Page 68 of Maliea's Hero
“Heather’s last name is Walters,” Maliea said. “Are they related?”
“Heather is his daughter. When he threatened to cut her off for wrecking her third car in as many months while attending grad school, she decided to make her own fortune in treasure hunting.”
“Not so easy money, is it bitch?” Maliea murmured, resting a hand on her sore belly.
Reid frowned. “Are you hurting? Do you need some pain medication?”
Maliea sighed. “No. I need to know someone is looking after the treasure. I feel responsible for it.”
“Hank Patterson is calling in the big guns to move it. The Robinsons are happy to bring them on for protection services, and they want you to coordinate with the Bishop Museum to house the exhibit. Hank and his wife Sadie will fund the upgrade in the security system they’ll need to protect the lost treasure of Red Beard.”
“Who’d guarding it now?” she asked.
“Members of the Brotherhood Protectors. They’re scheduled to load and move it next week.”
“Which means I need to get out of bed and get to work.”
“Oh, and the State of Hawaii is granting you a full ride to the University of Hawaii for your undergraduate degree through your doctorate, honoring your father and his work to preserve the Hawaiian culture.”
Maliea sat up and winced, falling back against the mattress. “Are you kidding me? Because, if you are, it’s not funny.”
Reid held up his hand. “SEALs honor. It is conditional on your studies including the preservation of the Hawaiian culture.”
“Done.” A grin spread across her face. “My father would’ve been so proud to know I carried on his work.”
“Your daughter will be proud of her mother.” He raised his eyebrows. “Now, back to the question of roommates...”
Her smile slipped. “Shouldn’t we get to know each other before we take such a big step? I have a daughter to think of and set the example for.”
“Fair enough. If you need more time to get to know me and fall in love, I’ll give you all the time you need. You and Nani can each have your own room in our house. We can date for a set number of weeks, abstain from having sex during that time and then discuss resuming sex at that point.”
Maliea frowned.
“Not enough time?” Reid asked. “We can date longer.”
“Can we negotiate the part about abstinence?” she asked. “A shorter timeframe, not longer. Are you sure you want this? Moving in together is so permanent. Are you sure you’ll want me to stay?”
“Maliea,” Reid said. “I’d ask you to marry me today if I thought you’d agree.”
“You would?” she asked. “Why?”
A crooked smile spread across his face. He lifted a shoulder and let it fall. “I never thought I’d say this until I met you, but when you know, you know.”
Maliea’s heart nearly burst with the flood of happiness spreading through her. “Come here.”
He leaned closer.
“No,” she said and patted the bed. “Come here.”
His brow furrowed. “You just had surgery.”
She scooted over, wincing with the twinges of pain. This time, she pointed to the empty space she’d made beside her. “Here. Now.”
Reid chuckled and eased up onto the bed beside her.
“I don’t need weeks to get to know you. I just wanted you to have the time to get to know me and Nani. She’s a three-year-old. She’s not a perfect angel every day of the week. Teen years are supposed to be the worst, and I don’t want to drag her in and out of relationships.”
“She’s already got me wrapped around her little finger. I’ll love that kid as much as I already love her mother.” He brushed a strand of Maliea’s hair back behind her ear. “I know you’re a package deal, and I’m all in. I already know your heart is big enough to love my Abby as well. The girls will love having a sister and would welcome more siblings.” His eyes widened. “Do you want more children? Because if you don’t, we already have two perfect girls.”