Page 48 of Maliea's Hero
Reid locked the seat in place and slid onto the bench seat, settled Nani between himself and Maliea and secured her seatbelt around her.
Nani moaned and snuggled against Maliea. She slid her arm around her daughter and eased her over to lay her head in her lap.
Her heart swelled with the love she felt for her child. She truly would hand over her father’s storybook if it meant whoever was plaguing them would leave them alone. But would they? Or would they continue to stalk them, hoping they had more information than was in the storybook?
Maliea couldn't care less about the lost treasure of Red Beard and wished her father had never heard of it. He’d still be alive if he hadn’t gone to Niihau that day, chasing clues. For all Maliea knew, he’d been on his way back with no more information than he’d started with.
The driver pulled away from the landing strip and took them to the main house on the Parkman Ranch.
Maliea had heard of the Parkman Ranch but had never been there. Even in the middle of the night, she could tell the house was huge, sprawling and amazing. The Parkman family had owned over one hundred thousand acres since the early 1800s. They were a primary source of beef for the Hawaiian Islands.
The driver pulled up to the front of the house with its massive double door. Lights burned over the entryway and inside, welcoming them with their warmth.
Maliea was so tired she could barely crawl out of the SUV. Thankfully, Reid carried Nani up the steps and into the foyer.
Once everyone was inside and the door closed, Hawk entered a security code into the panel on the wall. “You’re safe here. We had a security system installed throughout the main house, and we have cameras posted on the corners of all the buildings and outbuildings.”
“What if you want to get some fresh air or stare up at the stars?” Maliea asked, wondering if it was worth being so rich you weren’t safe to leave your home.
Kalea’s lips twisted. “We have a walled garden where you can get outside for fresh air. We don’t arm the system during the daytime because there are so many employees looking out for everyone, plus the cameras with a guard manning the monitors twenty-four-seven. Your room also has a balcony you can step out on without setting off an alarm.”
Maliea nodded politely. Was it a home or a prison?
“Come on, I’ll show you to your rooms.” Kalea led the way up a grand staircase to the second floor and down a hallway to the end. “I’ve put you in one of the suites with two bedrooms and a shared sitting room. Since Reid is your protector, he’ll want to be close enough to help you should you need it.”
Kalea pushed through a set of double doors into a beautiful room with beautiful wood floors, large, fluffy area rugs and a seating area big enough for half a dozen people. A door led off each side.
Kalea walked into one and flipped a switch, lighting the room from a beautiful chandelier hanging from the ceiling. The room had a king-sized bed decorated with a bright white comforter trimmed in a thick gold braid. The furnishings were modern yet comfortable, providing a peaceful haven.
Maliea eyed the bed, her body swaying toward it, ready to stretch across the mattress and relax.
Hawk appeared behind them, carrying the two bags. “If you’re hungry, Ule left ham slices in the refrigerator and a loaf of bread on the counter in the kitchen.”
“I can make sandwiches and bring them up if you’re too tired,” Kalea offered.
“No, please,” Maliea said. “You need sleep, too. Right now, I want to get Nani settled. If I get hungry, I’ll find my way and make my own sandwich. You’ve done so much for me already.” She smiled at the pair. “Thank you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done without Reid and his team.”
Hawk slipped an arm around Kalea’s waist. “Just so you know, if you need to do anything and want to leave Nani here, she’ll be safe. Kalea and I will watch her.”
“Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.” Maliea shook her head. “You’ve done so much and been so kind. I don’t know how I could ever repay you.”
“You can do it by letting us look after Nani.” Kalea’s cheeks reddened, and her hand rose to rest on her belly. “We need the practice.”
Maliea’s eyes widened. “Are you…?”
Kalea nodded. “I found out today. You’re the first to know besides Hawk. I didn’t want to tell my father, or he would have grounded me and made you take the commercial flight in the morning.”
“What did you not tell me?” her father’s booming voice sounded behind Kalea. “And why would I ground you from flying?” He entered the suite, his bushy brows forming a V over his nose.
Kalea turned to face her father. “Oh, Daddy, I didn’t want to tell you like this. I wanted to make a special dinner and break it to you then.”
Her father’s frown deepened. “You’re not leaving the ranch, are you?” He glared at Hawk. “You can’t take my baby away from the only home she’s ever known.”
Hawk held up his hands. “Sir, trust me, I wouldn’t do that. It’s a great place to raise children. I want our child to grow up here, just like her mother.”
“Damn right. When you two decide to settle down and give me grandchildren, they need to live here, learn to ride horses and appreciate their heritage.”
Kalea slipped an arm around Hawk’s waist and leaned into him. “We want our child to grow up on Parkman Ranch, just like I did.”