Page 73 of Big Island Horizons
“Are you okay?”
“It’s about time for more pain meds, that’s all.” His voice was hoarse.
“Are you thirsty?”
“Yeah.”
Lani slid off of the bed and fetched the jar of tea that she had grabbed on her way out the door. She took the lid off and handed it to him.
“It’s mamaki with honey and lemon.”
He drank deeply and sighed, handing the jar back. “Thank you.”
She set it aside and hesitated, standing near the bed. He held his good arm out and she sat next to him, holding his hand in both of hers.
A nurse came in, and Tenn washed a dose of pain meds down with more tea. Then they were alone again.
“Are you hungry?” Lani asked.
He shook his head. “No appetite.”
“Are you sure? How about some of the soup that Tara dropped off?”
“Maybe later.”
She nodded and looked down at his hand in her lap. Gently, she turned it over and started massaging his palm. He put his head back and closed his eyes.
“Has Livie seen you yet?”
“No, not yet. We decided to wait until I’ve healed a bit.”
“But does she know what happened?”
“My mom told her I’d been hit by a car.” He chuckled, then winced. “She told me that the truth would be too scary, and that this has the added bonus of reminding her to look both ways before she crosses the street.”
“She hates me,” Lani said quietly.
“Who?” Tenn opened his eyes. “My mother?”
“Yeah.”
“She doesn’t hate you. This scared her, that’s all. She’ll get over it.”
“Would you get over it? If it was your kid?”
He frowned. “Livie’s a little girl. I’m a grown man. It’s not the same thing.”
“I’m not sure mothers work that way.”
“She’ll be fine.”
Lani didn’t agree, but she let the subject drop.
“Tenn?”
He opened his eyes and smiled softly at her. Even through all of the pain and exhaustion, he radiated love. She might never feel as if she deserved him, but it was time to stop denying that what he felt for her was real.
For as long as she had known him, she had been too wrapped up in her own problems to fully appreciate him or acknowledge what he meant to her. She was always worried, always second guessing everything and waiting for the other shoe to drop.
