Page 39 of Big Island Horizons
“Fine!” he shouted, slamming his hand against the glass.
Lani flinched, and she saw a look of satisfaction on his face.
When he finally walked away, she waited until he was a safe distance from the window before hurrying across the small space.
Her hands shook as she closed the window and locked it. The door was already bolted. She flipped the sign toclosed, and then she sank to the floor beneath the counter and hugged her knees to her chest.
Then, hidden from sight and safe behind a locked door, she began to cry.
She could hardly believe that he had crossed an ocean to torment her. She had known that he would track her down if she stayed in Alaska, and she had known that divorce process would be a crucible. But this? Flying thousands of miles to harass her at work? It was more than she had expected, even from him.
How was she supposed to live like this, knowing that he could pop up at any moment?
She wanted so badly to call Tenn, but what if Zeke saw him?
Zeke had once punched a stranger just for looking at her too long. Lani was terrified of what he would do if he saw her and Tenn together. She couldn’t risk it.
What could she do? Where could she go?
She sucked in a few ragged breaths and tried to pull her scattered thoughts together.
He didn’t know where she lived. She didn’t own property or even rent, and her mail came to a PO Box in town. So long as she made sure he didn’t follow her, she would be safe at home. She could hunker down there with Rory.
With a start, she remembered that ‘Olena was supposed to bring Rory to Haumona after school. She hurried to call her cousin. Then she remembered that ‘Olena was running the co-op and disconnected.
Don’t bring Rory here,she typed.Please. Zeke just showed up.
‘Olena’s immediate response contained a variety of expletives. Then she texted,Are you still there?
Yes,Lani replied.
You call Kekoa?
No. He’s working with your dad today. I don’t want to bother them.
Three dots from ‘Olena appeared and disappeared a few times. Lani could hear her cousin’s voice in her head, chewing her out for not calling the family for backup right away, telling her that she had been away on the mainland for so long that she had forgotten how things worked here at home. Finally, she texted just four words.
Stay inside. Lock up.
A moment later, ‘Olena looped Lani into a group text with her dad and brother.
Haumona SOS. Get there now.
OK,her dad texted.
Is there a fire or what?Kekoa asked.
No fire,Lani texted back.Just my ex-husband.
On our way, sis. Five minutes.
Lani started to cry again, this time in relief.
She was still crying when a strong knock sounded on the door.
“Leilani, you in there?” Kekoa called. “It’s us.”
She grabbed a clean rag and used it to wipe the snot and tears from her face. Before she could get up and unlock the door, Kekoa opened it with his key. When he saw Lani sitting red-eyed on the floor, his expression was livid.
