Burning up the Rain (Hawaiian Heroes)

by Cathryn Cade

  Bella sighed. “Ugh, this is supposed to be a happy occasion, and we’re worrying about Nawea being ruined.”

  Lalei made a growling noise. “Oh, I can’t believe Benton and his cronies want to build a big resort here.”

  “We’ll figure it out,” Joel said. “Look at us—we’re a bunch of great minds.”

  Jack had heard enough about goddamn Benton and his goddamn resort.

  “You’ve been in some tight spots in your adventures for TV, huh?” he asked Joel. “What’s the worst?”

  “Well, not the worst but maybe the most embarrassing.” Joel told them a funny story about being picked up by an elephant in India, who then refused to set him down despite the urgings of her trainer. She carried him carefully around in her trunk while the Indians employed to help the film crew argued excitedly and his photographer filmed, laughing so hard he could scarcely hold his camera. The elephant finally released her prize in return for a pile of sugar cane stalks. Joel rubbed his ribs reminiscently. “Man, I expected her to drop me like a log, but she set me down very carefully on my feet and then trumpeted happily as she tore into that sugar cane.”

  Jack laughed, imagining the cocky adventurer being carried around like a dog toy. “What are your plans now?” he asked. “Gonna film some Hawaiian adventures?”

  “Well, when I’m back on my feet, I’m headed to the Olympic Peninsula for an episode. After that, not sure.” He looked down at Bella, who tipped her head back to smile up at him. “Another year, and then I think I’ll call it quits. Stick around here and keep this wahine out of trouble.”

  “But that’s confidential,” Bella added anxiously.

  Jack toasted them both with his bottle. “You got it. Never breathe a word. And you’re gonna be a farmer, huh?” he asked Bella.

  “I am.”

  “And I’m going to feature her produce,” Melia added. “In my cooking blog.”

  “Which has grown by leaps and bounds,” Malu said proudly. “One of the top twenty cooking sites online now.”

  Melia started to speak again but yawned instead. Her husband rose, leaning over to help her up. “Time for bed, Mama.”

  She rose, and Bella scrambled to her feet as well. “I’ll walk up with you, Mel.”

  “Me too,” Lalei said, rising. She didn’t look at Jack. “Night, guys.”

  “What are you up to tomorrow?” Joel asked Malu.

  “Melia and I are flying over to Hilo to meet with our lawyers, and an official in the county planning department. See if we can get an injunction to stop TropicSun for a while.”

  “Go get ’em.” Sounded like another drink to Jack, but he couldn’t summon the energy to get up and fetch one. He blinked owlishly at the fire and the faces of the other two men, firelight flickering on their faces. Great guys.

  “Well, I’m for bed,” Malu said. “C’mon, Jack. I’ll give you a hand.”

  “I’ll put the fire out,” Joel said.

  For some reason that struck Jack as funny. Joel could start a fire in any circumstances and put one out too. He tried to explain this to Malu as his huge friend hauled him to his feet, slung Jack’s arm around his shoulder and propelled him up the lawn to the quiet house.

  He couldn’t remember if he got the humor across or not. The next thing he knew, the soft bed was coming up to meet him, and the warm, Hawaiian night spun around him in dizzying circles until everything went black.

  That night, Lalei dreamed again. The moonlight poured down over the night sea, and she stood once again in the trees, where she had called the rain and where Jack had come to her. She was naked, her body once again loose and liquid with satisfaction as it had been after they had each other on the rock.

  But now someone else sat on the rock. Another woman, with long ebony hair and golden skin darker than Lalei’s, but with her large, slightly tilted eyes and full lips.

  With a start Lalei recognized the arrogant lift of the woman’s head as the way she, Lalei, carried herself. But on this woman, instead of being a defensive shield, it was as natural as the way she sat on the rocks, like a queen on her throne. Long skirts fell around her legs, and a feather cape covered her shoulders.

  With a gasp of amazement, Lalei realized in whose presence she stood. She fell to her knees. “Mother Pele!”

  “Ah, you recognize me.” Pele smiled, her eyes twinkling in the moonlight.

  “Oh yes,” Lalei said. “But…why are you here? Why do you appear to me?” Surely she wasn’t worthy of a visit from Hawaii’s patroness.

  Pele’s smile disappeared, and a golden glow shimmered around her. Lalei quivered in fear as she realized that the light crackled from the strands of Pele’s long hair and from her eyes.

  “Do I not decide who is worthy, young ho’omalu?”

  Lalei nodded. “Yes, of course, Mother.”

  “You call me mother,” Pele approved. “Then remember this, Lalei Ho’omalu. You are your mother’s daughter. You are special. And of my children, my special ho’omalu, much is required.”

  And with that, she disappeared.

  Lalei knelt on the rocks, alone. Slowly she became aware that she was shivering, her bare skin chilled now that Pele’s heat had dissipated. Sharp pebbles poked painfully into her bare knees and toes. The only sound was the surf washing nearby and a night bird calling in the trees overhead.

  That was when she realized that she really was outside. At least she was not really naked—she wore her favorite cocoa silk teddy and tap pants.

  Scrambling to her feet, she wrapped her arms around herself and then turned back toward Nawea Bay. She picked her way up through the silvery shadows that were fig trees and onto the beach. The moon shone down serenely from the sky, throwing down a silver path on the sea and right to her feet.

  What was happening to her? Visions, dreams, sleepwalking…and just possibly, the ability to control the rain, at least here. Was this really happening to her, or was she going crazy? Had she finally succumbed to the stress of struggling to find her place with a foot in each of the two sides of Hawaii?

  Whatever, despite the warmth of the Hawaiian night, she was chilled, she was frightened, and she wanted…she wanted to be held by someone big and strong, who would wrap his arms around her and reassure her with simple human contact.

  Only as she ran up the lawn toward the house did she realize she was running to Jack.

  Her dubious knight was sound asleep when she tiptoed into his room. Sprawled across his bed like a felled warrior, he lay on his back, the sheet kicked off, wearing only a pair of dark bikini briefs. As she crawled onto the bed and pulled the sheet up, he twitched, snorting like a horse.

  She bit back a nervous giggle and settled down beside him, reaching out to lay her hand lightly on his strong, warm arm. She wrinkled her nose—his wonderful male scent was overlaid with the residue of alcohol.

  She wished he didn’t drink so much. And that she didn’t feel this need to overstep the bounds of their affair by slipping into his bed. Were they having an affair? She wasn’t sure one could even call it that. It certainly didn’t qualify as a relationship. He wouldn’t want to wake and find her here, not after today. But she couldn’t face being alone right now.

  Just a little while—she’d just stay here for a few minutes, until she was calmer. Then she’d go back to her own room.

  Chapter Eight

  Jack woke with a start when the woman in his arms shifted, pushing with one slender hand against his chest. As she wriggled, soft skin brushing his and hair tickling his chin, his eyes flew open. There was a woman in his bed, snuggled against him, all soft little curves and interesting angles. He had a handful of ass that felt sweetly familiar.

  “Can you get off me?” she grumbled in a sleep-husky voice. “You’re on my hair.”

  “Uh, yeah.” He levered himself woozily onto one elbow, scrubbing a hand over his face, and then stared down at her.

  Lalei lay in the middle of his bed, her dark hair streaming across the pillow toward
him. She had a pillow crease across one cheek and a distinctly wary look in her sleep heavy eyes. He struggled to recall the night before. He remembered their hot sex in the rain, but he was pretty sure that had been the end of that.

  He didn’t really remember much after the campfire on the beach last night, although he thought David, Joel and he had closed the place down.

  Had he decided it would be a great idea to drag Lalei out of her bed and use her as his personal teddy bear or something? His stomach knotted with dread. “You okay?”

  She gave him a hesitant smile, her dark gaze softening. “Yeah, I’m okay.”

  “Oh, good.” Thank God, he hadn’t done…anything stupid. Anything criminal.

  She sat up and leaned over to smack a kiss on the side of his face. “Thanks, Jack. You’re a good guy, you know?”

  With a flurry of limbs and skimpy nightwear, she slipped off the bed, headed for the door.

  “Hey,” he protested, giddy with relief. “I wake up with you in my bed and that’s all I get?” As she looked over her shoulder, one hand on the doorknob, he pointed at his cheek, shaking his head.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Ask me again when you don’t smell like a bar the morning after.”

  And with that she was gone. He heard her speak to someone in the hallway, and then her door closed. A moment later, dresser drawers began to open and shut.

  With a sigh, Jack sat up. He leaned his elbows on his drawn-up knees and clutched his head in his hands. Man, now that he was awake, he felt like shit. His head throbbed like someone was beating a giant drum inside it, and his stomach was really rolling.

  Throwing back the sheets, he bolted into the bathroom and leaned over the toilet. He managed to reach over and turn the water on in the tub with one hand to disguise the sounds he knew were coming, and then heaved the contents of his stomach.

  He walked into the big, sunny kitchen thirty minutes later, showered and shaved, dressed in a light T-shirt and shorts, shored up with pain tablets and antacids. Leilani, the Nawea cook and housekeeper, was just leaving. “Coffee and breakfast all ready,” she told him with a smile. “Enjoy.”

  Malu sat at the big kitchen island in a dark silk tee and slacks, a cup of coffee and empty plate before him. He smiled at Jack without saying a word.

  Jack walked over to fill a mug with coffee and then to perch on the stool beside his old friend. As he eyed the array of fresh malasadas, cornbread, fruit and covered dishes on the big counter, his stomach rebelled.

  He swallowed a small mouthful of coffee and stared out the window at the palm trees waving in the morning breeze along the beach, the sea a sparkling turquoise behind them.

  “Howzit?” Malu asked quietly.

  Jack had to wait until he had control of his voice to answer. Here he sat in the middle of paradise. He had a successful career waiting for him back in California, great friends and things to do. Not to mention a new wahine who was more exciting, irritating and enticing than any he’d ever met. And yet he felt like something a paniolo, Hawaiian cowboy, would scrape off the bottom of his boot.

  “I, uh—” He cleared his throat, swallowing hard. “I’ve got to slow down. On my drinking.” There, the words were said, their echo hanging in the sunlit air of the quiet kitchen. He drank too much.

  Malu put a big hand on Jack’s shoulder and squeezed. “Sorry you have to deal with that, moke.”

  Jack leaned his face in his hands, digging the heels into his eyes. He took a deep breath. “It’s such a mellow high, you know? Everything’s great, until… Sometimes, I just forget to stop when I should.”

  Malu waited.

  “Blacked out a month ago,” Jack went on, forcing the words out, lancing the wound. “Wrecked my Lincoln Nav. Went off the road in the dark, out by Vista Point. Woke up the next morning with the Nav on its side in the bushes, fucking airbag in my face. Side of my rig was all smashed in.

  “Should’ve lost my license for that one, but by the time I crawled out and called the cops, I was sober. Boy, was I sober. Almost pissed myself when I saw where I was. Nothing but a big fucking rock holding the Nav from going over, a hundred feet down off a cliff, into the rocks and the surf.”

  He lifted his head, hands to his mouth, staring blindly. “Should’ve killed me,” he mumbled. “But it didn’t, so I guess…I’m supposed to be here.”

  Malu shook him a little. “Yeah, you’re supposed to be here, fool. Got a lot of people who love you.”

  Jack nodded. “I know. I know that. I’m just…I don’t know. Tired, I guess.” He glanced at his friend and then away, shame burning in his gut. “Man, I’m sorry, laying this on you. You’ve got enough on your plate right now, with the baby and this development to fight.”

  Malu’s heavy brows drew together, his exasperation clear. “Jack, you’re one of my best friends. You’re not bothering me, man. I’m here for you, and so’s Daniel. Moke, we both noticed you were whacked when you rolled in here. Stay here at Nawea for a while. Take it easy.”

  “Thanks,” Jack said, touched by the offer.

  Malu held on to Jack’s shoulder for a moment longer, his grip warming, so much that it seemed to burn right through Jack’s cotton T-shirt.

  “E nonoi i ka Haku e kōkua iā ‘oe, a Pele ho’op maika’i,” he intoned.

  Jack blinked. Just for a second there, it was as if another Malu was transposed onto his friend’s face, a stately warrior with authority in his mien and voice.

  He nodded, pleased but bewildered. “Mahalo, but…say what?”

  “I ask God to send you help, and I ask Pele for a blessing.” Malu let him go and rose to walk over to the coffeepot. “Now you betta eat up, moke. Gonna need you grinds.”

  Jack was surprised to realize he did feel better. In fact, as he looked at the big plate of Leilani’s malasadas, his stomach growled.

  He got up to fill a plate with malasadas, scrambled eggs and bacon, nodding his thanks as Malu refilled his coffee mug.

  “I got somebody you should meet,” the big Hawaiian said. “Somebody who might help you. His name is Lenny Liho’o. He lives up Kau Forest. You gotta hike to get up there, okay?”

  Jack stared at his food, embarrassed. It wasn’t like he needed help, not really. He just needed to slow down, have a couple of drinks instead of a lot. But then he shrugged, forking up a bite of scrambled eggs. He had nothing else to do today.

  Malu nodded. “Good, here’s how you go.” He described a path up the mountain. “I’ll call him, let him know you’re coming. You can bring him some of Leilani’s malas; he eat dem fo’ days.”

  As Jack tucked into his breakfast, Melia walked into the kitchen. He was surprised to see that she wore a dress, makeup and carried a jacket over her arm. Despite being dressed up, she didn’t look her usual perky self.

  “Morning, Jack. Honey, are you ready?”

  “Morning.” Jack swallowed his bite of eggs. “You two going into town?” Maybe she had an obstetrician appointment and was worried about that. Pregnancy was a risky business. His married friends seemed to worry until the kid popped out okay, when they switched to worrying about whether it would get into the right preschool to prepare for one of the Ivy League colleges.

  “Yeah,” Malu said, reaching for a jacket hanging over his chair. “Meeting with our lawyers about the development.”

  Jack took a swig of coffee, wincing as it burned his mouth. “You did mention that last evening. You want me to come, see if I can lend any counsel from the realty end of things?”

  “That’s sweet,” Melia said.

  Malu shook his head. “Don’t worry, we’ll be asking for your counsel, my friend. Today is just bringing us up to speed on an injunction we’re trying to get against them cutting any roads.”

  He put a hand on his wife’s back, steering her toward the door. “We’ll be back this afternoon. I’ll fill you in on what happens, see what you think.”

  “You’re driving all the way over there and back?” Jack was glad he didn’t have t
o tackle any winding roads this morning.

  “Nah, going the fast way. Renting a chopper.”

  Jack raised his coffee mug in a salute. Fastest way around the Big Island, that was for sure.

  No sooner had the couple left than Jack’s cell phone rang. He grabbed it automatically from his pocket, and scowled as he saw his partner’s name displayed. He’d known this call was coming and dreaded it.

  “Hey, Tyler,” he said, forking up another bite of eggs. “What’s up?”

  “What do you mean, what’s up?” his partner demanded. “You were supposed to call me last night, about the Eagle Crest Canyon deal. What happen, you have one too many again and forget?”

  Jack set his fork down, appetite gone. He closed his eyes, rubbing his free hand over his forehead. “You know what, man, you’re right. That’s exactly what happened. And I’m sorry.”

  There was a short silence. “Well,” said his long-time friend and partner, “that’s a start. At least you’re admitting…y’know.”

  “That I’ve got…a problem,” Jack finished for him. “Yeah, I am. And I’ll tell you what, here’s what I think you should do with Eagle Crest. You and Marisa handle it. Make it your deal, and take me out of it.”

  “What?” Tyler sounded dumbfounded. “You mean it? But…you’re the one who got us the deal, man.”

  Jack snorted. “Yeah, I got it, and you and I both know I almost lost it too. I was wasted that night at the club, and I don’t think any of the Eagle Crest folks were real impressed.”

  “Well,” Tyler hedged. “Polly Symes was making prissy faces, but—”

  “But nothing.” Jack smiled wryly. He could picture Tyler sitting back in his chair, raking his fingers through his short, spiky red hair as he tried to put a positive spin on things. “She’s the balls of that bunch, and don’t you forget it, son.”