Free Jewel of the Pacific by Linda Lee Chaikin Page B

Molokai looked forlorn with its black cliffs and low gray cloud cover. She tried to imagine being a recently diagnosed leper getting her first view of the lonely settlement where she would be forced to spend the rest of her life. What abandonment to be left here, separated from your loved ones and your plans for a satisfying life.
    My poor, godly mother. All of these years, here, all but forgotten. I must write her story and see it published with all its pathos in the
Gazette.
Perhaps I should write Great-aunt Nora about this. Maybe she’ll let me write Rebecca’s story for the paper
.
    Her enthusiasm grew as she contemplated the task. Regardless of her tense state of mind at the moment, she was as ready as she would ever be for the uncharted adventure awaiting her.
    “This may be the Hawaiian Islands, but it’s outright cold,” she told Uncle Ambrose who seemed to be enjoying his mug of coffee.
    Ambrose glanced toward the black silhouettes of Molokai’s cliffs. “I’ve heard on some areas of Kalaupapa—one of the areas of Molokai—there’s sunlight for just a few hours a day. The cliff overshadows the Kalawao settlement and blocks the sun.”
    “A dreary place for the lepers,” she agreed.
    Ambrose gravely nodded his graying head. “Yes. And I’ve never been much pleased with your decision to come here, lass, even if your father encouraged it. Rafe isn’t at peace with it, either.”
    The mention of Rafe and how he might feel kindled her raw emotions into a flaming irritation. “Rafe? I’m sure he doesn’t care one whit. He’s laid aside any right to judge my plans. He ran away and didn’t even write me a note to explain.”
    “Yes, my dear girl, but Rafe’s merely human. Every knight gets unhorsed sometimes in life you know. He can’t bear the thought of being blind.”
    “So everyone has assured me,” she said doubtfully. “Everyone except Rafe himself. He can’t become a burden to me.”
    Tears pricked her eyes and the wind made it worse. “He could at least have told me so. Any goodbye is better than none. I’ll be curious to know if he feels as honor bound to another woman about his sight as he claims about me!”
    Ambrose raised his brows. “What’s this about? You think Rafe is seeing someone else? Now, now! And what’s on your hand but an engagement ring.”
    The ring was back at Kea Lani locked securely away until she could return it to him, but she said nothing. She wore gloves this morning, and Ambrose hadn’t noticed its absence.
    “You sound bitter today. Surely, lass, he’ll write you from the mainland as he said he would.”
    “Perhaps,” she said, and drank from her coffee mug. The coffee was too strong and bitter. Just the way she felt. She understood more about Rafe Easton than anyone seemed to think she did. Even Ambrose didn’t appear to know about Rafe’s past feelings for Bernice Judson, a secret he’d evidently kept for years. Was this recent injury the proverbial thunderbolt that awakened him to realize he did care for Bernice? Enough to break off his engagement?
    She merely said, “Well, he didn’t mind going to Parker Judson’s house in San Francisco with his injury. He could trust
them
, but not
me
, the woman he
claimed
he loved and wanted to marry? Ambrose, I wonder if Rafe actually does, or did, love me … I think there might be someone else. Someone he’s afraid to love because of doubts about her faith, and her flirtatious ways.”
    Ambrose frowned into his coffee. At last he said, “Your point is taken, Eden. You speak of Parker Judson’s niece. Unfortunately, if it’s true—and I’m not at all certain it is—there will be even more trouble. Zachary is determined to have Parker’s niece as his wife. Keno believes that’s a main reason he accompanied Rafe to the mainland. But I know Rafe. He won’t marry a woman who isn’t committed to Christ.”
    So Uncle Ambrose suspected something. I’m the one who’s been unable to see clearly
, she