Blythe drove down Maui’s windward coast toward Hana in search of Reverend Halia Okelani’s house. The heady aroma of guava and white ginger mingled in the air. This really was paradise on earth and Blythe felt lucky to be alive. Still, her joy had an undertone of sadness for what had happened between her and Mak. Sadness paired with deep seeded regret. After all, she’d made this bed she now lay in, some eight years ago to be exact. Little did she know then that she was directly sabotaging her future happiness with the man of her dreams?
She shook off her misgivings and slowed the sports car down at the first house, craning to see the address. Almost there. The Kahuna lived only a few houses away. No turning back now.
Pulling into the gravel driveway strewn with tropical wildflowers along its perimeter, Blythe picked up the bundle of torch ginger flowers from the passenger seat and took a deep breath. “I can do this. For Mak,” she whispered. It was all for Mak.
Walking up the winding pebble path leading to a quaint cottage with green wooden siding and a grey tiled roof, Blythe got the feeling she was entering magical territory. There was something mystical about the place, straight out of a fairytale. She climbed the few stone steps and knocked. Waiting, she knocked again until she heard the latch unlock. The door finally swung open to reveal a short, round woman with grey hair and an open face.
“Yes?”
“Aloha, are you Reverend Halia Okelani, the spiritual elder?”
The woman nodded, looking apprehensive.
“Good morning. I’m Blythe Davenport. These are for you,” Blythe brought the flowers forward, holding them for what seemed like eternity until the elderly Kahuna finally reached out and took them.
“Who are they from?”
“Well, Reverend, they’re a peace offering…from me. May I come in?”
With some hesitation, the Kahuna had opened her home to Blythe who was now on the back lanai, sitting poker-straight in an outdoor wicker chair and holding a cold glass of pineapple iced-tea. Blythe sipped the drink slowly as she gawked around, taking in the nick-knacks that surrounded her. The place was brimming with carved sculptures, island-themed paintings, and plastic flowers in handmade vases.
“Your place is charming,” she complimented as the Kahuna came back to the lanai carrying yet another homemade vase filled with the flowers Blythe had brought.
“Thank you. And thank you for the flowers, they are lovely.” Reverend Okelani placed the vase on a mosaic table in the sunshine.
Blythe nodded and smiled as the Kahuna took a seat opposite her.
“Now, you sit there and I begin. I do the Pule Ho’omaka for you.”
“The…pardon me?” Blythe asked.
“It is a prayer, the beginning prayer. I think you need one since you are confused, troubled by something that you keep from someone. You must release your burden and open your heart.”
“My heart is open, that’s the problem. Reverend Okelani, that’s why I’m here to see you today. I am here seeking forgiveness for Makaio Kalani, the Fire Chief.”
Reverend Okelani stared, staying mute.
“I realize this is difficult for you, but Makaio has been suffering from the curse you placed on him for far too long. He has paid greatly for the accident involving your granddaughter Melini.”
Reverend Okelani sat back in her chair, sullen. She shook her head and appeared to be pondering Blythe’s request. Blythe stayed quiet, taking little sips of her iced-tea, mentally preparing herself for the Kahuna’s rejection. Had she upset her with the request to pardon Mak? Maybe the Kahuna would place a curse on her for coming all the way out here and bothering her? The thought made her gulp back some anxiety. “Reverend Okelani, I mean no disrespect. I just, well, I care for Makaio very much and only want what is best for him. He is deeply sorry for Melini’s death and trust me, he has grieved her loss tremendously. I think he has grown as a man, as a person, and he should be able to find love now. He’s ready.”
Reverend Okelani rose from her chair. “You are right.” She paced around the lanai. “It is time. It is cruel of me to prevent him from le’a.”
“From joy,” Blythe repeated.
“Yes. Makaio will have to perform the Ho’opono pono to rise to the next step of his journey. It is a cleansing forgiveness prayer. It will make him right and good again.”
“Okay, do I have to learn it and teach it to him or can you write it down for me?”
“I’ll write it down. Don’t want to get any of it wrong or it won’t work. Back in a second.”
Reverend Okelani left, returning a few moments later with a piece of paper that she handed to Blythe.
“That’s it?” Blythe took the paper, scanning the legible words. “If he says this he’ll be free of his curse?”
“Yes. I agree he has been trapped by the curse long enough. I was angry and wanted to punish him for taking my lovely Melini away. She was my sunshine, my light. He threw me into darkness, but I’m ready to have the light back now. I am ready to set him free from his Aka cord.” The Reverend sat across from her again, her face filled with acceptance.
“Is that the name of his curse?”
“It’s the emotional cord that binds someone. If he removes his Aka cord, the curse will be broken. Once he removes this, you’ll see his transformation. His body will be less heavy, less burdened and he may call upon what is good and true and of the highest over heaven and earth.”
“Mahalo nui loa, Reverend,” Blythe said and reached out to grab the Kahuna’s hand.
“You’re welcome,” Reverend Okelani patted Blythe’s hand tenderly. “I can see this means a great deal to you. You will stay in Maui then?”
“I think so,” Blythe couldn’t say for sure.
“Our Maui is a very powerful place. It is filled with mana or spiritual power.”
“I’ve heard it said that Hawaii is the center of the earth,” Blythe said as she sat back.
“Yes, Hawaii is the piko,” Reverend Okelani pointed to her navel. “Just like the center of the body. It is where the soul lives.”
“So, you have the power to place curses on people and freely remove them on a whim?” Blythe tried to sound sincere.
“I utilize the gifts Akua the God in Spirit has given me. I belong here on the moku of Maui. If I ever left, my powers would be lost forever.”
“And is the same true for Makaio? If he were to leave the island, the moku, would his curse be lifted?”
“Yes. But he will suffer in other ways. You can remove the man from the island, but the island will forever live in his heart. He will never be happy because the moku will call for him to return.”
“It looks like the only way out for Mak is through this cleansing forgiveness prayer then.”
“I see that you have deep love for Makaio. I see it is real love.”
“Me? Well, I like him very much. But love – I hardly know him.” Though deep down, Blythe couldn’t deny it. She was madly in love with him.
“Are you hiding it from yourself?” the Kahuna asked. “It is clear to see.”
Blythe bit her bottom lip. “Yes, it’s true. I love him more than anything. I only want forgiveness for him so he can be free to love whomever he wants, whether it’s me or not.”
“That is very selfless.” Reverend Okelani gave Blythe a sly smile. “You are the one he is meant to be with. My granddaughter Melini, she was never meant to be his. I see now that it was her place to leave us, the will of the Akua. Her death was no one’s fault.”
Hallelujah, Blythe thought. If only this woman had realized that years ago, Mak could have been free. But then, he probably would have settled down with someone else. She selfishly thanked her lucky stars for the curse. It was as if the curse had guaranteed his freedom for her heart alone, as if the article had kept all other women at bay so she could sweep in and take her rightful place. Fate had planned it all along – a cruel, twisted, sweet and lovely joke on the both of them.
Chapter Twenty-Five
; Blythe drove directly from the Kahuna’s house to the fire station. She knew going to see Mak was risky, but she was willing to face the embarrassment of him turning her away in front of his men. She had nothing to lose.
Parking beside one of the fire trucks, she jumped out and said hello to a few of the men who were washing the large vehicle in the sunshine.
“Aloha,” called one of the men. She recognized him from the Coast Guard boat. “Chief, someone here to see you!” he hollered toward the open garage door.
Blythe nodded a thank you and waited beside her car. She felt the men’s eyes on her, their curiosity overt. She was sure they all knew the sorted story of the reporter who had ruined their beloved Chief’s life. And here she was, front and center.
A moment later Mak walked out of the open garage door. Seeing her at a distance, he hesitated. Blythe’s heart sank to her toes, but slowly picked up as he sauntered over. He was so handsome and rugged. He stood a few feet away, leaving a safe distance between them just as she had with him on the island. It hurt.
“What are you doing here,” he said with little feeling.
Blythe felt unease rise at her collar. “Mak, I wanted to let you know…” She watched as he looked over his shoulder toward his men and then came forward and guided her around the back of her sports car. Craning slightly to the left, she could see a few of the men polishing the fire truck, their arms moving in circles as their eyes periodically glanced in her and Mak’s direction. Great. An audience. “I was just saying that I wanted…”
Mak put a hand up. “Hold on. I just got a call from Reverend Okelani. Said she received a visit from a reporter.”
“Oh,” Blythe said, unable to gage his mood.
“She says you begged forgiveness and asked that my curse be lifted. She called to see if I’d put you up to it.”
Blythe studied him. She couldn’t tell if he was upset by the call or not, his face remaining stony and emotionless. “I’m sorry. I thought it would help. Did I cross a line?”
Mak shook his head and smiled. “I think it was the most honorable thing anyone’s ever done for me. Now I’m free.”
His words felt like a slap. Here came the zinger, she could sense it in her bones. He was about to thank her for breaking his curse and enabling him to pursue any woman without risk. Concentrating, Blythe held her breath. Waiting for his reply was agonizing and it put into perspective just how much she cared for him. She didn’t want to think about walking away and not having him in her life. Not now.
“Reverend Okelani said she could tell right away I hadn’t sent you and that your feelings for me were strong enough to break any curse. She says you admitted something to her.” Mak looked down at his hands. “That you’re in love with me.” He met her eyes. “She said I’m ready to be free to love you back.”
Blythe couldn’t hide her hope. “Are you ready?” She stepped closer, still unsure about his reaction. “I’m not here to convince you, Mak. I’m only here to tell you that I’m sorry and give you this.” Taking the folded piece of paper from her pocket, she handed it to him.
“What is it?” Mak asked, unfolding it.
“It’s a cleansing forgiveness prayer. After saying these words, the curse will be lifted.”
Mak looked at the paper, thinking.
Blythe stepped closer still and placed a hand on his forearm as he met her gaze and held it. “After all we went through, Mak, we’re meant for each other. You’re superstitious, don’t you see the way our lives have intertwined as a sign?”
Mak’s mouth curved into a sly, boyish smile. “So let me get this straight…I was cursed to keep all other women away so I could be with you?”
It wasn’t exactly the response she’d expected, but…“Absolutely.”
Mak scratched his head, shaking it. “Well it seems I owe you a thank you.”
Blythe eyed him. “No, I think you owe me something other than a thank you.”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” His mouth twisted into a full smile, unable to contain his joy.
Blythe leaned in on tiptoe, her lips lingering at his. “This.”
The kiss was deep, sensuous, and meaningful. They heard a few catcalls and whistles from the firemen, but nothing else mattered at the moment. Only this. Only now.
“Does this mean you forgive me?” she whispered as he brought his arms around her in a firm hug.
Another long kiss and Blythe had her answer.
Chief Distraction Page 18