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NIALL EASED INTO a lounge chair, adjusted his dark Maui Jim sunglasses against the sun’s bright early rays and gazed over crystalline waves lapping sandy, vanilla shores. He kept an eye on Kaitlin, who was jogging along the water’s edge in a white bikini.
Kauai was less crowded than Oahu, or even Maui, which was why he and Laila had chosen this particular Hawaiian island. Kauai received a great deal of rainfall, so tropical plants proliferated. Spiky hala trees with aerial roots and lacy Palapalai ferns grew wild. Pikake flowers sweetened the light breeze. Vanda and dendrobium orchids bloomed in abundance, dotting the jungle-like landscape with vivid shades of purple, pink, and white.
Niall loved this island, which held some of his most cherished memories. He and Laila had often hike
