Double Cross. Terri Reed

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      The next morning, Ryan sat in a tall metal chair on the small lanai of his rented condo, contemplating his view of Keawakapu’s sandy beach. The churning surf beyond was breathtaking in the morning light. The happy sounds of children already enjoying the day drifted on the slight trade winds that didn’t cool the already humid temperatures.

      Closer in, the lush grassy lawn which stretched from the back entry of the building to meet the sandy beach was filling with people claiming their lawn chairs with towels and other fun-in-the sun paraphernalia. The oval-shaped pool with its beautiful rock waterfall looked inviting as people who preferred the less harsh water of the pool to the ocean began splashing around.

      Last night before turning in for the night, Ryan had taken a swim in the pool and found the non-chlorinated, nonsalty water very refreshing. He could get used to this lifestyle. Back home in Boston, the leaves would be turning and the air temperature falling.

      He didn’t miss the cold. But since he had no intention of staying in Hawaii until it was summer again in Boston, he’d just as soon take advantage of the warmth of the tropical island now.

      A knock at the condo door brought him to his water-sandal-clad feet. He’d dressed in board shorts and a body-hugging shirt called a rashguard to keep both the sun and the rough sand from doing damage to his very underexposed skin. He tugged at the high collar as he approached the door.

      Expecting to see Pano, he was pleasantly surprised to open the door and find Kiki on his doorstep, looking very lovely in her bright pink shorts, matching tank top and flip-flops with little white daisys attached to the straps. Once again her dark hair was gathered in a braid falling over one shoulder.

      He grinned. “Hi. This is unexpected.” But nice.

      She gave him a stiff smile. “Pano called and asked if I’d bring you out. He had to work on the other side of the island early this morning and will meet us there.”

      “Great.” Leaving the door open, he went to gather his belongings, including a small cooler filled with water bottles and snacks he’d bought at the grocery store last night.

      “You’re prepared,” Kiki said as he joined her in the hallway.

      He shrugged. “Always. Growing up, I never knew what my brothers were going to throw at me, so being prepared became a habit.”

      They rode the elevator in silence, but Ryan couldn’t help but notice in the mirrored reflection of the walls how long and shapely Kiki’s legs were, or how defined the muscles in her arms were. She not only had a strong personality, but she was physically fit. He liked that about her.

      Once outside the building, Kiki led him to a red Volkswagen Rabbit with the top down. Kiki climbed behind the wheel and put on a pair of sunglasses. Putting the cooler on the backseat next to another small cooler, Ryan climbed into the passenger seat. “You came prepared, as well.”

      One side of her mouth quirked up. “Always.”

      Ryan laughed and settled back to enjoy the ride. Kiki maneuvered the car through the Saturday-morning traffic of Kihei and soon they were buzzing along the Piilani Highway and past neighborhoods filled with older homes, past newer developments and stretches of undeveloped parcels of land dotted with swaying palms and other tropical flora. They seemed to be heading away from the coast and up a small incline.

      “What does Pano do that he’d have to work so early?”

      “He works for the state on a construction crew for the roads. Everyone complains when the work is done during high-traffic times.”

      “Ah. Makes sense.”

      The terrain shifted as they headed back toward the coast. More condominium complexes with manicured lawns dotted one side of the road while the other side had big, fancy hotels with pristine landscaping. Ryan caught brief glimpses of the ocean beyond. Jogging paths and bicycle lanes were full of people.

      The condos eventually gave way to a sprawling golf course and an upscale-looking shopping center. A place he would have to visit before returning home.

      Then the road curved and narrowed to a more residential area. They passed makeshift roadside restaurants and a woman sitting under an umbrella with a large display of jewelry for sale.

      Ryan’s gaze took in the rooflines of the houses along the ocean side of the road behind tall brick walls and formidable hedges. “These are some big homes.”

      “Most are second homes for mainlanders with money to burn,” she said with just the slightest trace of bitterness.

      Did most islanders feel as though they’d been invaded by the wealthy mainlanders?

      “You know, if you sell the land, you and Tutu could afford a house like one of these, right on the beach,” he stated, not sure Kiki would be the type to want to live in such an opulent place. She seemed quite content in the little run-down home of her ancestors.

      “What will it hurt for you and your grandmother to at least see the newest offer?” And accept it, he hoped.

      Her shoulders tensed. “Nothing, I guess. But don’t get your hopes up.”

      “Why is the farm so important to you?”

      She glanced at him, her eyes imploring him to understand. “It’s home for me.”

      “I thought you grew up in Pennsylvania?”

      “I did. But the mainland has never felt like home.”

      “There are more…comfortable places to live on the island.”

      The dark sunglasses obscured her eyes, but the quirk of her mouth showed her disdain. “You don’t get it. You’re a mainlander. The islands are more than just pretty beaches.”

      “But business is business whether in Boston, Philadelphia or Hawaii. Progress can’t be stopped. And quality of life has to be a factor in the decision process.”

      She blew out a frustrated breath. “I can turn the farm around. I just need time.”

      “Time isn’t your friend here, Kiki. The investors are getting anxious. If they can’t get what they want here, they’ll move on and the offer will be rescinded.”

      Her chin jutted out in a stubborn gesture that reminded him of his sister when she’d set her mind to something. “Then that’s just too bad.”

      There was no point in arguing with her at this point. Lana Kaapa would be the deciding СКАЧАТЬ