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A nurse appeared.
Leilani nodded silently. “We have to go now, but I’ll be back tomorrow.” Leilani leaned over and pressed a kiss to Makai’s forehead. “I love you, Mak.”
“Love you, too, Lani.” He stared across at Angel. “Take care of her.”
Angel nodded. “I will.”
As Leilani and Angel left the room, they found Alyssa standing in the hallway. She didn’t say anything or acknowledge them as they passed by.
Angel was glad. The woman had said enough to permanently damage any relationship she might have had with Leilani.
Leilani walked out of the hospital without saying a single word.
Angel guided her across the parking lot to where he’d parked the rental car. When he opened the passenger door, Leilani practically melted into the seat.
Angel frowned. “Are you okay?”
She leaned her head back against the seat. “No.”
“What can I do to help?”
She gave him a small, wry smile. “Get in the car and drive.”
His lips twitched. Angel closed her door and rounded the front of the car to slide in behind the wheel. “Back to the resort.”
She shook her head. “Anywhere but there. I’m so tired of being a refugee. Tired of trying to rebuild my life. Tired of waiting to get back into Lahaina. Tired of working hard just to keep afloat.” She looked out the side window. “Maybe Alyssa is right. Maybe I should sell the land in Lahaina, then take the money and go where I can paint all day and not be responsible for anyone but myself. I was a fool to think I could step into my father’s shoes.”
“Stop.” Angel reached across the console and took her hand in his. “You’re letting Alyssa get to you. She’s wrong. You’re good at what you do. Your people love you, and you love them. What’s happened lately hasn’t been because you’re a bad boss. So, stop beating yourself up.”
She sat for a moment, still staring out the window. “I still don’t want to go back to the resort yet.”
“Okay.” He backed out of the parking space and shifted into the drive. “Where do you want to go?”
Leilani faced forward, her jaw set, her eyes narrowed. “Take me around Maui. Remind me why I love living here and why I shouldn’t give up and leave.”
Angel spent the rest of the day driving all around Maui.
Leilani showed him where to find the best hiking trails, the most secluded waterfalls and beaches where green sea turtles came to bask in the sun.
They ate lunch at a seaside café and watched the waves wash up on shore. As the sun sank toward the horizon, Angel stopped at a beach on the west side of Maui.
They sat on the sand and watched as the clouds turned from mauve and purple to flaming orange and yellow as the sun dissolved into the ocean.
Leilani turned to Angel, cupped his cheeks in her hands and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“Do you still love Maui?”
“More than ever,” she responded.
“Seeing it through your eyes, I understand why. It’s beautiful, amazing and magical.” He brushed a strand of her dark hair back behind her ear. “I’m falling in love.”
“With my island?” she whispered, her gaze seeking his.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Yes.”
“Oh.”
Angel’s lips curved upward. “I never believed a person could fall in love at first sight.”
