Courageous Love: A Christian Romance Novel (The Hawaii Love Series, #1) (11 page)

T
he Kahuku Medical Center was a 21 bed facility located on the north shore of Oahu. The hospital had been around for years, and after nearly closing in 2012, had been revitalized to serve the local residents and tourists along the north shore. Although small, the facility offered emergency services, ancillary services and full inpatient care. Lilo had been a guest of Kahuku Medical Center for close to two weeks by the time Michelle got to Haleiwa.

“Michelle ...” Lilo said weakly as Larry, Elizabeth, and Michelle entered the hospital room. “Oh my little anela, my little angel.” Lilo wrapped Michelle in her arms and held her close.

Michelle sobbed, letting all the emotion of the past few days out in the safe embrace of her Grandma Lilo. “Oh, Grandma,” Michelle cried softly.

“My dear,” Lilo said, lifting Michelle’s chin up. “This is not a time for tears. This is a happy time. We are all together again.”

Michelle knew that Lilo thought she was crying for her. She wiped away the tears and forced a smile as Grandma Lilo motioned for Michelle to sit next to her on the bed. After a few moments, Larry and Elizabeth left Michelle alone to catch up with Lilo.

“So tell me,” said Lilo, holding Michelle’s young hand in her withered one. “Tell me everything I’ve missed in your life. I know they say I don’t have much time, but I’m not going anywhere until I hear it all.” Lilo smiled, her eyes shining as if she were twenty.

Michelle began where they had left off, with her escape to California with Justin. She talked about their relationship and how it had gone from blissful to bad. She shared how Justin had become controlling almost to the point of being abusive and how she broke it off. Michelle went on to talk about her time at the animal shelter and her cat Menehune. She talked about the Beach Brew and Tracy and then brought Lilo up to speed on New Life Pharmaceuticals. But she stopped short of sharing about her relationship with Luke. She wasn’t sure she was ready to open that wound up just yet.

“And your walk with God, my little anela? How is that going?” Lilo held Michelle’s hand and gaze as Michelle fidgeted, unable to break free. Her grandmother always had some sort of special power over Michelle. She was firm without being harsh and gentle without being soft.

“Oh, Grandma,” Michelle finally caved. “It’s not good, not good at all. In fact, not only am I not walking with God, we’re not even on the same trail.”

Lilo’s kind eyes urged Michelle to continue. “I feel so much guilt, so much remorse about turning away from God when I left with Justin. It’s just that I felt so trapped. Father wanted me to marry Kana, and I didn’t want that. In fact, I don’t even think I wanted Justin. I just wanted love, the love father could never show me. So I took what I could get from Justin.”

Lilo waited, nodding in silence and knowing there was more. Lilo always knew when there was more.

“And then there’s Luke,” Michelle caught her breath, unsure whether she could continue. She looked over her shoulder to make sure her parents were still gone before going on. “Oh, Grandma, I really messed up. I was dating this guy Luke. I thought he was the one, really. We were in love. And I tried to live by God’s rules, I didn’t move in with him. But ...” she trailed off, leaving nothing to the imagination.

“Come here child,” Lilo said softly, drawing Michelle into her arms again. She stroked Michelle’s hair as she had done so many times when she was younger. “Michelle, my anela.” Lilo breathed in and out softly as she spoke. “Did I teach you to place your happiness in men? No, my child.” Lilo’s breath tickled Michelle’s ear as she cried. “You must place your happiness and trust in God first and foremost and never forget Him. Let’s pray together,” Lilo offered, pulling Michelle to an arm’s length.

The two women held hands and closed their eyes as Lilo spoke. “Dear heavenly Father, please help your daughter, Michelle, help her recommit her life to you God and to learn to trust you again. God, I know that you want your child near you and I know you have the right man picked out for her already. Please help her trust that you will bring that person into her life.”

Michelle sighed heavily and spoke, “And God, please take care of my grandmother, of my Lilo. Help her get better, heal her and take very good care of her.” The two women looked at each other and smiled as they said, “Amen.”

“Grandma, I’m so very afraid that something will happen to you,” Michelle confessed, feeling like a little girl in front of Lilo.

“Now, there is nothing to fear. Michelle, I have entrusted my life to God and no matter where He takes me, you will see me again someday.” The words brought a whole new wave of tears from Michelle. She fell back into Lilo’s arms, holding her tightly, praying again that God would restore Lilo to health. Michelle wanted to stay there forever, to have Lilo get up and be healed. And she wanted to tell her that she was pregnant. But she couldn’t bring herself to say the words, to disgrace herself in front of this woman that she held in such high esteem. She would never be able to live with herself if Lilo’s last thoughts were of Michelle being pregnant and unwed.

After several more minutes together, Michelle said goodbye and left to find her parents waiting just outside of the room. Few words were exchanged on the way home, and after a quick goodnight to each of her parents, Michelle climbed to her room. Kahili had placed a tray of Michelle’s favorite childhood treats outside of her door. She looked at the coconut shortbread cookies and Hawaiian punch and smiled, remembering the good days she had growing up on Trinity Ranch.

She sat on the bed and closed her eyes as the coconut tickled her lips. After washing two cookies down with a big swig of punch, Michelle stretched out, letting the memories come. She thought about the day she had and all the things she remembered from her childhood. She thought about Ano, Kahili, her brother and sister and Lilo. Michelle felt the corners of her mouth turn up as good memories came pouring into her mind. She saw Lilo’s kind eyes and still felt the comfort of her embrace. And she knew, she just knew that God was there watching over Lilo. And a part of her started to believe that God was watching over Michelle too.

T
he warm breeze fluttered across Daniel’s nose and woke him as the sun was beginning to rise. He checked his watch, realizing he had time for a quick cup of Kona coffee before heading to the airport to check his bags. Daniel didn’t want to carry all his luggage to Haleiwa and since he hoped to be flying out later today, he figured he’d just place his remaining luggage in a locker at the airport.

The concierge greeted Daniel with a one hundred watt smile. “Good morning! Did you like Big Kahuna’s?” He already knew the answer from the big thumbs up exchange they had the previous night, but he wanted details.

“Yes,” said Daniel, realizing he had left the remainder of the Sumo Special in the room. “It was better than I could have imagined. In fact,” Daniel said, patting his trim flat stomach, “I’m still full!”

“Good, I’m glad you liked it,” said the concierge. “Will you be staying with us for another night?”

“No,” Daniel said, carting his luggage toward the doors. “I don’t think so. But thank you for your hospitality. The next time I’m in Honolulu, I’ll be sure to stay here again.”

The concierge ran to the door and held it open for Daniel. They shook hands and Daniel slipped a twenty dollar bill in his palm. The concierge looked up, surprised and then bowed politely, tipping his hat to Daniel as he exited the hotel lobby.

Daniel made it to the bus stop just as the airport shuttle was pulling up. He ran inside and checked the departure time for the bus to Haleiwa. He didn’t want to cart his luggage with him all day, but he wasn’t about to miss the bus again either. The board showed that the bus would be leaving in 60 minutes, plenty of time to take the shuttle to the airport and back.

After securing his luggage in a locker at the terminal, Daniel looked at the departure times for flights back to California. He noticed that if he made it back from Haleiwa by six p.m., he might be able to get a standby seat on the last flight out for the day. He hopped on the shuttle back to the bus stop and arrived just as the bus was loading. Looking at his watch, he realized the bus was early. Daniel said a silent prayer thanking God for making it back in time.

“And God,” he added quietly, “I really want to make that flight out tonight.” He laughed and remembered what his best friend had always told him.

“Make your plans in pencil and give God the eraser.” That’s what Paul had said when Daniel had told him about wanting to get into the stunt business. Paul Carter had been Daniel’s best friend since grade school. Although they went their separate ways after high school, they still kept in touch. Several years after Daniel moved to California, he was thrilled to discover Paul had also landed in Orange County at a non-profit investment group that was dedicated to preserving natural resources.

Daniel laughed again, thinking how ironic it was that he was stuck here in Hawaii, thinking about Paul when Paul also had family in Hawaii. Daniel made a mental note to ask Paul where his family was from so that he could pay them a visit on his next trip to the islands.

The doors to the bus closed as Daniel found his seat. He propped his bag up on the empty seat next to him and leaned back into the cushioned chair. The bus lurched forward with a jump and then proceeded on its smooth ride down Interstate H1 towards Pearl Harbor. The city disappeared from view as the Harbor coast appeared on the west side of the bus. Daniel made another mental note to take time to visit the historical site of the Japanese bombing on his next trip. He pulled the map he had grabbed from the hotel out of his bag and noticed that Hickam Air Force Base and Barber’s Point Naval Air Station were also both located on the south side of Oahu. More mental notes. Daniel loved action and loved his job. But he also enjoyed exploring history. There was no better way to absorb the history than to view it firsthand.

The bus drove past the harbor and veered north onto Interstate H2 toward Wahaiwa, a valley destination located between the Koolau and the Waianae Mountain Ranges. The volcanic mountains jutted up majestically on both sides of the bus as Daniel and the other passengers made their way north through Wahaiwa and onto Haleiwa. Even though they were miles from the shore, Daniel could smell the surf as the salt air wrapped its way through the mountains.

After 45 minutes, the bus pulled around the rotary on Kamehameha Highway and the surf town of Haleiwa appeared out of nowhere. What had been mountain terrain and desolate countryside was replaced by a vibrant expanse of oceanfront paradise. The quaint main Haleiwa Road converged with Kamehameha Highway and was dotted with shops, art galleries and restaurants. Visitors were welcomed by the friendly surfer ensconced in the wooden Haleiwa North Shore sign that hung from the main street post.

Daniel watched people stroll the streets as the surfers and beachgoers padded happily on the sand. Boards of all kind were everywhere, in front of shops, in the back seats of convertibles and even on bicycles. It was instantly obvious that the little town of Haleiwa was a surfing mecca.

As the bus came to a stop, Daniel grabbed his carry-on bag and moved down the center aisle toward the driver. He tipped the big Samoan driver and hopped off the bus. People skirted past him holding coffees and shaved ice. Daniel took in the sights and smells as fried food mingled with the salt air. Daniel was usually a stickler for time, always making sure he was early and prompt. But something about Haleiwa calmed him. He knew he wanted to fly out today and get back to Kimberly, and yet, he felt so relaxed just being on the North Shore. After walking a few feet and checking out the vista, Daniel ducked into a local restaurant to ask for directions to Trinity Ranch.

“Good morning! What can I get you today?” a bubbly Hawaiian waitress appeared in front of Daniel, startling him.

“Uh, actually, I just need directions,” Daniel said.

“Oh, that’s no good.” The waitress grabbed Daniel’s arm, obviously flirting with him, and escorted him over to a seat at the counter. “You can’t come to Haleiwa and not have some of the famous Hula Surf specialties.”

“Oh, well . . .” Daniel hadn’t planned on eating, but the smells tantalizing his stomach were just too much to ignore. He sat down, dropping his bag to the floor as the waitress placed a menu and a cup of coffee before him. “I suppose I could try something.”

“Here’s some of our famous coffee ...” the waitress added a napkin and silverware to the coffee service. “My name is Kaiko, and I’ll be your server. I’ll give you a minute, and I’ll be right back.”

Daniel looked at the menu and then glanced around the restaurant. He spotted a surfboard clock at one end and noticed that it was still early. Good, he thought, plenty of time for a quick bite before heading to this ranch.

“What’ll it be?” beamed Kaiko, her white teeth sparkling as she flirted even more.

“Well,” Daniel said, again referring to the menu. “I think I’ll have the Hula Combination.”

“You got it, darling,” Kaiko said, laying it on thick. “And you said you need directions? Where are you headed?”

Daniel handed her the menu and poured some cream into his coffee. Raising the cup to his lips, he said, “Trinity Ranch, have you heard of it?”

Kaiko almost dropped the menu in her hand. “Trinity Ranch? Of course, I know it! Everybody knows Trinity Ranch!” Kaiko was curious now. First Michelle and now this handsome stranger. “What business do you have at the ranch?”

Daniel didn’t think anything of Kaiko’s questions, assuming she was just making small talk. “Well, this may sound strange, but I got my airline tickets mixed up with someone else’s.” Daniel took another sip of his coffee. “And apparently, she is at Trinity Ranch.”

Kaiko raised one eyebrow, betting she knew exactly who the
she
was he was referring to. “Well, I know exactly where Trinity Ranch is and would be happy to show you myself. I get off in about an hour so you just sit back and enjoy our hospitality and great food, and then I’ll take you there myself.”