She waved to Florence and started paddling to shore.
Through the corner of her eye, she saw that Malia was going to catch the same wave. Corinne didn't pull back. She had a nagging suspicion, but she was fed up with Malia's pranks.
The two stood up at about the same time, but then Malia started crowding her, cutting purposefully toward Corinne's board. When the two boards hit, Corinne lost her balance and tumbled to the right. The surf took her straight down and then something struck her from behind and she was no longer aware of the ocean, the sun, and the sand.
Someone was crying. It sounded so pitiful. Not the sobs of a child, but a young woman crying. Who? Corinne started to open her eyes, but a stabbing pain shot through her head and she clamped her eyes shut against it. The pain throbbed viciously. She thought surely she would faint, but she didn't. Through a haze she still heard the sobbing, and now voices that she recognized.
"I've never seen anything so surprising as the way those two surfboards collided." That was Florence.
"Which boards?" Corinne recognized Akela's deep voice.
"Why, Cori's and Malia's," Florence answered. "When the boards hit, Cori fell off to the side and Malia tumbled backwards, away from the large wave they were riding. And then one of the boards shot straight up in the air and, God! I was terrified when I saw it coming down right where Cori had fallen. When I didn't see her come up, I started right in after her, but it was Malia who pulled her to the surface. She probably saved Cori's life."
"I—I didn't mean for her to get hurt," Malia sobbed.
"Of course not, dear," Florence soothed her. "It was an accident."
"I wonder!" Akela growled darkly.
Corinne was so surprised by the anger in Akelals voice that she managed to open her eyes a little. The two older women were standing at the left of her bed, facing Malia, who stood on the right, sobbing, with her head in her hands. Akela pointed an accusing finger at the girl.
"You go too far this time, Malia! You make me shame, cause I raise you. But you no learn right from Aunty!"
"What are you saying, Akela?" Florence whispered, shocked.
"Not accident. Malia not have accident in water. She ride board all her life."
"I didn't mean for her to get hurt!" Malia was crying hysterically again. "I only meant to frighten her!"
"She maybe die, and why? Because you jealous of your brother."
"My God!" Florence gasped.
"And I think maybe this not first time, huh, Malia?" Akela went on, voicing Corinne's half-realized suspicions. "I no like believe you put those centipedes in Kolina's room. I say, no, my Malia not that bad. But I wrong!"
"Naneki said—there would be no danger." Malia tried to catch her breath. "That's why we found the largest ones we could, so she would be sure to see them."
"Auwe! My own daughter help you? You both need the stick against your backside. This terrible thing!"
"We only wanted to scare her so she would leave!"
"She leave? Your brother the one keep her here."
"What?" * i
"You hear good, Malia! She want to go, but he no let her."
"But she is not good enough for Jared. She—"
"Malia, you blind just like Ialeka!" Akela snapped. "Can you no see Kolina not bad?"
"That's right, Malia," Florence spoke up. "Cori was so furious with your brother that she planned the whole charade before we came to Hawaii. I told her not to do it, but she was very headstrong back then. It was all an elaborate ruse to make people think—she was a—" Florence paused, still unable to say the word. "—an immoral woman."
"She took men to her room."
"Yes. She got them drunk, and then sent them home with promises for the next time. But there were no next times because she never saw the same man twice. The only man she's ever been with in—in that way—is your brother."
There was a silence and then Malia said weakly, "She told me, but I didn't believe her."
"Your brother wouldn't believe her either. That's the tragedy."
"Jared must actually love her then if he still wants to keep her even when he thinks—"
Florence sighed. "I believe so, yes, but no one really knows what's in his mind."
"I'm so sorry." Malia started sobbing again.
"Mo'better you tell Kolina that," Akela said gruffly.
"I will. I didn't understand. And I never meant for her to get hurt."
"It's all right, Malia," Corinne whispered from the bed.
The three faces turned to her. "So you're awake?" Florence said.
"So it seems."
"Don't try to get up. YouVe got a pretty mean bump on the side of your head, but that seems to be the only injury. You don't hurt anywhere else, do you?"
"No."
"I sent for doctor. He live Haleiwa, so be a while yet •fore he come," Akela said.
"That wasn't necessary," Corinne protested.
"Of course it was. You gave us all quite a fright," Florence said sternly. "I don't know if I'll let you do any more surfing."
"Don't be ridiculous. It was an unusual . . . accident." They all fell silent. Corinne looked at Malia. The girl was standing with her head lowered, afraid to face her. "It really is all right, Malia. I've been awake for quite a while and heard everything. And as far as I'm concerned, it was an accident. We will forget it."
Malia looked up sheepishly. "I'm so sorry, Corinne."
"I know. Maybe we can be friends now."
Malia smiled faintly, then turned away and left before she started crying again.
Akela started after her. Soon, Corinne turned to Florence. "You have got to do something for me if the doctor says I have to stay in bed a few days."
"Of course, dear."
"Tomorrow, get Akela to take you to the nearest store. There were a few stores in Wahiawa, remember? Or maybe Akela knows if there's one closer. Anyway, I want you to buy Jared a Christmas present for me. Something really special."
"And just what am I to use for money?"
"Take my rubies—no, the diamonds are more valuable. Take all of them, the necklaces, rings, the bracelets."
"Cori, really! Those diamonds are worth a fortune!"
"For God's sake, I don't care about the money. And you won't be able to get what they're worth anyway. But whatever you can get for them, spend it all. This is Michael's first Christmas. Get him lots of toys, and some clothes if you can find readymade. He's outgrowing things so quickly."
"As if I hadn't noticed!" Florence chuckled.
"And get something for Akela and Malia, and—oh, find a little something for Naneki and her daughter too—Christmas is no time to be carrying a grudge. And don't forget yourself. But make sure you get a perfect gift for Jared."
"I've never bought anything for a man before."
Corinne frowned. "If only we could get to the city. Look for a ring maybe, or a—a sailboat!"
"Cori!"
"No, I don't suppose you would find one in Wahiawa. Oh, I don't know. Just find something special. It's got to be a gift he will like."
"I'll try, dearest. Now you rest."
Florence shook her head as she closed the door. It had been ages since she had seen Cori so excited. Who would have guessed she would have fallen in love with the very man everyone thought she. hated?
Chapter 40
JARED sent word to the house, that he wanted to give a Christmas luau, and preparations kept everyone busy all week long. After the two days of bedrest the doctor ordered, Corinne joined in the work. Everyone pitched in to help, including the men who worked in Jared's fields. Kuliano brought a cart filled with bananas down from the hills.
The pig was delivered on Wednesday, a mammoth animal yet to be slaughtered. The fish and pineapple arrived Friday in two wagon loads, with kegs of beer in a third large wagon. Extra chickens were brought in, and coconuts were gathered from up and down the coast, along with seaweed, which would be eaten raw. Corinne was astounded by th
e mountains of food.
Long, squat tables were brought out of the stable and cleaned, to be set up and covered with ti leaves on Christmas morning. Huge pans came out of the storehouse. The cooking began on Saturday, the day before the luau. All of the fish, opihi, crab, squid, and salmon, would be served raw, but it still took hours to cut up and prepare the fish, especially the lomi salmon, which was marinated with chopped onions and spices. The chicken boiled all day long. The pineapple had to be cut, then packed in ice. Corinne helped make haupia, the coconut pudding that would be served as little cakes.
What was most fascinating, though, was the cooking of the pig. This was started early on the day before the luau. Akela supervised the men who dug a hole for the back yard oven. Wood was placed in the bottom of the pit, then stones were piled on top, and a fire started. After the stones were hot and the fire died down, hot stones were placed inside the pig, and the carcass, already wrapped in fragrant
Corinne was Just in the way there with so many already helping. But where else could she go to avoid Jared? And then Malia poked her head inside.
"Aunty, come take a rest," Malia called excitedly. "Ko-lina, come, Ialeka's home!"
Jared appeared in the doorway and their eyes met. But his expression was unreadable. She still didn't know how he felt. And then Malia grabbed his hand again and pulled him tsward the living room, and Akela was pushing Corinne out of the kitchen after them. Florence and Michael were already there, gazing at the little pine tree.
"Whose idea was that?" said Jared, looking at the tree.
"Kolina suggested it," Malia supplied. "It's nice, isn't itf"
"A tree? In the house?"
"Oh, stop being so gruff," Malia chided him. "I like it and we're going to have one every year from now on."
"And where did that come from?" He pulled the saddle out from under the tree.
"That's for you, from Kolina."
Jared straightened up slowly and looked directly at Corinne. His expression was clearly readable—hard and accusing. What had she done wrong? His look brought tears to her eyes and she ran from the room.
A few moments later Jared strode into their bedroom.
When he saw the tears, he said, "Why in damnation are you crying?"
She tried to pull away, but he held her fast. "I don't know why I'm crying. I thought you would enjoy the Christmas tree, but you didn't. I thought you would like my gift, but you don't. And you've been gone well over a month, but you didn't even come to say hello to me when you arrived."
After a long silence, he said softly, "I didn't come to you because I wasn't sure whether you wanted me to." Jared's tone surprised her. "And I do like the saddle." Abruptly his voice grew cold again. "But it's the finest leather I've even seen and that's expensive. I want to know how you paid for it."
Suddenly what he was thinking became clear to her. She gasped. "Do you really trust me that little?"
"I know you didn't have any money, Corinne, because I have your money. How did you buy that saddle if not—n
"Don't you dare say it, Jared!" She stopped him furiously. "Don't you dare! For your information, Florence found the saddle for me because I was bedridden. Are you going to accuse my maid now of bartering herself? Your mind runs to the gutter!"
He flinched at her words. "What do you mean, you were bedridden?"
"Don't change the subject, I beg you!"
"Answer me!"
"It was nothing. I had a small accident and ended up with a bump on my head, that's all."
"And you're all right now?" He was obviously relieved.
"Yes, but why this sudden concern for my welfare after what you just accused me of?"
"For Christ's sake, what was I supposed to think? I know you didn't have money because I took yours out of the bank before you came here."
"I sold some of my jewels," she snapped. "I have more than I need, anyway."
Her words were like a physical blow and Jared paled. "My God! Corinne, I'm sorry."
She was too hurt to be mollified. "No, you're not! You'd rather think I sold myself! I wish now that I hadn't parted with my diamonds, even though I didn't care at the time. I only wanted to buy you something nice. I guess I'm a bigger fool than you are, Jared Burkett."
"Confound it, Corinne, how was I supposed to know? I never would have dreamed you would part with any of your jewels. You wouldn't wear any to the gambling house for fear of losing them. I thought your jewels were important to you."
"They were once, when my father controlled the purse strings. But I'm rich now. I don't give a fig about the jewels I have. I can always buy more."
He let her go and turned away with a strained expression. He left the room and returned quickly with a long box, which he tossed on the bed.
"It's just something I thought you would like. But I made a mistake. We had the same idea—I'm just sorry they both turned out so disastrously."
Jared left the room and Corinne walked hesitantly to the bed and opened the box. Brilliant opals gleamed up at her in a rainbow of fiery colors, and tears sprang to her eyes again. Very slowly, she took off her ruby necklace and put the opals on. Then she clasped them in her hands and brought them up against her cheek. They were cold against her skin.
"Oh, Jared, why do we have to have these stupid fights all the time?"
The day had started out so badly. But it was Christmas. She would make the rest of the holiday better. Thinking of Michael and the presents he had yet to open, her spirits began to rise.
Chapter 41
DRINKING and eating went on all day long, and the guests kept coming. Many went swimming, and there was even a little surfing competition. Corinne met so many people that it was impossible to remember names. She was given lei upon lei until she was nearly buried under the fragrant wreaths and was forced to take most of them off.
A group of Hawaiians with string instruments played continuously, a steady flow of beer keeping them happy. Everyone was very gay, and Corinne found herself laughing constantly. The actual feast, where everyone sat down to eat together, didn't begin until late afternoon. Nearly all of Jared's friends were there, hut Corinne didn't feel awkward. Many looked at her curiously, wondering about her and Jared, but she didn't let it bother her.
The food rated unanimous praise and Akela beamed proudly. Corinne tried everything, and surprised herself by enjoying some of the raw dishes. The chicken long rice was delicious, but it was the kalua pig that Corinne couldn't seem to get enough of. She went back three times for more of the tender, shredded meat.
Jared sat next to Corinne at the table, but they said almost nothing to each other.
The drinking and merriment continued after the feast Jared moved on, but Corinne stayed at the table with Florence and Michael. Hawaiians loved children and Michael went from lap to lap, getting enough cuddling in one day to last him several months. Leonaka joined them for a while to watch Malia and some of the younger girls dance the hula. They wore skirts made of shredded ti leaves and leis around their heads and necks. The instruments used for hula dancing were gourd drums and coconut rattles. After sunset, an entertainment in itself, tiki torches were set all around the yard and the luau went on. Some were still swimming, others surfing by moonlight, and Corinne discovered that a luau was an all-day, all-night affair.
While Corinne was watching the surfers, a slightly older woman sat down next to her and introduced herself as Dayna Callan. A few years younger than Jared, she was quite lovely, with light brown hair and blue eyes. Corinne was flustered, wondering what to say, when suddenly Dayna surprised her.
"I suppose you've heard that everyone thought Jared and I would marry?"
It took Corinne a moment to answer. "No, I hadn't heard—"
"Oh dear, I am sorry. You must think I'm terrible to just blurt that out, but I thought surely you must have known. I only meant to get it out of the way, in case you felt uneasy talking with me."
Corinne tried to find her wits. "Did??
?had Jared asked you to marry him?"
Dayna smiled. "Heavens, no! Ours was more or less a silent understanding. He always put off asking me. And frankly," she lowered her voice, "I dreaded the day he would."
"I don't understand."
"You see, I grew up with Jared. My family had a beach house up the coast and we spent half ofvevery year out here. Jared and Leonaka were like my brothers. Can you imagine the prospect of marrying a man you think of as your brother?"
"So you didn't want to marry him?"
"No. I was relieved when he returned from the mainland and told me about you. I believe I'm the only one he confided in. In fact, he told me all he had done. He was miserable after he returned, and I am sure he regretted his behavior. When the stories reached him about you, I knew he was frantic with jealousy. He tried to hide his feelings, but I knew."
For the very first time, Corinne felt a hot embarrassment because of her charade. "You must think I'm a horrible woman."
"I really didn't know what to think. But you see, I knew what Jared had done, so I couldn't blame you. And besides, it was only rumor, and one has to be skeptical where rumors are concerned."
"Jared wasn't."
"Well, Jared often reacts with pure emotion instead of sense. I knew the moment I saw you that you couldn't have done what they say. But Jared doesn't have a woman's intuition. And jealousy can distort one's thinking."
"You have to care in order to be jealous," Corinne replied.
"Exactly." Dayna emphasized the word and smiled. She gazed directly at Corinne.
Corinne understood. "I'm certainly glad I met you. I only wish it had been sooner." She smiled wistfully and sighed.
"Has Jared been difficult?"
"Oh, it's not so much Jared's behavior. It's the constant doubts and suspicions. I guess I'm prone to jealousy, too."
Corinne's eyes moved to Naneki, who was dancing solo now, and Dayna followed her gaze. The Hawaiian girl was dancing beautifully, seductively. Her attention was entirely on Jared, who was standing nearby, watching her.
"Oh dear."
Corinne turned back to Dayna. "What is it?"
The other woman was frowning. "I assumed Naneki had given up on Jared, but I see she hasn't"