Page 56 of Maliea's Hero
Maliea frowned. The thought of her tiny daughter on top of a huge horse scared her. “Nani’s really small. Is she too young to learn now?”
Mr. Parkman let out a bark of laughter. “Kalea learned to ride before she learned to walk. I had her on a horse as soon as she could sit up on her own.”
Kalea nodded toward Hawk. “She’ll have both of us making sure she doesn’t fall off. Hawk grew up on a ranch stateside. He’s as experienced with horses as I am. But if you’re uncomfortable, we’ll find something else to do.”
Maliea looked down at her daughter, who stared up at her with her big brown eyes. How could she say no? She nodded. “You can learn to ride.”
Nani squealed, stood in her chair and threw her arms around Maliea’s neck. “I’m going to ride a horse.”
Maliea smiled and hugged her daughter for a long moment. Then she settled her back in her seat. “You’ll need to eat a good breakfast. Riding takes a lot of energy.” She loaded Nani’s plate with a single pancake and a spoonful of scrambled eggs. After pouring gooey syrup over the pancake, she reached for a small pitcher of milk and poured some into Nani’s cup.
Nani struggled with her fork and knife to cut off a piece of the pancake.
Reid leaned over from the other side and cut the pancake into small pieces.
Maliea filled her plate with eggs, toast and bacon.
“Reid tells us you’re going to follow your father’s clues in his research of the lost treasure of Red Beard,” Hawk said.
Maliea nodded as she chewed on a bite of toast.
“Since I’m staying with Nani today,” Kalea said, “I contacted a pilot friend of mine who can fly our seaplane out to Niihau. However, you’ll have to get permission from the chief of the community out there to visit the island. I’ve heard they aren’t keen on visitors, and it can take time to get them to agree to let you land on the island.”
“I’ll see if I can pull some strings to get you in,” Mr. Parkman said. “We supply their beef. It may or may not help convince them.”
“My father was just there. I assume he was invited. You could tell them I’m retracing his footsteps before the plane crash. Maybe they’ll feel sorry for my loss and let me in.”
“I’ll do that,” Mr. Parkman said.
After they finished breakfast, Mr. Parkman went to his office and called the Niihau community’s leadership. Kalea coordinated with the pilot.
Hawk took Reid to the Brotherhood Protectors’ offices to outfit him with a satellite phone. When they returned to the ranch house, Hawk volunteered to take Nani out to feed the chickens.
Maliea carried her backpack out to the porch, ready to leave as soon as arrangements were finalized. Her gaze followed Nani and Hawk out to the chicken coop. Hawk held Nani’s hand as she danced alongside him, probably talking his ear off.
The image made Maliea smile.
Reid joined her, carrying a similar backpack to the one she’d packed. He dropped it on the porch and came to stand beside her.
“So, we’re picking up where my father left off…?” Maliea asked.
Reid moved his head slowly from side to side. “I got to thinking about Mark Laster, the guy listening in on our conversations in the cabin. I read most of the storybook out loud. If he caught it all, he might be on his way to Niihau now.”
“I’m worried about the people there. This guy, and whoever he’s working for, might not be as considerate as my father in his pursuit of the treasure. I knew my father, and he wasn’t interested in the riches so much as the heritage. He loved Hawaii. Our family has lived on these islands for centuries. He would have wanted to preserve the treasure for future Hawaiians to see and enjoy.”
Reid’s lips twisted. “I’m sure the people who trashed your apartment and his aren’t nearly as altruistic.”
“I shudder to think what they will do to anyone who gets in their way,” Maliea said softly.
“Okay, folks,” Mr. Parkman’s booming voice sounded behind them. “Looks like you’ve got an official invite to Niihua.”
Maliea spun, her pulse quickening. “We did?”
The older man nodded. “I spoke to the owners. The beef angle did nothing to impress them. When I told them Professor Hasegawa’s daughter wanted to visit, they were quick to approve. Your father must have made quite an impression on them. The owners are sending a message to the island as we speak to let them know of your arrival.”
“Thank you, Mr. Parkman.” Maliea hugged the man’s neck. “You’ve been so helpful and kind.” She stepped back, letting her arms fall to her sides.
The old man’s face stained a ruddy red. “Oh, well now, it was just a phone call.”