Alofa (A Telesa Story)

The Alofa Covenant #3

#3 : The Alofa Covenant Chronicles (Telesa Series) Copyright ©2013 Lani Wendt Young

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"Miss, are you alright?" the stranger said again as he peered closer at her. No, I'm not alright. Because I know nothing will ever be the same again. Before she could say something, anything - that would fit the situation - Leila's phone beeped stridently. Demanding. Simone.

On auto-pilot, she gave the stranger a plastic smile, "One moment please. I have to take this."

He gave her an easy smile, probably relieved to see he didn't have a basket case on his hands.

She hit the Receive button and Simone was on hyper-drive. "What happened? Did you talk to him? Did you see it? It's him, isn't it? I was right, wasn't I? What did he say? What are we gonna do? What are we gonna tell Daniel?" Questions, words, like a flock of myna birds all chattering wildly - mirroring the wild chatter inside her head.

Leila cut through Simone's breathless interrogation. "I'm sorry but our arc welders aren't available for hire right now. They're all in use on another project."

Simone was confused. "What are you talking about?" Realization dawned. "Ohhhh, he's there, isn't he? You've got to set up a meeting, somewhere Daniel won't find out so we can suss him out first. We have to ask him where he's been all these years and what makes him think he can just show up here now and who in hell does he think he is and he doesn't even deserve a son as kickass awesome as Daniel and I'm soooo totes going to be at this meeting with you and..."

Leila kept her voice deliberately neutral. "Yes, well thank you for calling. Have a nice day." She cut Simone off and turned back to the stranger with another fake smile at the ready. "Sorry about that."

"No worries," the man said. He spoke with a hint of a Kiwi accent. "I was hoping to find someone who could do a few repairs on my boat? We had rough weather on the trip over and there's some things that need fixing."

Leila was trying very hard - and failing - not to stare at him with so much searching intensity. At his eyes, the line of his jaw, that smile, did Daniel have that dimple? The likeness was so uncanny that it unnerved her. It didn't seem right that someone should look so much like her Daniel and yet be a stranger.

He misunderstood her hesitation. "It's not too big a job. Probably a couple of days' worth of welding. I usually do all my own work on the boat but I don't have the equipment with me." He looked around at the quiet workshop. "So is there someone who can take a look? If not, can you recommend another place I could try?"

"No, don't leave," Leila blurted. "I mean, yes, there is someone who can look at your boat. Me. I'm Leila, the owner here, the lead welder here at ummm...Daniel's Welding. I can see if it's a job we can take on."

If he thought it strange that a workshop called 'Daniel's Welding' was owned by a woman called Leila - he didn't show it. "Great." Before he could say any more, a woman spoke from the car.

"Ugh, it is so hot in here!"

Leila turned. No, not a woman - a girl. A teenager got out of the car and walked over to join them. Ohmigosh, does Daniel have a SISTER?!!! Leila had never considered that possibility and now just thinking about it made her feel ill. A surprise father was bad enough - let alone a surprise sibling. She took a step back instinctively as the girl greeted her with a warm, open smile. "Hi, I'm Kirei."

Her porcelain fair skin and jet black hair shaved in a buzz cut on one side with a vivid blue streak made her striking. The lace-up combat boots with skimpy denim shorts and an ornately embroidered purple jacket made her an unusual sight on a tropical island. Leila felt extra hot and sweaty just looking at her. Kirei had a fancy looking camera on a strap slung around her neck and she pointed in the direction of Salamasina's garden. "Are those bromeliads I see through the fence? I'd love to get some pics. Would you mind?"