by Amy Allen
“That was nice of him. Let’s head over there then. If we don’t have time to get whatever you find you like, we can get it tomorrow.”
Nodding, Lana backed out and headed to Walmart.
It took her less than 10 minutes after they arrived in the electronics area to find what she wanted, a Toshiba Satellite with Windows 10. It was like the one that she’d lost, just newer and this time she wouldn’t have to upgrade to Windows 10. She knew her mom was keeping the receipts so the insurance company could be told what was replaced already since she was sure her dad had already called the insurance company. Back at her car, she added the Walmart bag with the laptop and computer bag into the trunk.
They took their time going home, just enjoying spending the time together as they usually did. Lana knew she wasn’t like several of her female friends, those she actually had. She enjoyed spending time with her mom, like now, for longer than 15 minutes. Her mom was her best friend.
They were home by five-thirty. Seeing all the guys, Lana sighed. At the moment she hated her brother. She knew he did this on purpose, inviting all the guys she’d gone out with to come help. Granted she’d only gone out with them once or twice. Her eyes had narrowed as she frowned. She heard her mom laugh as she felt a hand pull on her shorts.
Seeing Lana get out and notice everyone, Joshua almost started laughing at the look on her face. Especially since she looked like she wanted to kill Rob. What kept him from laughing was that he didn’t want that look directed at him. Seeing he got her attention, he grinned. “No reason to get pissed at him, even if they are jerks in what they think of you. Just know that they’re wrong in what they think. It was good to have the help. And obviously, you weren’t that interested in any of them enough to go out with them for very long.” Though she still didn’t look happy, he chuckled when she sighed. Knowing the guys would really wonder and not caring that they would, nor was he thinking about the fact that he was laying his claim to her in front of them, he pulled her to him and kissed her, long and deep, glad that she opened to him and returned the kiss equally. Feeling her stand on her toes, and move into him more, he nearly groaned at the swiftness and hardness of his reaction. Her moving even more into him, instead of away had him thinking she felt his reaction and was almost encouraging him. He ended the kiss before he let himself take her up on that, and having her possibly regret it and hate him later. God, he wanted her, more than he had any other woman, in all ways, but he wasn’t going to push anything more physical until he knew she was completely ready. Seeing the look on her face, he knew he’d read, and even felt, her want correctly. Shaking his head, he quietly said, “There’s time, so not until you’re ready. I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do. Right now even if you seem to want me to do something, I probably won’t. Because I don’t want you to regret it later, and I don’t want you to hate me.” He gave her another kiss, then asked, “Need help?”
She wanted to say she wouldn’t regret anything and she wouldn’t hate him, but she wasn’t sure if that was the truth or not, at least not yet. She knew that she wanted him in the way Jeremy had used her, but she also knew it wouldn’t be the same as how Jeremy treated her, but she was still wary and scared. It helped that he wasn’t pushing her now and she knew he would wait until she actually was ready. She smiled after he ended the second kiss, bringing a hand up to run down his face. Nodding, she said, “Sure. Everything is in the trunk.” Handing him her keys, she turned and sighed as she noticed some of the guys coming over. She almost smiled when she saw Andre move past the others to get to her first. She was friends with him and his wife Mariette, and she thought of Andre as another brother. She didn’t think he knew what had happened with her like Craig, and now Joshua, did, though.
A six-foot three-inch Haitian man, a fellow firefighter, with skin the color of a deep milk chocolate grinned as he got to Lana and easily picked her up off the ground, causing her to squeal, planting a kiss on her cheek. “Chérie, glad to see you safe. Me and Mari were worried. You were home, no?”
Lana couldn’t help but giggle. Over the man’s shoulder, she could see looks of disbelief and something closer to anger on the faces of some of the guys. Guys she’d gone out with once or twice. “Alright Andre, you made your point. You can put me down now.” She sighed with a smile when he shook his head and grinned. “Come on. You know some of them have a few choice, and unflattering, words to say about me.” She didn’t add her dislike at being picked up since she didn’t seem to mind it when Joshua did it.
Andre saw Joshua’s face at her comment and gave a slight nod. He knew she didn’t want to cause problems, especially since the guys she was talking about made sure they never said anything negative about her around Rob. Andre was sure Joshua had heard some of the comments and he had a feeling those comments would now stop or at least not be said in front of Joshua anymore. Setting her back on her feet, he said, “You know I am just happy to see you, Chér. You did not answer.”
“No, I wasn’t home. It was already going when I got here from work. Josh, Rob, Craig, Josh’s brother, and his brother-in-law were trying to get some control over it when I arrived. Josh grabbed me when I ran towards it and I didn’t pay any attention to what was happening after that. Rob must have called it in because just after Josh had grabbed me, and Craig moved my car, Eric and Rob quit and let the guys that were on duty take over.” Her eyes suddenly narrowed on him as she felt a hand on her lower back. “How you hear? If you and Mari were worried, you knew last night, no?” She didn’t realize her speech had slid into sounding more Creole, as his already was, with her shortened sentences and cut off words.
“Your grann call me. Nothing said if you home or not. Forgot you work evenings during the week. Your grann, she worry more, after …” He didn’t have to finish. He saw in her eyes that she knew what he meant and her eyes narrowed again. “Oui, Chér. I always have for it. Some other I suspect but I won’t ask.” Pulling something out of his jeans’ pocket, he put it in her hands keeping his hands around hers still. “Forget what ones who don’t know you say. Look to the present and future and believe what those who know you, or are learning about you, say. Removing his hands from around hers so she could see what he’d given her, he finished with, “And this is from me and Mari, made by Mari. I know you try and stay away from dark art, but you know you just have to believe and it work. I hope I find him before others. Haven’t had a good sacrifice in long time.”
Lana wasn’t happy her grann had called Andre. And even though she’d known Andre pretty much all her life, she wasn’t happy he’d been told about what Jeremy had done. Probably also by her grann. She wondered what he what he suspected. She looked at the doll, made to look like Jeremy, and smiled. “Believing comes with both the light and dark arts, and though I know Grann doesn’t like or agree with it, I’ve kept up with the dark. Or at least did before school. Put all of it on hold for school. And even though you, Mari, and I have had dinner a few times, I forgot to bring it up. Tell Mari thanks, this doll will come in handy.” There was nothing sweet or innocent in the smile she gave Andre. She glanced behind to look at Joshua, the smile still in place.
Joshua burst out laughing when he saw her smile, though the look of near malice didn’t surprise him. He was surprised Andre knew about Jeremy. “How long have you two known each other?”
Lana’s eyes suddenly lit with laughter as she said “All my life, or at least most of it. Our granns are friends and have been since they were girls. Andre’s grann isn’t a voodoo priestess like mine is, but she knows how to use voodoo magic, especially dark magic.”
Joshua nodded. That explained how Andre knew about Jeremy. It got him wondering again, though, on who found her and called the ambulance seven years ago.
“Chér.” He smiled when she turned back to him. “Mari knew I was here helping to clean, but she’ll still want me home in time for dinner. Call if you forgot what you need to do with that doll. Soon, the four of us for dinner at our house.” He le
aned down and kissed her cheek. When he was done, he smiled across at Joshua. “See you in the morning, Joshua.” He wasn’t surprised Joshua only gave him a nod. With a smile, Andre turned and said, “Come on, guys. Time for us to go. They need their yard and driveway back since we’re done.”
Lana watched them go, unconsciously slipping her hand into Joshua’s. Seeing them all in their vehicles and starting to head out, she grabbed the other bag in the trunk. Heading in, they dropped the bags in her room. Stopping Joshua before they left her room, Lana asked, “You heard what they’ve called me, haven’t you?” When he nodded, she sighed. “Anything they’ve said is nothing I haven’t heard before from Jeremy and was no worse than things I’d heard when we were stationed on the mainland.” She just shrugged.
Joshua pulled her into his arms and held her. When he’d heard some of the guys call her an Ice Queen, a cold-hearted bitch, or a half breed whore, among other things, before they’d met, he hadn’t put much stock into the comments, figuring the guys were just mad. There had been times he thought about finding a way to ask her out but each time he’d thought about it, he’d met someone else and went out with them for a while. He must not have mentioned anybody he’d gone out with after Jennifer to Rob since it was January and February that he’d gone out with Jennifer. Rob had talked about Lana but nothing Rob said had given Joshua the impression that what the guys had said was true. In fact, he’d had the feeling it had been the opposite. And now having met her, getting to know more about her every time they were together, which was learning as much as he could be, and especially with now knowing what her ‘accident’ was, he knew the comments weren’t true and God help whoever said anything bad about her in front of him now. “They know nothing about you, Ki. They are, were, just upset that you didn’t want to go out with them more than you had and you wouldn’t give them what they wanted and what you aren’t quite ready to give yet. It’s their loss and my gain. They won’t ever see the real you.” He hadn’t really thought about what he’d said, just said what he felt and what he considered the truth. Leaning down, he kissed her.
When the kiss ended, she smiled up at him. What bothered her the most, or had when she’d asked if he’d heard those comments, was that he had heard the guys saying those things. She didn’t know why it bothered her since it was before they’d met. “I’m glad you didn’t listen to them.” She rested her head against him and sighed again.
He was enjoying just holding her, but he didn’t want Sydni wondering what was going on in her bedroom. “As much as I hate to say it, we should go on out to join everyone else.” When she looked up at him, he smiled. “Come on, beautiful.”
Lana giggled at his comment, not as upset anymore, as they walked out of her room. “Mahalo.” He only gave her a nod and smile. She glanced at the bag her violin and bow were in as they left the room, but she decided to leave them for now. When they stepped into the kitchen, she pulled the larger rice cooker out and started the rice cooking. Checking the Shoyu Chicken, she turned it to warm, as she heard a knock on the front door. Getting ready to put the lid back on the chicken, she saw a hand come around her. Giggling, she gave Joshua’s hand a light swat. Laughter in her voice and in her eyes, she looked over her shoulder at him and said, “You can wait.” His chuckle and grin had her grinning in return.
Watching Lana and Joshua, Brandi glanced up at her brother and they both started laughing. “Helping Lana with dinner, Joshie?” Brandi wondered.
When Joshua heard the laughter from the hall, he looked over, still grinning. At Brandi’s words, he chuckled again. “Nope. Just trying to get a taste.” Leaning down, he quietly said “Brat” to Lana with laughter in his voice before he kissed her neck. He then moved over to his brother, sister, Jim, and niece and nephews. He smiled at his youngest nephew, taking him from Brandi when Matt held his arms out to toward Joshua. Smiling, he said, “Hey buddy.” Keeping hold of Matt, he then squatted down to give first Marc and then Mae each a hug and kiss.
Matt was smiling and chattering happily in his uncle’s arms when Lana joined them. Smiling at the boy, she said, “Hi, little man.” Raising her gaze, she smiled more. “Hi, Brandi, Eric, Jim. Glad you could join us.”
Brandi smiled. “Hi, Lana. Thanks again. It looks like the cleanup went good.”
Lana smiled. “I didn’t really look when Mom and I got back from town but Rob had called some of the guys who were off duty to come help. I’m glad it got done, though.”
Joshua nodded, as Matt pulled on his short hair. “We threw away quite a bit, but have a pile of stuff you’ll need to go through, Ki, to see what’s worth keeping, if anything.” He noticed Eric’s raised eyebrow at his calling her Ki, though he thought Eric had heard him calling her that when Eric was there earlier. He only grinned as he felt a headbutt against his leg. Not thinking about what he was doing, he reached down to pet Ash.
Lana was enjoying watching Joshua with Matt. She suddenly had a vision of him holding their son. Mentally shaking it off, wondering where that vision had come from, she could see how much he and Matt adored each other, though his niece and other nephew seemed to stay close to him too. Matt would reach toward her off and on. Not to where he wanted her to hold him, but more to play.
Lana was enjoying the back and forth when she heard the rice go off. Not seeing her mom or anyone else, she said, “I’ll be right back.” Going to the front door, she saw everyone else by where her ‘ohana had been. Shaking her head, she stepped just outside and gave an ear-piercing whistle. Seeing her mom look toward the door, she just pointed to her wrist to let her mom know it was time. Closing the door, she stopped in her room to grab her violin and bow.
Joshua noticed she’d grabbed the violin and bow and smiled. “Who whistled?” He knew it wasn’t his sister since she’d still been right there next to him, keeping an eye on her kids.
Sitting both in the living room, she turned with a grin. “Me. Sorry. Easiest way for me to let them know it was time to come in. Hope I didn’t hurt anyone’s ears.”
Eric smiled at her. “No. It was loud enough to hear but that was all. It didn’t even affect Ash.” He was glad Joshua had said who the wolves were and had given their descriptions. Eric wasn’t worried about whether his niece or nephews would be hurt by the wolves since he knew Brandi had already been around Lana’s wolves and she never would have brought the little ones over if she’d been worried. He had noticed Brandi do a slight wince at the whistle and he’d wanted to laugh. Now she knew what it was like when she whistled like that.
“Good, I’m glad. I’d stepped just outside so I wouldn’t. Especially the triplets, Ash, and Baal.” As she finished, everyone came in. Lana remembered seeing Brandi’s wolves the evening before. Wondering about them, Lana asked, “You didn’t bring Hercules and Ares, Brandi?”
Brandi smiled at Lana remembering as she shook her head. “No, I left them next door. They’ll be good while we’re gone.”
Joshua handed Matt to Brandi and turned to Lana. “Where’s their food?”
“The bin over in the corner. Their dishes should be over there too. Thanks.”
Leaning down to kiss her, he smiled and said, “Welcome.”
While Joshua fed the wolves, Lana and her mom got everything out to the table on the lanai since it was longer. Once it was set and the food was on the table, Lana let everyone know it was time to eat and to grab out of the fridge what they wanted to drink. Everyone but Sydni grabbed a beer.
Dinner was a loud and fun time. The conversation was about anything and everything except her ‘ohana. Brandi’s triplets were fed by Brandi, Eric, and Jim and ate bits of rice and chicken.
Surprised, Lana asked, “They don’t need the food to be softer? They won’t choke?”
Brandi smiled at Lana. “No, they won’t choke. They get very small bites of this and we mush it some to help them eat it.”
Lana nodded. She was glad the triplets were able to eat the chicken and rice also.
When dinner was d
one, she had help from Craig, Rob, Joshua, and Brandi, for clearing the table, even Eric had helped. She quickly put leftovers away and loaded the dishwasher, starting it. Going to where she’d set her violin and bow, she sat on the arm of the couch, set the violin under her chin and pulled the bow across. Nodding, more to herself, at the sound, she smiled and started playing.
They spent the rest of the evening just enjoying the company with Lana playing anything that came to mind. Some of the music she played while sitting and others she was up and moving as she played.
As he listened, Joshua realized it was her he’d heard playing sometimes when he’d heard music in the last six months. She was better than good. He caught both his brother’s and his sister’s eye, exchanging a smile with both of them as he sat next to her. Like everyone else, he was enjoying the music and nowhere near ready to call it a night. Good music, good company, and good choice of drinks – what more could they want.
Wednesday
Lana woke slowly early Wednesday morning. Something felt off but also safe. Turning, she felt arms around her tighten and that really threw her off, causing her to stiffen slightly until she heard in her ear, “It’s just me, baby. You had a nightmare.” She relaxed and turned to him, snuggling in. “Thanks. I hadn’t realized you stayed. Guess I was that tired.”
“You were. And unfortunately, I need to get up and go. I have to go by my place before I head to the station.” He pulled her closer to kiss her. If this was a preview of having her in bed, even if they were both still dressed at the moment, he’d take it. Ending the kiss, he got up. “Get some more sleep and I’ll see you in a couple days. Remember to call or text me if you wake up from any nightmares.” He smiled at her nod. Leaning over, he gave her a light kiss then left.