Billy sighed. “That might be a little more difficult, but I’m willing to wager the shop that once Vance finds out the police have picked up his hired goons, he and his ship with all his fancy equipment will hightail it out of here to prey on some other shipwreck.”
“I don’t like the idea of that character getting away with this.” Mrs. Thorne frowned at them.
“Well,” Billy smiled, “I’m sure he’ll get what’s coming to him. One way or another.”
“I hope sooner than later,” the professor added.
The way Billy kept smiling, she had a suspicion that he knew something he wasn’t sharing yet.
“Oh, and while I have your attention, Mom was at the shop when I called to update Nick. You’re all expected at dinner tonight. But I’d better warn you, she has mistletoe hanging everywhere. And I mean everywhere.”
Kenny slid his arm around her waist and pulled her up close against him. His gaze leveled with hers, he smiled down at her. “Not a problem. Not a problem at all.”
Chapter Sixteen
For Sara the scent of roasting kalua pig, plumeria, and pine needles that filled the air of the Everrett home would forever smell like Christmas Eve. In the entryway of the house, Kenny’s hand warm and solid in hers, she took in the loving chaos unfolding in front of them. Maile easily orchestrated the Christmas Eve feast with the same military precision she’d used for the cookie baking party, and every other major family event.
Across the room, Nick Harper, looking every bit the proud father, bounced his and Kara’s youngest on his hip while their son, Bradley, now a blur of perpetual motion, chased Billy and Angela’s kids, through the living room. The shrieks of laughter were the party’s joyful soundtrack.
Sara’s gaze drifted toward Doug Hamilton, his arm slung casually around Emily’s shoulders as they stood talking with Emily’s sister, Ava, and her husband. Emily’s hand rested on her growing baby bump, a serene smile on her face. It seemed like only yesterday that Maile and her own mother had tried to set her up with Doug, a futile effort when it was so clear to everyone that he only had eyes for Emily. Now, looking at them, so happy and settled, Sara felt a wave of pure, uncomplicated joy for her dearest friend.
This was herohana, the family she had chosen. A sprawling, ever-expanding network of Navy SEALs, EOD techs, lawyers, teachers, and architects, all woven together by friendship and aloha.
“There you are!” Her mother hurried over, her face beaming. She hugged Sara tightly before turning her attention to Kenny. “I was just telling Maile that you two are the handsomest couple here.”
“I think you might be a little biased, Mrs. Alani.” Kenny smiled easily at the woman.
Her arms full of serving platters, Maile strolled by. “Missy, your husband is looking for you, and Sara, honey, can you check the kalua pig? It should be just about ready.”
Sara moved through the familiar bustle with a sense of calm she rarely enjoyed in these big gatherings. No longer a need to scan for escape routes, no bracing for matchmaking ambushes. She loved being a part of these huge family events, appreciated being treated as if she too were an Everrett.
“Mele Kalikimaka!” Emily appeared at her elbow, carrying a tray of haupia. “You look happy.”
“I am happy.” Lifting the foil from the pig, Sara breathed in the smoky, tender aroma. “Genuinely happy.”
“Good. Because Mom’s watching you and Kenny with that satisfied look she gets when one of her plans works out.”
Sara glanced toward the living room where Maile was arranging poinsettias around the base of the Christmas tree. “She’s going to take full credit for this, isn’t she?”
“Absolutely. She and your mother are probably already planning to write a matchmaking manual.”
“Need any help in here?” Kenny appeared behind her, his hands steady on her shoulders, his breath warm against her neck. Oh how she loved this real relationship.
“We’ve got it handled.” Emily’s eyes twinkled at the way he stood by her friend. “Though you might want to warn the guys that Mom hung mistletoe over every doorway.”
Kenny raised an eyebrow. “Every doorway?”
Emily chuckled. “She’s been very thorough.”
Sara caught Kenny’s grin and felt heat rise in her cheeks. Three weeks ago, the thought of mistletoe would have sent her into hiding. Now, she found herself looking forward to the excuse.
Mulling about, hand in hand with Kenny, Sara chatted with Kara for a bit, played pass the baby around from one relative to another, and laughed watching the kids out in the backyard practicing their hula for the elders, the island way of showing respect and love. From somewhere inside, the sound of a strumming ukulele could be heard. All the sights and sounds of a typical Hawaiian Christmas, and she couldn’t imagine having it any other way.
“Hey,” Nick came up next to Kenny, “I just got off the phone with Brooklyn.”
“And?” Kenny asked. Ever since the day of the shark and diver incident, Sara knew that the guys had reached out to their former Navy buddy Luke “Brooklyn” Chapman. The man had apparently not only been a super SEAL, but a member of the CIA and now ran an elite team of investigators and security experts. According to Kenny and Nick, the perfect person to trap Vance.
“Seems our friend Vance got greedy,” Nick began.
