New Beginnings (The Girl and The Fireman Book 1)

by Amy Allen

  Lana giggled. “He’s right. I am sure.” Looking over her shoulder at Joshua, she grinned. Turning back to Brandi, she added, “I don’t want nor do I need the back–up copy. I only did the sketch so Eric would have it.”

  Brandi smiled. She had no qualms about reading her little brother’s mind so she knew he was in love with Lana. Seeing him suddenly look at her with a raised eyebrow, she gave him a grin with an imperceptible shrug. She wasn’t going to read Lana’s mind, but both her wolf and vampire senses were telling her the girl was just as in love with Josh. Looking at the sketches, Brandi rolled them up temporarily. “Thanks for doing this for Eric and Kaeo. I helped Eric do some looking around and I know he took some notes. When we get back outside, I’m sure he’ll let you know if it can be cleaned up and gone through to see what’s salvageable. As for dinner, I’ll make sure with Jim and Eric, but that should be fine. What time?”

  Lana nodded. “A'ole pilikia.” It hit her that she’d replied in Hawaiian. Even though Joshua had mentioned Brandi had grown up on Oahu, Lana wasn’t sure how much Hawaiian Brandi knew so she said in English, “Appreciate it.” Lana sat the sketch pad to the side. Without realizing it, she left it open to the picture of Joshua with the wolves on the beach. Giving a smile, she then added with regards to her ‘ohana “Not that there probably is much worth saving, but good to know.” Lifting Joshua’s arm to look at his watch, Lana saw it was two-thirty p.m. “You may cook it this way too, but the chicken won’t be ready to go into the crockpot for at least an hour, and then it’ll have a good couple hours to really cook. So, let’s say, at the earliest, six p.m., or anytime thereafter when Eric gets home from work and you all can come over. And thanks for letting me borrow the suit. It’s in the hall bathroom. It should be dry. I rinsed it out.”

  “That’s how I cook it too and sounds good for time. I’ll let the guys know.” Brandi’s eye had caught the open sketch pad and the drawing on top. Nodding to it, she asked, “May I?”

  “Please, go ahead.” Lana smiled, almost wanting to hide. Joshua had been the only one, other than family, to look at any of her sketches.

  Brandi flipped a few pages back and started at the front with the three pictures of Joshua, followed by ones Lana had done at the Luau which included the one of Lana and Joshua, to the one with Joshua and the wolves and ending with two Lana did of her place. “These are great. For those first three, I didn’t see you have this out on Sunday.”

  Lana smiled shyly at the praise but also shook her head. “I did those three from memory yesterday.”

  Brandi smiled. She sketched the same way – usually by memory. “What about the one with the sunset behind?”

  “I spend about an hour sketching any guests at the Luau that want it done. It gives them another way to remember their time at the Luau besides the pictures that are taken.” She smiled over her shoulder at Joshua. Looking back at Brandi she said, “That one of us is what he wanted.”

  Brandi nodded. She was impressed. Lana was great. She remembered Rob mentioned Lana wanted to get work as a Criminal Psychologist – not an easy field to get into if you didn’t know anyone, Brandi knew – but she was going to ask Eric if the PD had a sketch artist, or if they could use another one if they have one. Looking back at the book and the last two sketches again, Brandi then asked, “The two of your ‘ohana are from memory?”

  “The first of the two is. The other one is for Jack to use when rebuilding with some slight changes I want.”

  “Do you just sketch from memory?”

  Lana shook her head. “No. That fourth one I did as I watched Joshua walking the wolves an hour or so ago.” She admitted to herself that that was her favorite even though she did love the one of her and Joshua and the single ones of Joshua. She was glad she’d colored in everything.

  Brandi really liked that one of Joshua with the wolves. She was very impressed and rarely found someone who could sketch like she did. She wondered if Lana also had a degree in Graphic Design, as she did, or if sketching was more of a hobby. Closing the book, Brandi handed it back to Lana with a smile. “Thanks for letting me see them.” When Lana nodded, Brandi stood with the sketches of Jeremy in her hand. “And, I know Eric will appreciate these. I’m sure it’ll help them. I’m also sure Eric will let you know if you can help in any other way. At least Jim and I, with my triplets, will be over about six, probably with Eric too. I always look forward to a night off from cooking. For use of the suit, you’re welcome. I’ll get it tonight.”

  Lana knew she had to have patience and wait to see if Eric asked for her help. Even though she knew she wasn’t, she felt useless. “That sounds good. See you then and I hope Eric does join us too.” She only nodded at the rest. She was glad Brandi liked the sketches she’d done even if Brandi didn’t have any say with the Maui PD. She hoped that Eric and his partner liked them too and she hoped Eric asked her for more help.

  ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`.•*¨

  Rob and Jack were already working on the cleanup when Lana and Joshua came outside. Seeing them, Rob called out “Do you wanna help?”

  Looking around, Joshua first asked, “Andi leave?” Seeing Rob nod, he said as he moved to his truck, “You should have asked her to help clean up. She would have stayed.” Joshua opened the toolbox in the back of the truck and a pulled out a pair of gloves. Not worrying about his sister, knowing she’d be back over if she wanted to help, Joshua smiled down at Lana. Giving her a kiss, he then said, “As beautiful as you look as you are, you’ll need jeans on or coveralls to protect your legs. I’ve got some extra gear you can wear for the cleanup.”

  Lana was starting to nod when Sydni joined them. “You aren’t helping yet, Ki. You and I are going into Kahului.”

  Looking toward her mom, Lana nodded. “Okay. For what?” Watching Sydni only shake her head with a mysterious smile, Lana sighed but smiled. Turning back to Joshua she shrugged, a smile forming on her lips. “Guess I’ll have to wait. See you when we get back.” Leaning up, she started to give him a light kiss, when he deepened it. Smiling at him when it ended, she followed her mom to her car.

  Rob watched Lana pull out of the drive as she usually did – fast. Laughing, he noticed the other three stop what they were doing to look at him. Grinning he said, “She’s addicted to speed.”

  Joshua had just started on an area for cleanup and was about to throw an item into his trash pile but was startled by what Rob said causing him to accidentally put it into a possible salvage pile. Watching Rob, he asked, “How so?”

  Continuing on in the section he was cleaning up, Rob laughed again. “Ki likes to drive fast no matter what vehicle she’s driving. I’m just surprised she’s never been pulled over for speeding.” Grinning, Rob asked, “Why? What did you think I meant?”

  Rob hadn’t noticed Joshua and Craig’s reaction to his initial comment so he didn’t realize it had been taken a different way.

  Craig moved over next to Joshua, having noticed Joshua’s reaction. Picking up a burned piece of wood from salvage, he held it out to Joshua as he started to laugh. “Just the way you meant it, Rob. Didn’t you Joshua?”

  Taking the wood, Joshua kicked himself for not paying attention to what he was doing. Grinning, to cover his mistake, Joshua nodded then said, “Yeah, I didn’t think you meant it any other way. The comment just took me by surprise.” He noticed Rob nod, accepting the answer. As Craig started to move past him, Joshua quietly heard, “You know?” Glancing at the other man, Joshua only gave a small nod in acknowledgment.

  Although he was a little surprised, Craig was glad Lana had told Joshua. Though he had yet to confirm it, he had a feeling Sydni knew also. “Hey. How’d the brat manage to get out of helping?”

  Jack started laughing. Partly because of the nickname Craig called Lana, and partly because he knew what was going on. “Syd took her to get a couple things replaced. Joshua is putting pieces of one of them in his trash pile. Haven’t come across the other yet, though she
may not think it’s as important for getting replaced.”

  Joshua happened to pick up another piece. Instead of just throwing it in the trash pile, he looked at it. It looked like it had been part of the front of some string instrument though all that was left was some black strings melted to the wood. Holding it up, he asked, “What was it?”

  Rob grinned. “I mentioned last night this was one of her outlets when angry. It’s her violin. Or what’s left of it.” He looked over at Jack. “Ki doesn’t know Mom’s replacing it, does she.”

  Jack shook his head. “Nope.” He grinned. “Should be interesting. And Joshua, wait ‘til you hear her play. She’s …” Jack grinned again.

  “I’ve heard music coming from over here when I’ve been next door for dinner.”

  Rob nodded. “If it sounded like just one string instrument and not a cd, then that would have been her. But the three of us are biased.” Throwing something he thought may be salvageable into his correct pile, Rob started laughing. “Then again, especially since Dad isn’t here, we do need another biased male opinion.”

  All four burst out laughing. Joshua didn’t argue it with Rob about being biased with regard to Lana. He was looking forward to hearing her play.

  Getting an idea, a way to get this done faster, Rob pulled out his phone and made a few calls. Within fifteen to thirty minutes the driveway and yard filled up with trucks of other firefighters that were off duty also who were there to help with the cleanup.

  Remembering the sketches, Joshua called out, “Hey, Jack. Ki did up a sketch of how she wants it designed when you rebuild.”

  Jack laughed. “No surprise. Especially since she didn’t get any say when I did the original building back in December. Drew and Syd came over before she graduated for his meeting with the prosecutor’s office and to find property to buy for the house. Like Rob, I was already living here. I’ve been here on Maui for a few years, am a general contractor and own a construction business. Though I was approached, I chose not to be part of any of this new construction that’s going on in areas that should be left as is and not built on just to build expensive new houses. Anyway, Drew called me when he found this property to do the main house. Once the main house was done and they were in it, he had me do the ‘ohana for her from plans he already had for it. So I’m not surprised she wants it her way.” Throwing what he had in his hand in his trash pile, he asked, “In her sketchbook?”

  Joshua nodded. “Yeah.” He’d noticed the looks from some of the guys at how he mentioned Lana like they were wondering how well he knew her.

  ¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`.•*¨

  Sydni laughed, shaking her head at her daughter when they’d pulled out. “One of these days you’re going to get pulled over and it won’t matter that your parents are lawyers and you live next to a detective at the MPD.”

  Lana just glanced over at her and grinned. “I’m careful. Where are we going?”

  “It’s a surprise. Have you and Joshua gone a date yet?”

  Lana sighed at not knowing where they were going. “Not an official one yet. Sunday night he walked me back to my place and then asked me out on my next day off, not realizing what would happen last night. So Saturday will be our actual first date, though we went diving last night and then over to the beach earlier today.” Lana took a quick glance at her mom. “I really like him, Mom. After he walked me back on Sunday he kissed me. And not just a peck on the cheek. I mean he really kissed me, and I liked it. Still like it. I know what Rob said about him. But he doesn’t seem to be like that with me, if that makes any sense. I have all these feelings,” she did another quick look at her mom and noticed a surprised expression. Laughing a little, she continued with, “I know. It's strange for me to follow my feelings. Craig and I talked yesterday morning, seems like it’s been longer than that, and he told me to go with whatever I felt. To not run away from whatever I feel about Josh. So yeah I have all these feelings about him, and my body had these weird reactions to being near him, but ...” She gave a small shrug then added, “I don’t understand any of them.”

  “Oh, baby girl, you’ll understand the feelings and reactions when you need to. And I’ve seen that he’s kissed you. That’s a good thing that you like it. And since you have your first official date on Saturday, we’ll first check the closet in your room and if there isn’t anything appropriate there, we’ll go shopping tomorrow. We’ll need to replace your clothes, belly jewelry and earrings anyway. I haven’t seen you smile like you have today or been happy like this in a long time.”

  Lana gave a small smile. “I don’t remember the last time I was.” She sighed and then frowned. “I think Jeremy knows I wasn’t home last night.”

  “Why do you think that?”

  “I don’t think he was there to watch me, but he was at the same beach Joshua and I were at earlier. He must have left when he saw me. I could feel him there and then not. Just before Rob called the first time I could feel him there. Josh realized there was a problem so I must have tensed up. As the phone started to ring, he must have left because that’s when I no longer felt him there. I think that’s what caused the nightmare. But it was more than that. It seemed like a past memory. It scared me and I think I scared Josh. He asked me to call him anytime I wake up from a nightmare. I told him I would.” Lana sniffed. “I thought they were gone, Mom. I haven’t had a nightmare in years and they suddenly return. I don’t get it.”

  “Up until last night, Jeremy hasn’t been in your life for seven years. Your ‘ohana being destroyed and then sensing him around didn’t help. They’ll retreat again.”

  Lana sighed. “I hope so.”

  Sydni smiled at her daughter. Both Sydni’s father and Drew’s mother had said they saw, when they looked at Lana, that her soul wasn’t whole, and, though not literally, her heart wasn’t whole. That whatever happened to her after Jeremy’s last attack that caused her to change had also caused her to not be whole. They could see there had been an internal fight within Lana – it was still strange to Sydni how her father and Drew’s mom had the gift of sight in this way, like her tribal chief had that ability. But then again Sydni knew Lana had the same gift of sight and even though she knew her daughter could see through to the pain, fear, anger, and whatever else lay below the surface that people didn’t want to show, Lana needed someone to tell her what the problem was, she couldn’t see it as her grandfather and grann, well Rob and Lana called her Grand-maman more than the Haitian form of grann, could.

  Remembering something, Lana suddenly said “Thanks, Mom.”

  “For what?”

  Lana gave her a small smile. “Not giving me all my clothes when I moved into my ‘ohana. Keeping some in my room.”

  “You’re welcome. Though not for this reason, I thought you might need some kept in your room in the house. I’m not sure what all is in the closet or dresser, though. That’s why we can wait until tomorrow to go shopping.”

  Lana nodded as she came into town and slowed down. “I know there are some shorts and tank tops in the dresser. That’s how I knew you’d left clothes when I found these.” Remembering something else, she wondered “Are the horses being brought over from Guam?”

  Sydni nodded. “Yes, they will be in probably the next couple weeks or so. When your dad gets home from Pearl, he’ll call to set it up for them to be brought over. Remember they’ll have to be under quarantine for a few weeks even if your dad has the vet check them over and they get clean bills of health.”

  Glancing at her mom, Lana nodded, and then asked, “Where am I going?”

  Sydni smiled at her daughter. “Bounty Music to start.”

  “To start? In case they don’t carry violins?”

  “I already know they do. I checked online this morning, and then called just to make sure. And, you figured it out, hmmm?”

  “Well, we’re going to a music store after my violin was destroyed. So yeah. But if you know they have them, then why did you say to st
art?”

  “In case you wanted to go to Walmart to replace your laptop, or go get you some new belly jewelry.”

  Pulling up in front of the music store, Lana just smiled at her mom. They spent the next hour or so looking at violins with Lana playing a few notes to see how they felt and sounded, knowing they’d need some tuning though most sounded like they’d been tuned. She ended up finding a nice Yamaha Violin. Since she knew how she liked to play it at times she found they had extra strings for sale as well as bows and a case.

  Getting out to her car, she put the bag in the trunk. Looking at the time on her phone, she saw it was already four-thirty. Opening her text messaging, she opened a new message, finding Joshua in her contacts to send to. Getting in the car, she texted ~Hey there. Thought I’d check in and see if you guys needed any help.~

  Hearing his phone go off, Joshua stopped and pulled his gloves off. Pulling his phone out, he looked to see who the message was from. Seeing Lana’s name, he smiled, opened the message and read. Chuckling quietly, he replied ~Hey yourself. We’re good. Rob called some of the guys to come help. Take your time, but do you need the chicken to go in to cook?~

  Lana laughed when she read the message. She’d forgotten about the chicken. ~Yes, please. Crock Pot is on the counter next to the stove. Plug it in, pour marinade and chicken in, put lid on, and turn on low, please. It’ll be fine like that until Mom and I get home.~

  Looking at the guys as he read he said, “Be right back.” Getting into the house, he found the crock pot where she said it would be and plugged it in. Getting the chicken out, he poured everything into the bowl in and put the lid on. He turned it on low before he headed back out. ~Done. See you when you get back.~

  ~Thanks. Shouldn’t be too much longer.~ Closing off her messages, she looked at her mom. “They don’t need any help. Josh said Rob called some of the guys to help. Also, Josh just put the chicken in the crockpot, so we can go to look over at Walmart. I’d say we have about a half hour more if we want to be home before six since Brandi said she’d be over for dinner with her friend Jim and her children. She wasn’t sure about Eric.”