When as yet there were none of them.
The truth hit her in a way it never had before. God knew every single day of surgery she’d gone through. He fashioned the days she would have. There was some purpose for the way he’d made her, for the way he’d created Eva. Did she trust God enough not to know that purpose? Tears sprang to her eyes, and she struggled to hold them back. She’d always said she’d never cry again. Never. But the tears refused to be blocked. They poured from her eyes in a cleansing flood as she sank to her knees and acknowledged she could trust the Lord. The anger and disappointment with God fell away as she prayed.
She wiped the tears from her face, her fingers lighting on the tiny scar on her lip. This time she didn’t flinch. This scar was a badge of God’s love for her. The weight was gone from her shoulders. She had a party to get ready for, though she still didn’t know how she was going to answer Bane. Did she have the courage to reach out for her happiness? She prepared for the evening in a fog. She hadn’t worn the red sundress she’d bought on Maui last month. It was a sarong-type that hugged her figure and fell to just above her knees. She showered, washed and dried her hair, and dressed. Her hair looked more lustrous tonight, her eyes brighter. Her cheeks bloomed with color. She didn’t look half bad. Slipping her feet into sequined slippers, she went to her car. The ukulele festival was held at Kiowea Beach Park on the south shore. As she drove toward the beach, she could hear the music calling over the waves. Her gaze scanned the golden sand for Bane’s tall figure. He was usually easy to find because of his height. She parked and then hurried toward the crowd gathered around the musicians.
The fragrance of flowers struck her first. She glanced around and saw masses of bouquets all around the clearing: ginger, orchids, plumeria, all her favorites. She searched until she spotted Bane. He was just getting ready to play.
His face lit up with pleasure when he saw her. He put down his instrument and came toward her. “You’re just in time.” He picked up something at his feet.
Leia’s gaze took in the beautiful lei. It had to be Malia’s artwork. Tiny seashells mingled with perfect white blossoms. Bane slipped it over her head, and the sweet scent made her senses reel. He took her by the hand and led her through the flowers and the crowd. She glanced around and stopped when she saw her father. “Makua, you’re here?”
“Bane told me something exciting was going to happen tonight. I didn’t want to miss it. And your mother insisted we come. She says we’re not going to hang our heads.”
“Mama said that?” Leia couldn’t keep the incredulity from her voice.
“Your mother has her issues, but she’s sticking by me, Leia. I’m grateful for that.” Her father’s smile faltered. “Your mother is over there somewhere with Eva. I was just getting her a drink.” He pointed toward the refreshment stand.
Leia saw her mother’s blonde head. The disappointment she’d felt over her mother’s coldness began to dissipate. Her mother couldn’t change her nature. God had ordained her mother’s days too. It was best if Leia simply accepted what love her mother was able to show. Pressing her father’s arm, she stepped into the crowd with Bane.
His family was here as well, and even Kaia and Jesse had returned. They were seated near Mano and Annie with Malia on the other side of Annie. Malia had picked T?t? up from the assisted-living home, and their grandmother looked bright and alert tonight as she chatted with Luana. Kaia’s color was high, and her eyes were bright with expectation. A strange smile hovered on Mano’s lips. He looked almost—proud. Even Malia’s smile seemed to stretch across her face. What was going on? She gave the family another glance, then followed Bane.
Several rocks jutted through the sand in the open area where the musicians were playing. Bane seated her on one, picked up his ukulele and began to strum. His fingers picked out the chords. When he opened his mouth, she was shocked. He never sang.
“Aloha nui loa.” His rich tenor filled the night air. The words meant “I love you very much.”
Leia flushed hot and cold as the meaning of his song penetrated. Bane was private and rarely even held her hand in public when they’d been engaged. He was staring now—his gaze full of love and longing. He wasn’t trying to hide what he felt from the world. The Hawaiian song spoke of his great love and longing for her and ended with a proposal of marriage. She’d never heard it, and she wondered where he’d found the song. When the chords of the ukulele echoed away, he put down the instrument and came toward her. He went to one knee in front of her. The crowd began to cheer and whistle. Leia put her hands on her cheeks, and the heat radiated up through her palms.