The Hawaiian Quilt (33 page)

As if by divine intervention, Mandy’s mother stood and gestured to the other room. “Mandy, why don’t you go with me to the kitchen and bring out some refreshments? Oh, and Gideon, if you’d like to join us, you can fix the kaffi. As I recall from your previous visits, you know just the right amount of grounds to put in the pot.”

“Jah, sure, I can take care of the coffee.” Gideon followed Mandy and her mother into the kitchen. He still wasn’t alone with his best girl, but at least he didn’t have her dad and three younger brothers staring at him. Gideon had noticed that Mandy’s older brother, Michael, wasn’t here this evening. He figured Michael and his wife, Kathryn, must have other plans and couldn’t be part of their family gathering. Or maybe they’d be here later. Surely they would also want to greet Mandy.

While Gideon got the coffee going, Mandy cut up some apples and arranged the slices on a platter. She glanced at him a few times but didn’t say a word. Her silence made him feel even more uncomfortable. She used to be so talkative when they were together.

“I’ll take the cookies I made earlier into the other room.” Miriam smiled, giving her daughter’s arm a tap. “After the kaffi is ready, you and Gideon can bring the fruit and coffeepot in.” She picked up the cookie tray and some napkins, then hurried from the room.

I wonder if Mandy’s mamm left us alone on purpose, so we could talk
. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he moved closer to the counter where Mandy stood. “I’ve missed you greatly, and I’m so glad you’re back.”

“I missed you and all my friends, too.”

Friends? Is that all we are, Mandy?

He shuffled his feet a couple of times, searching for something else to say that might break the tension. “So, how was Hawaii? I heard you liked it there a lot.”

Her eyes lit up for the first time since he’d arrived. “Oh, I did. I liked everything about Hawaii, except for the vog.”

“What’s a vog?”

“It’s sort of like fog, only it comes from the volcano on the Big Island. It was worse than normal for a few days while Ellen and I were staying on Kauai, and it bothered my allergies. Fortunately, it didn’t last long, and it never occurred again during my stay,” she quickly added.

“I see.” Gideon didn’t know why, but he was at a loss for words. It may have been his imagination, but things seemed even more strained between them—almost like they were strangers. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he noticed a change in Mandy. She was dressed the same way as she had before, but her enthusiasm in seeing him just wasn’t there. It seemed as if her mind was someplace else.

Should I give her a hug or kiss? It might help break the barrier between us
. Heart pounding, Gideon stepped up to Mandy and boldly drew her into his arms. He lowered his head, and was about to kiss her, when she pulled away and reached for an orange. “Maybe I should cut some orange slices to go with the apples.”

He couldn’t help noticing her cheeks had turned red. The old Mandy would have hugged him back and would certainly not have pulled away from his kiss. The young woman standing before him was not the same person as she had been before her trip. Gideon had a sinking feeling the old Mandy had been changed by her experience on Hawaii. The question was, could he bring her back?

Kapaa

K
en glanced at the calendar on his cell phone. It was hard to believe the first Saturday of May had come around so quickly, or that Mandy had been gone two weeks. Ever since Ellen told him Mandy had a boyfriend back home and they might be getting married, Ken had felt strange. He’d begun to have feelings for Mandy, although he had never let on to her. It was hard, but after learning about her boyfriend, he’d kept his distance from her. In all the time they’d been together, Mandy had never mentioned having a boyfriend back home. But then, was there any reason for her to, since Ken hadn’t known her that long? Maybe in time she would have opened up more. Since she was Amish, Ken had felt from their first meeting he needed to tread lightly.

Strange how his feelings for her came on so quickly. He’d had girlfriends before, but none he cared about as much as Mandy, and in such a short time, too. Ken must have read Mandy wrong, though, because he’d begun to think she had feelings for him, too.
Maybe it was wishful thinking. Most likely, she only saw me as a friend. Truth is, we are worlds apart
.

When he’d run into Makaio at the grocery store the other day, Ken found out Mandy had been in touch with Luana. She’d called the B&B soon after she got home. This meant Luana had Mandy’s phone number. Ken fought the desire to ask for it, so he could give Mandy a call. But talking to her, knowing he wouldn’t see her again, would only add to his frustrations. It was better for both of them if he made no effort to contact her and cut the friendship off clean.

There’s no point in me dwelling on all this
, Ken berated himself.
Mandy’s back home where she belongs, and I’m here, in a place I hope to always call home
.

Ken’s cell phone rang. Seeing Taavi’s name pop up, he answered right away. “Hey, buddy, what’s up?”

“The surf—that’s what.” Taavi chuckled. “How ‘bout grabbing your surfboard and meeting me on the beach?”

Ken didn’t feel much like going, but maybe it would improve the mood he was in. “Yeah, okay. I’ll see you there in half an hour.”

“The waves are a bit strong,” Taavi called as Ken carried his surfboard across the sand to where his friend sat. “Maybe it’s not such a good idea to go in. Might have been a mistake to come here today. Sorry for wastin’ your time.”

Ken shook his head determinedly. “Those monster waves don’t frighten me. A little struggle in the water might help release some of my tension.”

Taavi’s brows furrowed. “Don’t be stupid, man. There’s no point taking any chances—especially if your mind is on other things.”

“Come on, Taavi, you’ve surfed in waves higher than these, and not so long ago, either.”

“Yeah, but I’m not comfortable going out there right now.”

“Suit yourself. I’ll take my chances.” Ken carried his board into the water and paddled out to where the waves were breaking. Plenty broke near him, but none he could ride. As he sat on his board, bobbing in the water’s rhythm, Ken glanced in the direction of the beach. He noticed quite a few surfers milling around with their boards, but only a few were in the water with him.
Oh, well. At least I won’t have to worry about plowing into someone
.

Suddenly, a gigantic wave formed behind him.
Okay, here we go!
He worked his arms to catch a swell. When he stood up, everything seemed to be going fine as his board glided smoothly on the water’s surface. He glanced toward the beach and pictured Mandy sitting on the sand, watching and waving to him. Then, before Ken had time to react, a massive wall of water engulfed him. It felt like he’d been smacked by a huge hand as he tumbled off the board and went under. The force shoved him deeper and deeper, somersaulting him into the ocean’s blue depths. Over and over he rolled, trying to comprehend which way was up.

When the sea finally lost its grip, Ken knew he didn’t have much time. Holding his breath and kicking as hard as he could, he followed the bubbles rising toward the surface. Ken saw light as he got closer to air, which by now he desperately needed.
Only a little farther. Keep going. You’re almost there
.

Ken felt a hand grip him under the arm and soon realized it was Taavi pulling him onto his board.

“Are you okay, man?” Taavi took a deep breath of air, and Ken did the same. “You had me scared for a minute when your board made it to shore without you on it.”

“Guess you were right about not going out there with those angry waves.” Ken choked and coughed water out of his lungs. “Should have stayed on the beach with you.”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re here now, and you’re okay.”

Together, they paddled back to shore on Taavi’s board.

“Should never have even tried surfing today. It was stupid of me.” Ken groaned, falling onto the sand, exhausted from the ordeal. “I’ve been kind of depressed lately and thought it might help.”

“Want to talk about it?”

Ken shook his head. “Not now, anyhow.”

To Ken’s relief, Taavi didn’t question him any further. Talking about his feelings for Mandy seemed pointless and would only make him feel worse. He needed to forget about her and move on with his life. It was time to start fresh.

“It doesn’t seem the same around here without Ellen and Mandy,” Luana said as she and Makaio enjoyed chilled pineapple juice together on the lanai. “Ken isn’t coming around as much anymore, either.”

Makaio nodded slowly. “I’ve noticed it, too. The last couple of times the eggs were delivered, Ken’s brother Dan brought them over. The last time I saw Ken was at the grocery store. He asked if we’d heard anything from Mandy.”

Luana set her glass on the wicker table between them. “My guess is he misses her.”

Makaio quirked an eyebrow. “You mean, Ken?”

She tapped his arm. “Of course I mean Ken. Isn’t that who we were talking about?”

“I mentioned his brother, too.”

She pushed a piece of hair behind her ear and secured it with a decorative comb. “Didn’t you ever notice the way Ken looked at Mandy?”

“Well, now that you mention it, I did get the impression he thought she was nice.”

“It was far more than that. They had eyes for each other. There’s no mistaking it.”

Makaio waved his hand in her direction. “Maybe you thought there was a spark between them because you’re such a romantic.”

“I am a romantic, which is why I can tell when two people have a special connection.”

“But didn’t Mandy mention having a boyfriend back home?”

Luana nodded. “His name is Gideon. He called here to talk to her several times.”

“Well, there you go. If Mandy has a boyfriend, then she wasn’t interested in establishing a relationship with Ken. I bet she only saw him as a friend.”

“No, it was more, but it doesn’t matter now because she’s gone, and Ken will no doubt find someone else.” She picked up her glass and took a drink. “I’m still analyzing the situation, so please bear with me. I understand Mandy has a boyfriend back home, but she was always so excited when Ken showed up. I could see her eyes light up.”

“Come to think of it, I remember that, too.”

“And she hardly spoke of her Amish boyfriend, but she couldn’t say enough about Ken. It’s my guess they tried to squelch their feelings for one another, knowing Mandy would eventually leave the island.”

“You could be right.”

“I believe Ken has been staying away from here lately to help himself cope.” Luana took another sip and set her glass on the table. “He’d probably think about Mandy every time he came through our door.”

“Well, they’re both young and may have stars in their eyes, but I bet it won’t be long and they’ll be over this puppy-love thing.” Makaio leaned over and gave Luana a kiss. “I say, let’s leave it in the Lord’s hands. He knows what’s best for Mandy and Ken.”

A car pulled into the yard, and Luana stood. “Looks like our daughter is here, and she brought the baby. I’ll go out to greet them and bring little Primrose inside so her grandpa can hold her.”

“I need to walk, so I’ll come with you.” Makaio grinned. “Last one there’s a rotten egg.”