Dirty Girl

Local Scenery

Jake adjusted his sunglasses as he slid into the driver’s seat of his restored ‘51 Ford pickup. He’d affectionately nicknamed it "Rusty," though it ran like a dream and didn’t have a single spot of rust. The metallic blue paint gleamed under the Maui sun, and while the body stayed true to its vintage roots, he’d upgraded the engine to a hybrid—powerful enough for the work he put it through but far more eco-friendly than its 1950s predecessor.

Jordan ran a hand over the soft black leather seats, impressed by how pristine the interior was.

Maui’s morning sun cast golden hues across the landscape, and the air carried that intoxicating blend of salt, cedar, and sandalwood that she swore was her new favorite scent.

“Ready to go lumber hunting?” Jake asked, flashing her a grin.

Jordan smiled, tracing her thumb absentmindedly along the side of her coffee cup. She wasn’t usually a coffee person, but Maui coffee was different—smooth, creamy, decadent. Everything in Maui was just better. More delicious. She glanced at Jake’s strong hands gripping the steering wheel and wondered if he tasted better, too. She blushed at her own indecent thought.

“Let’s see if this lumberyard of yours is as charming as you claim. A place can’t just have good wood—it’s gotta have ambiance.”

Jake chuckled as he navigated the winding roads. “Trust me, you’ll love it. It’s got... character.”

“Translation: it’s a mess.”

“A charming mess,” he corrected, making them both laugh.

The drive was breathtaking. Lush greenery and rolling hills dipped toward the sparkling Pacific, and Jordan rolled down her window, letting the warm breeze tangle her hair.

“I could get used to this. Maui mornings, great coffee...”

“And great company,” Jake added, glancing at her with an easy, genuine smile.

Her heart jumped. That ache—the one that begged for him to touch her—crept back in. She tilted her head toward the window, letting the fresh air cool her heated thoughts.

As they rounded a curve, Jake slowed the truck and pointed. “You’ve got to see this.”

Jordan followed his gaze and gasped. A grove of rainbow eucalyptus trees stood tall, their trunks streaked with vivid shades of green, orange, and purple.

“That’s unreal,” she breathed.

“Want to stop?”

She nodded, already unbuckling her seatbelt.

They pulled onto the shoulder, and Jordan stepped out, her sneakers crunching against the gravel. Up close, the trees were even more mesmerizing. She ran her fingers along the bark, smooth and cool despite the warmth of the day.

“It’s like someone painted them,” she murmured.

Jake laughed. “I’d call these trees a masterpiece.”

He shoved his hands into his pockets, gazing up at the canopy. “You know, the last time I stopped here, it was after biking down Haleakalā.”

Jordan turned to him, intrigued. “Wait—you did one of those volcano sunrise tours?”

He nodded, his expression shifting into something more reflective. “It’s a physical and spiritual feat. You wake up at 2 a.m. and drive up to the summit, and let me tell you—it’s cold up there.” He shivered at the memory. “But then the sun starts rising, and it’s like you’re watching the world be born. I know that sounds dramatic, but that’s exactly what it feels like.”

Jordan found herself hanging onto his words.

“After that, you hop on a bike and ride down the volcano,” he continued. “The road’s winding and steep enough to make your stomach flip, but not so fast that you can’t take it all in. We stopped in this little village for a picnic lunch, wandered through the main street, checked out some local artisan shops…”

Jordan wondered if she’d ever be brave enough to do something like that. Probably not. When she and Caleb went zip-lining in Jamaica, she’d had to be strapped to the instructor just to get off the platform. She’d joked, that’s too much adrenaline before lunch for me.

“Maybe one day you’ll take me.” Did you actually just say that?

Jake’s smile deepened. “It’d be my pleasure. But I don’t know if you could handle the cold up there.” He winked.

Jordan smirked. “I’m pretty sure I’d lose my Canadian citizenship if I complained about cold weather in Maui.”

The sound of laughter and whooping drew their attention. A group of cyclists coasted down the hill, bright windbreakers flapping behind them.

Jordan’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, is that the tour? That looks terrifying.”

“Nah,” Jake said, watching them disappear down the road. “It’s exhilarating. You’ll love it when we go. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

She bit her lip, her stomach fluttering at his words.

“Come on,” he said, breaking the moment. “That lumber’s not going to pick itself up.”

Back in the truck, the conversation stayed playful. Jordan peppered Jake with more questions about his Haleakalā adventure, and he told her about almost colliding with a wild chicken mid-ride.

“Poor chicken,” she teased. Then, grinning, she added, “just minding his own business trying to cross the road to get to the other side.”

He groaned, shaking his head, and they both laughed.

By the time they pulled into the lumberyard, the sun was high overhead. The scent of sawdust lingered in the air, and stacks of wood stood in haphazard towers. Jordan took one look and smirked.

“Told you it was charming,” Jake said, grabbing a cart. “Come on, let’s find what we need.”

They wandered through the aisles, debating the merits of different planks and beams. Jordan was pleasantly surprised by how much fun she was having.

As Jake loaded a particularly hefty piece of wood onto the cart, Jordan leaned against a stack of boards and grinned. “If you’re trying to impress me with your strength, it’s working.”

She unconsciously ran her thumb along her bottom lip as she drank in the sight of him.

Jake glanced at her over his shoulder, a mischievous glint in his eyes. “Good to know. But just wait until you see me carry two at once.”

“Now you’re just showing off.”

He didn’t argue. Instead, he grabbed a second beam and hoisted it onto his shoulder with an exaggerated grunt.

They both laughed, the sound mingling with the distant hum of saws and hammers.

It wasn’t an epic bike ride down a volcano or the dazzling colors of a rainbow eucalyptus, but in its own way, this moment was absolutely perfect.