Blooming in the Wild Page 0,106

can take you.”

Daniel cocked an eyebrow at her, his expression asking if she was sure about this guy. Bella rolled her eyes. “Funny, hotshot. I think that’s the painkillers talking. Go to sleep. ’Cause I can take you.”

His eyes closed, a faint smile curved his lips. “Yes, you can.”

Daniel shook his head and strode away. David patted her on the shoulder, grinning, and then followed his brother.

“Wasn’t Daniel supposed to pick up my mother?” Bella called after him.

“Hilo offered,” he called back. “He’ll take good care of her.”

That would be Homu’s brother Hilo, who operated a small boat shop at Honokohau, west of Kona on the broad plain near the airport. He was one of Bella’s favorite people in the family, with his quick wit and good humor. There was another Hilo, married to Tina’s sister Noelani, but they lived on Kauai.

There were two Zoe’s in the extended family too. A teenager and a young wife. Probably more doubles in a family that size too. Bella guessed she’d learn them all eventually.

Her ohana, her family. After a lifetime with just her mother, whose parents had passed away while Bella was in elementary school, Bella had a hard time believing that she was now part of a large, vibrant family who showed their emotions with unashamed fervor. And threw great parties, luaus as celebrations.

Bella sat beside Joel for a while as he slept, a book by a noted Hawaiian gardener open on her lap. She tried to read, but her eyes kept straying to his face. He looked younger asleep. Her fingers twitched to brush back a lock of his hair that fell across his forehead in an S-curve, but she didn’t want to wake him.

He was to rest for at least another week, and then take it easy for another month, the doctors had told them. The trip to the Arctic was out until at least next summer. And he’d have to come back for a complete checkup before returning to work.

That suited Bella. It gave her time to take care of him. And to convince him that island living was ono, the best. She chewed her lower lip uncertainly. Could she do it?

Then she looked up at the forest rising green and lush behind the house, and narrowed her eyes. She was ho’omalu, a wahine of strength. She’d use any power she could draw from the island to claim him and get him to stay with her.

Her mother arrived soon after they did, delivered by Hilo in his big silver truck. Bella was relieved to see that Grace was smiling as she walked down the lanai from the driveway. Hilo was smiling too, his broad, dark face in his habitual merry lines, black Ho’omalu eyes twinkling. They made a nice couple, Grace, auburn-haired and graceful in her favorite pastel lavender linen, Hilo in a flowered shirt and slacks. Bella realized with a shock that her mother was only in her late forties, and Hilo probably wasn’t too much older.

She shelved that weird thought for later and went to hug her mother.

Grace held her tight, enveloping Bella in her soft arms, expensive perfume and a murmur of satisfaction.

Then Grace drew back and looked at Bella, her green eyes searching, her soft mouth pursed. “Well, you look wonderful, considering what you’ve been through.” She sounded surprised but relieved. “I guess your father and his family have been taking good care of you.”

“They have,” Bella agreed. “But I’m glad you’re here, Mama.”

Grace pulled her close for another long hug. “I want to hear the whole story, when you’re ready to tell me. Those horrible drug runners.” She shuddered, her arms tightening. “I nearly died when Tina called me, and then I saw the news story. That storm—all the bodies, oh-hh! I can’t believe you survived, sweetie.”

Bella clung to her mother, meeting Hilo’s gaze over Grace’s shoulder. Wait until her mother heard the rest of it.

He nodded silently at her. It was time to tell her mother about the ho’omalu. But that was for later.

“Come into the house,” Bella urged. “Claire and Melia can’t wait to see you.”

Grace turned to walk into the house with her, her arm still around Bella. Then she stopped as she saw Joel, lying on a lounger on the corner of the lanai, where he could see the shore when he woke from his nap. He wore shorts and his plaid shirt, a soft russet that emphasized the auburn highlights in his hair, which was wavy in the