Wren is a hardworking archaeologist on his first vacation in years. While he’s tempted to look for ancient artifacts, this is Maui and he needs to focus on taking it easy. So it’s off to the beach to relax. There Wren dives into trouble, literally. Luckily, the backward roll and breathing techniques he learned studying Ninjutsu saves his life, because the shore break called Satan’s Washing Machine grinds him up and spits him out, temporarily blinded and badly battered. A karate dojo owner named Steven takes him to a doctor, a pharmacy, and then back to the beach, only to find Wren’s car and all his belongings have been stolen. So Steven invites him home instead. Will their mutual love of martial arts lead to other a deeper relationship? Or will their shared desire for humbleness and respect for others keep them from falling in love?

Beyond Black Belt

“We’re just shutting down,” a woman said, “and we’re full.”


“I know, I even have a room here, but I haven’t used it yet because everything I own got stolen. I can’t even prove who I am. I have no ID anymore. But I called from Arizona and booked a room for two weeks. Oh, I remember the pass code to get in: nine-six-one? There’s like a key box on the door, and that would have given me the key.”


“What’s your name?” the woman asked, looking more thoughtful than suspicious now.


She replied slowly, “Some guy called this morning and asked for the code, said he’d forgotten it, but even though he used your name, he couldn’t remember the safe-check question you used. Do you remember it?” She looked up at me.


“Yes, my mother’s maiden name, which was—I’ll spell it, it’s just as bad as some of these Hawaiian names—O E H L E Y. It’s German.”


“Do you still want the room? Because we already charged your card.”


Chapter 11