Page 27 of Keeping Kama

Dense plants, native to Hawaii, lined both sides of the path. Leia pointed out a few to Derek. Ohelo, which was a shrub with edible berries, lama, a tree with white flowers, and naio, a shrub with pink flowers. Derek listened intently as she explained that ninety percent of the plants on the farm were only found in Hawaii.

As he halted in front of the naio, Derek gently touched one of the pink flowers. “How do you remember the names of all of these plants?”

Shrugging, Leia started walking again. “My grandma taught me the names. I guess I’ve always known them.”

“Impressive.” Derek strode to catch up with her. Shoving his hands into his pockets, Derek peered at the plants as they passed by them. “This place is beautiful, magical really.”

“It’s why I’ll never live anywhere else.” Leia let out a wistful sigh. “I belong here.” Tilting her head toward him, she caught Derek’s gaze and smiled.

“You sure do.” Derek bumped his shoulder against hers. “It’s probably nice to feel so at home here.”

Leia didn’t know how to reply, so she remained silent. Soon the plants thinned out, giving way to her extended family’s property. A small cluster of homes came into view. Some of her cousins lived there with Aria and Kalon and their own families.

“We’re almost there,” said Leia. “Aria is my aunt and my dad’s sister. Aria is married to my uncle, Kalon.”

“Oh, I see. That’s nice you all live so close to one another. And you were right. This isn’t far at all,” remarked Derek.

Derek walked beside her. Their arms brushed multiple times. The physical contact drove her batty. Leia wondered if Derek was feeling the same connection. She stole a glance at him, but his eyes remained glued on the homes ahead.

“The food truck is past these homes toward the road.” Leia pointed in the proper direction. “It’s nice. They have some tables and umbrellas set up.”

Taking in a deep breath, Derek said, “I can already smell it. It’s making my mouth water.” He smiled wide at her.

“You can always smell it before you see it.” Leia tucked her unruly strands of hair behind her ears. “Aria inherited this half of the property when my grandparents passed away. My dad received the other half which had Kama Farm on it. Aria wasn’t interested in the farm, so it worked out, because she was able to open the food truck on her property.”

Soon, they arrived at the food truck. They wandered around the side of it, getting in line behind the others waiting to order. Leia fidgeted with the end of her shirt. Catching herself, she cupped her opposite arm’s elbow.

A big menu was on the front of the trailer, Leia pointed and said, “I think we should order the kalua pork plates. It’ll give you a taste of the pork with the traditional sides.”

The line moved up without Leia noticing. Gently, Derek placed his hand on the small of her back, gesturing for her to move up. Her body buzzed. Nearly stumbling, Leia took some steps forward, breaking their touch.

Once they stopped again, Derek rubbed the back of his neck. “It sounds fantastic to me. I’ll get that,” replied Derek.

Then someone from her side wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Leia’s eyes traced the length of the arm, settling on her Aunt Aria.

“Leia, your mom let me know you were heading over.” Aria gave Leia’s shoulders a squeeze. “What are you doing standing in line? Come on around to the back, and we’ll get you whatever you like.” Aria directed her away from the line. Derek followed too.

“I didn’t know you were working tonight.” Leia gnawed on the inside of her cheek. The family phone chain wasted no time. “I guess I should’ve known my mom would give you a heads up.” They continued to the side of the food truck.

Aria glanced around Leia toward Derek. “And who’s your friend?”

Leia unconsciously fluffed her hair with one hand and pointed with a thumb toward Derek with the other. “This is Derek. He’s visiting from California.” Leia didn’t want to divulge her family might be bringing in an outside investor. The less Aria and Kalon knew the better.

“Really?” Aria’s gaze flashed between Leia and Derek, before landing directly on Derek. “You don’t say.” She raised an eyebrow.

Derek held out a hand. “It’s nice to meet you.” Aria shook Derek’s hand. Derek continued, “Leia told me you have the best food, so I insisted she come eat it with me.”

“Thanks,” Aria warmly smiled. Playfully, Aria nudged Leia with her elbow. “So, is this a date?”

Leia’s cheeks burned, and she avoided Derek’s eyes. “I— I—” Leia gnawed on her bottom lip.

Without hesitation, Derek said, “It’s a date.” He wrapped an arm around Leia’s shoulders. Twisting toward Aria, he asked, “Leia said we should get the kalua pork plates. What do you think? Or do you recommend something else?”

Walking a few feet, Aria reached for the screen door on the side of the trailer. “I agree with Leia.” She half stepped into the trailer and shouted into it, “Two pork plates please. It’s for Leia and herdate.”

Someone from inside shouted back, “My cousin Leia? She’s not on a date.” Then out poked the head of her cousin, Kale. His gaze roamed over Leia and Derek. Kale smirked, meeting Leia’s gaze. Then Kale leaned back into the trailer and shouted, “I’m wrong. Leia is on a date with a blond guy.”

Leia covered her face with her hands and groaned. Derek gave her shoulders a squeeze before dropping his arm. Sweat tickled her brow. Mortified, Leia didn’t dare look at Derek when she removed her hands.

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