Page 46 of Maliea's Hero
Maliea scooped Nani into her arms and left the cabin, followed by Reid.
He stowed his duffel bag in the rear of the SUV and opened the back door for Maliea.
Maliea settled Nani gently in her car seat.
Her daughter’s eyes blinked open briefly and closed again.
Maliea hoped Nani slept through the entire trip. Thankfully, her daughter was adaptable.
The drive across the island was made in silence. Logan led the way in Reid’s sports car. Rex followed Reid and Maliea in his SUV.
They made it to the airport without incident and drove to the general aviation terminal.
As they passed through the terminal and stepped out onto the tarmac, a plane taxied to a stop.
A set of stairs unfolded from the side of the cabin-class plane, and a pretty, dark-haired woman descended, followed by a broad-shouldered man.
Reid met the man halfway to the plane and held out his hand. “Hawk, glad you could get here so quickly.”
The man Reid called Hawk smiled at the woman. “It helps having a pilot in the family.” He looked past Reid to where Maliea stood, holding a sleeping Nani in her arms. “You must be Ms. Kaleiopu.”
“I am.” With her arms full, Maliea was spared shaking hands with the man.
Hawk turned to the woman beside him. “This is Kalea, my wife and Parkman Ranch’s very own pilot. Let’s get you two on board and back to the Big Island. I’m sure you’re tired and could use a good night’s sleep.”
Maliea nodded. “That would be nice.”
Hawk stepped around Maliea and Reid and took Maliea’s garbage bag, stowing it in the side of the plane along with Reid’s duffel bag.
Kalea smiled at Maliea. “You might want to let Hawk hold your daughter while you climb into the plane. He can hand her up to you once you’re inside.”
“I’ll hold her.” Reid stepped up to take Nani.
Maliea handed over her daughter and climbed up the steps into the plane.
Reid followed, carrying Nani up the steps and ducking low to avoid bumping his head.
Once inside, Maliea moved aside so Reid could settle Nani in the back bench seat. He buckled the seatbelt around her daughter’s lap and motioned for Maliea to sit on the other side. Once Maliea was seated and buckled, Reid sat on the other side of her child.
Nani tipped over and leaned against Reid. He adjusted her so that she could rest her head in his lap, smoothing a hand over her dark hair.
He was so gentle and concerned for Nani’s well-being that it warmed Maliea’s heart.
Taylor had always left Nani’s care and comfort in Maliea’s hands, taking care of himself first.
Maliea was sad that Reid couldn’t be with his daughter full-time. She couldn’t imagine the heartache he suffered being away from his little girl.
Kalea slid into the pilot’s seat, adjusted her headset and fired up the engine.
Hawk pulled the hatch closed and locked it in place. He pointed to the headsets hanging on a hook on either side of the back bench seat and motioned for Maliea and Reid to put them on.
Hawk joined Kalea at the front of the cabin, sliding into the co-pilot’s seat. Once he adjusted the headset over his ears, he gave Kalea a thumbs-up and settled back.
Maliea studied Kalea as she flipped through the pre-flight checklist. Her voice came over the headset as she called the ATC for clearance. They gave her instructions for where to taxi and finally gave her the go-ahead to take off.
Maliea hadn’t been up that often in an airplane. To be this close to the pilot, where she could see and hear everything she did, was slightly unnerving.
The plane sped down the runway, gaining speed quickly. Then it left the ground, and Kalea flew it out over the water, following the ATC’s instructions for altitude and vectors. Soon, they were heading for the Big Island, leaving the glaring lights of Honolulu behind.