Caleb + Kate (22 page)

It isn't fading yet. In fact, I fall more in love with him the more I get to know him.

We've been dating a month when Caleb invites me to a family picnic. Apparently, the family feud doesn't extend to Caleb's mother's side of the family. Most of his family who hate my family still live in Hawaii. Only Finn and a few other Kalanis live in Oregon and will be at the picnic.

“You don't seem nervous about meeting my family,” he says as we pull up in his Camaro, which we finally got running. I still feel proud, every time we ride in it.

“I'm used to acting okay in social settings. But I have the usual what-if-they-don't-like-me thoughts.”

Caleb leans over and kisses me softly on the nose . . . and then chin and then my mouth. He pulls away with a great effort, I can feel it in the way his muscles tense. It's cruel of me, but I relish this physical struggle of his. I know I should start making it easier for him, be strong about his convictions and make them my own. But the desire to completely unleash is more than I can control.

“You know Dad and Gabe and they like you. Oh, and you've met my cousin Finn.”

“Yes, Finn. He loves me too.”

Caleb laughs. “He loves you like Kirsten loves me.”

“Now that does make me nervous.”

We walk to the local park in Astoria with a view of the magnificent bridge crossing the Columbia River. I carry a gift bag along with my purse. Caleb carries two cases of soda.

“My mom sent a gift to give your aunt.”

Caleb smiles as he motions toward a large group of people under a covered picnic area. “Smart mom you've got there. It's tradition to bring a gift to dinner.”

“Go Mom, then. Thanks for warning me.” My heart starts to pound.

“Yeah, remind me to give you a little lesson in Hawaiian culture later.”

I stop walking. “Isn't it the same as here?”

He shrugs. “Uh, more or less.”

“I think you'd better give me a crash course then.”

“Just be yourself, it'll be fine.” He starts walking again.

“Gee, that's comforting.”

“Do you like karaoke?”

“No! Why?”

“Well, you will after tonight.” He laughs, and I'm not sure if he's joking with me or at me. “Ready for this?”

I nod, but I'm not ready at all.

“Do they know who I am?”

“It's going to be okay. You can hold my hand the entire time.”

I take his hand and hold it tightly.

As soon as we're spotted, a herd of children rush us, surrounding and cheering for Caleb and the “pretty lady.”

“We're playing soccer, come play with us!”

A dozen brown smiling faces look up, jumping up and down.

“Later, okay? I want you to all meet Kate—Kate, these are my little rugrat cousins.”

“Hello,” I say and the brown eyes stare at me, some dropping their smiles shyly, others grinning wider.

“Hello, Caleb's girlfriend!” one boy yells and starts kissing his hand, which makes the other kids break into hysterics.

“Come on, Kate, I need to set these down.”

“Co-Co!” A short, round woman exclaims as we walk toward the picnic tables.

“Aunt GiGi,” Caleb says under his breath.

“Co-Co?” I laugh and he frowns.

“You did not hear that.”

“Aloha, Katey-girl,” Aunt GiGi shouts in a voice infused with joy. I recognize Caleb's aunt from the hotel—she sometimes pops in with Hawaiian treats for the staff before taking lunch to Caleb's dad. When she takes me into her arms, I'm stunned by her strength—her hug takes my breath away. Her head comes to my chin. Her black hair is pulled into a bun, and I imagine how it must look let loose down her back. She's round and soft even with the strength of a sailor in her arms. I can't immediately respond.

We are quickly swept into the festivities. Caleb's aunts, uncles, and cousins are perhaps the friendliest people I've ever encountered. The friendliness is of a different kind than what I'm used to; it's flamboyant at times, like when one of Caleb's distant aunts kisses my cheeks and hugs me tightly. I smile and glance around to make sure Caleb is close, mostly unsure how to respond. I can hold my own in a room of sophisticated, educated adults. But these boisterous, joyful personalities are both intimidating and endearing.

More people arrive, carrying large bags to add to the tables overloaded with serving dishes covered with Saran Wrap or aluminum foil. Two huge guys carry a silver ice chest between them. They look the size of Sumo wrestlers.

“Eat, here take a plate.” Aunt GiGi hands me a paper plate and a roll of napkins with plastic silverware wrapped inside.

“Thank you,” I say, thinking how my mother would probably die before she handed a guest plastic and paper dinnerware, even with frugality being the new trend in this recession.

We're herded to the food line with people leaning in, pointing out things for me to try. Caleb insists that I try most everything until I have a huge pile of food on my plate. And even then, his aunt stops by our seat at a picnic table with a pan in hand.

“You must try this. This is a Hawaiian favorite.”

So I eat more food—most of which I have no idea what it is—than I normally eat in a whole day. Afterward, the men start playing Portuguese horseshoes and the women lounge together, laughing and talking among themselves.

Lawn chairs and ice chests are everywhere. Children play tag among the guests.

Someone starts playing the guitar, one of Caleb's giant Hawaiian uncles.

“Not so different from your family after all,” Caleb says, moving a leg over the picnic bench to straddle it and face me. The same shiver of warmth and excitement shoots through me at his touch.

I think he must be joking. “Really?”

“Food, music, people who love us.”

He would see it that way.

“When you say it like that, I guess you're right.”

Someone turns on a stereo to a kind of Hawaiian music I haven't heard before—a mix of jazz and rock with the Hawaiian sounds.

“Please, please, don't let them make me sing karaoke,” I beg him.

“I don't know . . .” he says, looking perfectly content with me here among his family.

He brushes some hair away from my face and touches my chin.

“You know . . . you are my great love, my Izta.”

I have hoped and thought this, but to hear him say it—I can't respond. Real life, normal words, they don't do justice to what is here between us. I'm at a loss at how to respond, tongue-tied and expressionless.

“I wish there were a better way for me to tell you what's in my heart. But I—I hope to always be your great love, Caleb.” I smile then, finding humor the only relief for my frustrating lack of eloquence. “Let's just hope our story turns out better than Itza and Popoca's.”

“It will. Let's go down to the river and escape for a while.”

He has that expression that sucks me in, a look that says I'm everything to him. Someone calls his name and breaks the spell.

“Could you help lift this box into the truck? One minute and you'll be back with your girl.” It's one of Caleb's uncles.

He kisses me on the cheek. “I'll be right back. Why don't we just get out of here? I've had enough of family. Let's go somewhere.”

I glance around, wondering if we can sneak off without a giant production with Caleb's family.

Within minutes of his leaving, I hear a voice behind me.

“So Beverly Hills decided to visit the natives?”

At first, I don't realize the words are about me, until I see Finn bending over an ice chest and pulling out a beer. He offers it to me, and I shake my head. He laughs dryly. “Sorry, we're all out of appletinis.”

“I have a drink, thanks,” I say, holding up my Diet Coke.

“You seem surprisingly sharp for a blonde.”

I shrug and smile, trying to dismiss his dour mood. “I'm even a natural blonde—must be a freak of nature.”

Across the lawn I see Caleb's face drop as he watches Finn pop his beer open and sit down beside me. He's carrying a large box toward the parking lot.

“We haven't had a chance to talk, and from the looks of it, you might be one of the few girls to actually stick around.”

“You be nice to our girl here,” Aunt Gigi says, popping Finn on the head with a roll of aluminum foil. “Almost time for dessert.”

She scurries back to the tables with the food.

“I should help her clean up,” I say to Finn.

“You know he can never stay with you,” Finn says with a spiteful grin on his face.

I sit back down.

“If you stay with him, you'll ruin his future. Do you still think Caleb is a poor scholarship student at your school? Or has he told you he's the heir to our grandfather's money?”

My face surely shows that I don't know all of this, at least not fully. Caleb hasn't told me.

“You'll find out. Very soon. In about five minutes actually. But I wonder if you care enough to not ruin his life?”

Finn leaves as Caleb returns.

“Are you okay?” he asks, staring after his cousin.

Suddenly Caleb's body stiffens. His eyes have caught something behind my back. The look on his face scares me with its ferocity, and I turn around to see what Finn has done now.

I don't see anything different from the lawn dotted with children, someone flying a kite on the far corner, the late afternoon sun reflecting diamonds on this perfect day.

“What is it?”

As if to answer, the music cuts and a rumble of excitement races through the family. Caleb's aunt lets out an excited scream.

I've never seen Caleb look so serious.

“My grandfather is here.”

CALEB

He arrives in a black sedan with a driver. How formal he looks, in his expensive suit and shoes. He is dressed for one of Kate's usual social events, not for our family picnic.

“I think we should go.” I want to take her far away from him.

“Okay,” Kate says, picking up her bag and sliding her shoes back onto her feet.

Then he calls my name, even as the rest of the family shakes his hands and hugs him.
These aren't your blood relatives
, I want to tell him. But family is family, regardless.

I clench my jaw and stand with Kate beside me. Catching a glimpse of her face, I put my arm around her shoulder. She looks afraid.

Grandfather is imposing, striding forward with the same set jaw. We stare at one another much like we did on the day I left Hawaii.

“Caleb.”

“Grandfather.”

His cold black eyes dance over to Kate and then return to mine. My instinct is to keep her out of his vision, to never allow him to look at her again. He can be cruel, and he seeks the weaknesses of his enemies without mercy. I do not doubt that he could harm Kate with one simple conversation.

“I heard you have a new friend.”

“How much do you pay Finn to spy on me?”

Grandfather ignores me and reaches out a hand toward Kate. “Hello, Kate Monrovi. I am Robert Kalani.”

“Hello,” Kate says in a small voice.

“We were leaving. I hope you have a safe trip back to Hawaii.”

“I'd like a moment,” Grandfather says. Kate looks at me and prepares to give us privacy when he continues, “With Miss Monrovi.”

“No,” I say, but Kate pulls away and agrees.

“No,” I say more firmly.

“Please, Caleb. It will be okay.”

I shake my head and watch as she follows Grandfather toward the edge of the park overlooking the river. She probably thinks Grandfather is someone who will understand her. She doesn't know yet that he never forgives.

KATE

“You seem to care very deeply for Caleb.”

Caleb's grandfather makes me feel more comfortable than the rest of his family. I'm not yet accustomed to them, their raucous laughter and friendly energy. The more formal world filled with social etiquette is the landscape I've lived in. He understands that and lives there as well. Robert Kalani was surely a very handsome man at one time and even at his age he's imposing, tall, with wide shoulders and light brown skin.

“Yes. I do.” How can I tell this man whom I've just met that his grandson is like no one I've ever known? That he is the most important person in my life?

“He could have a great future. I'm sure you have a great future ahead too.”

I'm not sure what to say to this. This man holds the keys to Caleb's future, according to Finn. Do I trust that Finn's words are true? Caleb told me how his grandfather feels about
hales
. Has Caleb only been warned by his grandfather, or does he really mean it? Robert Kalani certainly displays the force of a powerful man.

“How many hotels are in your hotel chain now?”

I think for a moment. “Sixty-five, I believe.”

“But there were many more for a time.”

“Yes, my father wanted to lessen the debt a number of years ago. He sold some properties to the Shangri-La chain.”

“You know a lot about the industry, it appears.”

“A little. When I was younger, people said that I would follow him into the business.” I smile, hoping it will bring a smile to his face. It doesn't.

“Very nice.” But his face doesn't reflect any sense of kindness. “I knew your grandfather.”

I nod thoughtfully, wondering just how much to say. “Yes,” I say softly.

“He was very respected, among his . . . peers.” There was a hesitation that couldn't be missed. “You met Caleb at school?” “Yes.”

“And Caleb also works at your father's hotel?”

I nodded, wondering where this was leading.

“Caleb is very special. You probably don't realize that.”

“I do realize.”

He is thoughtful then, turning to stare out toward the river, and I see a resemblance between Caleb and his grandfather in their thick eyebrows and dark eyes. I wish I knew what he is thinking, but a man like this would be well-practiced in shielding his thoughts from the world.