Page 3 of Big Island Sunrise
“Come on tru,” Mano said, “make house, we got food on dalanai. You got one job yet?”
“Oh my God, Dad.” ‘Olena gave her a wide-eyed look of apology. “Enough already. She’s not even inside yet, stop grilling her.”
“I not grillin, I just askin.”
“Nothing lined up yet,” Lani admitted.
“Kekoa has somethin.” He looked expectantly at his son.
“We could use someone at the shave ice place,” Kekoa said. “It’s just a cashier job.”
“Sure,” Lani said. “Thank you so much. I’ll take anything. I just have to figure out something for Rory.”
“‘Olena can take her with all the otherkeiki,” said Mano.Da udda,he said, theth-sound morphing tod. His voice made her heart ache with the knowledge that she was finally home. Her cousins spoke with a similar accent, though not as strongly as their dad.
“I run a daycare,” ‘Olena confirmed. “The kids are pretty much always outside, it’s great.”
“Thank you,” Lani managed, half choked with gratitude for how everyone was going out of their way to give her and Rory a soft landing.
“You home now,” Uncle Mano said, one massive hand eclipsing her shoulder. “You got nothing for worry about.”
She nodded quickly, swallowing back another thank you along with her tears.
“It’s a co-op,” ‘Olena told her quietly. “Anyone who can’t pay, or can’t pay the full amount, contributes in other ways. Usually by staying one or two days a week to help watch the kids. So you can do that to start. It will be a great way to help Rory get used to everything.”
“That sounds perfect. Thank you.”
They brought her to a table out on thelanaiand gave her a plate heaped with sticky white rice andlau lau. No doubt the taro leaves wrapped around the meat had come from Mahina’s garden. Chances were that the family had caught the fish and killed the pig themselves or knew the people who had. It was pure island comfort food.
Once her stomach was full, she was fighting to keep her eyes open. It was still light outside, the sky streaked orange and pink as the sun set on the other side of the island, but Rory was sound asleep in her lap.
“Allpau?” Mahina asked, clearing her plate away. “‘Olena, show Leilani where her and Rory go sleep.”
“There’s space for Rory in the girls’ room,” ‘Olena said as she led her through the house, “but I figured she’d want to sleep with you. We put an air mattress in the office. I’m sorry there’s not a real bedroom free, but between me and the girls–”
“This is great, ‘Olena. I’m so grateful just to have a place to land.” The bed was all made up, and someone had put her luggage in the opposite corner. The space was small, but it wassafe– something that Lani would never take for granted again. “I’m so glad to be home.”
“We’re glad to have you.” She gave her another tight squeeze. “My girls are with their dad today, but they’re going to be so excited to see Rory. Come find me if you need anything. Bathroom’s just one door down.”
Lani tried to set Rory on the bed without waking her, but her baby girl stirred as soon as she put her down. Worry flickered over her face. Then her eyes found Lani, and she relaxed.
“Hi, Mama.” She smiled sleepily. “Is this our new house?”
“For a little while.” She squeezed onto the bed and smiled as her daughter’s tiny fingers traced the curve of her cheek. Rory blinked slowly, settling back towards sleep.
“I like your face like this,” she said.
“Like what, baby?”
“Happy.” Rory’s eyes drifted shut. “No bruises.”
A wave of emotion slammed into her, catching her off guard.
The things that her baby had witnessed this past year were seared into her conscience. She put a protective hand on Rory’s back. As she drifted off to sleep, Lani made a silent promise.
Never again.
She had finally found the strength to bring her daughter home. They would make a fresh start here. And no matter what happened, she wouldn’t let him drag them back into the mess they’d left behind.
