Epilogue
EPILOGUE
Four years later
Reid leaned his elbows on the fence rail at the Parkman Ranch. Maliea stood beside him, smiling at Kalea and Hawk, leading a horse around the corral with their three-year-old daughter sitting in the saddle, her legs too short to reach the stirrups, a happy grin wreathing her face.
“Reminds me of when Nani went for her first ride, with Kalea and Hawk patiently leading her around.”
The sound of horse hooves pounded the ground, racing toward the barn.
“Here come the girls,” Reid said.
Nani, on her favorite gelding, and Abby, on her mare, flew toward them, their hair flying out behind them—Nani, so exotically dark, and Abby, golden-haired and light. They’d loved each other immediately and had become pen pals, as well as exchanging social media handles and phone numbers.
At Abby’s insistence, her mother let her spend more weeks in Hawaii during the summer where she and Nani were learning to ride horses, swim and surf.
The girls dismounted and led their horses into the barn. They came out a few minutes after brushing and feeding their mounts.
“Where are you going now?” Maliea asked.
Nani stopped in front of her mother. “We’re going to swim in the pool.”
Abby came to stand beside her. “After we swim, we’re having a spa day, painting our fingernails and curling our hair.”
“Later, Mom,” Nani said, bent and kissed Maliea’s swollen belly. “Hello, little brother. Hurry up and come out to play.” She skipped away, heading for the house.
Abby bent and kissed Maliea’s belly. “Don’t listen to Nani, little sister. We know you’re a girl. I can’t wait to introduce you to celestial blue nail polish. Can’t wait to meet you.”
Abby skipped away after Nani.
Maliea rubbed her belly. “I’m glad I was able to finish my undergrad and master’s before the baby arrives. I don’t know if I can juggle full-time school and a newborn, along with the two very active seven-year-olds.”
“Oh, that reminds me,” Reid said. “Your box of books arrived today.”
Maliea clapped her hands, smiling. “I was hoping they’d get here before the baby. I think my father would have loved that I finished his storybook and published it. The Bishop Museum requested two cases of them to sell in the gift shop.”
“I opened the box,” Reid admitted. “They looked amazing.”
“I’m so glad,” Maliea said. “They should earn money for the museum.”
“On a somber note...” Reid rested a hand against the small of her back, “I heard Heather Walters is out on parole.”
Maliea’s eyes widened. “Should I be concerned?”
“I don’t think so,” Reid said. “She found religion while incarcerated. Her father funded the construction of a church for her, and she’s booking speaking engagements across the country.”
Maliea smiled. “I’m glad for her. I couldn’t hold a grudge. It takes too much of my time and energy when I have much better things to do.”
Reid grinned. “Like kissing?”
She turned to him. “Do you want to kiss me, Reid Johnson?” Her hand rested on his chest as she lowered her voice to the sexy tone he really loved to hear. “Because I really want to kiss you.”