Aloha Love by Yvonne Lehman Read Free Book Online Page B

Russell,” Jane said during the lunch that Pilar had prepared for them from food the church members brought in. “You have such a big house. Not that you shouldn’t, but I mean. . .I expected it to be more. . .”
    “Modest, I think you mean,” Matilda interjected.
    “I suppose so.”
    His eyes lit up with a smile. “Pansy and I are blessed. But you see, a preacher and a teacher have a community full of children—and adults, too—who often need a place to stay. But,” he explained, “this was a missionary house when it was first built. Four couples lived in it. As time went by, they left, went to other islands, or built their own new homes.”
    “So you’re really living more modestly than those who built new homes, aren’t you, Russ?” Matilda said.
    “To be honest, sister,” he said. “It’s not modesty that kept us here. We happen to like it, and it works to our advantage when there’s a visiting pastor. Also, we can invite people who come here for a short visit and even have room for Pansy’s Bible studies. We don’t have to leave and go somewhere else.”
    Jane had the feeling that was not a lack of modesty or convenience on his or Pansy’s part. They wanted to share their faith and whatever they had with others. “Thanks for sharing your home with us,” Jane said.
    “My pleasure. Each of you is a great blessing, especially to Pansy.” His smile at Matilda was affectionate. “Matilda has the best bedside manner of anyone in the world. Many a time, Pansy and I have talked about the poor and downtrodden—”
    “Oh, Russ,” Matilda scoffed. “Let’s talk about something uplifting.”
    Yes, Jane was thinking. Matilda was always the spark of life in any setting. Her telling about her many travels and adventures was better than seeing a stage play. Jane had wanted to be like her for as long as she could remember—at least, like the exciting, adventurous side of her.
    During the days that followed, Matilda relieved Uncle Russell of his almost constant attention to Pansy by taking turns with him reading to Pansy while she rested. Matilda spent as much time with her sister-in-law as the nurse would allow.
    Jane took over the job of accepting the food church members and friends brought in, glad she didn’t have to cook it. She took over the dishwashing, something she had rarely done, so she could organize and get the proper dishes back to the right people.
    After only a couple of days, Pilar started to the school, resuming her senior year studies.
    “What do you like best about it?” Jane asked her.
    Her dark eyes lit up with pleasure. “I’ve made a friend named Susanne. She wants to know all about America, and I want to know about Hawaii.”
    Rose MacCauley visited one morning. She and Matilda took a walk together. Jane could tell the two were friends already.
    That evening, Jane and Matilda sat in the swing on the porch, watching the sun set while Uncle Russell sat by Pansy’s bed as he did each night before she took the medication that would make her sleep.
    Matilda lightly pushed the swing with the toe of her shoe. “I asked Rose about the MacCauley tragedy.”
    “What was it?” Jane said. “Or is that confidential?”
    “Rose says the whole island knows. Mak’s wife was thrown from one of his racehorses. His workers had to keep him from shooting that great horse. If they’d sold it to anyone except the king, Mak probably would have shot the horse and the new owner.”
    Jane gasped. “He’s that violent?” She knew he was about as happy as a cow on its way to the slaughter house.
    “No, Jane, he’s not violent. It’s been three years since Mak’s wife was killed. And their unborn baby. Rose said he just can’t get over it, and if a woman comes near him, he runs in the opposite direction.” She sighed. “He’s such a good-looking specimen of a man. What a waste.” She shook her head. “Apparently, his letting you ride with him on that horse was nothing short of a