Page 23 of Big Island Sunset
Juniper’s eyes narrowed, and more tears fell as she dropped her hand.
Ethan reached out again, patting her shoulder. “You don’t have to keep it.”
“Ihateyou,” she hissed.
He stepped backwards with a look of shock; Juniper turned and ran up the stairs.
Emma stared, slack-jawed, astonished by just how badly that had gone.
Without another word, Ethan turned and walked towards the door.
She didn’t even try to stop him. Let him go home and cool off. Maybe Fern could talk some sense into him.
Instead of going after her brother, she poured a fresh cup of ginger tea and went upstairs to check on her niece.
Juniper was sobbing on her bed.
Emma set the tea on the bedside table and sat next to her. She rubbed her back until she stopped crying.
“I hate him,” Juniper said, her voice muffled by a pillow.
“No, you don’t.”
“I do. I hate him. He’s a stupid hypocrite.”
“He scared for you. That’s all.”
“If that were true, he’d help.” Juniper turned her tear-stained face towards Emma, who handed her a tissue. She blew her nose and continued, “You’re helping, because you actually care. Even Toni wants to come visit.”
“You told Toni?”
“Yeah, I talked to her this morning.”
Emma had questions, but she bit her tongue. She could call her sister later. In that moment, she was desperate to get something into Juniper’s stomach.
“Can I make you some toast?” she offered.
“No thanks.”
“Some chicken broth?”
“Don’t make me barf.”
Emma sighed. “At least sip your tea. You have to stay hydrated.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll go see about the lychee.”
Juniper reached out and squeezed her hand. “Thank you.”
Emma leaned down and kissed her head. Then she stood and walked down the stairs.
She picked up her phone to find a message from Lani: she was making lychee syrup at Haumona Shave Ice, and she would bring over a bag of fruit after her shift. Emma thanked her and pocketed her phone with relief. She hadn’t felt up to getting the boys into the car and driving around town in search of fresh lychee.
“Avast, matey!” Kai ran past the front window waving a fallen branch. “I’ll timber your bones!”
Emma’s heart softened, and a small smile lifted her cheeks as she stepped out onto the lanai.
