Kaillar had instantly become furious, and had stepped between her and the reporters. His sheer size alone had sent them backing up, and the look on his face had warned them not to press their luck. “Miss Edwards will not be giving any interviews. Now or in the future. Please respect her and her family’s privacy today.”
Becca had given him a grateful look, and then been hustled away by both her mother and Julia.
Kaillar sighed, wishing this ordeal was over for her. “We were just chatting.”
Becca nodded, “We’re ready to go. Mom’s friends should have everything set up back at the house.”
“I’m going to ride back with Kalino,” Stacie told her daughter. She’d seen the careful way Kaillar kept watch over Becca, and was hoping to give them a few moments alone before they were bombarded by friends of her father’s wanting to talk about the man they both respected and loved. It would be a trying afternoon, but also a time to heal and remember the good times.
Kaillar walked her to the car, and then opened the passenger door, squatting down to look into her eyes after she was seated. “How are you really doing, sugar?”
“What is it with you people from Colorado? Gracie calls me sweetie, and you call me sugar. Like I’m a piece of candy or something.”
Kai looked hurt, “You don’t like it?”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I just…sorry, I don’t know what I meant.”
Kai smirked, “So you do like it when I call you sugar?”
Becca blushed, “Maybe too much. Kai…I don’t do relationships…I mean, I haven’t in the past four years…”
“Becca, I’m not pushing here. But I think you can tell I really like you. I know you’re leery of men in general because of everything that’s happened, but I won’t ever hurt you like that.”
Becca’s eyes softened, “I know you won’t. I know I kind of scared you the first time we met, but the situation was scary, and when you grabbed me, I didn’t know you and it was so much like the parking garage, and…”
“Becca, stop. You don’t have to explain anything to me. I am amazed at your strength, and I would understand if you never wanted to trust another man, but I’m hoping that’s not the case.”
She studied him for a minute, and then she blushed and dropped her eyes.
“What was that thought?” he asked, watching her cheeks turn pink.
“Nothing…”
“Hey! You can tell me to mind my own business, but don’t lie to me or to yourself. If you don’t want to tell me, I’m okay with that.”
She looked up at him, and then bit her bottom lip, looking uncertain before saying, “I was just wondering how you kissed.”
Kaillar let out a small laugh, and reached out a hand to cup her jaw, “Sugar, how about you stop wondering?” He gave her plenty of time to pull away, but when she only continued to watch him, he dropped his eyes to her mouth and tenderly kissed her soft lips.
He didn’t prolong their first kiss, but backed away so he could see her eyes. “How was that?”
“Better than I remembered,” she said before she could think about it. When she realized what she’d said, she blushed again and told him, “Sorry. I wasn’t meaning to compare you to…”
Kaillar chuckled, “I’m not worried. I know it was good.”
Becca laughed in pretend shock, “Conceited much?”
“No. Just honest.” He stood up, walked around the vehicle, and got in. Once he had the vehicle running, he turned to her, “Your mom’s going to wonder what happened to us.”
“Probably, but I also think she designed it this way. She likes you.”
“How can you tell?” Kai asked as he pulled out onto the main road.
“I can tell. I may have been gone for four years, but I lived here for nineteen before that. She definitely likes you.” So do I. Maybe too much.
Chapter 13
Two days later…
“Becca?” Kaillar called out into the backyard. She and her mother had been getting reacquainted for the last two days, and Kalino had been coming around to keep him company. He really liked the young man, and the pair were already making plans for Kalino to travel to Colorado after the holidays to try his hand at skiing.
With his keen sense of balance, Kaillar was sure he’d be a natural. “Becca?”
“Over here,” Becca called to him. “What’s up?”
“Kalino just called and said there was an outbreak, and you and your mom needed to turn the news on.”
Becca nodded her head, and then she and her mom hurried towards the house. They found the local news station, and watched in growing understanding that Kilauea was on the move again and this time, she wasn’t going to stop before she did considerable damage.
Reports coming in a few minutes ago show that the outbreak is moving considerably faster than in the past few months. Moving at speeds close to six feet per hour, the lava is going to reach Highway 130 by nightfall. Emergency Response Teams are already in the area, and are urging residents to be on alert for possible evacuation.
“What does all that mean?” Kaillar asked, seeing the worry on the two women’s faces.
“It means that if the lava flows comes this direction, all we can do is pack up and leave.”
“Six feet per hour seems kind of slow, doesn’t it?”
Becca walked over to the refrigerator, and pulled a map of the island off the front. “Kai, this is where the lava flow has currently been held up. It’s been building upon itself for the last several months, never making forward progress. This outbreak is off to the side, and moving directly towards Opihikao. Once it crosses the highway, we will only be ten miles or so from its current location.”
“Ten miles seems like a lot…”
“Maybe, but the danger that once it starts moving is that it will gain speed as it finds new land to consume. There is also a slight decrease in elevation, which will aid the movement.”
“Isn’t there anything that can be done?”
Stacie nodded her head, seeming to be unconcerned about the news, “They will install large concrete barriers on the opposite side of the highway to help direct it away from populated areas and residential buildings. It will work in the short term, but if the volcanic activity doesn’t slow down, it will only delay the inevitable.”
“So, is the resort in danger?”
“At the moment, not really. But in three or four months, maybe. Only God knows the answer to that.”
At the mention of God, Kaillar looked at Becca’s mom, “You believe in God?”
Stacie smiled, “I was raised in a very nice Catholic orphanage. When I came to Hawaii, I figured God hadn’t seen fit to keep me with my birth parents, and I could handle things on my own.” She gave Becca a soft smile, “It wasn’t until Kevin’s death that I realized I hadn’t done such a good job. Your father wasn’t raised in a church environment like I was, but he still believed in an Eternal Creator.
“After you left, we both had to do some soul searching. Mine led me back to a little non-denominational church in Hilo. I realized that while I’d left God, he’d never left me.”
“Mom, I never knew you even thought about God,” Becca told her mother.
“I regret that. I do.”
Kaillar smiled at Stacie, “Becca and I have been talking about her giving her guilt and feelings of sadness for what happened four years ago over to Him.”
Stacie smiled at her daughter, “You won’t regret it if you do.”
Becca sighed, “I’m still thinking about it.”
“Good. Now, I think maybe I need to go have a talk with Julia. We always knew the day might come when the volcano would take back what was hers. We have boxes already in storage, and between the two of us, we’ve got an evacuation plan all worked out.”
“Mom, there’s no need to evacuate right now.”
“I think maybe there is. Without your father, I don’t want to run a resort. A
developer gave your father and me a standing offer to purchase the property three months ago. He called me yesterday upon hearing of your father’s death, and told me his offer still stands. I’m thinking I will take him up on it.”
“But what will you do?” Becca asked, confused at how fast things could change.
“Well, now. I haven’t gotten that worked out quite yet, but I will. Now, would you and Kai mind running a few errands for me?”
Kaillar looked at Becca and then answered, “We wouldn’t mind at all.”
Ten minutes later, he and Becca were headed back into the more populated area of the island surrounding Hilo, “So, she really means to sell?”
“It sounds like it.”
“You don’t sound very happy.”
“I guess I don’t like knowing that the resort won’t be there the next time I come home.”
“Are you planning on coming home more frequently?” Kaillar asked with a smile.
Becca nodded her head, “I think I’d like to see my mom more often. With my dad gone, she only has me now. Julia has plenty of family on the island, but my mom doesn’t have anyone.”
Kaillar was quiet for a moment and then asked, “Have you considered asking her to come live in Colorado with you?”
Chapter 14
“Colorado? I don’t know if she’d even consider it,” Becca told him. Why didn’t I think of that? There’s nothing really left for her here. If she’s going to sell the resort, that might be the perfect time for her to move back to the mainland.
“Well, maybe you should mention it to her. Justin told me last night that Gracie had been talking to Mason who had been talking to Sarah.”
“Sarah with the motel and boarding house?” Becca inquired.
“That’s the one. Anyway, the doctor who performed Gracie’s knee surgery and Sarah are in love, but Sarah won’t even consider moving to Vail until she’s found someone to manage the boarding house. Something about leaving the town without adequate accommodations for guests and visiting family members.”
“That sounds like Sarah.” Becca had stayed with the woman while Gracie was having her surgery, and she’d discovered that the woman had a compulsion to make sure that her guests were completely taken care of. Having been raised around a tourist resort, Becca had seen several things the woman was doing that could be done differently.
“It really does. Anyway, Gracie thought maybe you would be interested in taking over the boarding house for Sarah when you got back. She was going to talk to you the day you got the phone call about your dad.”
“Me? But that would mean I’d have to move to Silver Springs…” Becca started laughing, “Gracie thinks she’s so smart. She’s trying to get me to move up into the mountains!”
“Is that a bad thing?” Kai questioned.
“Not really. I still want to take photos for the Division of Wildlife, but the position isn’t full-time, so I’d have to have a second job.” Live in Silver Springs? Where Kaillar lives? Yes, please.
“Why don’t you call Gracie and get the details? Maybe if you had something like that all set up, your mom would feel more comfortable coming to live with you.”
“Maybe. She’s run that resort for most of my life. A small boarding house like Sarah’s would be no problem at all.”
Before he could answer, her phone rang and she answered it, “Hello?”
“Hey Becca! It’s Kalino. Did you see the news?”
“I did. Thanks for the heads up.”
“Yeah. Hey, I’m going to Maui tomorrow, and was wondering if you and Kai wanted to tag along and go sightseeing?”
“Are you surfing?” Becca asked, trepidation in her voice. She wasn’t sure if she could watch Kalino surf the same waters that had taken her brother’s life or not.
“I am, and while I’d love for you to come watch for a bit, I’ll understand if you can’t.”
Becca looked out the window, and made a snap decision. “We’d love to come, and I’ll let you know about the surfing. Kai mentioned to me he wanted to give it a try before we went back to the mainland, but Pe’ahi is no place for beginners.”
“Uhm..he didn’t tell you?” Kalino asked hesitantly.
“Tell me what?” Becca asked, looking to Kai for answers.
“I’m taking him surfing this afternoon.”
Becca smiled and watched Kaillar as she replied, “Really? Now that I will come and see.”
“You going to join us?” Kalino asked. “If I remember correctly, you didn’t do too badly on a longboard yourself.”
“No, I think I’ll stay on the beach and take pictures. I’m sure his brothers will pay good money for some good blackmail shots.” She could already hear the three brothers bantering back and forth and realized in that moment that she missed that. She also missed her friends and the camaraderie she'd come to love. Moving to Silver Springs wouldn’t be any hardship at all.
Kaillar shook his head at her and then whispered, “I’m taking you skiing when we get back to Colorado. Be careful how much retribution you want.”
Becca laughed, and agreed to meet Kalino back at the resort after running her mother’s errands. It was the first time since arriving on the islands when she actually felt happy and carefree. Whether it was the company, or just the passage of time, she wasn’t questioning it. She was just going to enjoy herself.
*****
Later that evening, she watched as Kalino and Kaillar exited the ocean, carrying their boards and with happy grins upon their faces. Kaillar had been a natural, and if she hadn’t known better, she would have said he’d been surfing most of his life.
Kalino had been thrilled with how quickly he caught on, and they had taken wave after wave until they were both joyously exhausted.
“That was so awesome! My brothers have got to come over here and try this!”
“Hey, bring them out whenever.”
“I will. But before I bring them here, you need to come skiing. Or maybe even snowboarding. Now that would be much easier since you surf. It’s a lot like surfing, come to think of it. Both feet on a single board.”
Kalino smiled, “Having two different boards to control sounds a little difficult. But snowboarding, yeah – I could get into that.”
“Great! Vail Mountain has this awesome half-pipe!”
“If you two are done salivating over your next adrenaline rush, maybe we could go get some food?” Becca told them when there was a break in the conversation.
Kalino and Kaillar shared a look and then they descended upon her, abandoning their towels as they came after her with water still dripping from their heads. When they were close enough, they shook their heads, spreading droplets of water in her direction and causing her to shriek and back up.
She was giggling by the time Kaillar finally caught up with her, Kalino standing off to the side watching her and Kai with a smile upon his face. When she raised an eyebrow at him, he simply stated, “It’s nice seeing you smile again, hoapili.”
Becca’s heart melted at the term, and she translated for Kai, “It means close friend.”
Kai stepped closer to her and asked, “So is that the term you would use to describe me?”
Becca felt the atmosphere change, and she noticed Kalino stepped away to give them a bit of privacy. She shook her head at him, “No.”
Kai lifted a hand to her face, moving a loose tendril of hair behind her ear, “So, how do you say sweetheart in your Hawai’ian?”
Becca fought the urge to close her eyes and tip her head into his caress. “Sweetheart is ku`uipo.”
Kai repeated the terminology, and then lowered his head, “I want to kiss you again.”
Becca gave into the desire to close her eyes and nodded shortly, “Yes.”
Chapter 15
Kaillar kissed her softly and then wrapped his arms around her, smiling when she flinched as her body made contact with his cold wet one. When she didn’t pull away, bu
t snuggled closer, he thanked God and kissed her again.
He was falling fast and hard for the woman in his arms. He kissed her once more and then let her go, “So, what kind of food do you want to eat?”
Becca was blushing but she met his eyes anyway, “How about traditional Hawai’ian barbeque?”
Kaillar grinned, “Sounds good to me.” He turned and waved Kalino over, “Barbeque?”
“You bet. Annie’s?” Kalino asked Becca with a grin.
“Is there any other place?” Becca wanted to know. When Kalino shook his head and laughed, she joined in, grabbing Kai and his hands as they headed for the truck. The guys tossed their boards into the bed and then dusted the sand off their feet.
The drive to Annie’s only took about ten minutes, and then they were stepping into a small building, the fragrant smells coming from the kitchen had Kai’s mouth watering before they were even seated.
The waitress took their drink orders, and then invited them to the food bar. Annie’s was an all-you-can-eat food bar with different stations that catered to different types of cuisine. There was a sushi bar, as well as a carving station where the barbeque meat was freshly shaved or cut from the bone.
Kaillar followed Becca and Kalino around the different food stations, taking what looked good, and laughing when Becca occasionally added a spoonful of something to his plate. When she picked up a bowl of what looked like purplish-grey pudding, he made a face and quietly suggested she put it back.
“This is a Hawai’ian tradition and a must try. At least once.”
“What is it?” he asked, lifting it to his nose and sniffing it.
“Poi.”
“Poi? Dare I ask what it’s made from?”
“Taro root. They cook it and then mash it.”
Kai looked at the bowl again and then whispered, “What’s it taste like?”
Kaillar (Three Brothers Lodge #3) Page 7
