Truth be Known part 1

Truth be Known

part 1

December 20, 1985

“You know I trust you, right?” Dan asked.

“But?” Tessa asked, her lips curving in a smile. “Because I definitely heard a but in there somewhere.”

“But,” Dan continued, “are you sure this is a good idea?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “I mean, you promised Miss Trask you’d let her tell Kalihiki.”

“Yes I did,” Tessa agreed. “And I will. I’m just helping out with the logistics.”

“It just doesn’t seem…fair,” Dan mused. “Your uncle thinks he’s here to spend Christmas with you, and Miss Trask doesn’t even know he’s coming in today. You know she’s not expecting him until Tuesday.”

“It’s a little manipulative, I guess,” she admitted. “But Margery has had two months to tell Uncle Kal, and she still hasn’t managed, and she’s leaving on Tuesday to spend Christmas with her family.” She looked Dan directly in the eye. “If you were Kal, wouldn’t you want to know?”

“Yes.” Dan’s answer was brief and immediate. “Yes, Tess. If it were you and me, I’d definitely want to know from the beginning.”

“Uncle Kal needs to know, Danny.” Tessa reached across the seat and squeezed his hand. “I can understand why she hasn’t told him. He’s been hard to reach, and it isn’t something you’d want to write on a post card.” Her eyes implored him to understand. “He’s already missed almost five months. I understand that Margery is afraid he will be angry, or will only stay because of the baby, but that isn’t who Kal is. He loves her. Kai and Mak and I could see last summer.”

Dan nodded. He still wasn’t comfortable with the deception Tessa had used to get her uncle to visit, but he was glad the man had come. Not just for Miss Trask’s sake, but for his own sake, as well. He looked forward to finally meeting Tessa’s Hawaiian uncle. He had something important to discuss with him.

Dan turned the truck into the airport parking lot. Kalihiki’s plane would be on the ground within minutes, and Tess was nearly bouncing in her seat with anticipation. He parked and barely made it around the truck to open her door. Grabbing his hand, she pulled him toward the entrance.

They got to the gate as the airplane was taxiing to the gate. With Tessa fidgeting beside him, Dan waited as the jet way was extended and the 747 began to disgorge its passengers.
Suddenly, Tessa released his hand and raced toward a tall man wearing a long–sleeved polo shirt and khakis. As she threw herself into his arms, Dan found himself staring. Kalihiki Kaneoe was huge: Tall and muscular. If it hadn’t been for the giant smile and gentle expression on his face as he embraced his niece, Dan would have been hard pressed not to tremble as the man approached.

“Uncle Kal, this is Danny,” Tessa said, stepping away from her uncle. “Danny, this is my Uncle Kal.”

Dan extended his hand, somewhat relieved that the big man’s handshake, while firm, was far from as bone crushing as he had feared. “It’s nice to finally meet you, sir,” he said. “Welcome to New York.”

“Thank you,” Kalihiki replied easily. “It’s good to finally meet you, as well, Dan. Nani has told us much about you.”

“I hope it was mostly the good stuff,” Dan said.

“Mostly,” Kalihiki assured him, a grin flashing on his face. “The other little birds spoke highly of you as well, and believe me, we asked.” He hugged his niece. “This keiki means the world to me.”

Dan could hear the question in Kalihiki’s words. Reaching for Tessa’s hand, he said very seriously, “I can understand that, sir. She is my world.”

They looked at each other for a long, assessing moment, dark brown eyes staring at navy blue. Finally, Tessa could take no more. “Okay, gentlemen,” she said with an exasperated huff. “If you’re done throwing down, can we please be on our way? I’d like to get home before the party starts.”

“I did bring a suit,” Kalihiki said, changing the subject. “Will that be formal enough?”

“It should be fine, sir,” Dan answered. “The Wheelers’ Christmas party is mostly just friends and family and local business contacts. Their New Year’s party is tuxedo formal, but they have that in the City.”

“Good to know, Dan,” Kalihiki said. “And, please, call me Kal or Kalihiki or even Uncle Kal. Sir makes me feel twice my age.”

“Yes, sir…I mean, Kal. Thank you.” Dan felt himself blushing a little. “Can I take your bag?”

“I’ve got it, son,” he said, shifting his duffle bag to his left shoulder. “You watch out for my little pikake blossom. Is the baggage claim downstairs?”

“Yes.” Dan pulled Tessa closer to him and headed for the escalator. Kalihiki followed along behind them, a smile on his handsome face.

After they collected Kalihiki’s two suitcases, they headed to the truck. Dan secured the bags in the bed, covering them with a tarp. With Tessa in the middle, he started the truck and backed out of the lot. “We’re expecting more snow later this evening,” he said. “I hope you don’t mind bunking at my house until tomorrow. My dad is looking forward to meeting you.”

“I’m looking forward to meeting him,” Kalihiki said, grinning as he added, “I also look forward to getting to know you a little better, as well.”

“It’s only one night, Uncle Kal,” Tessa said, poking her uncle in the arm. “Honestly, you can stay at Manor House if you’d prefer; there’re just a lot of people there right now.”

“It’s a big house,” Dan interjected, “but it sure is jam packed right now.”

“All of Aunt Lainey’s family,” Tessa explained, “including my grandparents.” She rolled her eyes and ticked off each person as she named them. “Uncle Wes and Aunt Catherine and their kids, Charlie, Jared and Chloe, and Aunt Genny and Uncle Christian and their son Ben. Ben and Jared each brought a girlfriend, so that takes up another bedroom.” She counted her fingers. “Ben’s bunking with Jim, but Trixie’s staying with Honey, so that’s still six bedrooms.”

Dan laughed. “That cracks me up,” he said. “I’ve never lived in a house with more than three bedrooms.”

Tessa stuck her tongue out at him. “Until I moved here, smarty-pants, neither had I.” She giggled. “Manor House,” she told her uncle, “has five suites and four bedrooms on the second story, and another suite on the main level. The servant quarters are on the third floor, but the servants who live there are all women, so I figured you’d be more comfortable with the Maypenny men.”

“Dad snores,” Dan offered somewhat apologetically. “Loudly. So we figured you can bunk with me tonight.”

“That will be fine,” Kal replied, “Although, I might snore, too.”

“It’s one night,” Tessa teased. “Danny will survive. Tomorrow, everyone will leave or go home-–well, except for Ben—and you’ll have your own room again.”

Dan turned the truck onto Glen Road. “I just want to warn you, the road to the cabin is…rough. You might want to hold on.” He turned off the main road, swerving to avoid a deep pothole.

Kalihiki laughed, a deep, rolling boom of laughter. “Next summer, Dan. You come to my islands and I’ll show some rough roads, right keiki?”

“Da kine, Unca Kal,” Tessa agreed with a giggle. “Haole go lolo!”

“No Pidgin!” Dan complained good-naturedly. “It’s not fair. I’m not fluent.” He winked at her. “And I am not, nor will I go crazy over a few potholes!” He pulled the truck to a stop outside the cabin. “Here we are,” he said. “Home, sweet home.”

Kalihiki opened his door. The cabin was small but very cozy looking. A tall man, a few years older than Kal himself opened the door. “Welcome,” he called out. “Come on in.”

The late afternoon air was quite nippy, but inside the cabin it was warm; the smell of the wood fire mingling with the yeasty smell of fresh baked bread.

“Kal,” Dan said, “this is my dad, Thomas Maypenny. Dad, this is Tessa’s uncle, Kalihiki Kaneohe.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Thomas,” Kal said, shaking the man’s hand. “Thank you for inviting me into your house.”

“You’re very welcome here, Kalihiki,” Maypenny said. “Daniel?” he turned to his son. “Why don’t you show Kalihiki where he’s sleeping.”

“I’ll do that, Dad,” Dan said, hefting both suitcases. “We don’t have to be at the party until six, Kal, but the tour of ‘Chez Maypenny’ shouldn’t take more than three minutes.”

Kal followed Dan into a small but very tidy room with bunk beds covered in blue and green plaid spreads. “I changed the sheets this morning, so you can feel safe in the lower bunk. I’ll take the top one.”

“Son,” Kal said, “I’ve slept in a whole lot worse than this cozy room.” He sat down on the bed. “This is very comfortable, thank you.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Dan asked. He leaned against the desk. “I’ve slept in a lot worse, too,” he said. “But I guess you already know that.”

“I know what Nani has told me,” Kal answered. “But she has been very protective of you and your privacy.”

His words seemed to reassure the young man, because he smiled and said softly, “Yeah, she’s my guardian angel.” He turned serious. “Kal,” he said, “I love Tessa. If that’s going to be a problem, we should probably get it out in the open, right here, right now.”

Kal was impressed with the younger man’s forthright attitude. He rose to his full height, his dark eyes serious, yet Dan didn’t back down, despite the five inch disparity in height. He did take a single step back, then stiffened his shoulders and raised his chin. Kal looked at him and extended his hand. “If you love her,” he said, “that’s all that matters. I have no problem with that, none at all.”

Dan grasped his hand and shook it firmly. “Thank you,” he said with a wry grin. “I think you’re the first one of all Tessa’s uncles to not have a problem with it.”

“Well.” Kal told him, “I have a little different view of life, I suppose. I learned long ago that it isn’t my place to judge another man’s history.” He looked at his suitcase. “Do I have time to shower before we head to the party?”

“Sure,” Dan said. “I’ll get you a towel. The bathroom is pretty easy to find; it’s the only door on the left when you leave the room. Tessa brought her clothes here before we went to the airport, so we can all leave together.”

“That sounds like a good plan. Will your father be joining us?”

Dan chuckled. “Not under pain of death,” he answered. “Dad can be sociable when he chooses, but this party is way too big for his taste.”

“What are you two doing in there?” Tessa asked, poking her head in the room. “It’s four-thirty, so we should start getting ready. Mr. Maypenny made some tea and cocoa, and he just took bread out of the oven, so we can have a snack before we go. Dinner won’t be until eight, so it’s probably a good idea.”

“Go ahead,” Kal told his niece. “I’m going to shower, shave and make myself presentable.”

“I’ll get you that towel,” Dan said, stepping out the door. Kal noticed how his hand brushed against Tessa’s back as they passed. She closed her eyes and smiled sweetly, leaning against him for a brief moment. She turned, walking at the side of her boy.

Kalihiki let his niece tie his tie for him. As her fingers nimbly manipulated the red tie with its white hibiscus pattern, he asked, “Has Makamae left for Christmas yet?”

Tessa hesitated. It was barely noticeable, but notice he did. “No,” she answered. “Miss Trask doesn’t leave until Christmas Eve.” Finishing his tie, she patted it smooth and asked, “How did you know she was spending Christmas at her family home?”

“She told me,” he answered, smiling a little at the surprise in her eyes. “We’ve been corresponding, you know.”

“I know she’s tried to call you a few times,” Tessa admitted. “I didn’t realize you two had made connections.”

“We haven’t,” he told her. “At least not on the telephone. But we have been writing. I told her I expected to arrive on the 23rd, and she said she was spending Christmas with her brother and sister in the Catskills, but that she hoped to see me when she returned.” His niece flushed a little guiltily and looked away. “Nani?” he asked suspiciously, “Did you neglect to tell Makamae I was arriving a few days early?”

“I wanted you to be a surprise,” she muttered a little defensively.

Kalihiki felt a surge of irritation, but he shook it off quickly. “Nani,” he said reproachfully, “That wasn’t exactly fair.”

“I know.” She hung her head a little. “Dan said that, too. But I know she’s going to be so happy to see you, and you’re excited to see her, too, aren’t you?”

He smiled. He couldn’t help himself. “I am, keiki. I’ve missed her very much.”

“You love her, don’t you?” she asked.

He was saved from having to answer her question when Dan stepped out of the bedroom, tie in hand. “Tess?” he asked. “Will you help me with this? Please?”

Tessa moved away to assist Dan, and Kalihiki found himself watching the two interact. Thomas peeked in from the kitchen, the amused look on his face telling Kal that this was a familiar ritual between his niece and her boyfriend. It warmed his heart, and at the same time, made him more anxious to be on their way to the Manor House. Surprise or not, he wanted to be with his Makamae.

It was snowing lightly when they left the cabin, but Dan had shoveled a path between the truck and the porch, and it was still clear enough that Kal’s feet stayed dry. He had to snicker at his niece in her pretty green knit dress, bundled up in a down coat and snow boots. Tessa had never been fond of the cold, and it didn’t look as if that had changed even after four years of living in places with much colder climates than her native islands. Kal was quite comfortable in his suit jacket and wool overcoat, but then again, he had always run to the warm.

It only took five minutes for Dan to drive them from the cabin to the long driveway leading to the Manor House. The drive was lined with electric lantern lights with strands of white Christmas lights strung between them. The huge house itself was aglow with similar lights that twinkled and shone with inviting warmth as they lit up the snowy landscape.

Dan pulled up to the front of the house. “I’m going to park on the side of the garage,” he said. “I’ll let you two out here and join you in a minute.”

“Are you going to try and drag Regan inside?” Tessa asked.

Dan snorted. “As if he’d come in. No, I’ll sneak him up a plate later. It’ll just be easier to get out from over there. No one is likely to block me in.”

“Okay.” Tessa kissed his cheek and followed Kal out of the cab of the truck. “Don’t be too long.”

“Who’s Regan?” Kal asked as he took his niece’s arm and escorted her up the wide stone steps.

She laughed. “Biologically,” she said, “Regan is Dan’s uncle. He was his legal guardian until Mr. Maypenny stepped in. Dan and Regan didn’t really know each other until almost three years ago—when Dan was arrested. The two of them have had some problems in the past, but this last week they’ve been trying something new.”

“What’s that?”

“They’ve decided to try and be brothers instead of uncle and nephew.” She shrugged and reached for the brass doorknob. “It makes sense, since Regan is only seven years older than Danny. He isn’t his guardian, and he doesn’t have to try and be his parent, since Danny has a dad now.” She looked at him, the golden green eyes glowing under the lights. “Are you ready for the onslaught?” she asked.

“They’re just people, keiki,” he responded. “And I am most eager to see Makamae.”

“Here goes.” Tessa opened the door and led him into the foyer. A pretty blonde woman in a gray uniform took their coats. Tessa grinned and tugged him toward the ballroom. It was populated by some thirty to fifty people, most of them dressed in very expensive semi-formal clothing. Gripping him by the hand, Tessa took him on a whirlwind of introductions.

“Uncle Kal, this is my Uncle Wesley and his wife Aunt Catherine. Uncle Kal, this is Mama’s older half brother, Uncle Peter. Oh! Look! There’s Uncle Andy with my grandparents.”

On it went. Kalihiki smiled at the right times, shook hands and murmured politely, but his eyes were searching for one person in particular. Somewhere along the line, Dan joined them, but still Kalihiki searched. Finally, he spotted her at the far end of the buffet, giving directions to a member of the catering staff. Damn! She looked good; her silvery hair brushed back and curling against the back of her neck. She was wearing a dress of some velvety looking dark fabric, the skirt falling midway between her knee and ankle. He started toward her as she turned his way. She saw him, her eyes widening in surprise. He thought he saw happiness, but he couldn’t be sure because it was so fleeting. Her hands dropped to her stomach; her rounded stomach, not quite disguised by the loose, flowing fabric.

Now it was Kalihiki’s turn to stop and stare in stunned silence. The greeting on his tongue turned to ash, and as his Makamae turned and bolted from the room, all he could think was, “Why didn’t she tell me?”

The moon was nearly full. Round and pale in the fading light, it cast a silvery glow between the gazebo and the brightly lit Manor House. Sitting in the screened gazebo, Margery struggled for control over her emotions. She could see from the shadows that the house party was in full swing, with dinner still over an hour away. A dusting of new snow covered the fieldstone wall and shrubs, reflecting the glow from the lantern lights lining the walk. The only footprints marring the most recent snowfall were hers. Blinking back tears, Margery turned away from the house and looked out onto the lake.

She should be cold. When she had grabbed her coat and slipped out the back door, the temperature had been hovering below thirty degrees on the thermometer. She was warm, though. The tiny life growing beneath her heart was messing with her internal thermostat, causing hot flashes that defied any winter weather New York could throw at her. She looked out at the lake, hoping the moonlit ice would blind her—take away the look in his eyes when he realized the truth.

“I’m glad I found you.”

The voice, his voice, stole away the heat, freezing her in place. Slowly she turned her head and looked him in the face. His dark eyes stared back at her, the shock and betrayal from earlier replaced with simple sadness and a questioning glint.

Kal moved closer, his outstretched hand hovering over her unzipped coat, hesitant, almost touching her rounded stomach. The pain in his voice was beyond obvious as he asked, “Were you ever going to tell me, Makamae?”

She reached for his hand and drew it down until it was resting heavy and warm on her belly. “I was, Kal,” she whispered, a single tear rolling down her face. “I tried, I swear. It just never…happened.”

He moved to cradle her in his arms, pulling her to her feet and holding her against his chest. “I’ve been away a lot since you left,” he said. “I’ve been working on a project. I know we missed each other on the telephone, but you never even hinted in your letters.”

“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I just didn’t have the words.” She shivered, more from emotion than the cold, but Kal reacted immediately.

“Let’s go back to the house,” he suggested. “Nani told me we could use her sitting room to talk. I’m not sure what she was talking about, but knowing my niece, it will be a damned sight warmer there than out here.”

“True.” Margery reached for his hand. “Tessa has a suite of rooms. They’re on the second floor.” She pointed up at two windows forming one corner of the house. Come on.”

He followed her back into the kitchen, helping her out of her coat and waiting patiently while she hung it on a hook in the mudroom and set her boots in the box below. Then, she led him up the back stairs to the second floor, down the lushly carpeted corridor and into a room. Tessa’s sitting room.

Kalihiki took in the room in an instant. Warm green walls, an overstuffed chair and small sofa, cushioned window seat, with a chaise lounge placed in front of a brightly burning fireplace. Pictures of family and of the islands adorned the walls, with Tessa’s dance implements and various knickknacks mixed in with books on the many shelves.

He removed his jacket and tossed it casually over the chair. Reaching for his Makamae, he took his turn to lead, drawing her to the sofa and settling her beside him. Staring at the flames, he brought them back on topic, saying, “I wish I had known.”

“I know.” Margery sighed. “Oh, Kal!” she said, “I didn’t know what to do. At first…at first I didn’t realize. I thought it was jet lag. We had the big debutante party, and then Tessa was kidnapped. I was so desperately tired, and I missed you so much. I thought for sure that it was stress. But then the nausea started, and I was late.” She gave a bitter laugh. “Menopause, I thought,” she told him. “But then I started wondering. I mean, Kal, we didn’t use any protection. It just never crossed my mind. So when I had to drive up to Albany to pick up a piece of medical equipment for my sister, I stopped at a drug store and bought one of those home pregnancy tests.”

She rotated her head so she could look at him. In the light of the gas fire, her eyes searching for his, she moved closer to him. “It was positive, Kal. Positive! I couldn’t believe it.”

His voice was calm. “Were you scared?” he asked, pulling her even closer.

She shook her head against his chest. “I was numb,” she told him. “I didn’t believe it was true. My head couldn’t believe it…” Her voice trailed off to a bare whisper. “Even though my heart was kind of hoping it was true.”

She didn’t fool him. “You hoped it was true?” he asked, his arms tightening around her. “You wanted to be pregnant with my child?”

“I did.” Margery leaned against him again, reveling in his strength and warmth. “I went to see my doctor, sure that he would tell me I was just a crazy old woman fighting menopause, but he didn’t. He told me that I was having a baby. I was…” She reached for his hand. “I was happy. It’s too mild of a word, Kal, really, but it is the truth. I went straight home and I called you. But you had already left for Kauai. I called the surf shop in Lihue, but the young man told me you were ‘walkabout in the hills’. I left a message for you to call me, and when you didn’t, I started to write you a letter, but the words, Kal, the words didn’t…they didn’t sound right. I wrote a lot of letters, but none of them were right.”

“Mick,” Kal said with a sigh that sounded vaguely irritated. “Your young man is from Australia, nearly fifty in body, but only about fourteen emotionally. I did call, you know.”

“I know.” Margery sighed. “I was in White Plains. I tried to call you when I got home, but you were already gone again.”

“I think the younger generation calls it telephone tag,” Kal quipped bitterly.

“I could have tried harder,” Margery admitted. “But the longer I went without talking to you, the more I tried to convince myself that I shouldn’t. Tell you, I mean.”

“Makamae,” he started, but she shushed him.

“Have you ever looked at yourself, Kal?” she asked. “I mean really, truly looked at yourself?” He didn’t respond, so she continued. “There’s a mirror on that wall over there. Take a good look. You’re gorgeous: Tall, strong, handsome and smart. You’re a successful businessman with two grown and successful sons. I’m…I’m a plain Jane, sensible, middle-aged spinster with little to my name. Why would someone like you want me? Why would you want us?

“Maybe because I love you?”

She stiffened. “Kal, we knew each other for a month,” she said.

“Do you love me, Makamae?” he asked. “Be honest.”

She struggled within herself, but she simply couldn’t deny it. “I do,” she whispered. “I love you, Kal. That’s why I want our baby so much. This baby was conceived in love, our love. But I don’t want you to choose me because of the baby. That wouldn’t be fair to any of us.”

“I love you, Margery Trask, Makamae mine,” Kal said. “I love your calm and your passion. I find you incredibly beautiful and sexy. You have such strength and determination, it shines like the sun, and it lights my life. When we were apart, I was in the dark. Everything I’ve done these last months has been working my way to you. I love you. I love you, and I already love our baby. I want you both. Marry me.”

“Oh, Kal.” Margery pulled away, turning to face him. “Are you sure? Really sure? I don’t want you proposing to me because of the baby. That wouldn’t be fair to any of us.”

He laughed. Low and rumbling, it shook his whole body. “Makamae,” he said quietly, “If I can prove to you that I planned on asking you to be my wife long before I knew about our little miracle,” he placed his hand on her belly again, “then will you believe that I love you?” She nodded slowly, feeling hypnotized by the play of the firelight across his skin. The clouds had parted slightly, and the moon was at its peak of brightness, gleaming through the window. Kal’s white teeth seemed to sparkle as he smiled widely at her and got up from the sofa to pick up his coat from its perch on the back of the chair. Reaching into the pocket of his overcoat, he pulled out a small green velvet bag.

“I’ve told you about my tochan.” Kal leaned closer to her. “He was not my mother’s first husband. That honor belonged to my father, when they were both very young. She came to Tochan with two children—my sister and me. We weren’t his by blood, but he loved us all the same.” His eyes were bright and intense as he spoke. “I’ve been married before, Makamae, when I was young. I come with two grown children. It’s a lot of baggage, but you are very like my stepfather; calm and strong with a heart full of love and acceptance; a pure and sweet spirit.” He opened the bag and shook the contents into the palm of his hand. “This is the ring John Sato put on my mother’s finger when she agreed to be his wife.”

He held it up, a circle of gold, and Margery gasped. The ring was vintage, the raised white gold filigree stretching up the sides to a beautifully faceted blue diamond set in the center of a ring of smaller white diamonds. Kal reached for her left hand, holding it in his. “I brought the ring with me, Makamae. I brought it even though I didn’t know about our child.” He lifted her hand to his lips, brushing her knuckles with soft kisses. “I brought it for you. Because I love you and I want you to be my wife.”

She was stunned. She looked at the ring, the diamonds glittering in the moonlight. Her heart warmed at the sight, the cage of ice she had allowed her lack of confidence to create began cracking and melting. He had brought the ring with him, before he’d ever even suspected about the baby. He’d come to New York, not simply because Tessa had invited him, but for her, Margery Trask.

Kal held the ring over her finger. “Will you, Margery Trask, do me the honor of being my wife, my Makamae Kaneohe?”

Tears sprung to her eyes, spilling over to roll down her cheeks. “I will, Kalihiki. I would love to be your wife.” The words were no sooner out of her mouth than he had the ring on her finger, and had lifted her into his warm embrace. Her tears mingled with his, and as he cuddled her close, their lips enmeshed, she felt their baby move inside of her for the first time.

Dan knew that look. For all intents and purposes, Tessa was chatting idly with her Aunt Catherine, but Dan knew the look in her eyes as well as he knew his own name. She was worried. He disengaged himself from his own conversation with Jared Hart and headed toward her. Putting on his most disarming smile, he interrupted, “Excuse me, Mrs. Hart,” he said to the older woman, “I need to steal Tessa away for a few moments, please.”

“Go ahead, Daniel,” Catherine said with an indulgent smile. “I wanted to speak with Lainey anyway.” She gave Tessa’s elbow a squeeze and glided off.

Dan slipped his arm around Tessa’s waist and guided her out of the ballroom and into Matthew Wheeler’s study. Standing in the darkness, he asked, “What’s wrong, babe?”

She didn’t even try to pretend. “Did I make a mistake?” she asked. “They’re still gone. What if she ran off? What if they fought? It’s snowing out there…”

“Whoa!” Dan said. “Calm down.” He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. “Are you sure that Kal and Miss Trask are even outside?”

She was silent for a moment, and he could feel her relax a little. “No,” she admitted. “I did tell Uncle Kal they could use my sitting room. I suppose they might have come inside.”

“Why don’t we sneak upstairs and check?” Dan suggested. “If we take the back stairs, we can get up there, peek in and get back before anyone notices we’re even gone.”

She looked at him a little skeptically. “You’re willing to risk it?” she asked. “If someone sees us, Regan will freak.”

Dan hesitated. He had told Tessa that he and his uncle were trying a new tactic for their relationship, but he hadn’t divulged the details. He couldn’t. It wasn’t his tale to tell. Instead, he grinned sheepishly. “I guess we’d better not get caught, then,” he said, taking her hand. “Let’s go in stealth mode.”

She giggled but followed his lead. Silently, they made their way into the kitchen, slipping past the busy and distracted catering staff. Creeping up the stairs, Dan could feel Tessa’s grip tightening on his hand a little more with each step. Stopping at the top of the stairs, Dan went into an exaggerated spy-like characterization, crouching low and peering around the corners. As he had intended, his actions elicited a small giggle from Tessa. Putting his finger to his lips, he gave her a mock glare and pulled her into the hallway.

The door to Tessa’s suite was open. Dan went first, peering surreptitiously into the sitting room. What he saw made him smile. Stepping back, he whispered in Tessa’s ear, “I think you can stop worrying, babe. Look.”

Tessa stepped up quietly, taking her own look. Dan moved behind her, and she leaned her head back against his chest. Kal and Miss Trask were curled up together on Tessa’s mocha-colored sofa facing the gently flickering fire. She was leaning on Kal much the same way Tess was leaning against Dan. Kal’s hands rested on the gentle swell of her belly. Margery’s hands were covering his, and
Kal had tilted his head forward, his cheek resting on the top of her head.
Quietly, Dan drew Tessa away from the door. Tears were streaming down her face as he led her back down the kitchen stairs. Stopping at the second to the bottom step, Dan sat down and pulled Tessa into his lap. Cuddling her close, his hands rubbed her shoulders soothingly. “Shhh. Nani, you should be happy, right?”

“I am happy,” she said. “I’m ecstatic. Did you see, Danny? Did you see her hand?”

He thought for a moment, rebuilding the scene in his head. Kal. Miss Trask. The firelight. He shook his head. “I saw her hand, but I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“The ring,” Tessa told him, pulling a tissue out of her bra and dabbing at the wetness on her face. “Margery is wearing a ring on her left hand. Uncle Kal proposed. He had a ring with him, and he didn’t even know about the baby!”

Realization dawned. “Wow!” he said. “That’s…that’s just great. I guess he really does love her.”

“I told you he did.” Tessa pulled away. “I knew it. I’m just glad Margery knows now, too. I am so happy!” She paused and switched subjects midstream. “Do I look okay?” she asked. “Can you tell I was crying?”

A little confused at the abrupt change, Dan looked at her face. “Your eyes are a little red,” he said, “but otherwise, you look beautiful. Why?”

She smiled. “I love you.”

“I know. I love you, too. Are you feeling okay?” Dan was starting to worry a little about his girlfriend’s sanity.

“I feel…terrific,” Tessa said, leaning in and kissing him. Her lips were soft and demanding, and Dan responded in kind. The kissing continued until Tessa placed her palms against his chest and forced herself away. “Now I feel even better,” she teased, “I think dinner is probably ready, though. We’d better go on in before they miss us and send out the search dogs.”

He laughed softly. “I think I need a minute,” he said, dumping her off of his lap and onto the last step. “Otherwise it’s going to be your uncles doing the freaking.”

She rested her head on his knee and giggled. “That would be a bad thing,” she told him.

“Very bad,” he agreed. Back in control, he rose to his feet and held his hand out to her. Tessa took it, and together they returned to the party.

The newly engaged couple reappeared approximately fifteen minutes after Dan and Tessa had rejoined the party. The buffet tables had been stocked, and the guests were lining up to partake of the sumptuous spread. Kalihiki, his hand securely pressed to the small of Margery’s back, guided her toward the tables, arriving just in time to hear Mart Belden waxing rhapsodic over the delicacies before him.

“Ahhh, ham, sweet, succulent honey glazed ham,” the seventeen-year-old enthused to his girlfriend. “I love ham, and it is perfectly complimented by the cornbread and honey butter.”

“Don’t forget the roast beef,” Dan teased his best friend, glad to see him acting normal again. “What have you to say about the prime rib, oh, poetic one?”

Mart thought for the briefest of moments. “Oh, my doubtful Daniel, the prime rib is pleasing and pleasurably palatable. Its intoxicating aroma makes me ecstatic, and the horseradish is a delectably satisfying ambrosia.”

Dan laughed in good–natured defeat. “I surrender,” he said affably, handing a china plate to Tessa and taking one for himself. He noticed Kal and a surprisingly serene looking Miss Trask. Immediately, he handed his plate to Miss Trask and stepped back to allow the adults to move past him.

Chatting idly as they filled their plates, the eight Bob Whites, along with Miss Task and Kal, headed toward one of the many round tables scattered about the room. The glint off of Miss Trask’s left hand caught Dan’s attention, and he smiled. “Congratulations are in order, I see,” he said quietly.

Tessa turned away from her conversation with Diana at his words, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her uncle. “Uncle Kal!” she squealed as the man set his plate on the table. Catching herself, she lowered her voice. Her eyes clouded a little. “Will you forgive me?” she asked. “I wanted to tell you, but I promised.”

Dan found himself holding Tessa’s dinner plate once again as his girlfriend was enveloped by her uncle’s embrace. “I was surprised, keiki,” Kal whispered, barely loud enough for Dan to hear. “But it’s happy news, and I am very, very happy. Your deception is understandable, and so, very forgivable.” He released her, and pulled out a chair for Miss Trask. “I have more happy news,” he said. “Makamae has agreed to marry me.”

His announcement elicited a joyful response from the Bob Whites.

It was shortly after midnight when Dan and Kal kissed their respective ladies goodnight and climbed into Dan’s truck. Dan started the engine and eased the truck back down the long drive. Snowflakes drifted through the golden glow of the headlights, dancing feather light across the glass of the window. Dan, out of habit, cranked up the heater, startling when Kal laughed.

“Sir?” he asked. “What’s so funny?”

“My niece has you well trained,” Kal said with a chuckle. When Dan looked at him in confusion, he pointed to the heater vent. “You turned on the heat,” he said, “and then you turned it up. That’s a Nani move if ever I saw one.”

Dan had to join his laughter. “She gets cold very easily,” he defended himself.

“I know,” Kal assured him, grinning broadly. “It just goes to show how well you know her and how much her comfort means to you. It makes me smile.”

“I told you, sir.” Dan focused his eyes on the road, the falling snow decreasing his visibility. The road to the cabin was coming up, so he slowed the truck and cranked the wheel to the right, maneuvering the truck around the first pothole and over a second before continuing. “I love her.”

“Indeed you did,” Kal said dryly, “And I believe I asked you to call me Kal, not sir.”

“Sorry, sir…I mean, Kal,” Dan corrected himself mid-phrase. “My parents were sticklers for manners.”

Kal nodded his understanding. “Good manners will get you far in life,” he said.

“That’s what my mum always said,” Dan mused, the slightly melancholy feeling he always got when thinking about his mother and father washing over him. He pulled the truck into its covered parking space beside the barn and turned it off. Looking at Kal, he spoke honestly. “I love her. Despite what her uncles think, despite what mine thinks, I love Tessa with all of my heart and soul.”

“I know.” Kal’s voice was calm and soft, his acknowledgement of Dan’s feelings a very welcome change. “I can see it very clearly.” He clapped Dan on the shoulder. “So know, that when the time comes, you have my consent and blessing. I know my Nani, Daniel. She loves you, too. Completely.” He chuckled low in his throat. “We love like that in our family. Tessa’s parents fell fast and hard, as did mine, as did I. Twice!” He laughed. “Who am I to question your feelings for my niece? I’m in love with a woman I’ve spent less than two months with.” His voice got serious. “So, Daniel, love my niece. Just be more careful with her than I’ve been with Makamae.”

“I’m not having sex with Tessa,” Dan defended himself with a bit more heat than he intended. “Damn! I get so tired of having to say that.”

Kal’s howl of laughter surprised him. “That’s not what I meant!” Kal managed to choke out between guffaws. “Although I suppose I should be grateful to hear it.” Calming himself, he continued, “Dan, I meant for you to be careful with Tessa’s emotions. I didn’t make my feelings clear to Makamae. I didn’t make the extra effort to show her what I knew was true. I didn’t make her believe that I love her beyond everything else. If I had, I might not have missed the last four months.”

Dan felt his surge of anger fade. “Oh,” he said quietly. “I apologize for the misunderstanding. But sir…Kal,” he continued, “You must have done something right. Miss Trask is wearing your ring.”

“She is,” he agreed, sounding quite pleased with himself. “I made her believe me, and I’m going to make sure I never give her reason to doubt me ever again.” He patted Dan’s shoulder again. “So, from what you said, I gather that you’ve been catching flak from the other uncles?”

“Yeah.” Dan let his shoulders slump as he pushed out a heavy breath. “It’s been better since the kidnapping,” he admitted, “And I admit that being around Tess gives me ideas—lots of ideas. But it gets irritating to have to keep defending myself against something I haven’t actually done.” He shook his head. “Liam—my brother who’s really my uncle—long story, he’s the one who found the pregnancy test Miss Trask took. He assumed it belonged to Tess and me, and he went ballistic.”

“I’m sorry.” Kal squeezed Dan’s shoulder. “I imagine it can’t be pleasant to be accused of something like that.”

“It wasn’t,” Dan said. “Fortunately, my dad was behind me the whole time. That helped.”

“He seems like a good man,” Kal said, casting a look at the house. “I know Nani thinks the world of him.”

“He’s amazing,” Dan stated. “Absolutely amazing, and he adores Tessa.” He looked toward the house. “We’d better get inside, Kal. Dad left the light on, but he’s probably waiting up anyway.”

“It’s after midnight, and I’d hate to keep him up any longer,” Kal said, “But I have enjoyed talking to you, Dan.”

“Me too, Kal,” Dan replied, opening the truck door. “Me, too.”

Thomas Maypenny did, indeed snore, and just as loudly as his son had claimed.

The man had been dozing in his chair when they had entered the cabin. He had started awake with a snort, given both Dan and Kal a brief once-over and asked sleepily, “Did you have a good time, lads?”

“I had a great time, Dad.” Dan said, “Kal had a better time, though. He got engaged.”

“Indeed?” Maypenny rose from his chair, hand extended. “Congratulations. Margery is a wonderful lady.”

“She is that,” Kal replied, shaking the proffered hand.

“I hope you’ll tell me all about it, tomorrow,” Maypenny said. “For now, I’m going to turn in.” He grinned at his son. “After all, morning comes early around here.”

“Yes, it does.” Dan replied, returning the grin. “Good night, Dad. Are you sure you’re okay with the morning patrol?”
  “Positive,” his father assured him, his hand reaching to tousle Dan’s hair. “You can take the afternoon—maybe take Tess with you. I’ll take the morning, but I’ll expect breakfast when I get back.”

“Waffles, eggs and bacon?” Dan asked.

“Sounds good.” Maypenny said. “Good night, lads. Sleep well.”

Dan had to be used to the snoring, because he had brushed his teeth, changed into a t-shirt and pair of sweat pants, climbed into the top bunk, mumbled good night, and promptly fell asleep. Kal, on the other hand, was still awake, listening to Dan’s rhythmic breathing and Thomas’ roof-raising snores.

In truth, it wasn’t the noise keeping him awake. It was his overactive mind. Even after fifteen hours of travel and a rather exhausting and emotional evening, he couldn’t sleep. He kept rerunning the events of the evening through his mind. A part of him couldn’t believe how easily Makamae had agreed to marriage. She had been so reluctant to continue a relationship once they had parted ways in Hawai’i, yet she had capitulated with much less argument than he had expected. When he first began thinking again, he had feared that her easy acceptance had been due to the child she carried. His child.

That had been a bit of a shock, yet Kal was not at all displeased. He looked upon this unexpected baby as a blessing and a second chance. This son or daughter would get his best effort--that was a promise he was making to himself, Makamae and their unborn child. Both of them would get the best he could give them, he swore.

Kal hoped his honesty was what had pushed Makamae to decide to marry him. He did love her. He did want her. The ring in his coat had been only half of his plan to win her heart. The revelation of their impending parenthood had interrupted his plan leaving his spec drawings and architectural plans still packed in one of his bags.
Dan muttered something in his sleep, and the mattress creaked above Kal as the young man changed position. Kal smiled to himself. Mak and Kai had both entreated him to fully check out their cousin’s boyfriend. Kai had been less adamant, but then, he had made his request via letter sent from the Republic of the Maldives. Mak was more insistent. Although he was aware of Kal’s intentions—both of his boys were very supportive, as they were both quite fond of Makamae—he had been unable to resist urging his father to develop a solid opinion of Tessa’s ‘boy’.

His sons could rest assured. Kal had already made his decision about one Daniel Mangan Maypenny. Tessa’s ‘boy’ was destined to be Tessa’s ‘man’. Of that, he had no doubt. Just as Mak had fallen for Tanya, and Kai seemed to have lost his heart to his mysterious Tiare, Tessa had already given her heart to Dan. It seemed to Kal that the young man had done the same, and that both hearts were in very good hands.

Makamae’s heart was in his hands, he knew. She was putting her trust in him, and he couldn’t let her down. Tomorrow. Or rather, later today, he would show her what he was building. Kal was sure that Makamae would understand for sure then, that he had truly come for her. He was certain.

Later today, he thought to himself, willing his body to relax, for his mind to shut down. Later today they would meet and make plans. Plans for a wedding: Plans for the future. Kal had arrived with a plan, but the baby had thrown a bit of a wrench in the works. He needed to rethink and revise before he presented it.

Ideas were floating around in his head like balloons or maybe sheep. Kal tried to concentrate on the wispy trails as they moved through his conscious mind. Slowly, his brain began to relax and, as his ears sought out and found a rhythm between Dan’s breathing and Thomas’ snoring, he managed to find peace and sleep.

Regan 10
Winds of Change
Truth be Known 2