Page 56 of Big Island Sunset
“There are a lot of them,” she said breathlessly, still fighting the incline.
“Tell me.”
“We would need an aviary for my parrots. Not just a cage — a real aviary like they have at home.”
“I’ll build one.”
She looked at him askance. “That’s a huge investment.”
“You’re worth it.”
She chuckled in disbelief, shaking her head.
“What else?”
“There are a hundred different moving pieces, Liam.”
“That’s true of your life even without a move.”
“That’s what makes the move so overwhelming.”
His expression turned serious. “If you want me to back off—“
“I want to, Liam. I do. I’ve been researching commercial kitchens in the area, because I really want some separation between my work life and my home life. Selling the house would give me money to invest in the business so that I could hire help, which would make it possible for me expand to the point that the business is paying for itself and then making a profit — hopefully without me having to work fourteen-hour days and miss out on the last of Paige and Piper’s childhood. Sometimes I feel like I should just give up on the business altogether, but that feels a whole lot like failing.”
“Transition isn’t failure.”
“But then what? I go back to being a housewife?” She felt herself flush. “If you’ll excuse the word…”
“If you’d like,” Liam said, unbothered. “But I know there isn’t a lazy bone in your body. You would be my partner in life and in business. Once you’re there on the ranch, I’m sure you would see a hundred different opportunities. Ways that we could expand, projects you could take on.”
They crested the ridge, bringing them into view of the waterfalls. Tara hadn’t been to Hikuwai in months, and the sight of the deep blue water soothed her tired soul. Down below, thekids were already crossing the river. Piper held Cody’s hand, and Paige held Maddie’s.
“Can we table this discussion for today?” she asked.
“We can table it for as long as you’d like,” Liam responded, putting a hand on her back.
“Thank you.” She kissed the stubble on his jaw and then set off down the path to catch up with the kids.
The river water was blessedly cool on her legs and feet as she walked across, and the sound of the waterfalls drowned out all the overwrought worries that crowded her mind.
As much as she loved being outside on her own land, there wasn’t much peace to be found there. Anywhere she looked, she saw a dozen different tasks that were half complete or overdue. Out in nature, she could breathe easy for the first time in ages.
“Mom!” Piper waved at her from the top of a waterfall. “Look!”
“I see you!” Tara waved back.
Piper leaped from the top and seemed to hang in midair for a moment before landing in the deep pool with a splash.
When her head appeared above the surface of the pool a few seconds later, Tara cheered.
Paige, Maddie, and Cody all took turns jumping as Piper swam back to the rocks and clambered up beside Tara.
“Jump with me, Mom!” Piper’s short red hair was plastered to her forehead, and her hazel-green eyes were bright.
Tara grinned at her daughter. “Okay.”
Piper gasped. “Really?”
