock, and she followed me into the bedroom and watched as I changed my clothes.

“I love to look at you,” she remarked when I was undressed. “It’s times like this when I wish that I had my arms again. I would just love to give you a hug.”

“How about if I give you a hug instead?” I whispered as I put my arms around her and drew her close. I held her for a few minutes in silence, then kissed her passionately. “I love you Helen,” I whispered in her ear.

“Oh Dave, I love you too,” she said. “I’m so worried about you.”

I released the hug and said: “Don’t be. I can take care of myself. It’s you I worry about. You’re completely defenseless.”

“No, I’m not,” she replied.

“Well slap my face then,” I said.

“You know damn well that I can’t do that,” she snapped. “I could stop an attack with a knee to the groin though.”

“That will work sometimes,” I said as I reached out and quickly spun her around and pushed her face down on the bed. I grabbed both of her ankles and locked one ankle behind her knee and applied light pressure. She struggled but couldn’t move. “Now, what are you going to do?” I said.

“Damn it, Dave. Let me up. That hurts,” she said. “I can’t move.”

I released my grip and helped her up. I took her in my arms and held her tight. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone before, and I don’t want anything to happen to you,” I whispered in her ear before I kissed her.

About that time, I heard Frank’s car pull up. We walked out onto the deck to meet him coming around the corner. “You ready Dave?” he asked.

“As ready as I’m going to be,” I replied.

“I brought the extra clubs. Honey, do you need a ride up to the house?” he asked.

“No. I need the exercise. I’ll take the path,” Helen replied.

I got in the car, and he turned around and started up the drive. I saw Helen walking up the path to the big house. “I’m going to need some golf shoes,” I said.

“You can get some at the clubhouse,” Frank replied as we started down the main highway. We had a casual chat on the way to the golf course. When we got there, I was able to get shoes. Frank was waiting in the golf cart when I emerged from the clubhouse. We drove to the first hole. He drove first. It was a great shot right down the middle of the fairway. I hit a good shot for me. It stayed on the fairway and was about twenty yards shorter than Frank’s drive. We got in the cart and started toward our balls. “Dave, we need to have a talk about your relationship with my daughter,” he said.

I gulped and replied, “What kind of talk?”

“Helen is my world,” he started. “After her mother died, I brought her out here to the island to raise her in a protected environment—an environment without hate and crime. So far, it’s worked. We have become very close over the years. She’s a wonderful girl, and I don’t want to see her hurt. I was devastated when she had the accident. I would rather die than see her hurt again.”

“I have no intentions of hurting her,” I replied.

“She was pretty upset last night when she came home. She came into my bedroom and sat on the edge of the bed and cried. She told me that you were leaving. She wants you to stay,” he said. “She lost her fiancé in the plane crash. He died trying to save her arms for reattachment. Losing him was almost, indeed maybe, more devastating to her than losing her arms.”

“She has told me a little bit about him,” I said.

“Helen and Bill grew up together here on the island. They had been sweethearts ever since grade school. They were engaged to be married three weeks before the accident. She almost lost her will to live when she found out that Bill had died. She just didn’t care about life anymore. She underwent months of counseling along with the rehab. She has never been interested in anyone until you came along. You’ve given her a lust for life again. Don’t take it away from her again.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I replied. “I love your daughter very much. More than I’ve ever loved anyone. I want to do the right thing.”

“I know you do,” he said. “I want you to stay too. I like you and think you would make a fine son-in-law. Besides, I need help running coffee company.”

“I don’t know anything about coffee other that making it for breakfast,” I protested.

“I didn’t either when we started,” he said. “Dave, you’re bright, and you’re a people person. You can learn the business. We need someone like you to supervise the employees. Besides, I’d like to think about retiring some day.”

We stopped and hit our second shots. When we got back into the cart, I said: “Frank, you know the dilemma that I’m caught in. If I go, I hurt her, and if I stay, there is a possibility that she will be hurt, maybe even killed. The last thing I want to do is hurt her—or you either. What do I do?”

“I think you should stay,” he said. “There’s a good chance that fellow won’t find you out here. If he does, we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”

We approached the green. Frank sunk his putt, and I needed two tries. We teed off for the second hole. We had a good conversation about the coffee company and his expectations of me as we continued around the course. It was clear that if I were to stay, I would be put in charge of production and the roasting operation. He had wanted to expand operations, and now was the chance. He had just closed on the neighboring property. He said it had a nice house, and that he would move there so that Helen and I could have the big house on the hill. I really liked him and thought that he would be great to work with. He also made me promise that I would take care of Helen if anything were to happen to him.

We were finishing up the front nine, and I was down by four strokes when he said, “Well, are you going to stay or not?”

“I want to stay,” I said. “But I can’t put you two in that kind of danger. I need to go back and take care of him. One way or the other. Then I’ll be back.”

We finished up the round and headed back to the house. The drive back was in stony silence. When we got back to the house, he parked the car, and we both started for the front door. Susan’s pickup was parked in the driveway. Frank opened the door. We both stepped into the entry hallway.

“Hold it right there,” a voice commanded—the voice of Blackie Condor.

Frank and I both froze in our tracks. I turned to see Blackie holding a gun on Helen as she sat on the couch. Susan was not in sight.

“Let her go,” I said in my bravest voice. “It’s me you want, not her!”

He turned the gun toward me.

“What’s going on?” Susan said as she noisily emerged from the kitchen.

Her action surprised Blackie, and he turned and fired. The shot hit Susan in her good leg in the knee. She tried to take a step and fell sprawling across the floor, screaming in pain.

While he was distracted, I dove at Blackie. He swung around and fired a shot in my direction. The shot missed me. It ricocheted off the fireplace and struck Frank in the abdomen. When Frank fell to the floor, Helen let out a blood-curdling scream. I followed through with my dive at Blackie by doing a roll and catching him squarely on the chin with my foot. He reeled backward and dropped the gun. I was on my feet in an instant and was on Blackie before he knew what had happened—a deadly neck hold, followed by a quick twist of his head, and he would never bother anyone again.

By the time I was finished with Blackie, Helen was on her knees at Frank’s side.

“Daddy, Daddy!!” she screamed hysterically. “Don’t die on me.”

I knelt beside her.

“Let me look at it,” I said as Frank lay there moaning. I quickly opened his shirt and looked at the wound. It was below the sternum and just above his navel. The wound appeared not to be life threatening, but extremely painful.

“Helen, call 911!” I instructed. “His wound is serious, but he won’t die.”

She struggled to her feet and ran into the office. Soon I could hear her on the phone to the emergency dispatcher.

I ran into the bathroom and grabbed several towels. I rushed back to Frank. I had him hold a clean towel to the wound. I turned my attention to Susan, who was sitting on the floor leaning against the wall by this time. During the fall and her thrashing on the floor, she had apparently lost the suction on her stump because her leg was detached and lying part way across the dining room. Her short mid-thigh stump of what once was a beautiful leg was sticking out of her shorts. I put a towel around her knee and wrapped it tightly.

“I’m going to lose this leg too, aren’t I?” she sobbed hysterically.

“I don’t know,” I said. “The wound is pretty damaging. It doesn’t look good.”

Susan continued to sob, now even more hysterically, and begging not to let them take off that leg too.

Helen came back into the room. “The ambulance and paramedics are on their way,” she announced.

“Here. Sit down and hold pressure on Susan’s leg right here. Try to calm her down,” I instructed. “I’ll help Frank.”

Helen quickly sat down and, using her foot, put pressure on Susan’s wound exactly as I had instructed. I rushed back to Frank and knelt beside him.

“Help is on the way,” I comforted as I held a towel on Frank’s exit wound in his back.

“Remember your promise to take care of Helen,” he moaned. “You promised.”

“I know,” I said. “I’ll do it. You rest now. Help will soon be here.”

Within minutes, but what seemed like an eternity, we could hear the sirens coming up the highway.

“Helen, have Susan hold her towel, and you go guide the paramedics in,” I ordered.

Susan held the towel, and Helen managed to get to her feet. She rushed to the front door and out into the entry drive just as the paramedics arrived. An ambulance followed right in behind them. The paramedics quickly went to work on Frank and Susan. They soon had them ready for transport. The police arrived about the time that Frank and Susan were being loaded into the ambulance.

The police officer quickly examined Blackie’s dead body lying on the floor right where he had dropped. He looked around the room, then went to call for the coroner.

“Helen, tell me what just happened here,” the officer said when he came back into the room.

“Susan had just stopped in for a visit,” Helen began. “She went into the kitchen to get a glass of water when that man broke into the house with a gun. He held me as a shield as Dad and Dave drove up. They came in the door, and the man was going to shoot Dave. Susan came out of the kitchen, and the man shot her in the knee. Dave dove for him as he shot again. The bullet hit the fireplace and then hit Dad. Dave managed to kick that man in the chin, then grabbed him from behind. I didn’t see the rest. I was trying to get to Dad.”

“Can you fill in the rest?” he asked, turning to me.

“I grabbed him from behind like Helen said,” I replied. “Then I broke his neck. His name is Blackie Condor. He’s a mobster from the Midwest who got a reduced charge for murdering my wife because of a technicality and had just been released from prison. I killed him before he killed us.”

“I want the both of you to wait here for the coroner and tell him your story,” the officer said. “It sounds like self-defense to me, but we need to let the coroner decide. In the meantime, I’ll call the hospital and see how they’re doing. Why don’t you two sit here on the couch and wait for me?”

We both sat on the couch as he instructed. Helen began to cry. I put my arm around her armless shoulder and held her close to me as she continued to sob. When the officer came back into the room, he said that it looked like Frank was going to be all right, but Susan's leg was questionable.

After what seemed like forever, the coroner arrived. He carefully examined the body, then the blood where Susan had fallen. The officer pointed out the mark on the fireplace where the bullet struck. The coroner examined the blood where Frank had fallen. He had me wait in the other room while Helen told the story. When he was satisfied with her story, he asked the officer to take her to the hospital. She gave me a quick kiss, and they were off.

The coroner thoroughly questioned me. I was impressed with his manner and depth of understanding of what had happened. After an hour of questioning, he believed it to be self-defense, but said that he needed to talk to the others present before issuing a final ruling. He gave me driving directions to the hospital when he left.

His directions were clear, and I was quickly at the emergency hospital. Helen was in the waiting room. She came running over to me as soon as she saw me. By her moistened eyes and the way her mascara streaked her face, I could tell she had been crying.

“How’s your dad?” I asked as I embraced her.

“He’s going to be fine. They're just finishing up with him,” she sniffed. “But they don’t think they can save Susan’s leg.”

A young doctor came into the waiting room. He seemed to know Helen.

“Excuse me,” he said almost apologetically. “I wanted to tell you that we aren’t going to be able to save Susan’s leg. The bullet destroyed her kneecap and joint. We couldn’t reestablish blood flow, and the nerves that serve her lower leg were completely destroyed. Her lower leg would be paralyzed even if we could save it.”

“Oh no!” Helen cried.

“She wants to see you before she goes into surgery,” he said. “I’m guessing you’re Dave. She’d like to see you too.”

He escorted us into the other trauma room. Susan was lying on the bed with several tubes connected to her and a monitor beeping over her head. She held out her arms to Helen when she saw her. Helen bent down and received the hug.

“I’m sorry,” Helen whispered to her. “I was hoping they could save your leg.”

“So was I,” Susan said. “They told me it would be paralyzed even if they could save it. I told them to amputate it if that was the case. I think I could get around better with two prosthetic legs than I could with some clumsy brace contraption.

“Susan, I feel terrible. This is all my fault. It was me he was after,” I told her.

“Don’t fret yourself. What happened, happened,” she said. “I never did like having one leg shorter than the other. And it will be a lot easier to move around when I don’t have my prosthetics on if both stumps are the same size. So if they can’t save my knee and lower leg, I told them to make them both the same length.”

“I don’t know what to say,” Helen replied.

“I was going to be screwed up one way or another, so I chose to do it my way,” she said flatly. “Now you two get in to see Helen’s dad. He needs to see you both. I’ll be fine. I just wanted to tell you that it is OK. I’ll be fine.”

Susan gave Helen another hug, and I gave her a kiss on the forehead. I looked back at her as we walked through the door to see the tears running down her cheek.

The doctors were finished with Frank, and we were able to go in. Helen went over to his bedside and kissed his forehead. He reached up and pulled her close for a hug.

“How’s Susan doing?” he asked.

“They couldn’t save her leg,” Helen sobbed. “They’re getting ready to amputate it right now. She’s going to have them make both of her legs the same length.”

“How are you doing Frank?” I asked.

“I’ll be fine,” he replied. “The bullet didn’t hit anything vital. The doctor says I’ll need to rest up for a while though.”

“Maybe this isn’t the time, but I was wondering how long the two of you are going to be laid up?” I quizzed.

“A couple weeks for me, but several months for poor Susan,” he replied. “Why do you ask?”

“I was just wondering how soon it will be until you two can be ready for the wedding?” I asked.

“What do you mean, wedding?” Helen asked as she turned to me with a puzzled look on her face.

“Our wedding,” I replied. “I promised your father that I would take care of you, and I have no reason to go back to the Midwest now. I can probably take better care of you if you are married to me. That is, if you’ll have me.”

She rushed over to me, and I took her in my arms for a kiss.

“Do you really mean it?” she asked.

“I really mean it,” I replied. “I want you to become my wife.”

“OH YES!!” she exclaimed. “I want to be your wife.”

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