Page 36 of Ghosts and Ginger Tea

I pulled out a book titled “Legends of Ancient Hawaii” and flipped through the pages.

“You can read?” Keanu stood behind me. I turned around, startled.

“Yes, of course.”

He tilted his head. “How?”

I frowned. How rude of him to assume I couldn’t read, just because I was from the lower class!

“The missionaries taught me. Father kept getting ripped off by the foreigners at the port. He couldn’t read the contracts and agreements he made with them when he sold fish, so they kept taking advantage of us. It got so bad that I went to the local school taught by the missionaries, and I learned how to read.”

It was then I realized Keanu had placed his elbow on the shelf above me, basically pinning me to the books behind me. He grinned, his fresh sandalwood scent filling my senses. “Just when I think I know a thing or two about you, you keep surprising me,” he said.

His eyes were so bright, it almost hurt to look at them. “Well, then…” My voice was unusually soft, but he was so close to me… why would I speak loudly?

“What else are you hiding, moon of my tide?”

Not that nickname again. Even if somewhere, deep down, there was the nagging realization that I could like it.

His eyes lowered to my lips, and again, I thought he might kiss me. I could feel his warmth against me, luring me like the ocean on a cloudless day.

Would it be so bad to let him kiss me?

My reasoning screamed at me.

Oli, he’s just trying to trick you into liking him!

I cleared my throat and slammed the book shut. It was an accident–I didn’t mean to slam it, but I was so nervous, it happened that way. We were both startled, though Keanu seemed more entertained than annoyed. I turned around and shoved it back where it had come from. “You mentioned there were books about previous chiefs?” I asked, my face as hot as lava.

Keanu was still grinning as he pulled away. “Yes, over here.” He showed me the shelf, but instead of helping me, he stood against the shelves, arms folded, watching me. He seemed very amused with himself, and all I could do was bite my lower lip to keep the fluttering in my stomach at bay.

“Are you going to help me?” I asked. He stood close to me as he pulled out a book, obviously enjoying flirting with me.

Flirting? Blast this man. I would not catch feelings. I could not. It was impractical! But as he flipped through pages and showed me the different chiefs he could remember during his nights as a night marcher, I couldn’t stop stealing glances at him.

It was then that Keanu stood behind me, taking the book from my hands. His arms wrapped around me, his chest against my back.

I think my heart stopped.

“Look,” he said, flipping to a page, his cheek close to mine. He smelled so good, I couldn’t help but enjoy it. Because, for a moment, I realized this might be my only moment to enjoy this. For a girl who never quite had a bright future or a romantic relationship, maybe this was the closest thing to it I could get. Maybe it was worth the risk… at least for ‌today. I allowed myself to relax a little, and felt Keanu smile, as if he knew exactly what I was thinking.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

After a long day of researching, Keanu had duties to tend to, and he seemed loath to leave me. He apologized for not being able to go to the ocean with me, but I didn’t mind. I went to the ocean by myself, with Alohi trailing not far behind me. Then I hurried to talk to Kiki.

I heard mother coughing before I reached home, and my heart sank.

The sickness is back…

Kiki didn’t even have to say it when she opened the door. I went in and greeted my mother with a kiss on her cheek, but she was sleeping.

“Mother is worried about you, you know,” Kiki said when we sat in the comfortable living space together. She worked on her quilt, her fingers always so precise. The quilt she made this time was of purple kahili, definitely something that would hang from the palace walls. It really was kind that Keanu had allowed such a high-ranking position for my sister as the royal quilter.

“Mother wants to know how this all came about. I told her Kāne has been good to us.”

I swallowed. Was all of this really that good?

At least I’ve provided a good life for mother and Kiki. I couldn’t help but admire the fine details and features of the home Keanu had given them. Gold foiled trim, kapa tapestries, dried tropical foliage, and more.