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Chapter 13

"Good morning,"Aunt Fae asked as I came into the kitchen. "How's your head?"

"I needed a swim to clear it and a cup of Opal's coffee, but I'm okay now." Tiki narrowed her eyes at me from where she sat beside Auntie. Her bowl was licked clean, and she made no attempt to guilt-trip me into refilling it. But she also didn't make any "glad to see you're back" noises either. "You fed Tiki already?"

"I did. She was yowling like a hyena with her tail in a trap. I hope you don't mind, but I gave her extra. She seemed distraught that you'd left without feeding her."

"It was barely light when I went out, and she came with me. Hunted all the way to the beach and back; she must have worked up an appetite."

"Maybe so, but it hurt her feelings you didn't fill her dish first."

Tiki pranced out of the kitchen with her bent tail held high—the kitty version of a middle finger salute.

I'd been dealing with Tiki for months before Aunt Fae showed up. My one-eared, kink-tailed, formerly feral feline could've snatched an Oscar for her performance as a damsel in distress. I kept it to myself, though. Auntie would learn soon enough.

"I'm going to grab another coffee and then get ready for work," I said. "How are you doing this morning?"

Auntie yawned and stretched her arms over her head. Her iron gray hair stood up in spikes; she combed it with her fingers. "I'm fine. I had a bit of a headache earlier, but I took an aspirin. The bigger question is . . . are you okay? Are you feeling any better about that hermit situation than you were last night?"

"No, but I've got to move forward." I tightened the belt on my robe, heading for the coffee machine.

Aunt Fae's mouth twisted into a concerned frown. "I forgot to ask earlier, have you talked with Keone about this?"

"We tried to discuss it. But he agrees with Lei and Pono. They've all decided that since we can't be sure there was a little girl out there, I need to let it go. That's easier said than done."

Aunt Fae folded her arms and gave me her truthiest stare. "How is any of this helping?"

"What?"

"Not letting it go. How is holding on to it making it better?"

"I appreciate your concern, Aunt Fae, but it's too soon." I poured the coffee too fast into my mug, and some of it splashed on my hand. I hissed at the pain and turned away. "It's too raw. I'm going to get ready for work now and go do my job. That's the best place for me." I turned away and hurried up the stairs.

I showered and put on my usual postmaster outfit of black jeans and a white polo shirt. The bags under my eyes could've used a little concealer, but I chose to forgo it. Maybe subconsciously I wanted to appear as lousy as I felt—a sackcloth-and-ashes look.

When I got to the post office building, Pua had already unlocked the back door and turned on the lights. She eyed me like a judge at the Westminster Kennel Club zeroing in on a golden retriever with mud in its fur.

"You look horrible," she said. "Are you sick?"

"No. I'm fine. I just didn't get much sleep last night."

She put two fingers to her lips and whistled. "Ooh, care to dish? And don't skimp on the details. I read a lot of romance novels so I'm not easily shocked."

"It's not like that. Aunt Fae and I had a guest over for dinner last night and she brought margaritas. I think the alcohol interrupted my sleep cycle." I proceeded inside, opened my office and set my travel mug on my desk. The coffee could kick in any time now.

Pua pushed out her lower lip. "Well, I wrote down a couple of phone messages for you from the office voicemail. You want me to open up this morning so you can deal with them?"

I thanked her and said I'd be out in a few minutes.

Keone had called the post office line twice.

Frowning, I called him back.

"Hey, Trouble," Keone answered in his bedroom voice. Normally, that rumbling, sexy tone would make me want to chuck my postmaster duties for the day and summon up a fake cough so I could play sick and go surfing with him. But not this time.

"I'm at work," I said. Like that was news.

"I know. I'm checking in to see how you're doing."

"I'm okay."

"You don't sound okay. You want to catch a quick lunch with me later this morning? I've got to head out to the airport a little after twelve, but I could pick you up at say, eleven?"

It was nine and since I'd eaten Artie's breakfast burrito, I doubted I'd be hungry by then, but Keone's invitation wasn't about food; it was an offer of support. I'd had issues with recognizing relationship dynamics before, so I gave myself a little mental pat on the back for spotting this one so quickly. But as I'd told Aunt Fae, I was tired of hashing over the events of yesterday.

Could I ask Pua to take over for an hour? While I dithered, he went on. "Okay, here's what I'm thinking," he said. "I'll plan on coming for you at eleven. If you change your mind, give me a call on my cell."

The likelihood of me calling to cancel and him getting the message was remote. There's spotty, meaning pretty much nonexistent, cell service between Ohia and Hana where Keone lived. He knew I wouldn't leave him hanging if he showed up and I'd changed my mind but hadn't been able to reach him.

Clever man.

But I could be clever, too. And I was about to prove it.

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