Page 68 of Big Island Sunset
“Yeah, maybe. The worry was merited, I think. She was having a really hard time for a while there.”
“And now she’s fine. You’re doing everything that you can do, so let the worry go.”
“Okay, okay, I hear you.”
The slam of a door pulled her attention to the parking lot, where Nell was pulling her cranky toddler and a huge backpack out of the back of her car.
Cassie ran past with a quick “Good morning, aunties!” as she hurried to join the other girls on the playground.
“Sorry I’m late,” Nell said breathlessly when she reached them. “One of the goats got out this morning, and I still can’t figure out how. It took forever for Emma and I to get it back where it belongs.”
“You’re not late.” ‘Olena grinned at her. “You’re just not as early as usual.”
“I wanted to help with set up, that’s all.”
“We’re all good. Just take a breath.”
“I’m gonna put our stuff inside, and I really need to pee. Can I leave Everett with you for a sec?”
“Of course.” ‘Olena held out her arms, and the redheaded baby went to her willingly.
Tall, broad-shouldered ‘Olena probably weighed twice as much as Nell did, and the stocky toddler looked much smaller in her arms than he did when his mother held him. He relaxed into ‘Olena’s body and rested his head on her shoulder, content.
“What a little love bug,” Lani said.
“Oh, he loves his Auntie ‘Olena,” Nell said, already siddling towards the building. “Be right back!”
“Stop rushing!” ‘Olena called after her. In an exaggerated Hawaiian accent she added, “We on island time ova hea!”
Nell’s laughter trailed behind her as she ran into the building.
“She’s a gold-star employee,” ‘Olena said with a shake of her head, “but sometimes her nerves stress me out.”
“She’s carrying a lot,” Lani said.
“Aren’t we all,” ‘Olena added, but she smiled as she looked at the five girls racing across the playground. Everett watched them with a sleepy sort of interest, holding the fabric of ‘Olena’s shirt tight in one chubby hand. They looked so comfortable together.
“Do you ever want another one?” Lani asked.
‘Olena gave her an odd look.
“I miss the baby days sometimes,” Lani continued, “but then other times it feels like I can hardly handle the two we have.”
“I always wanted a boy,” ‘Olena admitted, patting Everett’s back. “A little mini-me for Nate.”
“Did you?” She smiled at her tall, strong, competent cousin. ‘Olena was the kind of woman who could wrangle a dozen kids every day and make it look easy. “Do you ever talk about having another one?”
‘Olena gave her a significant look.
Lani gasped, looked from ‘Olena’s face to her belly and back again. “Are you…?”
“Shh!” Grinning, ‘Olena waved her into silence. “We haven’t told anyone yet. Not even the girls.”
“Are you really? How do you feel?”
“I feel good.” There was a whole-hearted peace in her smile. “Nate’s excited to be here this time, for all of it. And so am I.”
Lani found herself blinking back tears of joy. “I’m so happy for you.”
