"Mr. Williams ", she nodded in Danny's direction, then stepped up to him. "And so you are the man who sent Sara through such an emotional rollercoaster. I finally get to meet you personally. When you got married, my first great-grandson was baptized. I hope you do better in the second attempt. Back then it took a while until she stopped crying after you."
"I'm doing my best. If I had known about the letters ... "Steve raised his hands a little resignedly.
The old woman waved it off. "She told me about it. But this woman will go to hell, as true as I stand here. God sends everyone his punishment. Do you think it's safe now? I would like to look after my little girl."
"Mrs. Grimes, I think we can go home safely now, "Danny explained. "We'll escort you. And if those clowns show up again ... " He gestured behind him to the others who were leaning against their car and waiting.
She smiled. "I understand."
Liam held the car door open for her, then they all got back into their vehicles. Fifteen minutes later they entered Danny's house. There was hustle and bustle there, the children romping around in the garden with Eddie. The adults were spread out on various seats, some of them had plates with canapés or glasses in their hands. Rachel had taken on the hostess role. Steve was looking for Sara when Grace came up to him. "If you're looking for your wife, she nodded off in my bed. Should ... " She couldn't finish the question, because Zoe stormed past him into the arms of Mrs. Grimes. "Mama Lu!" She exclaimed happily.
"There is my other little girl. Do you play nice with your friends? "
"Oh yes. They are all really nice here. And Eddie is great."
"Eddie?"
"Our dog," Steve explained. "He actually belongs to the police, but at the moment he's been with Sara a lot. Can I offer you something to drink or something to eat? Sara is just resting a little."
"A glass of water would be nice. And just tell me Mama Lu. And this is your family. Or how did Sara say ... O ... "
"Ohana," his mother helped her. "I'm Doris, Steve's mom. Here, your water."
Steve left her latest guest in the company of Doris and Liam and went to get himself a drink. A glass in hand, he let his gaze wander. The children playing in the garden, his team and his friends in the house, the sight made him feel warm gratitude. They were all there and they would all protect him and, above all, Sara, if Mrs. Anderson made another attempt to interfere in her life. A clatter tore him from his thoughts and he looked up. Sara stood in the doorway to the bedrooms, her eyes wide. The clatter came from her cane, which had slipped out of her hand and was spinning out on the floor.
He ran to her, but Liam was faster and held her, otherwise she would inevitably have fallen. "Mama Lu?" The old lady hurried to her amazingly swiftly and took her in her arms. He couldn't hear what she was whispering in his wife's ear, even though the room had suddenly gone very quiet. But it seemed like it would help her overcome the surprise and regain her composure. Together they went to a couple of chairs on the edge of the room and sat down there. Mama Lu held Sara in her arms, who had closed her eyes, and just hugged her tightly. It occurred to him that the cook was more of a mother figure to Sara than her birth mother could ever have been. By now Sara seemed to have noticed how quiet it was in the room. She opened her eyes and looked around. After a quick clearing of her throat, she raised her voice slightly. "Guys, I would like to introduce you to Mama Lu. From her I learned how to cook and bake, including the apple pie, which you almost regularly beat each other, and the stew that was served on New Years Day. After my accident, she lived with me for a while until I was able to take care of myself again. This is my big Hawaiian ohana. And I'm happy for everyone who is part of it." She began to introduce those present. "Kono, I learned so much about the island's traditions from her, and her husband Adam. Chin, her cousin. Lou, Tani and Junior are part of Steve's team. That there is Kamekona, his Haupia, that is a dessert, is simply irresistible. "
"I would like to try that," smiled Mama Lu.
"Most certainly. The young man scratching our dog over there is Nahele, Steve's foster son. I told you about him. The big girl out in the garden is Danny's daughter Grace. She was my bridesmaid."
"A pretty girl."
Steve could see that this was music to Dannys ears. They made small talk for a while, then Sara got up and thanked her friends. The tiredness could not be overlooked and she would still need strength for the next day. They left together with the others, he left his wife in the hotel with Eddie. She asked him to show Liam, Zoe and Mama Lu the island a bit before she lay down.
He came back around eight-thirty. The time difference had taken its toll on the guests from the east coast and so he had brought them to their hotel rooms. From Kamekona, where they had dinner, Mama Lu had talked him out of some of his recipes, including one for Sara's beloved Hauptia, he had gotten a pack of provisions for Sara. Eddie stormed towards him, waving happily as he entered the suite. "Hi buddy. We're leaving in a moment, wait." He looked around and saw Sara in bed. He went quietly to see her, she was fast asleep. Steve buckled the collar on the retriever, then they took a long walk around the beach together. When he returned, only a dirty plate and the empty Haupia can in the small kitchen revealed that Sara must have been up in the meantime. He washed off sweat and sand in his usual Navy shower, then crawled into bed with her and carefully put his arm around her. He was almost asleep when she turned around. "Steve?"
"Sorry, I didn't mean to wake you," he replied quietly.
"That's not it."
"What?"
"Thanks." She turned her head in his direction. Steve kissed his wife on the hair. "What for?"
"You being there. For everything."
"Oh, Sara. I wish I could do more Or that I would have taken better care of you, then none of this would have happened."
"It's not your fault. I am sorry. I thought it was safe and I was wrong. You even sent Junior with me. We can't change anything." She grabbed his hand and squeezed it. He pulled her closer into his embrace. "I love you."
"I also you."
"Sleep. Take a break. I'm here."
"Mhm."
The night was restless; Steve had woken her early in the morning because she had been lashing out. After a while she had found her sleep again in his arms. A warm, damp touch on the hand woke her. She heard faint chuckles, then opened her eyes. Eddie licked her hand, Zoe stood behind him and grinned. "Good Morning."
"Hello sweetie. Good morning, Eddie. Good boy. Go to Steve." The retriever gave a slight woof as she stroked his muzzle, then ran away. Sara pulled Steve's pillow close, then pushed herself up to lean on. "Come in," she asked Zoe and knocked next to her. The girl crawled on the bed and snuggled up against her. "Hello Little."
"Hi Sara. How are you?"
"So-so. Have you been swimming Your hair is damp, "she remarked as she brushed her braid.
"Yes, Mama Lu and Papa and I were in the pool. Very early, no one was there yet. I don't get up that early at home. Uncle Steve came too. He swims really fast. And he can do fun things in the water. We played shark."
"I know. It's much later at home, you know that. Because of the time difference, it is now nine thirty here, that means, in Lakewood it is now two thirty in the afternoon. And this morning, when you were here in the pool, it was long time to get up. Where are your Papa and Mama Lu now?"
"On our balcony. I wanted to play with Eddie, so dad brought me up."
"You like Eddie, don't you?"
"Yes, he's great. And he can do funny things. Sara, two policemen are standing in front of our room door. And there is one in front of your door," reported Zoe.
"They take care of you and us. You don't have to worry." She checked her niece's face, but saw no expression of fear, just childish curiosity.
"That's what Papa meant too. Uncle Steve said I should ask you if you'd like something to eat."
"Tell him I want some fruit and toast and tea, okay? I'm going to take a shower first."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too."
The little one pressed a kiss on her cheek, hopped off the bed and ran outside. Sara stretched again, picked up a stick from the floor, and went into the bathroom. When she came into the living room it smelled of fresh toast. Steve put the newspaper down, came towards her and pulled her into his arms. "Hi. I wanted to let you sleep as long as possible so that you can recharge your batteries." She put her arms around him and her head on his shoulder. His embrace tightened, he understood it without words. She just enjoyed his warmth for a while, then asked: "Have you spoken to Kawika today?"
"An hour ago. It hadn't been a stranger in the village since yesterday. He promised me that he would bring ten of his men with him. Even if I still don't know why. But I trust your feeling that you have known your mother longer than I have."
"Unfortunately yes. I can't define it either."
"We will see. Eat something, then we get ready and drive off. I got my board yesterday evening."
Half an hour later Sara had breakfast. She had thought for a while, she had worn a pant suit to church, but on the beach they would only be with the family. Finally, she had put on a light blue, airy dress in which she could move easily. She used the three quarters of an hour's drive to draw a little more strength.