Page 26 of Big Island Neighbors
He jumped and turned to look at her, throwing his hands out in aWhat?gesture. He had been standing in the shade of a pine, leaning against the trunk and watching the girls ride around the ring.
“Come help me cut some fodder!”
He trudged over with uncharacteristic reluctance, and they drove the van back down the hill to load it up with all of the leafy branches that they could fit - which, with the seats folded down, was a lot. The cows and goats would make quick work of it, but it was something.
“If you really want to help with finances,” she said as she harvested another branch with her hedge clippers, “this would be the way to do it. If you gathered this much on a daily basis, we wouldn’t have to buy feed.”
“Where else can we get good fodder?”
“It’s everywhere. We could get this when the girls ride, cactus grass from next door, bamboo from down the street… some neighbors might even pay you to clear weeds.”
“Sounds good.”
She gave him a friendly push. “You’re the best.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Are you up for some more driving practice after this?”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I want to run to Hilo. I need to go to the credit union.”
“What for?”
“I’m going to start my own account.”
“Oh.” He hefted another bundle of fodder into the back of the van. “Okay. Cool.”
“Cool,” she repeated.
It was time for her to take full responsibility for her life.
9
Emma
Emma was washing the breakfast dishes when Kai came running into the kitchen.
“The puddles are all dried up,” he reported.
“Did you fill up the kiddie pool?” she asked.
“I thought you were going to make them a pond!”
“We are. Tara’s friend Liam is coming over today to help us figure out the best spot for one.”
“So why do I have to fill up the kiddie pool?”
“We’re just planning today. Building a pond will take time.”
“Fine,” he groaned. “I’ll fill the stupid kiddie pool.”
“And don’t forget the eggs,” she added.
“Fine!” Kai ran out and slammed the kitchen door behind him.
Emma took a steadying breath.
