Kaillar (Three Brothers Lodge #3)

by Fenris, Morris

  Kalino heard his question and stopped, putting his head between the two of them, “Imagine eating warm wall paper paste.”

  Kaillar looked at him in mock horror. “Really?”

  Becca laughed, “Really.”

  “Why on earth would anyone want to eat wall paper paste?” This time his horror wasn’t all for show. There were trays of the stuff, and he couldn’t imagine why anyone would willingly eat something so unappetizing when there were all these other choices before them.

  Kalino walked by him with a plate laden high with food a moment later, and patted him on the back, “Don’t waste too many brain cells trying to figure it out. I’ve lived here all my life and I still don’t understand why anyone without a gun being held to their head would eat that stuff.”

  “My father’s parents ate it with every evening meal. After they passed away, I remember overhearing my mother telling my father she wasn’t ever making poi again, and if he had to have it with his evening meal, he could take his evening meals someplace else.”

  Kalino laughed, “I can see your mom saying that.” Becca’s mom had a refreshing sense of humor, and Kalino had thoroughly enjoyed hearing her retell exploits from Becca and her brother’s youth.

  They sat back down, and Kaillar pushed the bowl of poi to the center of the table, “I’m sharing it with everyone. I would hate to deprive either of you of this traditional food.”

  Becca giggled, “You have to at least taste it once. Just one spoonful. In fact, we’ll all take a spoonful together. Deal?”

  “I can live with that,” Kaillar agreed. The all picked up a spoon and took a small amount on the utensil and then lifted them towards their mouths. “One.”

  “Two,” Kalino said.

  “Three,” Becca added with a grin. She lifted her spoon up, opened her mouth, and watched as both guys took their bite. Instead of eating her spoonful, she carefully set it aside, watching the faces both guys made as they struggled to get the sticky substance down.

  After drinking an entire glass of water, Kaillar looked at her and then shook his head, “No fair.”

  “Totally fair. Tell me you would willingly take another bite of that stuff.”

  Kaillar shook his head and whispered, “I wouldn’t even let that stuff in my house.” He thought for a moment, and then he amended his statement, “Although, I have to admit it would definitely be worth watching Justin and Mason try it.”

  “We’ll get some to take home with us.”

  Kaillar searched her eyes, “Did you mean Colorado home, or Silver Springs?”

  Becca licked her bottom lip and softly answered, “Silver Springs? I spoke with Gracie while you boys were playing in the ocean. She’s going to talk to Sarah and work out the details on my behalf. She’s also going to contact my landlord and give my notice.”

  “So now all you need to do is talk to your mom. If nothing else, maybe she would come to Colorado for the holidays.”

  “Maybe she will.” Changing the subject, she asked Kalino, “What time are you wanting to leave tomorrow?”

  “Is 8 o’clock too early?”

  “Not at all. We’ll be at the airport.”

  “Great.” It grew quiet as everyone dug into their food. Light conversation between Kaillar and Kalino about surfing and other mundane things kept the conversation going, giving Becca a chance to just sit back and listen.

  She loved how easily Kaillar had fit into her life here. But she wondered if she would find it as easy to fit into his life. She’d seen the girls on the beach staring at him today, and that little devil – jealousy, had risen up inside of her.

  She’d hated that they only saw him for a great body, and cared nothing for what lie between his ears. Or about his character. They liked his looks, and that was as deep as they let their relationships get.

  That had been Dagan’s problem. He’d believed the propaganda that said it was all about looks. He’d believed himself to live by a different set of rules than the rest of the world. Rules that allowed him to act with impunity and without feeling any guilt.

  “Are you finished?” Kai asked her a few minutes later.

  “Yes. We should probably get back. I’d like to speak with my mom before I go to bed tonight.”

  “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

  “You should keep your eyes open on the drive back. You’ll be able to see the glow from the moving lava the darker it gets. That will give us a good idea of how close it really is.” Kalino offered the word of caution, knowing that the worry was there in the back of Becca’s mind.

  Becca nodded her head, “Thanks. We’ll do that.” She didn’t add that she was anxious to get her mom off the island before tragedy could strike the resort. It might not happen this month, and maybe not the next, but at some point in the future, Kilauea would be knocking at the back door of the resort. Becca would prefer that her mother not be there to greet her.

  Chapter 16

  The next day on Maui…

  “So, you two head on up to ‘Iao Valley. The Needle is about a two hour hike, but well worth it.” Kalino pulled a map of the island from his pack, and tossed it to Becca. “Just in case you’ve forgotten which trail goes which way.”

  Becca nodded her head, hoping she wasn’t going to embarrass herself by suggesting she and Kaillar go hiking today. She’d given a lot of thought to watching Kalino surf Pe’ahi, and come to the conclusion that she couldn’t do it.

  He understood completely. He’d suggested she and Kaillar do some hiking, and Kaillar had jumped at the chance to see more of the Hawaiian landscape up close and personal.

  “So, there’s a small shop just before you enter the park that can rent you packs and anything else you need.”

  “Great!” Kaillar was a like a kid in a candy store at the mention of packs, climbing ropes, and mountain trails.

  Becca nodded again, hoping she hadn’t bitten off more than she could chew. She’d been up late last night talking with her mom about the future. Stacie wasn’t opposed to moving back to the mainland, and she’d been very interested in the motel and boarding house combination in Silver Springs. But, she was afraid of encroaching on Becca’s life. Becca had assured her that she wouldn’t have even mentioned it to her if she wasn’t onboard with her moving to Colorado.

  Stacie had promised to pray about the decision, and let her daughter know before she and Kaillar flew home in two days. Becca had asked Kaillar to schedule their return home, knowing that the longer she stayed, the harder it would be to leave. Her future was in Colorado, not Hawaii, and the sooner she got back on the mainland, the better.

  “Ready to go?” Kaillar asked.

  “Sure thing.” Becca watched the scenery pass by as they headed for the inland road that would take them to the green landscape of the majestic island. She was reminded of those past times when she, Kevin, and Kalino had gone on similar excursions. She loved nature, but she’d allowed the events of four years ago to steal that enjoyment. No more! I’m taking back my life, starting right now!

  “So, are you really wanting to go hiking?” Becca asked, an alternate plan forming in her mind.

  She’d overheard Kaillar talking to Justin and Mason on the phone the night before. He’d had his cell phone on speakerphone and she knew he’d thought he was alone in the house. She’d come inside to grab a light sweater, and when she’d heard her name mentioned, she’d been unable to walk away.

  Kaillar had been discussing where he wanted his relationship with her to go. Justin and Mason were both getting married; the final details had all been worked out. Justin and Jessica were getting married in a week and a half in a small ceremony at the Silver Springs church.

  Not wanting to steal any thunder from his brother, Mason and Gracie were going to wait until the weekend before Christmas to tie the knot, allowing Justin and Jessica a chance to go on their honeymoon and return.

  Both women expected Becca to be in their wedding, and th
ey’d already found and ordered her bridesmaid dress. A single dress for both occasions. Becca had thought the idea brilliant.

  The upcoming weddings had evidently started Kaillar thinking about his own future and she’d heard him tell his brothers that he intended to marry her. Their relationship was so new, but because of the circumstances, it had moved very quickly, and Becca knew she’d never find another man like Kaillar. He made her happy, and there wasn’t anything about him she didn’t like.

  The only thing standing in the way was her lack of a relationship with God. Kaillar had been very upset about that. I can’t marry someone who doesn’t share my faith. It would be a failure from the start.

  Becca felt badly that she hadn’t taken time to tell him about her early mornings with her mother. She’d found her mother a few mornings earlier, sitting on the porch with a cup of hot tea in one hand, and her Bible open in the other.

  Her mother hadn’t been reading the book, but staring off into space. Becca had joined her, and soon they had begun talking about God, and how her mother had come back to a relationship with Him after her brother’s funeral and after Becca had left the Islands.

  Becca had always thought her mom a strong individual, and she was shocked to hear her mother admit to being weak and wanting to give up. Stacie shared with her daughter, after the initial shock of Becca leaving had worn off, how self-doubt and self-incrimination had overtaken her thinking. She’d been ready to give up, feeling like a failure.

  Becca’s dad hadn’t fared much better, and it had been Julia who had invited them to the little church she attended faithfully. Becca’s mom had recommitted her life to God, and her dad had started his own journey of faith. Together, they had prayed that God would one day bring their daughter back to them and restore their relationship.

  Becca had cried, knowing that she’d waited too long to have that with her father. Her mother had held her close, and told her that she knew her father was waiting for her in heaven. She could see him again one day, but the choice was hers.

  Becca had pondered those things all day long. That night, as she lay in bed, she’d talked to God for the first time ever. She’d expected to feel silly doing so, but something had happened in her small little bedroom. She hadn’t felt silly, and she’d had the strangest feeling that someone was actually listening to her ramblings.

  She’d felt comforted, and as she’d drifted off to sleep, she’d felt peace. She couldn’t explain it, but she hadn’t known whom to ask so she’d called Gracie. Her friend had been thrilled to see her walking down this particular road. She’d made Gracie promise not to say anything, not even to Mason, and Gracie had promised, but refused to let her hang up until she’d prayed for her.

  Heavenly Father, you know the hurts Becca has suffered. I ask that right now you would let her feel Your presence in her life. Let her know that You do care and are ready to carry her burdens for her. Let her feel Your love and I ask that You would continue to heal her from the inside out. Show her how much You want to be a part of her life. I ask that You would place people in her path to help show her the way to You.

  In Your Holy Name we ask all these things.

  Amen

  Gracie’s prayer continued to roll around in Becca’s head, and then she’d heard Justin pray with Kaillar on the phone, using some of the same words with one exception. Justin had prayed that God would give Kaillar the right words, at the right time, to help her find her way. Instead of praying that God would send someone to help her, Justin was assuming Kaillar was that someone…

  Becca blinked her eyes, suddenly realizing that the vehicle was no longer moving. She glanced around, and then turned to find Kaillar watching her. “Why are we stopped?”

  He smirked and then quickly hid it, “So glad you noticed. We’ve been parked here for almost five minutes.”

  “What?” Becca glanced around. Here was the side of the road. Here was actually nowhere. “Why did you pull over?”

  Kaillar smiled, “Because you were completely zoned out on me. One minute you’re asking me if I really want to go hiking, and then you were off on some mental excursion that didn’t include me.”

  “Sorry,” she dropped her eyes and sighed. Way to go there, Becca.

  “So, I’m getting that you’d rather do something other than hike?” Kaillar asked with a smile.

  Gathering her courage, she nodded, “Yes. If that’s okay with you.”

  Kaillar smiled at her and nodded, “I don’t care what we do. I just want to spend some time alone with you.” He leaned across the console and kissed her lightly.

  Becca bit her own lip when he drew away. “That’s what I want as well. I…” Words failed her as she struggled to tell him what was going on in her brain.

  “Hold that thought. Why don’t I find us a spot to pull over by the beach, and we can get out and take a walk?” He lifted a hand to her cheek and searched her eyes, picking up on the nervous energy that was swirling around her.

  Becca released the breath she’d been holding and nodded. “That sounds really good.”

  “Great.” He started the car moving again, turning off at the first public beach sign they came to. Once parked, he slipped from the vehicle and then assisted her out.

  They headed towards the sand, and Becca was relieved to see that this particular beach was almost deserted. Large rocks precluded it from being a safe surfing area, and the beach offered no amenities at all. She slipped her tennis shoes off, and tossed them near a piece of driftwood.

  “Aren’t you afraid they won’t be there when you come back?” Kaillar asked, doing the same with his own shoes.

  “There’s kind of an unspoken rule about the beaches in Hawaii. We don’t mess with other people’s things. That includes beach towels, surf boards, and shoes.”

  Kaillar grinned at her, “Good to know.”

  Chapter 17

  Shoes taken care of, Kaillar grabbed her hand and they started walking, just shy of the water’s edge. “So, what’s going on in that beautiful mind of yours?”

  Becca blushed, “That’s a loaded question.”

  Kaillar grinned down at her, “Give it to me. I can handle it, I promise you.”

  Becca glanced at him and then took a deep breath, “I heard you last night.” She hadn’t meant to say it quite like that, but…there it was.

  Kaillar didn’t say anything for a while and then he asked, “You were eavesdropping on me?”

  Becca shook her head, afraid he was upset with her. “No! I came inside to grab a sweater and I heard my name. Then I just couldn’t walk away. I heard you and your brother praying for me.”

  Kaillar looked down at her and asked, “How did that make you feel?”

  Becca looked at him and quit walking, “Really? You sound like Dr. Phil.”

  Kaillar reviewed what he’d said and then chuckled, “Guess I did. But really, were you okay with what you heard?”

  Becca nodded and started walking again, “Gracie kind of prayed the same type of thing with me a few mornings ago.”

  “You called Gracie?” Kaillar asked, curiosity in his voice.

  “My mom and I have been talking in the early mornings. About God and stuff. I tried it, and I felt…well, it was strange so I called Gracie. She told me I should talk to either you or my mom, but after last night…” She stopped walking again and looked up at him, “Did you mean what you said?’

  Kaillar turned to face her, pulling her close enough that he could put his hands on her shoulders. He moved her hair back off her shoulders, and then nodded, watching her face carefully. “I did. I know that you have lots of concerns, and questions, but I’ve prayed about it and I think we belong together.”

  Becca bit her bottom lip and then hazarded a look up at him, “What about the God thing?”

  Kaillar pursed his lips for a minute and then sighed, “Yeah. God is a really important part of my life. If He wasn’t going to be part of yours as well, we w
ould only have problems down the road.”

  “I think…,” she broke off. Taking a breath, she tried again, “I think I’d like to learn more about Him, but quite frankly, I’m not sure I know how. Gracie would help me, but she’s not here.”

  Kaillar smiled at her, “I’d be more than happy to help you. Let’s walk some more.” As they walked, Kaillar asked her questions about what she knew and didn’t know.

  Becca’s version of God was as a gamekeeper. He put all the pieces on the board and then just sat back to watch and see what would happen. The God that Kaillar knew was so foreign to her. And yet sounded so perfect. She couldn’t imagine anyone having unconditional love. The concept boggled her mind.

  “That’s where faith comes in. Take for instance surfing. Every surfer has faith when they go out on the water. The same holds true for skiers. We have faith that our equipment is going to work properly. We have faith that the laws of physics aren’t going to change. We have faith that we’ve properly trained and that we have prepared ourselves for the challenge ahead.”

  “So, believing in God is having faith.”

  Kaillar smiled at her, “Yes! Faith that He’s there and cares for us. Faith that no matter what, He will never leave us. Faith that He never gives us a challenge too big to handle.”

  “But if that’s true, that God loves everyone, why does he allow all of these horrible things to happen. And I’m not just talking about Kevin. What about the starving children around the world? Or natural disasters? If He loved us, wouldn’t He stop those things from happening?”

  Kaillar pulled her into his arms, resting his head on the top of her own, “Those questions have plagued man since the beginning of time. God never promised we’d have an easy life. There are challenges, but overcoming them makes us stronger people. Gives us insight into what others are facing. Helps prepare us for the next challenge we’ll face.”

  Becca listened to his deep baritone voice, loving the image of a loving God he was creating in her mind. When he stopped talking, she pushed away from him and smiled, “I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try. Gracie said there’s a class that meets at the church every week. She thought I might get some answers there.”