The way Kaia said it, it didn’t seem like a compliment. Faye’s smile felt false. “Have a seat and I’ll get you something to drink. How about a fruit smoothie?”
“Actually, I came to take you out for a shave ice.”
The way Kaia smiled made Faye’s spirits rise. Her gaze lingered on the younger woman. Kaia’s large, dark eyes dominated her face. Intense and intelligent, they were a window to the inner woman Faye wanted to get to know better.
“A shave ice sounds wonderful! But Heidi is asleep.”
“There’s no hurry. We can sit and get to know one another for awhile.” Kaia sat on the sofa and curled one leg under her in a relaxed position. “I’m pooped anyway. A rest sounds nice.”
Faye watched Kaia lean back against the cushions. She looked quite at home. Maybe it was a good omen. Faye would like to see Kaia in this room all the time. “Tell me about your research.”
“I would think you would be tired of hearing about it.”
“Oh, Curtis doesn’t bring his work home. Getting him to talk about it is harder than prying open a clam.” Kaia’s dark eyes lit with enthusiasm as Faye listened. Kaia’s animation was mesmerizing, and Faye couldn’t take her eyes off her.
“We’re working on interacting with the dolphins with language,” Kaia said. “They talk to one another in clicks and whistles. We’re trying to establish a defined set of clicks and whistles that mean something to both of us so we can actually communicate with each other.”
“How exciting!” Faye didn’t care what Kaia said; she just wanted to keep her talking, keep her in the house. All her earlier plans to get Kaia to open up about important things went out of her head.
“Yes, it is. Although so far I’ve had more setbacks than anything. But I’m optimistic.”
“Curtis says if the dolphins don’t figure things out soon, he’s going to have to train them for the sea park.” Kaia’s eyes narrowed, and Faye knew she’d said the wrong thing.
“He can’t capture them. They’re wild dolphins who choose to come in to interact with us. I won’t let him betray their trust.” Kaia clenched her hands into fists.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, I’m glad you did. I’m going to have to talk to Curtis about this again.” Kaia began shifting in her seat, agitated now.
“Oh dear.” Faye wanted to wring her hands. Now Curtis would be mad that she’d gotten the whole staff up in arms.
“Don’t worry; I’m not going to blab that we’ve talked. But I am going to stop him,” Kaia said fiercely.
Faye chewed on her lip, tasting the lipstick she thought had worn off long ago. She’d have to confess to Curtis herself. If she let him be blindsided by Kaia’s plans, he’d never forgive her.
Kaia made an obvious effort to control her anger. “Tell me about yourself. Where are you from? You look Hawaiian.”
Treacherous territory. But maybe this would be the opportunity Faye had been looking for. “I am Hawaiian. I left Kaua’i a long time ago though and went to the mainland. I’ve been gone from the islands for twenty-two years.”
“I can’t imagine leaving here for so long! Didn’t you miss the sound of the sea and the scent of the orchids?”
If Kaia only knew. “Once upon a time I thought I wanted excitement and fulfillment I couldn’t find here.” She folded her hands in her lap. “After tasting everything the world had to offer, I found it wasn’t as thrilling as I thought it would be. I was empty when I met Curtis. He changed things for me, and I realized all I’d missed here. When he suggested moving back, I jumped at the chance. Things have changed though. I can’t believe how busy Honolulu has gotten.”
Kaia nodded. “Kaua’i has stayed much the same though.”
“Yes, it has.” Faye needed to tread carefully. “What about you and your family?”
“It’s just me and my two brothers. Our grandfather raised us. Our father died when I was two.”
Faye’s eyes stung. “What about your mother?”
Kaia’s mouth grew pinched. “I’d rather not talk about her. She left me with strangers when I was four and never looked back. I’ve never gotten so much as a card or a phone call from her.”
“You poor child.” Faye just barely managed to get the words out. “She must have been a terrible person.”
Kaia shrugged. “I don’t remember much about her, except that she sang when she combed her hair. She took me with her when she left, at least for a little while. Until she dumped me with a friend who called my grandfather to come get me a year later. Bane remembers her better than I do.”
“What does he say?”
“He’s been thinking about trying to find her. I told him not to bother. She wouldn’t thank us for interrupting the perfect life she’s found without us.” She sighed. “But our grandfather agrees with Bane.” She gave a slight smile. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this. It must be boring.”