Page 43 of Keeping Kama

Waving his comment off, Teresa motioned to the seat again. “Sit. I’ll text Kai and tell him to come up to the lanai. Whatever you must discuss with him, you can do it in front of us. This place has been in Noa’s family for too long to count. We’re more anxious than anyone to know how we can save the farm.”

“Okay, then.” Derek lowered himself into the empty chair beside Teresa.

Teresa pulled her phone out of her pocket. Her fingers zipped across the screen. Moments later, her phone dinged. She tapped on the message. “Kai is coming up to the house, so relax.” Teresa stood, slipping her phone into her dress pocket. “I’ll go get something for us to drink.”

Waving the suggestion off, Derek replied, “Please it’s not necessary, and I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You aren’t. I’ll be right back,” said Teresa. Then she disappeared into the house.

Derek and Noa sat alone. Only the sound of the ocean weaved between them. Derek knew Noa’s speech was limited, but for whatever reason Derek started talking. “You have a wonderful family, Noa. One most would be envious of, even I’m envious of what you have here with them.” Derek glanced over at Noa. Noa gave a small nod. “You have this beautiful place, on this magical island. I don’t want you to worry. I’m going to make sure you get to keep it all. I couldn’t let Leia lose this.”

Peering out at the view of miles of endless ocean, Derek’s breath caught in his chest at the beauty of the blue sky blending into the turquoise sea. He understood why generations of people lived here and why they never left. This place meant more, it meant everything.

Noa cleared his throat, and slowly said, “Th-an-k y-ou.”

Two words only, but they were spoken with such sincerity. It pierced Derek’s soul. If he could help Noa and Teresa, Leia, Kai … all of them, then this trip wasn’t a waste. It was far from it. This trip had changed the very fiber of himself.

Kai appeared in the walkway, making his way up the gravel path. Teresa came back from inside the house with a tray of sodas, handing Derek a guava one. Derek popped the top, taking a long swig, hoping the bubbly carbonation would settle the nerves in his stomach. Kai climbed the stairs to the lanai, sitting down in an empty chair next to his parents.

After Teresa gave Noa and Kai a soda too, she settled back into her seat between Derek and Noa. Once everyone had taken a few sips of their drinks, they focused their attention on Derek.

Setting the soda on the side table, Derek leaned forward resting his forearms on his thighs. “I’m going to give it to you straight. Our investment firm will not be investing in the farm.” He let the words land.

Teresa sucked in the air. Noa flinched.

Kai’s eyes narrowed as his jaw tightened “So, you’re like all the rest of them.” He shook his head and rolled his eyes. “And I thought we could trust you.”

Derek sat straight, holding up a hand. “I know, and you can, but you don’t need our investment money. I think you can save the farm on your own. If you start the farm tours like we discussed, I believe it’ll bring in the needed revenue to get you out of debt in two to three years. After that you’ll start to bring in a nice profit, and the most important part is you’ll remain the sole owners of the farm.”

“But what about the loan due at the bank?” Teresa exchanged a glance with Kai, before staring back at Derek. “The bank told us we need it paid back by the end of the year. We don’t have two to three years,” said Teresa.

“True, that’s where I’ve been thinking. I’d be willing to give you a personal loan. You can use the funds to pay back the bank. Then slowly with the profits you earn from the tours, you can pay me back. Once you pay off my loan to you, I’ll go away, and you’ll keep a hundred percent of the farm,” said Derek.

“I thought you said your firm wasn’t investing in the farm,” stated Kai.

“My investment company is not investing in the farm.” Derek scratched his chin. “I personally would front you the money from my own account.”

Teresa reached for Noa’s hand. “Isn’t that incredibly risky for you?”

“Probably,” said Derek. He shifted, resting his ankle across his opposite knee. “But I have the money, and I want to help. I can’t let you lose the farm or this place. So, take the money, pay off the bank loan, and then pay me back.”

Derek knew he was breaking all reasonable rules of business. But he cared too much, this time it was nothing but personal.

“Do you do this often? Invest your own money when your business partner says no?” asked Teresa.

“This would be a first,” replied Derek.

Kai took a swig of his soda. “At what percent of interest?” asked Kai. “Maybe you just want us to default on the loan to you and then you’d take everything.”

“I can do it for two percent,” said Derek. “And I know you won’t default on the loan. After spending the last few days with you and your family, I know you’re honest and hardworking people. I trust you’ll pay me back.”

“Yes, but this is still a huge risk for you if the farm tours don’t work out. We could still lose the farm along with your money,” said Kai.

Squirming in his seat, Derek lowered his leg back down. “I’m aware of the risk, and I’m okay with it,” replied Derek.

Kai raised an eyebrow and asked, “Does Leia have anything to do with this offer?”

“She has everything to do with it.” His gaze skidded between them. Derek scratched his jaw. “One more thing. Leia can’t know about me paying off the bank and our arrangement.”

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