Page 5 of Keeping Kama

Leia enjoyed hearing her parents’ love story and was grateful they still loved each other. Life certainly had thrown them numerous challenges over the years, but they’d stayed in love with each other through it all. As for Leia, she was still waiting for her knight in shining armor to show up. For a while there, she thought her college boyfriend Bane might have been the one, but he dumped her after college graduation. Bane high-tailed it to Idaho to live out his cowboy dreams. Last she knew, Bane was still in Idaho. Apparently, his cowboy dreams became a reality.

Since college, Leia rarely dated. After a long string of bad first and second dates, Leia stepped away from the dating scene. Sometimes family and friends tried to set her up, but it never materialized into anything. Unfortunately, now most guys around her age were divorcees with issues or eternal bachelors, making her pickings slim. Leia needed a freaking unicorn. Maybe one with blond hair and blue eyes?

“See,” Teresa smiled. Her voice softened. “All I’m saying is people have met their person in the most unusual of circumstances. This could be one of those examples.”

“Mom,” said Leia pointedly. “I highly doubt that. Let’s not get carried away with your romantic notions.”

Teresa held up a hand in defeat. “Fine.” Teresa picked a random piece of lint off the front of her dress. “But, Leia—Tick. Tock. How else are you going to meet someone? When you aren’t teaching, you spend all your time here on the farm. The people who work here are your relatives so that isn’t going to work.”

“I’m well aware of my singlehood,” mumbled Leia. This seemed like a suitable time for her to make an exit. Leia scooted forward, about to stand. “By the way, what time is the meeting with that potential investor?”

“Ten,” replied Teresa.

Shaking her head, Leia said, “I don’t like this one bit. I still don’t see why we’re meeting with this person. I told you I’d take out a loan to try and cover the remaining balance that’s owed.”

“Leia,” Teresa said pointedly. “You’re a teacher. Come on, you need to be realistic. No bank is giving you a loan.” Staring down at her hands, Teresa continued, “And, we owe more on the farm then we’ve told you.”

Leia’s heart sank. She loved Kama Farm, the small fruit farm her family owned. It wasn’t huge, but her dad Noa’s family, had lived on the land for generations. Their roadside shop sold the produce they grew. Mainly, they sold fresh pineapple, guava, mango, and coconut drinks. Her older brother, Kai, had recently taken over running the store and Kama Farm. His wife, Alana, and their two kids lived in a small house on the property too. Leia, being a teacher, helped balance the receipts of the fruit stand.

She knew the expenses to run Kama Farm had increased significantly when both Teresa and Noa could no longer work the farm. Their troubles hit big time in the past year or so when Noa suffered a brain aneurysm. Noa had lived and breathed the farm. Teresa had overseen workers in the store. But Noa’s brain aneurysm which caused a stroke, left him with paralysis on one side of his body. In addition, Noa now had slurred speech and memory loss. Teresa spent her days caring for Noa, leaving both Leia’s parents unable perform their usual duties on the farm.

Kai had done his best to pick up the slack of losing two integral people, but it was impossible to do everything on his own. Alana, Kai’s wife, had taken over working the store, but she had two small children who needed her attention as well. Leia had contemplated leaving her teaching job to help full-time on the farm, but Leia’s family knew how much she enjoyed teaching and wouldn’t entertain any of her suggestions regarding her quitting.

Fidgeting with the end of her wet shirt, Leia asked, “Will it only be you and Kai and me at the meeting?”

“He’ll be there. I won’t. I’m taking Noa to his physical therapy appointment,” said Teresa. She paused then added, “Plus, I don’t have the heart to be there. I know we don’t have a choice, but I’d rather stay out of it.” Her eyes misted. “I’ve lived here my entire adult life, and your dad was born here. I hope this investor is the answer for us to save the farm. The whole thing breaks my heart. I really don’t know what we will do if it doesn’t work out.”

With a desire to ease Teresa’s worries, Leia gave Teresa’s forearm a squeeze. “Then I’ll hope this is the answer.” Leia stood, stretching for a second. “I guess I’d better go. I need to shower before this meeting.” She walked toward the front steps. “I’ll talk to you and Dad tonight.”

Teresa replied, “Sounds good. Please behave.” She raised an eyebrow and gave her a pointed look.

Leia stopped in her tracks, glancing back at Teresa. Innocently, Leia asked, “Don’t I always?”

Wagging a finger at Leia, Teresa replied, “You’ve been getting into trouble since you were a child. Kai will be fine. You on the other hand …” With an eye roll, her voice trailed off.

Taking the steps down, Leia said over her shoulder, “It’s not my fault if people need to be shown how to do things right.”

Teresa laughed. Speaking to her back, Teresa asked, “Is that what it is?”

Waving off their exchange, Leia said, “I’ll see you later.”

Chapter2

Holding up a mango, Derek asked, “How much are the mangos?” He peered over at the shop worker.

The woman rearranged some papaya, making sure the ripest fruit was on top of the fruit stack. Without glancing up, she replied, “Two for a dollar.” A papaya started to roll, and the woman grasped it before it fell to the ground. She slowly moved it to a free spot, securing it in place.

Setting the mango back down, Derek dug into his pocket, pulling out his money clip. “I’ll take four.” He peeled off two dollars, handing it to the woman.

Moving closer to him, the woman took the money from his outstretched hand. Her face brightened. “Wonderful.” After putting the money into the front pocket of her apron, she plucked four mangos from the pile. After she placed them into a paper bag, she held them out to him. “Mahalo. Enjoy,” she said cheerfully.

Shoving his money clip back into his pocket, Derek took the bag from her. “I will. Thank you.” He glanced around the small store one more time. “Do you happen to know Kai? I have a meeting scheduled with him.”

With a hand over her chest, she said, “Kai, is my husband. I’m Alana.” Alana motioned a thumb over her shoulder. “You can make an exit through the back door. Follow the path to the right, following it around until you see a trailer. It doubles as the office. You can’t miss it. Leia will be there too. Leia is Kai’s sister. She takes care of balancing the books for our store.”

Leia?Derek wondered if it was a popular Hawaiian name. The woman who saved him on the beach this morning was also named Leia.Leia. Leia. Leia. He couldn’t get her out of his mind. But then again, if a gorgeous and incredibly strong woman, single-handedly saved your life, you’d remember her too.

“Great. I’ll do precisely that,” said Derek. He shook the bag of fruit. “I look forward to eating these later.”

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