Page 21 of Big Island Weddings
“I was still processing.”
“Yeah, you said.” Anger flashed through his eyes as she repeated that lame excuse. “You didn’t want to talk to me? Processwithme? Don’t I get a say?”
A sudden, savage protective instinct roared to life inside of her chest. “Rory ismydaughter.”
He froze.
Lani felt instant remorse, but beneath it there was still a hot ball of anger.
Rory washers.
Herbaby. Her priority. Always.
“So that’s how it is,” Tenn said quietly. All the fight had gone out of him. He went back inside, and the screen door swung shut behind him.
Lani stood frozen for just a moment before following him inside. She wanted desperately to make things right, but she didn’t know how.
“Are you done with lunch?” he asked Olivia.
“Yeah, I’m done.”
“Okay, let’s get in the truck.”
“Where are we going?”
“Up to the cafe.”
“But you didn’t eat anything.”
He smiled in a hollow way and patted his daughter’s golden hair. “I’ll get food there.”
She slid off of her chair, looking worried. “Okay.”
“Tenn,” Lani interjected, trying to find the words that would hold him there. If they could just talk about this, put a movie on for the girls and hash it out like she had wanted – but he just shook his head without looking at her, his mouth set in a fine line.
“Can I come?” Rory asked.
Tenn’s expression softened when he looked at her, but his eyes were full of pain. “Not today.”
He walked out the door without looking back. Olivia followed, glancing back at Lani with a worried look in her blue eyes. Knowing that she was causing turmoil for Olivia, Lani’s guilt doubled.
Maybe the whole thing had been too quick, moving in with him the minute the ink was dry on her divorce papers. They had told themselves it would mean more stability for the kids, but maybe it had done the opposite. She didn’t know anymore.
Rory looked after them, puzzled but too young to be truly bothered. She looked up at Lani and asked, “Can I have more tempura?”
Lani smiled at her daughter. It was genuine, even if there was sadness underneath.
So long as Rory was okay, Lani would survive.
“Sure, baby. I’ll get you some more.”
8
‘Olena
‘Olena hurried through the last of her morning chores, filled with anticipation.
A thrill went through her as a truck rumbled to a stop outside. Nate was there to pick her up for a date – a scheduled date this time, asked and answered. Planned for.
