He nodded. “It’s still two hundred yards from the edge of the street.”
Lena took his hand. “I’m Lena.” She squinted as if thinking. “I’m thinking we might have already met.”
He didn’t want to admit it if she didn’t remember. “I’m not sure. Maybe.”
She grinned.
Was she thinking about his inappropriate behavior from the party? Maybe he should face this embarrassment head-on.
“We met at a party.” Lena beat him to a confession.
“I was hoping you wouldn’t remember.”
They laughed.
“I want a do-over on that one.”
She nodded. “Granted.”
Their hands still joined, Kalani spoke. “I hope to show you the polite side of myself over that chocolate cake. I have a side that can conduct a decent conversation with a woman instead of hitting on her while drunk.”
Lena laughed like she’d been holding something in for a long time and dropped his hand. “It’s fine. The night we met, I thought you were actually kind of charming.”
Kalani remembered he’d told her she had a sexy mouth. If his memory wasn’t total mush, he thought she’d thanked him and said that was the nicest compliment she’d heard from a man in years. Afterwards, Kalani wondered why Billy Patterson didn’t throw every compliment in the book this woman’s way.
Jake had wandered off to the pool where Pepper was reading under a beach umbrella. Kalani turned to the dogs who were now playing their way outside. “It looks like we don’t have to worry about them,” he said.
“Is your dog a boy too?”
“Nope, and I suspect she’s thinking your little guy is the son she never had.” Latte was mouthing the smaller dog, carefully sparring with him.
Lena turned to shut off the oven and Kalani stole a look at her backside, something he did before he realized. When Lena turned back, Kalani raised his gaze and was sorry to see that Lena blushed. Shit. He obviously didn’t know how to act in front of nice women. “Jake says you’re here for the Christmas week.”
“Pepper invited me. Do you know Pepper?”
He shook his head but judging from the way Jake was now kissing her outside, he would have to introduce himself later. “I’ll wait to say hello,” he chuckled.
Lena looked outside and smiled. “Have you been to this house before? It’s beautiful.”
Small talk. He could do it even though he was fixating on Lena’s mouth. “No, I haven’t. I’m thinking there are enough bedrooms that I won’t have to take the couch.” He nodded to the living room.
“There are two available bedrooms.” Lena stirred something on the stove and dipped a spoon in the pot, pulling it out. “I can’t tell if this has too much salt or not enough. I need a second opinion.”
Kalani walked over, close enough to smell her floral shampoo.
She held the spoon to his lips.
The sauce tasted buttery and light, lemony. “Tastes great,” he said. “I hope it’s not for the neighbors.”
A satisfying smile crept to her lips. “It’s for linguine with Shrimp Scampi. But salt?”
“Perfect, as is,” he declared. “Can I help you cook? I have no skills, but I take orders well.”
Kalani grabbed a Coke from the fridge and Lena set him to work. “Chop these shallots small.”
As they prepared the evening’s meal, Pepper and Jake drifted in to say hello to Kalani, then disappeared upstairs. When the dogs played their way to the pool, Latte jumped in and Olaf followed.
“Latte,” Kalani cried, setting down his knife and heading for the pool. “Get out of there.” He ran outside, glad that Jake couldn’t see the two mutts in his gorgeous swimming pool.
Lena stood beside him watching the dogs swim.
“I swim with Latte at our neighbor’s pool and I guess he thinks all pools welcome dogs.”
Lena laughed. “I think Jake took Olaf in the pool earlier when I went diving. He said he wanted a swimming buddy so I’m pretty sure dogs are allowed.”
Kalani looked to the second-floor bedroom deck. “That’s good because Latte loves to swim, and it might be hard to keep her out.” He nodded to his dog. “I realize some people are afraid of Pitbulls, but she’s a real sweetheart. I had her DNA done and she’s half Golden Retriever. Probably why I can’t keep her out of the water.”
Lena’s eyes widened. “You had her DNA done?”
He shrugged. “She’s my baby, what can I say?”
* * * * *
Back in the kitchen, Kalani sat at the counter and drank another Coke while they talked about coffee farming, then about Lena’s jewelry business. Finally, talk led to how being single and over the age of thirty in Kona was difficult. Kalani admitted he’d had wild days, but all that was behind him. He’d settled down to life with a dog and didn’t date. He wanted Lena to know that if she’d heard anything about him, “it might be true, but was now in my past.” There was nothing he could do about the rumor of hitting a car full of children. “I’ve heard I have a reputation in town from back in my partying days. I’m kind of a quiet person now.”
A look was exchanged over the kitchen counter that indicated they’d formed some sort of bond and Kalani hoped he hadn’t given too much of himself away, appearing lonely or maudlin. He wasn’t. He liked his life. Everything except his relationship with his father. “I love living on the Big Island. My work as a coffee farmer is the stuff dreams are made of. I’m lucky.”
Lena took off her apron that read ‘Kiss the Cook’. “You don’t seem like the same person who told me two years ago he was a real stud in bed.”
Kalani groaned to hear what he’d said. “I apologize for that, Lena.” He turned to go look for Latte. “I think it’s time to find my room and think about why I don’t drink anymore.”
Behind him, Lena laughed.
Chapter 5
LENA
When everyone sat at the deck table for dinner, Lena was pleased it wasn’t just she and Pepper tonight. Adding two more people to their party made the evening seem festive. Pepper had picked flowers from the beautifully landscaped yard to make a flower arrangement of red ginger, birds of paradise, anthurium, and sprigs of bougainvillea. Jake teased that the gardener would have his balls in a vise when he saw that she’d pillaged the garden, but Pepper just grabbed Jake’s arm fondly and kissed him. “Don’t you let him bully you. Or touch you down there, Big Boy.”
Jake kissed her back like the Master Bedroom would have two occupants tonight. If so, Lena was happy for her friend, but her cautious side couldn’t help worrying that if Pepper broke up with Jake once, it might not be advisable to start up again. But it was Christmas, Pepper was over thirty, and could make her own decisions without Lena interfering.
Seated around the table with plates of Shrimp Scampi, creamy linguine, and freshly baked bread, the conversation flowed happily. Polishing off their second bottle of Pinot Grigio, Lena admired Kalani’s ability to keep up with their silly conversation, even though he wasn’t drinking. He’d told Jake earlier that it wouldn’t bother him if everyone drank, he just wouldn’t join in. Lena rarely got the chance to have a glass of wine, and was taking small sips of her second glass because she felt more affected by the alcohol than she liked. She was counting on the food soaking up some of the wine. Seeing Kalani take seconds on the food, Lena had a feeling of satisfaction, like a happy hum in her heart. Cooking for someone other than children was something she’d missed lately.
When she brought out the chocolate cake, Kalani stood and applauded. “Bravo!” he cheered.
She’d made a three-tiered double chocolate cake with milk chocolate icing with red and green piping and holly made from fondant. Everyone took pictures while Lena stood back smiling. Baking was a favorite pastime of hers, always had been, even though she rarely got to make a show stopper these days. The cake was cut and then they dug in. Pepper had made espresso to cut the richness of the cake and Lena noticed Kalani didn’t drink his.
“I wouldn’t admit that as a coffee farmer,” he joked. “This close to bed, I can’t have caffeine.” He shrugged and took a forkful of cake, closing his eyes in ecstasy. “Do you bake like this for your children?”
“I make cupcakes and cookies for little hands.” Lena checked her watch. “That reminds me, I have a Skype call with my kids in ten minutes.” She reached to gather Pepper’s cake plate and Pepper stopped her.
“We’ll do all this. You cooked. Just get ready to talk with the girls.”
Lena picked up her half-full wine glass. “I’m a little worried that my ex-husband’s girlfriend might try to high-jack the call.” She looked at her wine. “I’m considering chugging this for fortification.” She took a gulp and glanced to Kalani.
He laughed genuinely. “No judgement here.”
“Excuse me while I try to hold my composure with Tammy for the sake of my daughters.” Leaving the glass on the table, she disappeared to the bedroom, her heart beating fearfully against her chest in anticipation of seeing Tammy.
When two angelic faces came on the screen, Lena’s heart became happy. The girls were giggly and excited, and Lena ached to be with them. To touch their soft hair, smell their scent.
“How are my big girls doing?” she asked throwing kisses to the screen.
“Good!”
“Hi Mommy!”
After hearing about their day, Lena told them she was on Maui with Pepper. Audrey asked if Mommy was swimming in the Maui ocean.
“We went scuba diving and we saw beautiful fish.” The girls were both fascinated with the Hawaiian sea life.
“Did you see Parrot Fish?” Charlotte asked about her favorite.
“We did, and we saw Lauwiliwilinukunukuoioi.” They were Audrey’s favorite fish.
When Tammy barged in to tell the girls it was time to go caroling, Lena fought back her urge to argue that singing Christmas songs could wait another ten minutes.
“Hello Lena,” Tammy said, looking at the laptop screen. “Aren’t you just down the road? Why are you calling?”
The girls moved over, almost out of view to accommodate their father’s girlfriend.
“I’m on Maui for Christmas.” Lena turned her attention to her daughters and held up the stuffed animals she’d bought at the Lahaina Cannery Mall. “Look Audrey, I bought you a cute turtle. The tag says his name is Tommy. And this dolphin is for you, Charlotte. They’ll be waiting for you when you come home.”
The two little girls reached for the screen and pretended to stroke the animals.
“Don’t touch the screen girls. You’ll leave finger prints.” Tammy sounded annoyed. “And FYI, Lena, this is their home too, so I’d appreciate you to not calling your little tract house, their only home.”
Lena didn’t know why she did it, but her split-second decision cleared mission control in her brain and she found herself asking if her daughters would like to meet a special friend of Mommy’s.
“Yes!” They nodded as Audrey bounced around in her chair.
“Just a second. I’ll go get him.” Lena raced to the kitchen where Kalani was loading the dishwasher, looking like a Hawaiian god in jeans and a deep blue button-down shirt. “Kalani, do you have time to meet my girls?”
He flashed a smile. “Of course.”
“Bring Latte.” She gave him a desperate look and ran back to the laptop in case Tammy signed off. The girls were waiting in childish innocence and Lena sat in the chair again. “My friend’s name is Kalani. He has a dog that he rescued!” Tammy had a very expensive French bulldog that she paid thousands of dollars for and babied like a newborn. A dog that didn’t like children.
Kalani peeked around the corner and entered with Latte. “Is this where the party is?” he asked.
The girls’ eyes widened at the sight of the dog. Charlotte asked, “What’s your dog’s name?”
Lena moved over to let Kalani share the chair and pushed the laptop back to accommodate the scene of two adults and a big dog. Olaf, who lay at Lena’s feet, looked up.
“Her name is Latte,” Kalani said.
“She’s named after a coffee drink because Kalani is a coffee farmer and owns a business in Kona that makes coffee.” Lena took the liberty of leaning in to Kalani like they were close friends.
Tammy executed a T-snarl from between the two girls and Lena knew Tammy well enough to know that she was now interested in what she saw on Lena’s end. A twinge of satisfaction settled in Lena’s heart.
“It’s nice to meet your girls.” Kalani put his arm along the backrest, behind Lena, and shifted to fit her closer to against his side.
Oh yea. This was good. “Kalani, this is my sweet little angel, Audrey.”
Audrey held up her hand and waved.
“And this is my biggest angel, Charlotte.” Lena couldn’t believe she was doing this.
“Nice to meet you.” Kalani pretended to shake their hands and they did the same on their end. He laughed. “And this is my doggie angel, Latte.” He held up the dog’s paw to wave and everyone giggled. But Tammy.
“Can he do any tricks? He’s so cute!” Charlotte said.
“She can dance but I need a treat to make that happen. Maybe tomorrow when you talk to Mom, I’ll be more prepared, and you can see her boogie.” Kalani smiled at the girls, like he was used to children. Lena wondered if his past included any.
“Did you go diving too?” Charlotte asked Kalani. “Mommy goes scuba.”
“I missed that, but I hope to dive with your Mom tomorrow. I like to dive too.” He turned to Lena. “We’re going looking for fish, and maybe a turtle, and hear some of those humpback whale songs.”
The girls looked impressed while Lena tried to appear like she knew the man sharing her chair was a diver and they’d already planned a dive. “We are staying in a beautiful house on the beach that has a pool.” Lena said this more for Tammy’s ears.
“When we’re teenagers, Mommy is going to teach us scuba,” Charlotte said twirling her long dark hair in her fingers.
Olaf sat up, dangerously close to the camera’s view and Lena pushed his head down.
“Do you like Mommy’s jewelry?” Audrey asked Kalani excitedly. “She makes earrings and necklaces and bracelets.”
“I do.” Kalani spoke before Lena could think of an answer. “I’m going to buy earrings for myself.”
Lena looked over to see Kalani had a gold stud in one ear.
The girls giggled while a strange smile fixed on Tammy’s face. Lena had no idea what she was thinking but hoped it had nothing to do with revenge. Kalani was undeniably attractive and Lena had to believe that Tammy was intrigued. Maybe she was wondering what Lena was doing with this attractive man. Or maybe Tammy was planning on making a play for Kalani herself.
The girls said they’d gone swimming that day with their Daddy. Then Tammy called to Billy off camera. “Sweetheart, come meet Lena’s new friend. She’s on a vacation with someone we both know.”
“Oh, I’m not new, right Baby?” Kalani hugged Lena’s shoulders and she snuggled in to his warmth. Thank you Kalani Shipton, whoever you are.
“Not all that new,” Lena mumbled. Five hours old. “Girls, did you enjoy your swim? What beach did you go to?”
Charlotte looked towards her father. “Just Tammy’s pool, but we’re not allowed to go near it without Daddy.”
“Move over girls.” Billy slid in between Charlotte and Tammy who immediately put her hand in his lap, inches from his crotch. Lena almost laughed out loud, it was such an obvious power move. “Lena. Oh, hey Kalani. Billy’s expression was total surprise, like he was trying to connect the dots on seeing Lena and Kalani together.
“Hi Billy. How’s it going?” Kalani said, then glanced at Lena, fondly.
Lena tried to ignore that Kalani’s leg was pressed alongside hers, the heat from his side burning into her, robbing her of focus. “Only two more sleeps until Santa visits,” Lena managed to
say.
Tammy turned to the girls, her head cocked, her brow furrowed. “We don’t still believe in Santa, do we?” She laughed, scrunching her nose like she’d smelled something bad. “You’re big girls now, aren’t you?”
“Tammy!” Lena wanted to slap her. “Of course, we know all about how some kids don’t believe, but how do all the presents get in the living room on Christmas morning?” Lena’s laugh was forced. “We’ve had this talk, and the girls and I are big believers! Billy too.”
“Me too,” Kalani chimed in. “And who eats all the cookies I put out?” Kalani looked unfazed by Tammy’s ugly comment. “And the milk?” He laughed like Tammy’s words were ridiculous.
“Absolutely right,” Lena nodded and was happy to see her girls agreeing. If Lena had been in Billy’s shoes, she would’ve marched Tammy from the room by her scrawny arm, but instead, Billy just looked like a deer caught in headlights, unsure what to do. “Billy, no offense,” Lena said happily, “but I’ve seen enough of you grown-ups. Time for just the girls now.” Lena faked a laugh as Billy and Tammy slipped away. Only two small faces graced the screen-- happy, excited, and obviously unaffected by Tammy’s direct hit to their mother.
Lena could hear whispering from Billy and protesting from Tammy, but she continued. “Now sweeties, get to bed in good time tonight so Daddy doesn’t have to listen to you giggle and talk. Then you’ll be in good shape for Santa’s presents in a few days.” She hoped her ex-husband had appropriate presents from Santa. She hadn’t wanted to leave it to chance, seeing her daughters had specific Christmas wish lists that Tammy might not know about and had asked Billy to hide the toys in the garage. “Please put these out on Christmas morning,” she’d practically begged him, last week. “Our children are really counting on these toys.”
Now, Lena could hear Billy speaking off camera. “Let’s do both Tammy. She brought them over.”
“Daddy, I can hear you talking,” Lena said in a sing-songy voice. “If it’s a secret present you’re talking about, remember the girls can hear you too.”
Tammy poked her head through the two squirming girls. “We’re doing our own Santa thing. We’ll just give you back your bag.”
Romancing the Holidays: Twelve Christmas Romances - Benefits Breast Cancer Research Page 47