Holy Night

by Colleen Coble

  “Scary guy,” Mano commented. “You look a little beat up.”

  Bane touched his swelling eye. “Could have been worse.”

  “Yeah.” Mano’s perusal grew intense. “I don’t like to pry, but are things okay between you and Leia? You both seemed a little tense.”

  “The wedding is off,” Bane blurted out.

  Mano went quiet. He scuffed his flip-flop in the dirt a moment, then shook his head. “Doesn’t seem right, brah. I’ve never seen you happier than you’ve been with her. You want to talk about it?”

  “What’s to talk about? She shut me out of her life deliberately.”

  “Women process things differently than we do.”

  “Spoken by a man with a whole two years of marriage under his belt.” Bane grinned to deflect any sting in his words, then his smile faded and he shook his head. “She lied to me, Mano. Let me believe—let all of us believe—Eva had likely drowned from jumping off the Point. She was willing to call off the wedding rather than trust me with the truth. That’s hard to get past.”

  “This is about Mom, isn’t it?”

  Bane shrugged and grabbed his brother’s forearm. “Let’s get out of the way. We’ll go down by the river.”

  Tree frogs set up a cacophony as they walked down to the river. The moon glimmered on the water, and fish splashed off to their left.

  Bane and Mano settled on rocks along the water’s edge. At least he wouldn’t be overheard here. He didn’t feel good talking about Leia where someone might hear. It was too personal.

  He picked up a flat stone and sent it skipping across the water. “Do you trust Annie to never leave you?”

  Mano inhaled sharply. “Well, sure. I wouldn’t have married her if I didn’t believe that.”

  “I’m not so sure about Leia. I thought I knew her. That I would be the first person she turned to in trouble, just like she is the first one I would turn to. Then I found out she lied. Again.”

  “What do you mean again?”

  “I dated her once before. She didn’t want to get too close because she intended to never marry and have kids. The genetic defects in her family. So Leia chose the easy way out and never talked to me about it. What kind of marriage would we have if she’s afraid to talk to me about what matters?”

  Bane’s chest felt heavy. Life had been so full of hope and joy just last week. How could it have disintegrated into this morass of unhappiness so quickly?

  “I kind of understand what happened, though, can’t you? The guy convinced her Eva would die if she didn’t do as she was told. She came from a traditional Hawaiian family. She’s used to obeying authority. What would you have done if someone took Kaia and told you if you didn’t follow his instructions, he’d kill her?”

  Bane started to answer glibly, then paused to really consider the question. What would he do if his beloved sister were in the hands of some kind of maniac? Especially if she were handicapped and frightened like Eva? He’d want to get her back as quickly as possible. If the kidnapper had said no police, would he have called the police immediately?

  He shook his head. “I guess I wouldn’t have told the police. But I would have told Leia.”

  “Even if you were told not to?”

  “Even then. Together we would hatch a plan to make it appear we were following the guy’s instructions, but we would have searched high and low for her.”

  “But you’re, well, you. A big, capable guy with resources to track your sister down by yourself. Leia thought her best chance of getting her sister back was doing exactly what the kidnapper said. We know now he always planned to kill you both and intended to cause as much pain along the way as he could. If you let him break up you and Leia, he’ll have won.”

  Bane picked up another rock and felt its smooth, round edges for a moment before he sent it skipping across the water. It skipped four times, then sank. Right now he felt like that stone—jittering over an unknown surface and headed for who knew where. But Leia was his compass and with her, he knew where he was headed.

  He turned and looked at his brother. “I love her, you know.”

  “Of course you do. Otherwise this wouldn’t have hurt so much. You can get past this, Bane. There are little hurts in any relationship, but you talk about it and work through them.” Mano stood and extended his hand.

  Bane took his brother’s hand and got to his feet. “You’re a good brother, brah.”

  “I know.” Mano pointed at Bane’s swelling eye. “Good thing I have the brains and the brawn in this family.”

  Ten

  The guest room window was open, and the sweet scent of plumeria wafted in soothingly. Christmas lights festooned the palm tree outside the window and cast a comforting glow into the bedroom.

  Leia tucked the clean white sheet around her sister, then smoothed the white-blond hair away from Eva’s face. She leaned over to kiss her forehead. “Rest now, sweetheart. You’re safe.”

  Eva’s guileless blue eyes held worry as she stared up into Leia’s face. “Are you sad, Leia? You look sad.”

  Leia forced a smile. “I’m very happy you’re home safe and sound. It was a scary thing for you to have to go through. But we’re all okay now.”

  Eva nodded. “And the wedding will be soon. We have lots and lots to do. I need to try on my dress again.”

  She’d tried it on at least twenty times. The cornflower blue bridesmaid dress had lace flounces, and Eva loved to twirl in it like a princess.

  Leia’s smile faded. How did she tell Eva there would be no wedding? She wouldn’t understand. Tears prickled along the backs of Leia’s eyes. “Um, about the wedding . . .”

  A tap sounded on the door, and she turned to see Bane standing in the open doorway. Joy surged through her at the sight of his broad shoulders and thick shock of black hair. He needed a shave, but she’d never seen him look handsomer.

  Now that she’d lost him.

  Eva sat up and held out her arms. “Bane!”

  He crossed the room in five strides and sat on the edge of the bed, then embraced her. “Hey, squirt. You don’t look any the worse for wear.”

  “I am, though. Look.” Eva showed him her arm where lurid bruises shaped like fingers marred the pale skin.

  His mouth flattened and his eyes narrowed. He shot a glance at Leia. “That’ll heal up just fine.”

  Eva’s fingers touched the bruise around his eye. “Fletcher hit you. He’s a bad, bad man.”

  “The police will make sure he never hurts you again.”

  Leia studied him as he soothed her sister and kissed her good night. He seemed different somehow tonight. More relaxed without that harsh line to his mouth she’d seen for the past three days. She hovered near the bed until he gave Eva a final kiss, then rose and moved toward the door.

  She followed him. “Good night, sweetheart.”

  “Night, Leia. Night, Bane.” Her eyes closed, and Eva rolled to her side. “I didn’t miss the wedding. Or Christmas.”

  Leia smiled and pulled the door shut as they exited the room. “I can’t believe this is over.” She glanced up at him. “Well, almost over. We still have some wedding plans to cancel. I need to call my parents and tell them not to fly over. And you—” She cut off what she was about to say when Bane put his fingers on her lips.

  “I want to talk to you. Come with me.” He led her through the living room and outside to the steps that went down to the ocean.

  The sound of the sea rose in a crescendo with the storm surge still kicking up the waves. Whitecaps gleamed in the moonlight. It was a night very much like this one when Bane had proposed to her. He was still holding her hand. Did that mean anything, or was he merely being solicitous about her safety on the uneven ground?

  They reached the imu pit area where his grandfather and his father’s father before him had cooked the luau pig for generations. Someone had already lit a fire, though she saw no one around. Even his grandfather’s house was dark and quiet. The old man had gone to bed long ag
o.

  “Have a seat.”

  She settled on a log and looked out over the water. Hope was nearly impossible to kill in the spirit, though she tried to keep hold of the way hers wanted to rise in her chest.

  He sat on the log next to her and reached behind him, pulling up his ‘ukulele. His fingers strummed the strings for a few moments. She kept her gaze on the strong lines and planes of his face. He was so dear and so handsome. His strong legs stretched out past his shorts, and his feet were bare.

  She swallowed hard. “Did you do all this? Light the fire and lay out the seating?”

  He nodded, his dark eyes on her. “Mano talked some sense into me tonight. We’re never going to see eye to eye about everything, babe. I’m going to do things that hurt you too, things you don’t understand. But that doesn’t mean I don’t love you.”

  “I’m sorry I hurt you,” she whispered. “I was operating on pure panic. I won’t ever do that again, Bane, I promise.”

  “Even if you do, I’m going to love you through it.” His gaze held hers. “I was wrong to push you away.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and blurred his face. He strummed the ‘ukulele again and began to sing the song he’d written just for her, the one he’d sung the night he proposed. The Hawaiian song spoke of his great love and longing for her and ended with a proposal of marriage.

  He laid the ‘ukulele down on the sand. “Want to marry me after all?” His grin was teasing.

  She leaped from the log and launched herself at him. They both fell onto the sand. His lips were salty with the sea when he kissed her. The heat between them was hotter than the sun at noonday, but she gave herself up to the passion in his kiss.

  He pulled away first and gave a shaky laugh. “How much longer until that honeymoon?”

  “Soon,” she promised, and pulled his head back down for another kiss.

  Leia peeked out the window of the suite at the Hyatt. The big rollers flowing onto the beach were a perfect backdrop to the white tents festooned with red poinsettia wreaths. Twinkling lights added another Christmas touch. Leia had ducked inside the tents earlier and gawked at the tables decorated in red and gold for Christmas.

  “I keep pinching myself.” She turned to smile at Eva. “I can’t believe this is really happening.”

  Her sister preened in her lacy blue dress. “Your hair is really pretty, Leia.”

  Leia glanced in the mirror. Eva had curled it all over, then Leia pulled it back from her face so it cascaded down her back. They’d pinned white pikake blossoms among the strands. “I love it too. I couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “Can I get your dress now?” When Leia nodded, Eva moved to the closet and pulled out the gown.

  Leia had made it herself. It was kapa, the traditional Hawaiian cloth made from mulberry bark. She’d worked on it for months, making sure the color was a soft white and the material was as supple as buckskin. She’d infused the fabric with pikake as well, and the sweet fragrance filled the room. The supple cloth was as white as she could make it with multiple bleachings in the sun, and she’d painted a blue plumeria along one hip. The color matched Eva’s dress. The effect was unique and striking. At least she thought so. No one had seen it except for Eva.

  Her sister helped her get the dress on without messing up her hair. She fastened the zipper in the back for Leia. When Leia spun around, Eva’s eyes widened. “You are like the sun.”

  Leia’s eyes filled with tears. “Thank you.”

  When the knock came on her door, she opened it and took her father’s hand. “I’m ready.”

  His face beamed with pride as he looked her over. “I’ve never seen you more beautiful, honey. And this dress! I can’t believe you made this by yourself. Your grandmother will be so proud. She’s having a good day today too. I think she’ll remember it.”

  The day couldn’t have been more perfect. She took her father’s right arm, and Eva took the left. “Let’s get you married,” he said.

  People in the lobby of the hotel stopped and stared at her unique gown as she passed. Several took pictures, and she walked with her head erect, happy with her appearance for the first time in her life. Once they reached the beach, she took off her shoes and walked barefoot toward the arbor of poinsettias, greenery, and twinkling lights where her future waited. Friends and family lined both sides of the white runner that led to the minister. She smiled at her mother and sister.

  One of Bane’s friends played Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” on a ‘ukulele. The crowd burst into applause and pointed out to sea. Leia turned to see an outrigger canoe closing rapidly on the wedding party. Two dolphins pulled it, and Mano was at the bow. He blew the traditional pu shell horn, then blew it again. The regal sound brought tears to her eyes.

  Mano hopped overboard and swam to shore with the horn aloft, then, dripping wet, he stepped to his brother’s side and winked at her.

  Then she was there in front of Bane. His eyes were wide as he looked her up and down. “Oh, babe,” he whispered. “I’m speechless.”

  She smiled at the love in his eyes. She saw no one else in that moment. It was only Bane’s warm brown eyes staring into her soul.

  The minister cleared his throat. “In Hawai’i the lei is given as a sign of eternal aloha, a symbol of how you weave your lives together forever.”

  Bane took the elaborate pikake lei from Mano and placed it around her neck. Her fingers closed around the ti leaf lei in Kaia’s hand, and she slipped it over Bane’s head.

  “As you weave your lives together, may you always trust one another and be united as you journey toward the eternity God has promised.” The pastor glanced at her father. “Who gives this woman to be married to this man?”

  Her father squeezed her hand, then looked at the minister. “Her mother and I do. And God himself.” He transferred her hand to Bane’s arm. “Take good care of her, son. She’s most precious to me.”

  Bane’s warm fingers closed over her hand. “And to me.”

  Together they stepped under the arbor. The ceremony passed in a blur as Leia looked into Bane’s eyes and repeated the traditional vows. She wanted to remember these words and this moment forever, but she was mostly conscious of the press of his hand and the love in his eyes. The pastor spoke of the holiness of this night, and it seemed somehow even more fitting that their wedding was on Christmas Eve.

  “Now I give you the traditional Hawaiian blessing,” the minister said. “E Ho’omau Maua Ke Aloha. That means ‘From this day, this night, forevermore together.’ You may kiss the bride.”

  “Under the mistletoe?” Bane asked, sweeping her into his arms.

  She hadn’t realized there was mistletoe here, but she saw it as she tipped up her face to meet his. His lips came down on hers, softly at first, then with rising passion that spread heat through her chest, down her arms, and into her belly. The sensation was so intense she had to cling to him to keep from falling. When he lifted his head, she was breathless.

  “I think I’d like you to do that again,” she whispered.

  His lips twitched. “I think you just gave me permission to kiss you like that all the time.”

  The ‘ukulele sprang to life again as they turned to walk through the crowd of friends and family. Her face hurt from smiling so much as they accepted congratulations through the evening and mingled at the food tables. The party would run all night, but she suddenly wanted Bane all to herself. She led him off to a quiet corner.

  “Is everything all right?”

  Suddenly shy, she glanced down at her bare feet peeking out from under the hem of the dress. “Think you’re strong enough to carry me to our room?”

  “I think I can manage that.” The glint in his eyes went from warm to lava hot. He swept her up and carried her toward the hotel amid the hoots and cheers of their guests.

  Leia hid her face in his shoulder and gave one final wave to Eva. He carried her to the elevator amid the grins of the employees and guests of the hotel. They were th
e only ones in the elevator as it moved briskly to the sixth floor.

  “Tired yet?” She brushed her lips across his.

  “Not even close.” The ardor in his gaze intensified as the elevator doors opened.

  Their suite was two doors down. She fumbled the key out of his pocket and unlocked it from her perch in his arms. He pushed into the suite and the door shut behind them.

  This night would cement their love into a holy bond that would never be broken. Leia closed her eyes and clung to the promise of forever in his kiss.

  Reading Group Guide

  1. Was Leia right to try to obey the kidnapper? Why or why not?

  2. What is the difference between forgiving and forgetting after someone hurts you? Is it possible to forget?

  3. Bane felt marriage had to be based on trust. Why is that important in a marriage?

  4. Do we ever get over childhood hurts?

  5. What do you think are the biggest differences between men and women?

  An Excerpt from Distant Echoes

  The turquoise water surrounded Kaia Oana in a warm, wet blanket of delight. She angled her body like a torpedo and zipped through the lagoon beside Nani. The Pacific bottle-nosed dolphin spiraled like a top, then burst through the waves above Kaia’s head in a jump of pure joy.

  Kaia felt like doing the same. She arched her back and moved her hands through the water in the flowing hula movements she loved. The movement felt like a prayer, and in many ways, it was. She smiled and kicked her fins, shooting to the top of the water with Nani.

  Her head broke the surface three feet from her boat, Porpoise II, as it rocked gently in the small swells off the island. She blinked salt water out of her eyes, then waved at her brothers before turning her gaze to the Na Pali coastline. It soared some four thousand feet and touched clouds that covered the peaks with mist. If she squinted her eyes just right, one rock looked like a brontosaurus straight out of Jurassic Park.