Page 123 of Stolen Dreams

Food is my passion, but having an appealing, welcoming place to share it is equally important.

Lost in thought, I fail to notice the turn we take toward the kitchen, blindly following Kaya’s lead. When my attention snaps and focuses, I momentarily stumble, lost for words once more.

Mesmerized, I scan every inch of the kitchen. No shiny top-of-the-line appliances that look unused. No pristine countertops covered with perfectly placed pictures, books, or gadgets. And no aesthetically pleasing, pointless trinkets.

A dusting of flour, sporadic baskets, and heaps of vegetables take up much of the counter surface. Mouthwatering herbs and spices float through the air. The distinct sound of a knife rocking against a cutting board hits my ears. Generosity, mirth and deep affection radiate from the walls.

With only what it needs and nothing more, the kitchen is the core of this house. Pure love. The place where Kaya’s family shares a piece of their heritage and soul.

I never want to leave this kitchen.

“Panik,” Sakari Imala says as she rounds the long island.

“Daughter,” Kaya translates. “Hi, Mom.” Their embrace is as warm as the one Kaya shared with her grandfather. “You remember Ray Calhoun.”

“Of course.” Sakari turns toward me and gives an unexpected hug around the arrangement. Inching back, her attention shifts to the other side of Kaya. “And you must be Tucker.” Bending at the knees, she makes it so they’re eye level. “I’ve heard many wonderful things about you. Nice to put a face to the name.”

My ribs constrict and steal the air from my lungs. An unfamiliar reverence blooms beneath my sternum, thewhoosh, whoosh, whooshof my heart pounding in my ears.

Kaya talks with her family about Tucker.

Damn, do I love this woman.

Sakari introduces Ahnah and Liuna, Kaya’s grandmother and great-grandmother. I present them with the arrangement then offer to help in the kitchen. When they wave me off, I ask if they mind me watching them cook.

Kaya leans in and rests a hand on my shoulder. “Will you be okay if I show Tucker around?”

I lay my hand over hers and twist to meet her shimmering gaze. “Absolutely. You have no idea how much I love to sit and learn.”

With a squeeze of my shoulder, she releases me and chuckles. “I’m sure I can guess.”

The moment Kaya is out of earshot, the three women begin their interrogation. I expected nothing less. Just wondered who’d ask all the questions. Turns out, they share the duty.

“How long have you been a chef?” Ahnah asks as she forms dough into small cakes.

“I got my culinary degree ten years ago but have loved being in the kitchen since I was a kid.”

Ahnah smiles, then sets some of the cakes in a large skillet over a low flame.

“How have you managed working such strenuous hours with a young child?” Sakari adds minced garlic and ginger to a meat mixture and folds it in.

“Tucker was with his mother for several years. When he came to live with me, it was an adjustment, but my family and I made it work. And since the summer cooking school was a success, Chef Beaulieu announced I’ll be head of year-round cooking classes. The change will give me more time with Tucker.”

“What are your intentions with our Kaya?” Liuna lifts the lid on a large pot, stirs the contents, tastes the broth, then adds a pinch of salt.

“I am very much in love with her.”

All three women stop what they are doing and turn to look at me, a mix of joy and surprise on their faces.

“Have you told her this?” Ahnah flips over the cakes in the pan.

“I have, yes.”

Ahnah’s brows lift as her eyes widen. “And… what did she say?”

Kaya’s grandmother has the type of energy that makes me want to smile all the time. “She hasn’t said it back, which is okay. When she’s ready, she’ll tell me.” I press a hand to my chest. “But I know how she feels.”

“Kaya is very passionate and headstrong. As stubborn and unmoving as a mountain”—Sakari leans in and talks softer—“which is what her name means.” Sakari fills wonton wrappers with the meat mixture, spoons on a small amount of fish roe, pinches them into pouches, and puts them in bamboo steamer basket trays. “Until you and Tucker came along, all she cared about was work.”

---