Page 76 of Big Island Weddings
“Isheeating butter mochi?”
“Let the man live a little. You mom’s had him on chicken breasts and salad ever since he got home from the hospital. The occasional indulgence won’t kill him.”
“No, but my mom might.”
Nate just chuckled and turned his face up towards the sun, letting it bake the water off of his chest and shoulders. ‘Olena sat admiring him for a minute, still adjusting to the fact that this man was hers for good. He opened his eyes, caught her staring, and gave her a cocky smile.
“Where should we go on our honeymoon?” she asked.
“We get a second honeymoon?” Nate sat up and scooted closer. He put one arm across her lap, bracing himself with one hand on the blanket, and leaned in close.
“The wedding happened in such a rush that we didn’t even talk about it. But yeah. I’d like to get away, even if it’s just for a little while.”
“When would that be?”
“I have a bit of a break coming up, in between regular Playschool hours and the summer session. Any chance you could get away from the orchard?”
He was silent for a moment, pressing his cheek to hers and he thought it over. “I don’t think Juniper and Cody could keep up with harvesting on their own, even for a few days. But if we could get someone to stand in for me, that might work. Kekoa, maybe?”
“How about Emma?”
“Emma, really?”
“She loves gardening, and she just took a whole course on food forests and stuff. I think she would be happy to cover for you for a few days.”
“Where would you want to go?” he asked.
“I don’t really care. I just want a few days alone with you.”
“On island, then? A staycation?”
“Get a nice room somewhere, maybe a vacation rental. Hiking during the day and a plush place to sleep at night?”
“You’re speaking my language.”
“Good. We’ll find something.”
They were quiet for a long while, just enjoying each other’s company and watching the surf.
“Did you enjoy your yoga class the other day?” Nate asked. “You never said.”
“I don’t know if ‘enjoy’ is the right word, but yeah. I think it was good for me to get out of my comfort zone and do something just for myself.”
“You don’t have to do everything yourself anymore,” he said quietly. “I’m sorry that you ever did. But I’m here now, and I want to make your life easier.”
“You already have.”
“I’ve been busy with the orchard, but I’ll have more free time once lychee season is over.”
“You’ll be working on all sorts of other projects, planting trees and leveling the hilltop.”
“True, but there’s no ticking time bomb on other projects. I’ll be able to spend more time with the girls. You can figure out what you love to do that’s just for you.”
“That’s a foreign concept at this point. And honestly, I’d rather spend time all together as a family.”
“We’ll have plenty of time for that too,” he assured her. “There’s time for everything.”
She leaned into him and looked out over the ocean again, feeling her body fully relax for the first time in ages.
