Page 5 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

Some people fried Korean short ribs on the stove, but I liked to broil them, a trick I’d learned from my mother. They cooked faster and tasted better. Barbecuing was always best, but I didn’t have time.

“They’re ready. You can take them out.” I set the platter of butter lettuce salad, a plate of broccoli, and rice bowls on the dining table. “Ty, Bridget, dinner is ready.”

“Coming,” they both said.

Footsteps padded behind me as I walked back to Kate. “So, tell me about your vacation.”

“After I’m fed.” Kate snorted and waved at the smoke from the open oven. She took out the baking sheet and carefully placed the ribs on the large white platter with a pair of tongs.

I poured three glasses of red wine, passed two to Lee and Kate, then eased into a chair in front of my sister.

“I’m feeding you. Are you going to tell me now?” I asked with a hint of sarcasm.

Kate cackled and wrung strands of brunette hair over her ear. She shared a loving glance with Lee and said, “It was amazing. We had the best time.”

A romantic getaway. I had no doubt Lee had gone all out in Paris and Rome. When Kate and I had time together, she would spill all, but for now, she was holding back.

“Maybe next time we can all go together,” Lee added as he took a bite of the beef. “Yum, Abby. I don’t know what you put in the sauce, but I have not tasted anything better than the one you make.”

“You’re just saying that. You don’t have to flatter me.” I ducked my head and poured the miso dressing over my salad.

Lee’s chest bobbed from his full belly chuckle. “Fine, but it’s still the best.” His attention shifted to Kate. “Do you want another galbi, babe?”

Kate was already eating one, but he went out of his way to place another on her plate. She rewarded him with a sunshine smile, her brown eyes twinkling, reminding me of our mother.

Kate and I looked similar and yet different. We both had our father’s eyes and our mother’s smooth, pale skin. I’d gotten my father’s nose and full lips. And Kate inherited our mother’s narrow jawline.

Lee was always looking after Kate, doting on her and showing love in those small but tangible ways. His actions showed how much he cared for her. As much as I loved seeing that affection between them, it made me miss Steve even more.

Steve had worked long hours and on the weekends, too. And any time he could spare, he’d spent with Tyler and me. Even when his coworkers wanted him to go out for drinks, he had always come home. He had been a wonderful husband and father.

“Mom, I don’t want broccoli,” Tyler whined, and dumped the few pieces that were on his plate onto mine. He had told me he didn’t like broccoli countless times, but I never stopped trying.

I frowned. “Take one bite, Ty.”

“Nay, Captain.” He wrinkled his nose.

“You’re not a pirate.” I scowled. “Pirate talk won’t get you out of listening to your mother.”

“So …” Lee licked the sauce off his fingers. “Anything new happen while we were gone?”

My face got even hotter. Every time I thought of Ian, my whole body ignited. Had Ian told Lee he had bumped into me? Actually saved me from making a fool out of myself and possibly from breaking a bone or two?

I was reluctant to bring it up, but they would definitely meet, since Ian was back in town. He was bound to tell Lee if he hadn’t already. And then there was the fact that Tyler was looking at me, waiting for me to speak first. Because I knew he was dying to say something.

“Ty, you want to tell Lee who we ran into yesterday?” I gathered the cool wine glass and took a sip.

“Who, Ty?” Bridget’s blue eyes gleamed, reminding me of the ocean.

Tyler swallowed a spoonful of rice, but when his eyes sparkled with mischief, I almost stopped him. But why? There wasn’t anything to hide.

“We saw Ian at the market,” Ty began. He spoke so fast, I didn’t have a chance to cut him off. “He caught my mom like a hero just before she fell. She was trying to get the yogurt, but she was too short. She said a lot of bad words. Mom acted shy, and then they just looked at each other for a while, and I was so bored. Ian said he would see Mom at the gallery. And then he kissed her.”

Kate slapped her hand over her mouth, almost spitting out her wine. Lee dipped his head, pretending to be busy with his napkin on his lap. Bridget giggled.

Mortified. Blood drained from my face. My muscles went slack and weak. It was a good thing I was sitting.

Tyler had had his eyes glued on the cereal box when I was talking to Ian. It hadn’t seemed like he was paying attention, but he observed more than I knew. More than I wished, sometimes. I had to be careful around him.