Chapter 14
The morning sun was barely up when Jo arrived at the Crown Island ferry terminal. Boats rocked in their slips, and a pelican sat on a piling surveying its territory.
Sailor’s truck was parked near the loading ramp, packed with surfboard carriers and luggage. Adrian helped Sailor load items onto the red ferry. Pride for his son showed in his expression, along with a trace of concern. After all, Sailor chased the most dangerous waves in the world for a living.
Maileah sat on a nearby bench in a sundress and sneakers, her laptop in hand, answering emails.
“Did you sleep at all?” Jo asked, greeting her.
“Who needs sleep when you’re going to Tahiti?” Maileah hopped down and hugged her. “Congrats again on your crowdfunding campaign. You’re on your way.”
April and Junie arrived together. April had brought pastries and coffees from the bakery near the Majestic.
They gathered near the truck in the cool morning air, passing around pastries and coffee while Sailor and Adrian loaded the last of his gear onto the ferry. Sailor was wearing board shorts and a faded competition jersey, already in his element even though the waves were an ocean away.
“What do your travels look like for the summer?” April asked as she offered Sailor a pastry. “Maileah tells me, but I can hardly keep them straight.”
“Teahupo’o first,” Sailor said, accepting a pastry from her. “Then Cloudbreak in Fiji. After that, Lower Trestles in September.”
“And then the big one,” Adrian said.
Sailor hugged his father. “I’ll call you after every heat.”
The ferry horn bleated its departure warning.
Maileah hugged everyone, and then Junie held her sister and whispered something Jo couldn’t hear.
Jo hugged Maileah last. “Take care of each other out there.”
“Always.” Maileah smiled, looking excited. “I’m so happy for you. I’ll still be watching the campaign.”
After Sailor and Maileah boarded, Jo and the others waved from the dock.
The horn sounded again as the ferry pulled away from the dock, its engines churning white water.
Jo watched the gap between the ferry and the shore widen. She was about to turn away when she saw him.
Blue.
He was on the other side of the ferry with a small carry-on bag over his shoulder. Standing near the stern railing, he was some distance from Sailor and Maileah. He must have boarded early, before any of them arrived.
They saw each other across the widening water. Blue lifted his hand in a slow wave.
Jo pressed her hand against her chest and blinked back tears. She managed a small wave back.
The ferry pulled farther out, and Blue’s figure grew smaller. The morning sun flashed on the wake, turning it gold. Jo watched until the boat was gone, carrying the man she loved and the friends she’d miss toward different destinations.
“And they’re off,” Junie said, turning away from the ferry.
“I should get to the diner,” Jo said, trying to steady her voice. “Want to walk back together?”
“Sure.” Junie touched her shoulder. “I saw Blue as the ferry took off. Are you okay?”
“We each have our own life now,” Jo replied with a shrug. What else was there to say?
“I didn’t know he was going today,” Junie said.
“I guess he planned it that way, so he wouldn’t have to tell me goodbye.”
They walked until the diner came into view at the corner of Orange Avenue and Summer Street.
“I have some good news,” Junie said, her face lighting with a smile. “Knox and I are planning the wedding.”
Jo hugged her. “I’m glad, and I’m so happy for you.”
“We’d like a small ceremony, maybe even on the beach. Penny wants to be the flower girl. Maileah will stand up for me, but I still want you there.”
“Of course I’ll be there,” Jo said, holding her hand. “Do you know when it will be?”
“We haven’t set a date yet. I need to check Maileah’s schedule.”
“You deserve this.” Jo squeezed her friend’s hands and let go. Neither of them mentioned how close Jo had come.
“I’ll call you later,” Junie said. “Knox is making pasta tonight, and we’d love company if you want to come over.”
“I’ll call you.”
They parted at the corner. Junie headed toward the Majestic, and Jo unlocked the diner.
The morning rush was already building. Her crew had everything running smoothly. Jo tied on her apron and took her place behind the counter.
Between the breakfast rush and the lunch orders, she ducked into her office and called Mahina.
It was still early in Hawaii, but Mahina picked up on the second ring.
“Jo, I was going to call you today. I saw the crowdfunding campaign. Looks like it’s taking off.”
“That’s why I’m calling. The Imperial Kona Reserve tier is selling faster than I projected. If we hit the full goal, and I think we will, I’m going to need a lot more beans than we agreed on for the first run.” She also told her about Gianna’s order from the Majestic.
“How much more do you think?” Mahina asked.
Jo looked at the numbers Rocky had prepared and gave her an estimate.
Mahina was quiet for a moment. “My farm can’t handle that volume alone. Not at the quality I’d want to put my name on.”
Jo’s stomach tightened. “I understand.”
“However,” Mahina began, and Jo heard a smile in her voice.
“I know two women on the Big Island who grow at the same elevation, same volcanic soil, same standards. We’ve been talking for a while about forming a cooperative.
Your order might be the push we need to make it official. From our groves to your counter.”
“I love that,” Jo said. “A women’s cooperative on the Big Island, supplying Cuppa Jo’s directly.”
They talked for another fifteen minutes, roughing out the timeline. Mahina would meet with the other two growers this week. If they agreed, they’d formalize the cooperative and have a supply agreement ready well before Jo’s campaign closed.
“One more thing,” Mahina said before they hung up. “I saw some comments about your boyfriend leaving for Chicago. Whatever is going on in your personal life, don’t let it distract you from this. You’re doing a good thing for coffee growers. I just want you to know we’re behind you.”
Jo hung up and sat in her small office for a moment, staring at the wall.
On it, she’d tacked a photo of herself at the AMACA cooperative in Colombia, standing with the women who grew her Queen’s Blend.
Next to it was a picture Mahina had sent of her groves on the Big Island, and another of the women growers on Sumatra.
Women around the world building something together.
Before she returned to the counter, she checked her phone again and noticed that Rocky had called while she was talking to Mahina. She debated calling him, but she wasn’t in the mood just yet.