Page 33 of Emi's Hero

Emi nodded. “Mahalo.”

Ule laid a plate full of eggs, bacon and toast in front of George and gathered the empty dishes to carry to the sink.

George released Emi’s hand beneath the table. While she dug into the blueberry pancakes, he worked on the eggs and bacon on his own plate.

“Kalea, are you representing Parkman Ranch at this year’s Charity Luau?” Mr. Parkman asked.

Kalea frowned. “Isn’t it your turn?”

The owner of Parkman Ranch shook his head. “I did it last year. It’s your turn.”

Kalea’s lips twisted into a wry grin. “Darn. I was hoping you wouldn’t remember.”

Mr. Parkman glanced across the table at George and Emi. “Since the 1920s, they’ve had a massive Luau on Oahu once a year to raise money for many of the charities across the islands.”

Kalea nodded. “Celebrities from the island and the mainland perform, drawing huge crowds and raising lots of money. We’ve purchased a table and had a representative from Parkman Ranch at the luau every year from its inception, along with a sizable donation to the fund.” She turned to Hawk. “Don’t forget. It’s tomorrow night, and you’re my plus one.”

Hawk held up a hand. “It’s on my calendar. As long as I’m not needed anywhere else, I’ll be there.” He drank one last sip of hiscoffee and set the mug on the table. “I’m headed to the war room to check on other members of the team and to see if we have anything from Swede or Kyla.”

George laid down his fork. “I’m coming.”

“Me, too,” Emi said.

Hawk shook his head. “Finish your meal. It’ll take a few minutes to touch base with everyone. By then, I’ll be ready to bring Swede and Kyla up on a video chat. So, take your time.”

“I want to check on that mare and her new filly,” Kalea said. “I’ll be in the barn if you need me.”

“I’d like to check on her as well,” Mr. Parkman said. “You’ll know where to find us.”

Mr. Parkman, Hawk and Kalea collected their dishes and carried them to the sink. When they offered to help with the dishes, Ule shooed them out of his domain.

George forced himself to pick up his fork and continue eating his breakfast when he wanted to follow Hawk to the war room. He hoped by staying at the table, Emi would finish the other half of the pancakes left on her plate.

She stared at the plate for a moment and then looked toward Ule. “I hate leaving food on my plate when Ule went to all the trouble of fixing these for me,” she whispered.

“You won’t hurt my feelings,” Ule said from across the room. “Leave your plates. I’ll take care of them.”

Emi looked up at George. “I want to hear what Swede and Kyla have to say.”

“Me, too.” George stood and held Emi’s chair. Ignoring Ule’s words, he gathered their plates and carried them to the sink. “Thank you, Ule. As always, the food was outstanding.Mahalo.”

Ule gave them a brief nod and went to work cleaning his kitchen.

George rested a hand lightly on Emi’s back and guided her through the kitchen to the back door.

Emi pulled the ball cap from her back pocket and held it up. “Thanks for the loan.”

He grinned. “My pleasure, though it seems a shame to hide all that glorious red hair.”

She shoved her hair up into the cap and tugged it down on her forehead. “My mother always told me that it’s not red; it’s auburn.”

George nodded. “Mom’s always right. I stand corrected.” He held the door open. “After you...Red.” And he winked.

Her cheeks brightened, and her lips twitched. “Auburn,” she murmured as stepped across the threshold.

“Now, Auburn doesn’t have the same ring,” he said. “I’ll stick to Red. Just don’t tell your mother.”

Emi left the house with a smile on her face—the first genuine smile George had seen since he’d pulled her from the ocean.

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