Distant Echoes

by Colleen Coble

  She tensed at the way her nerve endings sprang to life. His hair was only inches away, and she had an urge to put her fingers in that short blond cap. Her hand crept toward his head, and she snatched it back. What was she thinking? He was ten years older and not her type at all.

  Jesse seemed oblivious, but Kaia couldn’t look him in the eye. “What’s next?” she asked, careful to keep her tone impersonal.

  Before he could answer, an older man stepped into the room. Kaia recognized the insignia on his uniform as that of a navy captain.

  Jesse stood at attention and saluted.

  “At ease.” The man didn’t smile.

  Jesse went to an at-ease stance with his hands clasped behind his back. He introduced the man to Kaia as Captain Stanley Lawton. Lawton’s gaze raked over her, making Kaia feel she was a beached starfish on display. And what was that noise? She realized the captain was grinding his teeth.

  The captain’s probing eyes zeroed in on Jesse. “Matthews, I’ve been patient with you and your family problems. But this missile defense system is critical. I don’t want any more attempted break-ins. You’re going to have to prove to me you can handle this job, or I’ll ask the base commander to replace you.”

  A muscle twitched in Jesse’s jaw. Kaia wished she could come to his defense, but she knew it would humiliate him further. Heidi scowled at Lawton and took Kaia’s hand. Kaia studied her ankle and tried to disappear.

  “I can handle it, sir. I’m going to need more men.”

  “Then request the men you need, but I want results—not excuses. If there are any further security breaches, I’ll take steps.” Lawton’s scowl deepened, and he spun on his heel and stalked out of the room.

  Kaia was glad the man hadn’t addressed her. She was in no shape to withstand his withering tongue.

  Jesse gave orders to his aide then turned back to Kaia. “We’re going to make some changes. I’m going to see if Faye can let Heidi sleep at her house. I’ll pick her up after work and feed her dinner before I take her back at bedtime so I can join you on the boat.”

  “But, Uncle Jesse!”

  Jesse shot Heidi a look that said the topic wasn’t open for discussion. Even so, Kaia thought she saw regret there too.

  “You won’t get any sleep.” And she wasn’t sure she wanted him looking over her shoulder every minute. His confident strength disturbed her and made her wonder what it would be like to kiss him, to share her past hurts with him.

  “I’ll survive it. The tests will be over in two weeks. I can crash for a few minutes at a time on deck.” His stance tense, he stood with his arms folded across his chest.

  This wasn’t up to her, so she nodded. “I’d better go get this ankle wrapped.” She stood and swayed from the pain that shot up her leg.

  “Let me help you.” Jesse caught her hand then swung her up into his arms.

  Taken off guard, she stiffened.

  “Relax,” he said in her ear.

  She could hear amusement in his voice but didn’t dare look at his face. She could have fried an egg on her cheeks.

  “Follow me, Heidi.” He carried Kaia outside and across the parade ground to the naval hospital emergency room. A nurse tried to stop him at the desk with a wheelchair for Kaia, but he ignored her and carried Kaia back to a room.

  In short order, he had a doctor taking her to X-ray. Kaia felt bewildered at how fast he got things moving. An hour later she’d been X-rayed and bandaged and was back outside on the sidewalk. Dawn was pushing back the edges of the darkness as she stood there with Heidi’s hand in hers.

  “Where’s your car?” Jesse asked.

  “Back at the dock where I reported for work last night.”

  “Wait here. I’ll get my Jeep and drive you there.”

  “I’ll stay with Kaia,” Heidi said.

  Jesse nodded and jogged off toward his office. Kaia’s ankle throbbed, and she was discovering muscles she never knew she had. Maybe she’d stop for coffee on her way home. The thought of an iced Americano sounded tempting.

  “Are you going to marry Uncle Jesse?” Heidi asked.

  Kaia froze. “Of course not. Why would you ask such a question?”

  “Your face was all red. I think he likes you. He needs a wife.”

  “Why does he need a wife?” Kaia knew she shouldn’t pursue this line of questioning, but she had been wondering why Jesse was unattached. A man that attractive didn’t often escape matrimony into his late thirties.

  “He’s been sad a long time. Mom worries about him.”

  “Sad?” Kaia wouldn’t have called Jesse sad. Intense, focused . . . those were the words that came to mind. She took Heidi’s hand and went to a bench to await Jesse’s return.

  Heidi nodded. “From the accident. Aunt Christy died. They were going to have a baby too. Poor Uncle Jesse.”

  “Was Aunt Christy his wife?”

  “Uh-huh. She was nice, but I don’t remember her real well. I was four when she died. Aunt Christy’s family is mad at him.”

  Heidi was eight now, so it had been about four years ago. “I’m sure it wasn’t your uncle’s fault. Sometimes we have to blame someone when a bad thing happens.”

  “Well, it was kind of his fault.” Heidi swung her legs to and fro on the bench. “Do you have some gum?”

  “My purse is in the car. Sorry.” She wanted to ask what Jesse had done that made it his fault, but the presence of a group of sailors standing behind them stopped her. She’d be mortified if they noticed the way she was taking advantage of Heidi’s tendency to chatter. Jesse wouldn’t be pleased to find she’d been prying.

  The red Jeep Wrangler pulled up in front of them. Kaia stood and managed to use her crutches well enough to get to the vehicle. She felt as awkward as a monk seal on land. Jesse hopped out and opened the door for her and Heidi.

  “I’d better get in the back so I can prop my leg on the seat,” she told him. He nodded and helped her in.

  “I’m taking you home. You’re in no shape to drive. I’ll pick you up when it’s time to go out tonight.”

  She knew better than to object. Besides, he was right. The pain medicine the doctor had given her had made her woozy. She settled back against the door and lifted her leg to the seat. She found herself watching Jesse and wondering how she could have been so blind. Lines of suffering edged his mouth, and a furrow in his brow that she’d taken for arrogance was likely the expression of a man waiting for life to hand him another blow. His wife’s death was none of her business, but she was curious.

  She couldn’t imagine how he could have been to blame for it. He seemed the type to handle anything life threw his way, but sometimes looks were deceiving. Her gaze lingered on him. What had his wife been like? Shame touched her at the thought of how she’d treated him, and she resolved to be more amiable. It wouldn’t kill her to be pleasant.

  “You okay?” he asked. He flipped the radio to an oldies station.

  “Fine. Can we stop for coffee though?”

  “You’ve got it.” He released the parking brake and drove off the base. A stiff wind was blowing in from the sea and rocked the SUV as Jesse navigated it along the curving road toward Waimea.

  “I told Kaia about Aunt Christy,” Heidi said.

  Kaia saw his hands grip the steering wheel tighter. His jaw hardened but he didn’t say anything. She wasn’t sure what to say either.

  “That’s not a topic for discussion, Heidi. You know that,” he said finally. He turned into the espresso bar and turned to face Kaia. “What do you want, Kaia? I’ll get it and you can rest your foot.”

  His expression warned her not to probe. As she listened to the Fab Four sing “Yesterday,” she wondered if Jesse was ready to move on from the past. Watching his set face as he got out of the Jeep and went inside the espresso bar, she doubted it.

  Ten

  Faye could hardly sleep. Finally, things were moving in the right direction. In the morning, she felt vibrant in spite of her lack of sleep, and she h
ummed as she measured flour into a bowl and added macadamia nuts to the waffle mixture. She cleaned and diced papaya, strawberries, and pineapple for fruit smoothies.

  In her perfect kitchen she felt in control. The smooth granite counters and floor, the European-style cabinets with their sleek lines, and the stainless appliances made her feel like a veritable Rachel Ray from TV. If Kaia and Jesse saw her here, they’d know she could handle any problem.

  The clock on the mantel chimed eight times. Kaia and Heidi should be here any minute. Curtis would be so proud of her. She knew exactly how to handle this and just what she was going to say. Curtis said to be subtle. She’d show him just how good she was at that.

  The doorbell rang and she jumped. She glanced at herself in the hall mirror as she rushed to the door. Her face was flushed, and there was a smudge of flour on her nose. She brushed it away and flung open the door. Her smile faded as she saw only Jesse and Heidi.

  “Kaia isn’t with you?” She stepped aside for them to enter.

  Jesse guided Heidi inside. Her expression was mutinous. “She twisted her ankle last night, and I made her go home to bed. She said to tell you she’d come for breakfast in a couple of days. She’ll call you.”

  Faye’s lips trembled, and she pressed them together. She couldn’t let Jesse see how disappointed she was. He’d wonder why it mattered so much. “I have breakfast ready. Macadamia-nut waffles with strawberry syrup.”

  “Sounds great. I need to get back to the base, but I think I can force down a waffle or two.” He smiled and followed her to the kitchen. Heidi trailed behind them.

  Faye brought him a plate of food. “We can eat in the dining room.”

  “Oh, this is fine,” he said. He took the plate and sat at the bar stool at the counter.

  Oh dear, none of this was going the way she’d planned. She bit her lip and gave Heidi her breakfast. “I’d thought to take Heidi snorkeling today, but she looks like she could use a nap.” The little girl propped her head on one hand and picked at her food.

  Jesse mouthed, “She misses her mom.” He began to wolf down his food. “Wow, this is good. It’s been forever since I had a breakfast like this.”

  Faye smiled and sat beside him. She picked daintily at her own breakfast, her appetite gone as quickly as her plans.

  They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Jesse shoved his plate away. “Let me tuck her into bed; then I need to talk to you for a minute.”

  He sounded serious. Faye caught her breath and prayed he hadn’t discovered her secret. She showed Jesse to the guest bedroom. He kissed Heidi then slipped her sandals off. Her eyes closed before Jesse and Faye had exited the room.

  Faye ushered Jesse to the living room. She wasn’t sure she wanted to hear what he had to say. Her gaze swept the room. It was in perfect order, unlike her life.

  He perched on the edge of the sofa. Folding his big hands in front of him, he cleared his throat. “I need a favor.”

  Relief as sweet as pineapple swept through her. “Is that all? I thought the fate of the world hung in the balance from the way you looked. You know I’ll do whatever I can to help you.”

  He nodded. “You’ve been great. I don’t know what Heidi and I would have done without you. I’m not sure why you’re being so good to us, but I appreciate it.”

  Faye couldn’t look him in the eye. If he only knew. She resolved to try to get to know Heidi for her own sake. It was wrong to be using the child. And caring for a rambunctious eight-year-old hadn’t been easy.

  She pleated her skirt and looked at the carpet. “What can I do to help?”

  “I’m going to need to start going out on the boat with Kaia. She was injured last night on duty, and I want to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”

  Faye put her hand to her throat. “What happened?”

  Jesse told her about Kaia’s sprained ankle. Faye wished she could go check on the younger woman, but they were merely casual acquaintances. It would look odd.

  “I see. And how do I come in?”

  “Could you let Heidi sleep here? I’ll come get her after work so you can have the evening with your husband. Then I’ll bring her back and put her down to bed.”

  For a moment, Faye was taken aback at his temerity in asking such a consuming “favor.” This would disrupt her whole life, not just the day. She was tempted to say no. But Kaia would hear of it and think her selfish. She bit her lip.

  Jesse’s coaxing smile faded. “I know it’s a lot to ask. I’ll see if I can find someone to stay at my place with her at night. It’s too much for you.”

  “No, no, I was just surprised.” Faye swallowed her irritation. “For how long?”

  “Two weeks. Just until the missile tests are over. Less than that if we can nail who’s breaching security.”

  She resisted the inclination to sigh. “I’ll do it.”

  Jesse’s blue eyes clouded. “On second thought, this isn’t a good idea. If you could do this for a few days, I’ll find someone to stay at the house. Let me see what I can do.”

  “No, no, it’s fine. I like Heidi.” She managed a smile. Why on earth was she trying to talk him out of it now? It was going to put a major crimp in her life. She’d basically have the keiki 24-7 with the exception of a few hours in the evening. Curtis might have a fit. On second thought, he probably wouldn’t mind.

  This could work to their advantage.

  Bane had cleaned the house before Kaia got up this morning, and she wished Jesse could see it now. From her view, she could see clear to Ni`ihau. The breeze had died down, and the sea rolled smoothly in to shore in mesmerizing waves of blue. The crutches had been more a hindrance than a help, and she’d left them in her house. Kaia hopped down the stone steps to her grandfather’s. Clinging to the iron rail, she made her way to the bottom. The pain in her ankle was much less than she’d expected. Though the joint was still purple, it was more stiff than painful.

  A curl of smoke rose from her grandfather’s front yard. The aroma of another roasting pig floated to her nose, and her mouth watered. When was the last time she’d eaten? She thought back. Probably about this time yesterday. No wonder she was famished. Tutu kane would be more than happy to feed her.

  Bane and Mano were raking the yard and putting out chairs for tonight’s lu’au. “Hi, guys. What are you doing off work this morning?” she asked Mano.

  “I’m not. I just don’t have to report for duty until noon.” Propping the rake against the house, Mano put his hands on his hips. “What did you do this time?”

  “Fell out of a tree.” Kaia’s gaze lingered on Mano’s face. She wondered if Nahele had called her brother and warned him what to expect. But no, she couldn’t believe her brother would have anything to do with something that might put her in danger.

  “Figures. When will you learn to be more careful?” Bane scolded. He grabbed a chair and pushed it toward her. “Sit down.”

  “I’m fine. It’s just stiff.” She wished she could confide in her older brother, but she didn’t dare. Not this time. Bane would go marching off to see Nahele in high indignation, and he might blame Mano as well. And anything she said to Mano might get back to Pele Hawai´i. If she wanted information from Mano, she needed to shut up and wait until they were alone.

  Was there a flicker of guilt in Mano’s face? Maybe not, she decided. It could be fatigue. Dirt smeared one cheek and the side of his neck. Tutu kane had worked the guys hard today.

  “How’s the training going?” Bane asked.

  “Slow.”

  “It would be a lot easier if you just used a food reward.”

  Kaia shook her head. “Then it would be just training, not really her learning on her own volition. I don’t want there to be any doubt about her intelligence when the study is done. It’s harder and it takes longer, but it will be something worth working for.” If Curtis would only give her the chance to prove it.

  “You think you’re going to get shut down?” Bane’s gaze lingered on her face.r />
  She sighed. “Curtis is more interested in amusement parks than scientific research. So it’s a possibility. But he hasn’t cut me out yet.”

  “You’ll get there.” He patted her shoulder.

  She laid her hand over his then looked toward the cottage. “Where’s Tutu kane?”

  “I’m right here.” Her grandfather stepped through the front door and came toward her with a welcoming smile on his face. His gaze went to her bandaged foot. “Klutzy as usual, I see.” He handed each of his grandsons a glass of soda.

  “It was either fall or get eaten by a cane spider.” She shuddered at the thought. She’d had nightmares about that one.

  Bane whistled. “No wonder you let go of the tree limb. But you never said what you were doing in the tree in the first place.”

  “Climbing it, what else?” She poked Bane in the ribs.

  “But why?” he persisted.

  He was like Nani with her ball. The only way she’d get him to leave it alone would be to find him something else. “You have to report back to work in two weeks, don’t you?”

  Bane grimaced. “Don’t remind me. I’ve been enjoying my leave.”

  “Will you still be on the Big island?”

  He nodded. “No sign of new orders.”

  “How’s it going with your navy work?” her grandfather asked her.

  “Okay. But I haven’t quite caught on to sleeping during the day yet.”

  “How much longer do you have to do this?” Mano asked. “I hate that you’re helping them.” He took a swig of his soda.

  “Get over it,” Bane said sharply. “I don’t know what’s happened to you, Mano. You didn’t use to be so militant. And you’re navy yourself.”

  “Just until I can get out.” Mano took another swig.

  Kaia watched the muscles move in his broad back. How could she get him alone to question him about Nahele?

  Bane turned his gaze to her. “Did you see the paper this morning?”

  “No. Something interesting in there for a change?”

  He nodded and went to fetch it for her from the porch. “Look here,” he said, pointing to a front-page article.