The Hawaiian Quilt (13 page)

“You can go in now, before we prep him for surgery.” The doctor turned and went out the door.

Luana rose from her chair. “Ailani, would you like to go in with me?”

Her daughter’s brown eyes swam with tears. “Yes, Mama. I want Papa to know I’ll be praying for him.”

Luana looked at Ken. “Would you mind going back to the B&B to let Mandy and Ellen know how Makaio is doing and that I’ll be here at the hospital for the next several hours? I need to stay until he’s out of surgery and settled into his room. So it could be late before I get home.”

Nodding, Ken rose from his seat and gave her a hug. “I understand your concern, but try to keep the faith. I’ll be praying for Makaio, and you, as well.”

Her lips quivered. “Mahalo.”

As soon as Ken left, a nurse arrived to lead Luana and Ailani down the hall to see Makaio. The two women took seats, while another nurse prepared an IV for him.

“How are you feeling?” Luana scooched her chair closer to his bed.

“I’m a little fuzzy but better now than when we first arrived. I’m gonna need to get some fixing done on that leg of mine, though.” He frowned, tears seeping from the corners of his eyes. “Sorry I slipped off the roof.”

She placed her hand on his. “It was an accident, so don’t give it another thought. I’m grateful nothing worse happened to you.”

The nurse took Makaio’s vitals. “You’re in good hands, Mr. Palu. The surgeon will do his best to see that your leg heals as it should.”

The nurses moved in and out for a while, but then the family sat together with no interruptions. He was scheduled for surgery as soon as the patient ahead of him came out. Luana would be glad when it was over.

After a while, another nurse came in and announced it was time to wheel Makaio into surgery. Luana and Ailani said their goodbyes and walked back to the waiting room with one of the nurses.

“We’ll call you back when he’s in recovery.” The nurse motioned to a table with hot beverages. “There’s coffee and hot water for tea, so feel free to help yourselves.”

“I don’t like waiting and wondering.” With a watery gaze, Ailani ran trembling fingers through her shiny, black, shoulder-length hair. “It’s hard not to worry about Papa.”

“We need to pray and ask God to guide the surgeon’s hands.” Luana closed her eyes.
Lord, please help the doctor repair the damage done to Makaio’s leg. I’m thanking You in advance
.

Kapaa

Mandy glanced out the living-room window and frowned. It seemed like she and Ellen had been waiting for hours to hear from Luana. They didn’t know how badly Makaio was hurt or why he’d been on the roof. “Sure wish Luana would call,” she murmured, turning away from the window. “It’s hard to wait. I feel like we should be doing something, but I’m not sure what.”

“We have no choice except to wait.” Ellen handed Mandy a glass of guava juice. “It’s a
schee daag
. Why don’t we go out on the lanai and enjoy it?”

It was a pretty day, but Mandy wasn’t sure she could enjoy it. At least, not until she knew how Makaio was doing. She took the offered glass and sipped a little juice. “I guess we can go outside, but we need to keep the door open in case the phone rings.”

“The lanai is screened in,” Ellen reminded, “so we won’t be in the yard and should be able to hear the telephone.”

“Okay.” Mandy followed her friend to the enclosed porch and took a seat in one of the wicker rocking chairs. The simple motion of moving back and forth helped her relax.

Ellen sat motionless in her chair. “I wonder what Sadie and Barbara are doing right now. I sure miss them.” She looked out toward the yard, where palm leaves swayed in the breeze.

“They are probably on the ship somewhere, eating ice cream, reading a book, or lounging by the pool. I’ll bet they’re both getting quite tan by now.”

Ellen snickered, pointing at Mandy. “Have you looked in the mirror lately? Your face and arms are much darker than when we left Los Angeles eleven days ago.”

Despite her apprehension over Makaio, Mandy squeezed her eyes together and laughed. “You’re right. We’ve both gotten some color.” She drank the rest of her juice and set the empty glass on the table between them.

Glancing into the yard, Mandy spotted a colorful bird. It looked like one of the cardinals they had back home, but this one had a red head, and the feathers on its body were gray and white. She stepped off the lanai for a better look, but the bird flew over her head and into a tree.

“What if Luana’s not back in time for supper?” Ellen asked when Mandy joined her again. “Do you think she would mind if we fix ourselves something to eat?”

“I’m sure she wouldn’t. She told us to help ourselves to anything we needed the day after we arrived here.” Mandy wiped some moisture from her face. “It’s warm out here. Maybe we should go back inside and turn on the air conditioner.”

“We don’t have air-conditioning at home, but we all manage during the warm summer months.”

“True. Since it’s been made available to us, we may as well make use of it, though.” Mandy rocked in her chair.

Ellen’s brows pulled in. “Now don’t get too reliant on modern things. We won’t have them available to us forever.”

Before Mandy could respond, she noticed Ken’s SUV pull into the yard. She leaped out of her chair, flung the screen door open, and ran out to greet him. “Do you have any news on Makaio?”

“Yes, I do. Just came from the hospital.” Ken gestured to the porch, where Ellen still sat. “Let’s take a seat, and I’ll bring you up to speed.”

Mandy led the way, and when they were both seated, Ken gave them the details on Makaio’s injuries.

“Oh my!” Mandy touched her lips. “That poor man. I can’t imagine how badly he must hurt.”

“I’m sure they’ve given him something for the pain, and when he’s in surgery, he’ll be completely out.” Ken’s forehead wrinkled a bit. “Luana’s worried about him, and so is their daughter.”

“She mentioned Ailani, but we haven’t met her,” Ellen spoke up.

“I’m not surprised. She’s expecting her first baby and has been having a tough time with nausea and swollen feet.” Ken waved his hands in front of his face. “Sure turned out to be a warm day—even hotter than what was forecasted.”

“Would you like a glass of juice?” Mandy offered. “Or we could go inside where it’s cooler.”

“Some juice would be great.”

Ellen stood, pulling her hands down the sides of her dress. “I’ll get it. Would you like another glass, Mandy?”

“Jah, danki.”

After Ellen went inside, Ken turned to Mandy. “Were you speaking German to her?”

“I said, ‘Yes, thank you.’ It’s a form of German. We call it Pennsylvania Dutch. Some also refer to our everyday language as German Dutch.”

He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Interesting. Would you teach me some Amish words?”

“I’d be happy to. Is there anything specific you’d like to know?”

“In a minute. I need to do something first.” Ken sat up straight and pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket. “Looks like one of our birds left its mark on the shoulder of your dress.” He wiped off the mess.

“Oh no.” Embarrassed, Mandy touched her hot cheeks. “I was in the yard, admiring a colorful bird before you got here.”

Ken gently rubbed the area, while Mandy sat, stiff as a board. “Don’t worry. Think I got most of it off. You might want to spray the area with a spot cleaner, though, so it doesn’t leave a permanent stain.”

“Thank you, Ken. I appreciate it.” Mandy spoke quietly.

“Okay now. How do you say the word
pretty
?” He stuffed the hankie back in his pocket.

“Oh, that’s right. You wanted to learn some Amish words.” Mandy felt so flustered, she’d almost forgotten. “That’s an easy one. It’s
schee
.”

He smiled. “You look schee in that muumuu you’re wearing.”

Mandy felt warmth start up the back of her neck, spreading promptly to her face, adding even more heat. She wasn’t used to anyone other than Gideon saying she was pretty. Clearing her throat, she quickly changed the subject. “How long will Makaio be in the hospital?”

Ken shrugged. “I’m not sure. Probably a few days. When he gets home, he’ll have to take it easy for several weeks. The doctor doesn’t want him to put any weight on his leg until it’s healed well enough.”

“I wonder how Luana will manage without his help.” She wiped at the moisture on her forehead.

Ken leaned farther back in his chair. “I don’t know, but I’m sure the Lord will provide what they need.”

Ellen returned to the lanai with three glasses of juice on a tray. She’d no more than placed it on the small wicker table when another vehicle pulled in. A few minutes later, a middle-aged man and woman got out.

“Looks like you may have some guests. Was Luana expecting anyone to check in this afternoon?” Ken’s question was directed at Mandy.

“She didn’t say.” Mandy swallowed hard. With Luana not here, she had no idea what to do. Running a bed-and-breakfast was different from waitressing. But apparently Ellen knew how to handle the situation, for she left the lanai and walked out to the couple. A few minutes later, she led them inside.

Mandy went over to assist her friend in welcoming the guests.
It’s a good thing we’re here
, she thought.
With Makaio unable to put any weight on his leg, Luana’s going to need our help for a while
.

A
fter Ellen explained the situation to the guests who’d arrived, she picked up the guest book and asked them to sign it. In the meantime, she found their name in Luana’s book, which also told what room the couple would be staying in. This wasn’t much different than the routine of the B&B where she worked back home.

“We’re sorry to hear Makaio’s been hurt,” said the woman, who identified herself as Sharon McIntire. “My husband and I stayed here last year and enjoyed getting to know him and his lovely wife.” Her sincere expression revealed the depth of her concern. “If there’s anything we can do, please let us know.”

Ellen almost replied, “Danki,” but answered instead, “Thank you. It’s kind of you to offer.”

“You must be new here.” The man, who introduced himself as Carl, spoke up. “How long have you been working at the bed-and-breakfast?”

“I don’t officially work here. My friend and I are filling in for the owners today.” Ellen went on to explain how they’d missed the cruise ship and were staying here for the time being. “Luana and Makaio have been so kind to us. It’s the least we can do to help them out.”

They visited awhile longer, and then Ellen showed them to the Bird of Paradise Room. After leaving the couple alone to get settled in, she returned to the lanai.

Strange. I wonder where Mandy and Ken are
. When Ellen peeked outside and saw Ken’s vehicle, she knew he hadn’t left. Opening the screen door and stepping into the yard, she spotted them crouched on the ground beside Luana’s bountiful garden. They seemed to be deep in conversation, so she turned and went back into the house. Ellen couldn’t help wondering how two people who barely knew each other could find much of anything to talk about.

“I can’t get over all this garden produce.” Mandy pointed to a head of butter lettuce. “It’s November. Back home, our gardens are done for the year. We don’t start planting again till spring.”

“Do you enjoy gardening?” Ken tipped his head.

She nodded enthusiastically. “I like all the fresh produce we get in the summer, but it would be even nicer if we could grow it all year.”

“It’s one of the reasons I like living on this island so much.” He fingered a cucumber. “Know what I wish?”

“What?”

“Wish I had my own organic produce business. I’d even like to try growing some things hydroponically.” Ken let go of the cucumber. “I’ve never liked working on my folks’ chicken farm that much. If my brother, Dan, was willing to take over the farm someday, I’d branch out and start my own business.” Ken’s eyes took on a faraway look.

“Isn’t he interested in your family’s business?”

Ken shrugged. “Dan’s a surfer and likes to run off to the beach every chance he gets. Course I like to surf, too, but not till after my work is done each day. Speaking of the beach, have you had a chance to visit one of our beaches?”