Rules of Engagement

Chapter 16

Austin awakened to the sound of waves gently washing ashore. The clear sky was beginning to show signs of sunrise. Listening to the chirping and singing of the birds, Brad squinted at his wristwatch lying on the nightstand. It read 5:35 A. M.

He closed his eyes for a few minutes, reforming the image of the attractive girl he had seen in the cocktail lounge. Feeling restless, he prepared for an early walk on the beach.

Brad picked up a complimentary newspaper in the lobby, then leisurely walked out to the veranda. He watched the maintenance workers rake the powdery white sand smooth, and toss the debris left by the sun worshipers into three large plastic containers.

Feeling the tension flow from his body, Brad glanced at the front page of the paper, stopping occasionally to cast a look out over the tranquil ocean. He became engrossed in watching a navy cruiser that had just cleared the entrance to Pearl Harbor. A destroyer followed a minute later, increasing speed to match the larger vessel.

When the ships had sailed over the horizon, Brad started to open his paper, then froze in place. The woman of his dreams was walking up from the beach. She was wearing light green slacks and a loose-fitting green-and-white striped blouse. Carrying her white sandals, she was approaching the Royal Hawaiian from the Diamond Head end of Waikiki Beach.

Brad felt a fleeting moment of anxiety. What am I going to say? he asked himself as the girl stepped onto the sidewalk. What the hell, he thought to himself, then got up. God never loved a coward.

The pretty woman looked at Brad when he stood. She smiled as she neared him. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Miss Ladasau," Brad responded, feeling slightly foolish.

"Pardon me," the woman replied, slightly tilting her head. "Have we met?"

Brad cleared his throat. "No, unfortunately, but now is as good a time as any." A quizzical look crossed her face.

"I'm Brad Austin."

The girl extended a slim hand. "Leigh Ann Ladasau." "My pleasure," Brad replied, gently shaking her hand. "Do you prefer Leigh, or Leigh Ann?"

"Everyone calls me Leigh Ann."

"Spelled L-e-i-g-h?" Brad asked, releasing her hand. He was captivated by the soft, feminine voice.

"That's correct," she replied with just a trace of southern accent. Turning to leave, she looked over her shoulder. "Nice meeting you."

"Wait," Brad said, dropping the paper. "How about a cup of coffee, or some juice? The dining room will be open in a couple of minutes."

Leigh Ann contemplated the offer. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to decline. Thank you, anyway."

"We'll be in a public place," Brad appealed. "I won't attack you… I promise."

Letting out a sigh, Leigh Ann smiled. "You're a very persistent person. You must be in the military.

tary.

Brad hesitated, unsure of her reaction to the truth. "You're right."

"Which service?" she asked. "And what do you do?" "Marine Corps… fighter pilot."

"Oh, well, that explains it," Leigh Ann laughed. "Okay, Brad, let's make it breakfast. I'm famished."

She dropped her sandals and stepped into them. "Your friends — the ones you were with yesterday afternoon — are they marine pilots too?"

"No. One of them is a pilot, but he's navy. The other two are navy radar-intercept officers. We fly — the four of us — as two teams in F-4 Phantoms." Brad could see a question on Leigh Ann's face. "I'm on exchange duty with a navy fighter squadron based on board a carrier. We're on rest and relaxation while the ship is in port at Subic Bay… in the Philippines."

"That must be exciting… flying from the deck of an aircraft carrier."

"Yes," Brad replied, enthralled by Leigh Ann's blue eyes, "it's a different world, believe me."

The couple walked into the sheltered, open-air dining facility and chose a quiet table. Brad seated Leigh Ann as a waitress approached them. They both ordered a sumptuous breakfast and sipped fresh guava juice while they waited to be served.

"So," Brad said, "tell me about yourself, now that I've kidnapped you right off the beach."

She hesitated, smiling an acknowledgment before forming her response. "I'm twenty-two, a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University, with a degree in English. I'm a resident of Memphis, Tennessee, and I'm on vacation with my parents, Doctor and Mrs. Simon Ladasau."

"Interesting," Brad replied slowly. "Have you had an opportunity to sightsee — drive around the island?"

"No, I'm afraid not," Leigh Ann answered as her breakfast was placed on the table. "This is my second trip to the islands, and my father doesn't journey once we arrive. However, I have been on the Pearl Harbor cruise, which was very sobering."

Brad thanked the waitress and looked into Leigh Ann's sparkling blues eyes. "How much longer will you be here?"

She finished a bite of her eggs Benedict and dabbed her mouth with the linen napkin. "We are leaving day after tomorrow. We've been here two weeks today."

Brad felt a twinge of disappointment but decided not to be deterred. "I've spent some time here at the Kaneohe Bay Marine Air Station, so I got to know Oahu fairly well."

Brad pondered his next question. "How about a tour of the island? I know a great place to have lunch… a nice restaurant overlooking Kailua Bay."

Leigh Ann swallowed discreetly. "Brad, I do appreciate your offer — I sincerely mean that. We just met… and my parents have never met you." Leigh Ann smiled. "You understand… I'm sure."

Brad quietly placed his fork on the pink china. "Why don't you introduce me, and we'll invite them along. I'll do the driving, and you and your parents can relax — have a guided tour."

She remained quiet a moment, sipping the fresh guava juice. "You are absolutely relentless, aren't you? Did they teach you that in the Marine Corps, or is it just your nature?"

Feeling slightly sheepish, Brad leaned toward her. "Leigh Ann, I'd like to get to know you, and I'm being honest about taking your mother and father with us."

She looked out at the ocean for a few moments, then turned to face Brad, gazing into his eyes. "Why is it that I instinctively trust you?"

Caught off guard, Brad shrugged and smiled. He remembered what the CO had said about the oath the officers had taken. "My commission states that I'm a gentleman, reposing of special trust and confidence."

Smiling, Leigh Ann studied his face. "I have two questions before I go gallivanting around the island with someone I barely know."

With a degree of trepidation, Brad quickly said, "Certainly." "How did you know my last name, and how did you know I would be walking on the beach this morning?"

Feeling an uneasiness in his throat, Brad swallowed the last of his juice. "I looked at the name on the hotel check that your mother signed. I was fairly sure that you were her daughter."

"Very clever," Leigh Ann remarked with a smile, then added, "but what about this morning? Did you note our room number, then wait around the corner all night?"

Brad chuckled softly.

"What's so funny?"

"Well," he began, carefully choosing his words, "that wouldn't have been a bad idea, but the truth is that our encounter was pure dumb luck on my part."

She smiled serenely. "Your luck is still holding. My parents just walked in for breakfast."

Brad stood and shook hands with the handsome couple when he was introduced. Both parents were friendly and cordial as Brad seated Mrs. Ladasau and returned to his chair.

Leigh Ann explained who Brad was, how they had met on the beach, and then explained that he and his friends were on leave while their ship was being repaired. She also told her parents that Brad had been stationed on Oahu, and had offered to be a tour guide for the family.

Doctor Ladasau casually studied Brad. "Do you come from a family with a military tradition?"

"Yes, sir," Brad replied uncomfortably. "I am a third-generation graduate of the Naval Academy. My father is a vice admiral, and my grandfather is a retired rear admiral."

The doctor continued to quiz Brad. He was reserved, obviously scrutinizing this young man who had asked his daughter to breakfast and had offered a tour of the island.

When Brad reiterated his offer to drive the family around the island, Dr. Ladasau thanked him but declined the invitation, explaining that he had a tennis match with a colleague. Mrs. Ladasau also graciously declined, suggesting that Leigh Ann and Brad did not need to be dragging around old fogies.

Blushing, Brad stood when Leigh Ann neatly folded her napkin on the table and rose. Reaching for his check, Brad was unprepared when the doctor slid it to his side of the table.

"Please allow us, Captain," he said, casting a warning glance at his daughter. "You and Leigh Ann have a pleasant tour."

Catching the intimating look, Brad expressed his thanks and escorted Leigh Ann to the lobby. He suggested that she bring a bathing suit and a pair of sunglasses. They set a time to meet in the lobby, then Brad hurried across Kalakaua Avenue to a car-rental franchise. He selected a white Mustang convertible, and drove to the Royal Hawaiian.

Back in the suite, Palmer was showering while Lunsford was shaving. Dressed and ready to go, Hutton was lying peacefully on one of the sofas. He had donned his bright yellow-and-purple aloha shirt.

"Harry," Brad offered, trying to keep a straight face, "you look dashing."

Lunsford yelled from the bathroom. "I thought you couldn't be a RIO if you were color-blind. Guess Harry slipped through." "Where the hell have you been?" Hutton asked, not waiting for an answer. "Better get your shit together, your Captaincy, 'cause we're going trolling."

"I've already got a date," Brad replied, yanking open his section of the dresser drawer. He grabbed his swimming suit and his military-issue sunglasses. "I'm taking that brunette — the one who was in the lounge yesterday — on a tour of the island."

Hutton snickered. "Don't bullshit me."

"I'm serious."

"How'd you get a date with her?" Lunsford asked, wiping the shaving cream from his face.

"I met her on the beach. We had breakfast together."

Lunsford leaned around the corner. "You're talking about the knockout… the one who looks like a twenty-year-old version of Elizabeth Taylor?"

"One and the same," Brad replied as he grabbed two thick towels and hurried to the door. "Have a great day, boys."