Chapter 17

17

Christmas morning dawned bright and clear, the sun casting a warm glow through the windows of my bedroom as I woke to the familiar weight of Tiki curled at my feet and the sound of Misty’s mewing from the living room below.

As I made my way downstairs, Tiki rushed ahead. The smell of Aunt Fae’s famous cinnamon rolls filled the air, a comforting constant on Christmas Day.

I paused at the bottom of the stairs before entering the kitchen, one hand rising to touch the bracelet around my wrist. Ilima’s bracelet, given to her by Keone’s father. “A promise of things to come,” Keone had said.

“Merry Christmas, Kat!” Aunt Fae’s cheerful voice broke through my reverie. She was standing in the kitchen doorway, an apron tied around her waist and a grin on her face. “Kudos. You didn’t sleep in too late after last night’s auction.”

“Neither did you, Aunt Fae,” I replied, coming forward to kiss her cheek. “That whole event was your baby, and what a party it was.”

“Oh, pshaw. Elle did most of it,” she said. “Now come have some coffee and cinnamon rolls.”

We settled into our traditional Christmas morning routine: Aunt Fae pulling the cinnamon rolls from the oven while I brewed a second pot of Kona coffee. Tiki wove between our legs, hoping for a stray bit of anything, while Misty pranced around, carrying a new stuffed catnip mouse and flaunting it in front of her mother.

As we sat down to enjoy breakfast, I found myself quieter than usual, my thoughts a swirling mess of hopes and fears. Later, we’d be going to the Kaihales’ house for their annual holiday luau; how would Ilima react when she saw Keone had given me her heirloom bracelet?

Aunt Fae watched me over the rim of her coffee mug, her eyes filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. Finally, she set down her mug and reached across the table to take my hand. She turned it back and forth, admiring the bracelet.

“Kat, honey,” she said gently, “That’s a beautiful bracelet. I’ve learned enough Hawaiian to know that ‘ Kuuipo ’ means sweetheart. Did Keone give it to you?”

“He did. And it’s more than just a pretty piece of jewelry. It was his mother’s, given her by his father when they were young.” I gulped at my hot coffee and scalded the top of my mouth. “Gah! I’m not worthy!”

“Talk to me. What’s going on in that head of yours? Why isn’t this a good thing?”

“It is.” I slid the bracelet off and turned it round and round in my fingers. “But it’s a family heirloom. Meant to be given to ‘someone special,’ Keone said.” I set the gold oval down on the table and traced it with a fingertip.

“You’re someone special. To him. To me. To this town,” Aunt Fae said. “What’s the problem?”

I sighed, my fingers once again finding the carved golden surface of the bracelet. I couldn’t seem to stop touching it. As I did, I glimpsed lettering inside. “ From Kalani to Ilima with love .” My heart gave a painful squeeze. “I don’t know, Aunt Fae. I care about Keone so much, but after losing Mom and Dad, I’m just . . .”

“Scared?” Aunt Fae finished for me. I nodded, a lump in my throat.

“Oh, sweetheart,” Aunt Fae said, giving my hand a squeeze. “It’s okay to be scared. But let me ask you this. What are your hopes and dreams for your future? Not just about Keone, but for yourself?”

I took a deep breath, considering her question. “I love helping people. That hasn’t changed, whether I was in the Secret Service, the Postal Service, or solving cases as an investigator. I want to keep doing that, whether it’s here in Ohia or . . . somewhere else. I want to honor Mom and Dad’s memory by being a force for good in the world.”

“That you are.” Aunt Fae nodded encouragingly. “And where does Keone fit into those dreams?”

“He’s . . . he’s been there for all of it since the first day I arrived in Ohia,” I said. “Supporting me, challenging me, making me laugh even when things get tough. I can’t imagine facing these adventures without him, but . . .”

“But you’re not sure if you’re ready for a bigger commitment,” Aunt Fae finished. “And the bracelet is a step closer to that. You think he might propose.”

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and guilt at having my worries out in the open. “Yes. I have a feeling the bracelet was his way of taking a temperature check. He’s also been kind of cagey about something. On the phone a lot and won’t tell me what’s going on. I’m afraid he’s going to spring something on me, and I’ll freak out and disappoint him.”

Aunt Fae leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful expression on her face. “You know, Kat, relationships aren’t about having everything figured out. They’re about choosing someone to figure that out with. But also making a choice when you’re ready.” She lifted her gaze to mine. “I was in love once, you know.”

Aunt Fae had been solo since I could remember and had always evaded any questions I’d had about her love life. I slid the bracelet back on and straightened up. “You never told me anything about that part of your life, and I’ve always wondered why.”

“Well, I figured you had enough on your plate with losing your parents . . .” She smiled, but it was a sad curve of her lips. “And my story didn’t have a happy ending.”

“Tell me.”

“I fell in love when I was in the Peace Corps.”

I smiled. “I’ve always wanted to hear more about your adventures there.”

“Yes, it was quite an adventure. I’d decided college wasn’t for me, but I wanted to see the world a bit, do some good for humanity before I decided on a trade, which as you know ended up being water analysis and systems management. Anyway, I went overseas with the Peace Corps and my project was in Africa—Ghana, to be specific. We were finding water and digging wells for small farmers.” She gazed out the window, clearly remembering. “He was a doctor who came with our unit and set up a clinic to work with the villagers. It turns out the nurse he’d brought couldn’t handle the conditions and left; but I have a strong stomach and ended up helping him.” She crumbled her cinnamon roll thoughtfully. “We worked together day in and day out. We fell in love, but he was already married. In the end, he went home to his wife.”

“Oh, Aunty.” I covered her hand with mine. “I’m so sorry.”

“Me too. Especially that I didn’t know he was married until the day before he left. I never saw him again.” She shook her head. “I was so naive. It jaded me, I guess. I’ve had other chances since, but never wanted to risk getting my heart broken.” She raised her eyes to mine. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m happy as I am. But if I had it to do over again . . . I would have taken a chance on one of the ones who was interested in me, and you might have an uncle to love.”

Her words settled over me, sobering.

“Thanks for telling me, Aunty.” I squeezed her hands and let them go. “Don’t count yourself out; you could still meet someone special. Meanwhile, the Kaihales’ Christmas luau is this evening. Everyone will be there, including Ilima. I’m a little nervous to face her wearing this bracelet. Her culture is so important to her, and I’m an outsider.”

“How has she acted toward you so far?” Aunty cocked her head inquiringly.

“She’s been lovely. But she did warn me not to break his heart.” I shivered. “I wouldn’t want her mad at me.”

“Then don’t break his heart,” Aunty said. “Or you’ll break hers, too. That’s the way it goes with a parent.”

“I’ll try not to,” I said. “But I can’t be responsible for anyone but myself. Otherwise life’s too terrifying.”

“Fair enough,” Aunt Fae said. We clinked our mugs together in a rueful toast.

As we finished our breakfast and moved on to exchanging gifts, I found myself torn between the comfort of our traditions and the uncertainty of what lay ahead at the luau.

Later, when I helped Aunt Fae clean up the kitchen, I couldn’t help but wonder: was I ready to fully embrace the life and love I’d found here in Ohia? Or was I letting old fears hold me back from the happiness I longed for?