Page 37 of His Hawaiian Heart
“My family owns a ranch. I’m just the executor of the estate until the next Blackwell picks up the reins.”
“Wow, I didn’t even know this place had ranches. I mean, it’s an island.”
“That it is and I assure you, the cattle didn’t even have to swim over from the mainland. They arrived by ship and called Hawaii home before it became part of the United States.”
“A ranch, cool. Does that mean that I can stop worrying about Mr. McNut being lonely? Or do you only have cattle?” I saw his lips curl into a smile though all I could see was his profile.
“I assure you, he has lots of equine friends. In fact, one day if you’d like, I’ll introduce you to Sugar. Riding the land is really the best way to see it. Do you know how to ride?”
“I assume you’re asking about horses?”
I would never get tired of his chuckle. “Well, Iwas.”
“Horses, elephants, camels. I’ve ridden them all,” I said. “And though I really enjoy ridingwithyou, I’m very much looking forward to ridingyou.”
“I’d pull over right now and let you do exactly that, except for one thing?”
“You’re shy?” I teased.
He shot me a glance and that grin and arched brow had my sex complaining it was still without something to hug. “I’ll take that as a no?”
“Smart girl.”
I gave him the most serious look I could manage, which, granted was a bit hard seeing as I was having the time of my life. “Would you care to prove that, Mr. Blackwell?”
“If you insist, though I might add that, we’re here. Your choice, Doctor Laughlin.”
For the first time in several minutes, I turned my gaze from him to look out the windshield as he pulled to a stop. There was no massive gate bearing intricate scrolled initials I’d half expected but was a simple gate. I glanced back at him and smiled. “Next time then. Right now, I’m even more intrigued to see what lies beyond the gate.”
“One cattle ranch is pretty much the same as another cattle ranch.”
I shook my head. “No. Granted there might be thousands that fit that bill, but not this one.”
His eyebrow didn’t arch and his lips didn’t twitch as he gave me a long look. “Because?”
“Because this one is your home.”
He looked surprised at my answer for a moment but then he smiled. “Pomaikai.”
“That’s beautiful. What does it mean?”
“Exactly what you said. The story goes that when my great-great-grandparents, Benjamin and Britta, his wife, saw this place, a rainbow appeared and they knew they were supposed to make this their home. That’s why they chose the name Pomaikai. It’s the Hawaiian word for home.”
“Wow. That’s about the most romantic story I’ve heard.” I leaned across the seat to kiss his cheek. “Your great-grandparents would be proud to know their descendants continue to feel blessed with their legacy.”
He smiled and I sat back. Glancing at the gate again, I lifted my index finger and waved it at the gate. “Alohamora.”
When the gate actually opened, I squealed and Sam just laughed and took his hand off the button that had provided the Harry Potter moment.
“I believe it’s alohomora.” When I could only stare, he chuckled. “You’re not the only Potter fan.”
I shrugged. “Fine, but I was simply trying to, you know, islandize the spell.”
“Islandize?” He shook his head. “You’re fucking adorable.”
When the car rumbled over a cattle guard, I didn’t squeal but I was smiling inside. He’d not seen it necessary to change what I was sure had been put in place when the very first cow had been guided onto its new home. That told me all I needed to know. Samuel might be a descendent from what I was pretty sure had become one of the wealthiest families on the island, but he didn’t stay for the money. He stayed because he loved this ranch and this island. Sitting back in my seat, I smiled and watched as Sam showed me the most important part of his world… Pomaikai. His home.
Chapter Sixteen
