Loveable Christmas Angel: Book #3 - Romance and Heavenly Spirits! (Angels with Attitudes) (5 page)

“That’s intriguing. How many quirks do you have?”

“More than you need to know about. I hope you weren’t being too hard on the poor man at the desk just now.”

He sat near her and waited until the waitress had cleared away the mess, then he ordered two more coffees. Today he wore a white Hawaiian short-sleeved shirt and black slacks that fit his body in a way they should, while screaming casual elegance.

“Such a big-hearted girl, worrying about everyone. But you can relax. Today I’m feeling generous and understanding. On the other hand, I’ve come to inform you that the hotel staff will be moving your belongings to one of their hospitality suites at no expense to you whatsoever. It’s the least they can do as a goodwill gesture after what you suffered last night.”

“But Kale, that’s not at all necessary. I didn’t suffer any more than you did. In fact, I consider the hour we spent together as being one of the high spots of my day. Not quite as scintillating as cuddling with the drunk on the airplane, but close.”

“You’re teasing, right?”

“What do you think?” She grinned and relaxed when he returned the cheeky smile with a grin of his own. From the corner of her eye, Leilani spotted Pi rushing her way. A sigh escaped before she could stop it.
Oh well!

“Leilani! I’m sorry to have kept you waiting. Parking spots are impossible to find. I hope you weren’t worried.”

“Hello, Pi. I’ve been visiting with Kale and didn’t realize how the time has flown.” She took the older man’s outstretched hand rather than shaking it formally, and paused next to him. Then she turned to look up at Kale who now stood across from her. “Kale, I’d like you to meet my new friend and driver, Pi.”

The two men shook hands and Kale continued with the introduction. “Kale Jordan, I’m pleased to meet you.”

Despite her calm outward appearance, her knees became weak, and then a humming started inside as if a string had been plucked, and finally her heart sighed with sorrow for the end of unattainable desires. Without Pi’s hand to cling to, she would have buckled and plopped back down in her chair. Kale Jordan was the owner of the Jordan hotel chain—that Mr. Jordan?

Double freakin’ damnation!

* * *

Soon she was in the taxi with Pi, driving down Kalakaua Avenue, one of the busiest thoroughfares in Waikiki. Colorfully outfitted tourists rushed in every direction; their old tendencies so much a part of them that even on holidays they couldn’t seem to break the habit. She watched; she saw, but nothing computed.

“You didn’t know he was the big boss man, did you?” Pi’s voice seemed to come from a long distance.

“Nope! Guess it showed.”

“Yep! Guess it did but you must remember he’s no different than anyone else, Leilani.”

“Of course he isn’t, Pi—just richer, smarter and used to a different class of people than a poor nurse from Canada.”

“You mean, a beautiful, well-educated, kind-hearted nurse from Canada. The man should be so lucky.”

“Aww… you sweet-talker. That’ll get you an even better tip than I’d planned.”

“If that’s all it’s gonna take, watch me. I can string out the compliments with the best of them. Seriously, little one, any man would be lucky to catch your interest. Now where are we off to in such a hurry?”

Once Leilani gave him the address and a few particulars about the relationship she had with the lady she’d soon meet, she relaxed back into the seat and enjoyed the scenery, while at the same time saying good-by to a dream.

Within fifteen minutes, they pulled into the gravel driveway of a rundown property. The dated house sat at the front of the lot, and a few bushes and half-dead trees to the side failed to hide a small barn. An ancient jeep, parked next to the veranda, had certainly seen better days.

“I know this piece of land, Leilani. At one time, the residents owned a large plantation. Then the older generation died off, and their children have sold it piecemeal, probably so they could afford the upkeep at today’s prices. I think this lot is all they have left now.”

“How sad it is to have to part with one’s heritage? Poor Auntie! It must have been very difficult.”

“I’ll wait for you here, but if you need me just call.” He pulled a straw hat out from under the seat and put it over his face to signal a nap coming on.

“Thanks, Pi, but are you sure? I don’t know how long I’ll be.”

He winked, leaned his seat back and crossed his arms. “I’m sure.”

Leilani approached the front steps and noticed a small child who sat huddled on a swing chair that had seen better days. The girl stared at her, and her scared look was quickly replaced with a frown and then a sneer. Ignoring Leilani’s tentative approach, she continued to play with what looked like a small knife held next to a piece of wood.

From the looks of the sturdy body, Leilani figured this golden-tanned cherub to be maybe four or five years of age. Her black hair had a natural curl, which stuck out all over her head, and hung in messy ringlets to her shoulders. The grubby t-shirt and shorts had the appearance of being slept in, and the dirty flip-flops were so worn that no color remained on the straps.

Smiling gently, Leilani stepped closer, but not too close to scare the little one into bolting. Then she knelt down eye level and said, “Hello. My name is Leilani. I’m here to see Mele Palea. Is she inside?”

The girl stared at her with piercing black eyes that didn’t give an inch. She said nothing.

Leilani tried again. “Mele is my aunt. She wrote and said it was urgent that I come as soon as possible. Can you help me, little girl?” Her words registered this time, and Leilani believed the youngster reacted mostly when she said the woman was her aunt.

Disgust evident in her words and manner, the girl shot to her feet and placed both her hands on her hips. “I’m not a girl. I’m a boy!” His sniff of disdain could have won him an academy award.

So, that’s what he had reacted to. How silly of her to have made such an assumption. In her defense, the large fringed eyes and incredible dimples had screamed lucky girl. In retrospect, she could see that he had the stance and attitude of a prickly male.

“I’m sorry.” Not knowing what else to say and worrying she’d just dig herself into a deeper hole, Leilani said nothing further. Deciding not to crowd the child, she sat back on the step and waited. Within a short time, he made up his mind and moved to the door. “Grandmother said I was to show any visitors inside but she’s sick and tired. She doesn’t need company.”

Grandmother! This boy is Aunt Mele’s grandson?
Shocked but not wanting to upset him, she agreed. “Of course I won’t tire her, honey. I just want to have a little chat since I’ve come such a long way. Will you take me to her?”

“No. She’s in the first room, you’ll see.” Without another word, the scamp took off down the stairs and disappeared around the back of the house.

Feeling very uncomfortable, Leilani approached the entrance and knocked on the glass, only for the door to swing inward. Long plastic strands hung from above the doorframe and she pushed her way through them. On a daybed across the room lay an older woman who looked to be very sick, and as the boy had described, very tired. An oxygen tank sat near her on the floor, and the line was hooked around her ears and fed into her nose.

Leilani stepped forward; and the groaning of the wood floor gave notice of her being there. The woman’s eyes opened, glassy and feverish but filled with a glow of happiness.

“You came, Lani. I knew you wouldn’t let me down.”

Heart full, she rushed to kneel on the floor beside the sick woman and clasped her groping hand gently. “Aunt Mele, didn’t you get my letter? I’m Lani’s daughter, Leilani. I came in mother’s place.”

“Lani didn’t come with you?” Eyes darting back and forth, the old lady’s grip tightened and confirmed her rising agitation.

“Oh Auntie, she wanted to, very much but she couldn’t. You see, she passed away a week ago. I found your letter and sent you a special delivery in answer to let you know I would be here instead as soon as possible.”

Pain sliced through Leilani, pain and regret. Tears threatened to choke her, and she swallowed continuously until she had control. She felt horrible breaking the news in such a stark way, but she knew her aunt needed to understand.

Dropping back, the gray-haired lady rested on the grubby pillow and sighed, a tear escaping the tightly closed lashes. She proceeded to clutch Leilani’s hand, then loosen her grip, and then tighten it over and over, as if making up her mind what to say next. Taking advantage of the situation, Leilani took Mele’s pulse… and wasn’t shocked at her findings.

Finally, her aunt sighed, and with trembling fingers swiped at her drenched eyelids. Leilani searched in her gigantic beach bag for the tissues she always carried and passed a few to her aunt who ignored them. So instead, Leilani gently wiped the wet stains from the wrinkled skin.

Making a huge effort, her aunt opened her eyes and firmed her voice. “I’m sorry. You must miss her terribly. She wrote that you two were very close. A relationship I admit to envying over the years.”

“Yes, we were.”

“Lani was very lucky. My daughter has always hated me, and ran away as soon as she could. The only good thing she ever did for me was give me Mano, who has been a blessing for me in my old age.”

Leilani could see the struggle it took for her aunt to speak and so she broke in to give her a rest. “He’s very handsome. I can see why you’re so proud of him.”

“He’s a lot like his mother, prickly and hard to reach but I stopped trying with her, and she never forgave me. He needs someone patient and kind, who will love him no matter what he—” A coughing spell broke into her ability to speak. By the time she’d recovered, she’d slipped into a semi-conscious state.

Leilani rose, the tingling in her legs a reaction to her sitting with her knees bent for so long. She stumbled to where she surmised the kitchen to be and looked around in horror.

Dirty dishes were stacked on the table, the counter, and overflowing the sink. Cupboard doors were opened and cereal boxes and cookie packages were strewn everywhere. The smell of old food, burnt pots, and unwashed surfaces emitted an odor both offensive and disgusting.

The room told a story only a blind person could miss. The poor little fellow had been trying to look after his grandmother. Leilani wondered at the towels and bowls left around her bed. At the storybooks on the floor, near where she lay and at the makeshift pile of blankets and a grimy pillow placed close by.

First Leilani found a clean cup, all the glasses being used, and filled it with water. Then she filled a bowl also and found a clean towel in a linen closet in the hall.

Within no time, she had washed her aunt and made her as comfortable as possible. Then, alarmed, she searched the label on the empty plastic pill bottle and made note of the doctor’s name. Using her cell phone, she called.

Because of the urgent situation, her demands to speak to the doctor were met, and in a short time, she had his attention. Explaining in terms he understood, she brought him up to date on the condition of the patient. “Her prescription has run out, she needs a refill. If I send my driver to your office, will you give it to him so he can get it filled?”

Knowing Pi would be in full agreement, she made the arrangements and breathed a sigh of relief that she’d been able to organize things to her liking. Then she figuratively pulled up her sleeves and made her way into the kitchen. A window covered by sagging sheers drew her, and she peered outside to see a virtual jungle. The child, Mano, was nowhere in the vicinity that she could see.

If he was there, he stayed well hidden. Once again, she checked on her patient whose condition hadn’t changed. She searched out clean sheets and a nightgown, and then gathered up the paraphernalia she’d need as soon as the woman woke up again.

By the time Pi had returned, the kitchen looked spotless and a pot of soup steamed on the stove. The table had three places set.

“Pi, did you see the boy when you drove into the yard?” Worry claimed Leilani as once again, she looked out the window and then moved to the door that opened onto the back terrace.

“No. He was nowhere in sight. But if you like, I can go and fetch him for lunch?”

“Thank you. I don’t want to leave my aunt in case she wakes and calls out. However, we need to eat, and it’ll be a good chance to talk with him.”

A short time later, Pi appeared holding the boy’s hand and leading him into the kitchen. “Come and wash your hands with me,” Pi said, obviously expecting Mano to heed. Not surprisingly, the boy followed Pi’s lead, and even used the soap Pi passed to him. “That’s good. People have to wash before eating. It proves we’re a more enlightened species than animals.”

“Some animals clean themselves,” Mano spoke up as if he couldn’t help himself.

“Sure they do, with their tongues. I suppose you could lick yourself clean, but for me, I’d rather not.” The grotesque face Pi made had the boy smiling, until he caught sight of Leilani smiling also. Quickly, his manner reversed back to the angry, sullen little person she’d encountered earlier.

Chapter Nine

Throughout the afternoon, her aunt rallied due to the medication Leilani was now able to give her, but late in the day, her breathing became worse.

During her sponge bath she woke again, fighting valiantly to stay conscious. Her hand gripped Leilani’s shoulder and pinched it in her need for Leilani to listen. “You are so like your mother. Except that you are happy. And she was heartbroken!”

“I wasn’t aware mother was sad when she left Hawaii,” Leilani said, astonishment overwhelming her. “I thought her marriage to my father had filled her with joy. She’d always told me he rescued her.”

“No my dear, he just took her away from a painful past. As it turned out, when she had you, her past ended up following.”

“Had something happened to her that made her unhappy?” Leilani always wanted to know what had driven her mother to become the bitter woman she remembered.

Time passed as her aunt napped for a few seconds. Then she opened her rheumy eyes, searched for Leilani, and spoke as if time hadn’t elapsed. “Poor Lani! She killed the love of her life, an older man she adored above all others. They had been lovers, and he’d wanted to marry her but she talked him into waiting until after a horse show she’d entered. Oh my, she loved horses. In those days, we owned a lot more land. So my father had a small stable where we kept some animals.”