Fire by Terra Harmony Read Free Book Online Page A

doorframe. She kept her gaze fixed on me. "Kaitlyn? What happened?"
    "You tell me." I narrowed my eyes at her.
    "What?"
    "Exactly."
    She moved her mother away, whispering something in her ear, then turned to me. She approached cautiously. "Why are you in the playpen?"
    I relaxed a little – maybe it was simply my behavior putting them on edge.
    "I…I…never mind. I'll be out in a minute. Could you please shut the door behind you?"
    Ahi didn't budge, but she did cross her arms.
    I sighed. "I promise, I'll explain. Just give me a minute."
    A minute turned into three hours as I found excuses to busy myself. Bathe Bee, feed Bee, change Bee, take down the drying laundry, shower for myself, put Bee down for the night, and finally dinner preparation. Thankfully it was my night. By my shower I had to release my weaves. I was completely exhausted and the surge was long gone. Either the threat was no longer there, or there was never a threat to begin with. I prayed for the latter.
    Dinner brought me face to face with Ahi and her mother. There was no avoiding it anymore. Still, I pretended to ignore their stares.
    "Okay, what’s the matter?" Ahi finally spoke, looking at me over her plate of rice and beans.
    I leaned back in my chair, finishing my last bite.
    Now Bee , I thought. Wake up now!
    This time, Bee wasn't playing along.
    I finally resigned, "I’m worried."
    "About what?"
    "Him." I cleared my throat as Ahi raised her eyebrows. "The one I'm running from."
    The pair of women sitting across from me exchanged glances. Mama understood English well enough to follow.
    I continued, "I covered my tracks very, very carefully. But if he ever did find me, it would be bad. I'm sorry, I don't mean to bring any trouble into your home." I hung my head. "We'll be gone by tomorrow."
    "You are not going anywhere," Ahi pointed at me with her fork. I focused on the bean at the end of it.
    I turned to look at Mama, seeking her approval as well.
    She nodded her head.
    I smiled, slightly. "Muchas gracias." There weren't many more words to portray my gratitude.
    "Now, help me with the dishes," Ahi said. "I have to go bartend in an hour."

 
    Chapter 10
     
    Jalopies Galore
     
    "Ahi – wait up!" I ran outside, catching her before she started her scooter, the main mode of transportation on the island. I glanced back to make sure her mother wasn't listening. "Can I ask another favor?"
    Her eyebrow rose. I cleared my throat and put my hand over hers. "I need someone to keep tabs on the ports, the hotels, and the airport. I can give descriptions of a couple of men to be on the lookout for."
    Ahi nodded. "I have connections in the hotels, of course. And I can ask around about the ports and airports."
    Lava and waves had created hundreds of sea caves and a treacherous coastline. It made for great scuba diving, but there were very few places safe to anchor. A steady watch on the main port would prove helpful, but if Shawn or Micah were to come looking, they would most likely come in by plane. "Do you know anyone that might have access to flight rosters?"
    She removed her hand from mine and put on her helmet. "In case you haven't noticed, Kaitlyn, this is a very, very small island."
    I smiled. "When you can get from one end to the other in twenty minutes on this jalopy of yours…"
    She punched my shoulder playfully. "My jalopy is better than your jalopy."
    I couldn't argue, especially since I didn't have a scooter. She started the small engine and I watched her ride off. I could almost follow her small headlight all the way into town. The main street of Hanga Roi, Avenue Atamu Tekema, was alive with lights and music. Preparations and several preemptive celebrations for the annual Tapata Rapa Nui Festival called to me. For the first time in a long time, I felt the need to socialize. I wanted to be a part of a crowd. I wanted to dance. I needed to drink.
    I took a step toward the town, then another, and another until I found myself at the end of Ahi's