by Mimi Barbour
She giggled and gave him a hug from sheer exuberance. “Thanks to your help, you’ve been such an angel.”
The warmth she experienced while in Pi’s arms bestowed such a wonderful sensation of bliss that she hated to pull away. His joking words ended their embrace and made her laugh. “Me? An angel… My dear Leilani, after all my years gathering wisdom, I truly believe you had more need of a friend.”
“Then I award you the title of BFF.” She patted his cheek gently.
“I’m thinking I like being your BFF,” he chuckled, “but it might please me even more if I knew what it meant?”
“It means best friends forever.”
“Deal! I’m delighted to be your BFF and as such, I’m thinking that if tomorrow I were to buy your stubborn ward a new set of clothes to wear for the Jordan party, we might convince him to change? I know he wears size five, and I’ll buy him green since it’s his favorite color. Or is that being a bit diabolical?”
“Works for me, my friend.”
“So you’re thinking of going?”
“I’ll know absolutely before the night is out, but I’m praying the answer is yes.”
“Then we have something in common.” Taking her hand, Pi led her into the kitchen.
Kale and Pete were talking desultorily, until they were interrupted and their conversation died a natural death between two people who had nothing in common.
“I’ll set out some refreshments before we begin, shall I?” Leilani said, stalling to let her nerves settle. “What would everyone prefer, wine of coffee?” She found the box of Honolulu cookies and placed some on a pretty dish to put in the middle of the table.
Glasses of wine were set in front of Pete, and Leilani, who felt it rude not to keep her guest company while Kale and Pi had coffees.
Finally, the time had come for her to proceed. Stumbling, searching for the right words, Leilani explained the circumstances about the will and Kaimi’s appearance the night before.
“She came here to the house?” Kale repeated his hard voice an indication of his rage. “You didn’t know she was alive?”
“My aunt only spoke briefly about her daughter. From the way she talked, I assumed she wasn’t in Mano’s future and took it to mean that she had passed on. My aunt’s exhaustion gave us little time for a visit.” Leilani knew she sounded on the defensive but couldn’t help it. Everything had become so confusing. “After I read the will, I believed it to be pretty straight forward. She had left everything to Mano, and named my mother as his guardian and the caretaker for his inheritance. I had no reason to think I might not be able to stand in her place.”
Kale reread the papers in front of him, and the silence in the room became thick and heavy while the others looked everywhere but at each other. How demoralizing? Leilani swallowed and opened her mouth to recite the words she’d been practicing since she knew she had to ask Kale for the money.
Kale broke the silence once again. “What do you know about this woman?”
Pete spoke up before Leilani had a chance to answer. “I think it best that we start from the beginning. Very early on, Mrs. Palea had made her will with her daughter, Kaimi, as the beneficiary, but that was before Mano was born. After she became Mano’s legal guardian, Mrs. Palea specified that he be her main beneficiary with only a small settlement for her daughter. She named her sister, Mrs. Lani Taylor, Leilani’s mother, as his only trustee. Then a few years ago, Kaimi Palea was thought to have been killed in a boating accident. Once the accident came to light, and it was believed her daughter perished, Mrs. Palea wrote her daughter out of the will completely.”
“Unknown to the daughter.”
“Yes.”
“She hadn’t let her own mother know that she survived?”
“It looks that way, yes.”
“I assume she’s stepped forward now that Mrs. Palea is deceased, because she thinks there’s some monetary gain?”
“Her actions have led us to believe that is so.” Leilani watched as Pete let Kale lead with his questions while he sat back and waited. It wasn’t long in coming.
Kale turned to Leilani and his expression softened considerably. “You’ve really had a rough time, sweetheart, haven’t you?”
Tears gathered before she could bite down on her lip to stop the quivering. Not trusting herself, she just nodded and reached under the table for Pi’s hand, which was waiting. She clung hard.
Pi spoke in her stead. “Kale, this poor girl has had way too much stress to handle in these last few weeks. You know her mother passed on, and immediately, she’s faced with a trip to Hawaii, her first time ever leaving her own country. Upon her arrival, her aunt dies in front of her, and she finds out she’s been left with a huge responsibility in having to take charge of her very young cousin, a stubborn little boy who’s taken it into head to blame her for losing his Tutu.”
Leilani interrupted shyly. “Mano is a gift. Not a responsibility.”
Pi’s eyes watered for a minute before he could continue. “Yes sweetheart, with your big heart, you look on him as a gift. However, it’s still a lot of change to handle all at once. Then to have this troubled woman try to take him away from you is where the nightmare begins. If I had any money to offer you, so you could pay her off, it would be yours in an instant—”
Kale interrupted. “There’s no problem about the money. Any amount you need is yours, Leilani. Money isn’t the issue. It’s making sure the mother can’t come back after she runs through it to try to blackmail you for more. Or that she doesn’t get her claws into Mano.”
Why that crafty old man! Leilani beamed in his direction before responding to Kale. “You would trust me and be willing to lend me the money? I have put my property up for sale in Canada and can pay you back eventually, but I’ve realized I must never sell this place since its Mano’s inheritance and it quite rightly belongs to him.”
“Leilani, I trust you so much that I would sign a blank check for you and not lose a minute of sleep. What I need to ask, with your permission Pete, is to take these documents to my law firm and have them double checked to be sure there aren’t any loopholes for Kaimi to slip through.” He turned to stare at Pete, his eyes unwavering and rather stern. “It’s not that I don’t trust your competence, it’s just that from what you’ve told me, these were drawn up in one day and only you have viewed them.”
“No offense taken. It never hurts to have an extra pair of eyes to make sure I’ve covered all the bases, Kale. I have no problems with your suggestion whatsoever.” For the first time, Kale’s stiff attitude with Pete altered. He smiled slightly and nodded.
“Well, it’s time for me to leave, Leilani.” Pete stood up and shook hands with the two other men around the table. “Keep me in the picture as to your next step. If you’d like me settle with Kaimi on your behalf, I’d be delighted. Once I’ve got through with her, I’m sure you’ll be able to wave goodbye to the problem for good.”
“I’ll walk you to the door, Pete.” Leilani met him in the hall and led him to the doorway in the front of the house. “I can’t thank you enough for drawing up the papers and bringing them with you tonight… and sharing the meal with us. I know you think we need to move on this as soon as possible, and I tend to agree with you. I’m sure Kale will settle the matter quickly, and I can let you know what we’ve planned.”
“Fine. Call me on my private number. On a personal note, I’d like to see you again, Leilani, if you’re willing? It’s been nice to meet someone who isn’t a tourist with plans to leave in a matter of weeks.” Pete put his hand out toward her in an old-fashioned kind of maneuver that made her smile.
Leilani placed her hand in his. “Can I take a rain check? Life needs to settle down before I can complicate it any further. On the other hand, it’s always nice to have another friend.”
“Of course. I understand. You have my number when the time comes. Goodnight.”
Leilani stood and watched him walk toward toward his car and then felt an
others presence at her back. A voice whispered in her ear. “I’m off too, Leilani. See you later tomorrow after I get my shopping done.”
“Thank you, Pi. You were a life-saver in there for me tonight and I’ll always be thankful for your being here.”
“You deserve it, sweet girl. A person with a heart as big as yours sometimes needs a helping hand.” He left her with a tender kiss on her cheek and a wave before getting into his Beauty and driving away.
Knowing that Kale still waited for her, Leilani made an effort to swallow the lump gathering in her throat, which brought on a coughing spell instead. She passed her hands over the hair she’d earlier gathered into a knot to sit high on her head. Her lipstick, long gone, had left her lips a bit dry and so she licked them trying to soften the skin. Hating the nerves running amuck throughout her body that made thinking difficult, she closed her eyes and said a little prayer.
Her stomach muscles had tightened and queasiness invaded. She couldn’t put it off any longer. She lowered her face into hands that shook. The time had come for her to face the man of mixed messages. One minute he made her feel like she mattered in his life. Next, he wanted nothing more to do with her… her neediness. So, what did he want from her?
Chapter Twenty-four
Once Pi left, Kale waited for Leilani in the kitchen. He had made up his mind to talk with her once and for all…to straighten out the reason for her strange behaviour. Her ‘I like you’ and then ‘drop dead’ manner of the last few days.
After their beautiful connection at his house, he had quite naturally thought they would carry on. Take their attraction to the next level. Admittedly, they hadn’t known each other all that long, and he understood that girls needed time—they liked to be wooed, using an old-fashioned word. He had no problem with that, not at all. In fact, he thought the idea kinda fun. Dates with her and a chance to form a tighter relationship with Mano sounded good to him.
Thinking of Mano, Kale smiled. The little tyke was a bullet. Earlier that day he’d shown off his knowledge of the flora around his own yard and could name off every plant. Made Kale feel like a little upgrading on his part could be in order. He’d have to keep up with the kid and not look too dense. His grandmother hadn’t been a part of his life, so there hadn’t been anyone to teach him. But there were lots of books to read and videos to watch on the subject so he’d put in a little extra effort.
He knew from the beginning that Mano would have to be part of the parcel, and since the child had won a place in his heart, that would be just fine with him. Anyone could see the love Leilani couldn’t hide. She adored the child even with his prickly armor forcing her to keep her space. It would be only a matter of time. The boy couldn’t hold out forever, not when faced with such tenderness.
If only he could share in the tenderness also. What a wonderful life they could all have together.
Where the hell was she? Pi had left some time ago. Kale stopped gripping the coffee cup, took the last sip, and pushed it away. Then he stood to follow her into the other room. He stopped with his hands on his hips, hesitating. Maybe she was waiting for him to leave? He moved forward then hesitated.
Should he take the forms with him? Did she expect him to leave? I’ll call her to come back so we can talk. What if she won’t? What if she’s so upset with what’s happening, she isn’t even thinking about anything but the dilemma with Mano’s mother? Folding his arms, he noticed how tight they’d become and so he gave his hands a shake and wiped them on the sides of his jeans. Then he straightened the golf shirt he’d chosen, thinking like a fool that the green heightened the same tone in his eyes. Like she’d care! Stupid bastard!
Taking another step forward, his mind kept up the litany. What made him think she felt anything out of the ordinary about him? After all, the woman’s friendly to everyone, not in a flirty way, but so nice people gravitate in her direction. Heck, look at the way she treats Pi, her old friend. A person would think he’d always been a part of her life, like a grandfather or something. This girl cut through boundaries, straight into a person’s heart.
A groan escaped and frustration built. Enough! What are you—a man or a pimply-faced teenager on his first date? For God’s sake, go and get the woman and use those talents that have always worked. His heels dug in once again. He wouldn’t behave with her the way he had with other women. Cherished people needed to be treated differently. With care and love, handled preciously and never, ever lost. Staying here and hiding in the kitchen, wouldn’t accomplish anything.
That’s it! He stomped into the other room and came up short. Leilani stood with her head in her hands and an abject look about her that all but ripped apart his heartstrings to leave that foolish organ floundering in agony.
Poor sweetheart!
Not another thought had time to enter his mind before he moved over to her and wrapped his body around hers, his arms encircled, his chin on top of her bent head and his hands caressing her back.
“Leilani…darling, I’m so sorry. If I’d known you needed my help, I would have offered sooner.”
She pulled away and her harsh words were so low that he had a hard time hearing them. “How could I tell you? You meant what you said at the hotel, and I would never presume—”
“What are you talking about? Of course I meant what I said.” What is this about? His mind screamed a warning for him to slow down and dig. Something wasn’t right. “Leilani,” he held her arms to keep her from moving away again. “I’m talking about the Kaimi situation. Is this what you’re talking about?”
This time she looked him straight in the eye and her manner took on a hardness he’d never seen before. “Kai, I overheard you speaking to your manager the night I left the hotel. You don’t have to pretend with me any longer. I desperately need your help right now, or you’d be rid of me for good. But I promise that the money will be repaid—with any interest you deem fit. Other than that, we really don’t have to even see each other anymore.”
Stunned, he felt his mouth hanging open and the most distinct word he could think at the moment was …whaaa?? Finally he gathered enough brain cells together to answer her, since she seemed to have run out of steam.
“Leilani, my own true love, I have no idea what you’re saying. In my defense, I can’t remember ever discussing you with my manager other than to tell him you were to have direct access to me at any time…no matter what.”
Chapter Twenty-five
My own true love? Did Kale really say those words? Good Lord, what was happening here?
“You told him, and I quote—keep the woman away from me. She’s a nuisance I won’t tolerate it any longer.” Leilani had to stop Kale from interrupting. “Let me finish. You said I was needy and took advantage…you used my name, Kale. I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, it just happened that I was about to knock when this conversation took place.”
“I will say this once and only once. Those words were in reference to a woman called Ramona Haui. We had been dating for a short while until I felt like Jonah being swallowed by a whale. I broke if off before you even arrived. Needless to say, she didn’t agree with our breakup. The day we spent at my home, she’d given an excuse of having renovations taking place at her house, and rented a suite at the Jordan. All day, she bothered the staff, wanting them to share my whereabouts.”
He had to stop to catch a breath, and lower his voice which had risen with each sentence. “I’m disappointed you could think me so heartless…showing you how delighted you made me one moment and then treating you with so little respect the next.”
Leilani felt about as small as the crumbs that quite often decorated her clothes. “Oh Kale, I’m so, so sorry. It’s all been about me lately, hasn’t it? I recognize it so clearly now. So much has happened that I let my brain get taken over by my insecurities. I don’t know how to make it up to you.”
The earnest look on her dear face let him know just how badly she felt, about not having trusted him. And it did quite a lot toward restoring
his pride.
“I suppose you could kiss it and make it better.” His joking tone caught her attention quickly.
Playing along, she answered. “Poor baby, where does it hurt the worst?”
“In my heart,” he said, utterly serious.
Leilani’s own heart took a bit of a beating as soon as she heard his words. Without another thought, she launched herself into his waiting arms and kissed his mouth with an intensity that left them both trembling. Fragrant after-shave tickled her nose and ramped up her heightened awareness to an even greater level. His lips were warm and took their time in learning hers. His tongue joined in the discovery and soon thoughts stopped and only sensation existed.
Heat and tenderness, desire and ecstasy battled inside until her knees gave way and he lifted her in his arms. “Where’s your room?” His whispered words gave her the time to make a decision—as if it hadn’t been made already. She craved this man, wanted the chance to assuage all the pain she’d put him through.
“At the end of the hall.” She hid her face in his neck and held on as he carried her effortlessly. “Stop!”
She felt his body stiffen before he lowered her to her feet. “I want to check on Mano.” She rubbed his chest and watched the fear fade. “I’ll be with you in a minute.”
He stepped in behind her, and upon seeing the youngster curled into a fetal position, a stuffed whale clutched to his chest, she glanced to watch his reaction.
Mano, such a little man in public, had the same babyish tendencies of most small boys. He had a favorite toy, probably given him by his beloved Tutu, and he needed its security to be able to sleep. How endearing? Each night as she snuck into his room and watched over him, more of her spirit wrapped around his small frame and her increasing love scooped him into a prominent position in her life. She’d never let anything come between them. Not even Kale. Now where had that come from? Fear took little bites and she sought to assuage the instant anxiety.