Page 25 of Big Island Moonlight
“Like a date?” Lani demanded, and Nell squealed.
Emma laughed and shushed them, putting both hands over her cheeks.
“What’s going on over here?” Hugh grinned at them, strolling over with Everett balanced on one arm.
“Nothing,” Emma said quickly.
He just laughed, and then he offered a hand to Nell. “Can I steal you away for a minute?”
She took his hand, the look in her eyes saying that he could steal her away forever.
He led her into the middle of the gathering, and a hush fell over the crowd as their daughters ran to join them. Hugh set Everett down on the grass, and Cassie took his hand to keep him from running off.
Both of the girls were wearing haku leis, a circle of white flowers on each head. ‘Olena appeared from the crowd to hand Hugh a box; he lifted out a beautiful lei and put it over Nell’s head. The snowy flowers glowed against her deep red hair and green dress.
A local mom named Alohi – who was also a professional photographer – pulled out her camera and started to snap away.
Hugh dropped to one knee, and Nell put both hands over her mouth, overcome with emotion.
“I know it hasn’t been long.” His voice was low, speaking only to her in spite of the crowd that had gathered around them. Anxiety tinged the adoration on his face as he looked up at her.
He reached into his pocket and offered up a ring.
“I thought about hanging onto this for a few more months, until we reached the one-year mark. That seemed like a more sensible time to propose.”
His smile quirked as he gazed up at her. She stared back at him, her amber eyes wide. Just to one side, Cassie slipped her hand into Daisy’s. Even Everett was still, watching them. The photographer circled them gleefully, clicking away.
“The thing is,” Hugh continued, “I don’t need a few more months to know that I don’t want to live a single day of my life without you. I want us – the five of us – to be a real family. What do you say?”
“Yes!” Her answer was out so fast that it overlapped with the last word of his question, and Hugh laughed in relief.
He slipped the ring onto her finger, stood, and pulled her into his arms. A moment later, the children rushed forward. Hugh laughed again as he crouched down and lifted a daughter in each arm, bringing them up with him as he stood. Nell scooped up Everett, and Alohi snapped more photos as the crowd moved in to offer their congratulations.
Suddenly, Lani missed her husband terribly.
She stayed long enough to give Nell a kiss on the cheek and a few heartfelt words. Then she gathered up her girls and went home to Tenn.
10
Emma
“Is this okay?” Emma tugged self-consciously at the straps of her bikini.
“You look great,” Juniper said.
“Are you sure?” She turned in front of the mirror, taking stock. Grief and garden work had turned her lean and muscular. After so much time hardly even glancing at her reflection, the woman in the mirror felt like a stranger.
“Very cute,” her niece assured her.
Emma grimaced. “It’s so weird to wear a bathing suit on a first date.”
“You’ve known this guy for like a year. And it’sHawai‘i.”
“Still.” She sighed and went to her closet in search of something to wear.
“You’re slimmer than your teenage niece,” Jun cracked from her place on Emma’s bed. “It’s very impressive.”
“My niece looks like she swallowed a beach ball,” she muttered.
