Chief Distraction Read Online Free

he’d been to Maui several times now with Rachel
and the rest of the family, they’d never had the pleasure of touring the
volcano before.
    “That’s the island of Kahoolawe. It’s deserted,
but I don’t know much about it. Only what my Dad used to mumble. Something
about that island having significance during World War II.”
    “Ah yes, the ramblings of David Davenport. Never
a dull moment,” laughed Jarrod.
    “You’d better watch what you say about your
future father-in-law…if you ever decide to make a decent women out of my sister
that is.” Blythe pushed Jarrod away, noticing his cheeks grow red. She knew
he’d been waiting for the right moment to pop the question. He’d revealed his
plan for a Christmas proposal a few weeks ago and the entire family was in on
it. Everyone but Rachel, that is.
    “This view never gets old. And didn’t you love
the smell of eucalyptus on the way up? Wasn’t it refreshing?” Rachel was lost
in the splendor of her surroundings and Jarrod quickly buried his attention in
a brochure, avoiding the subject of marriage proposals at all cost.
    Blythe gawked around too, taking in the
experience. It had been years since she was up here. She felt relaxed and
content having her sister here, having missed her something fierce these past
few months apart. Her feeling of contentment quickly changed to one of acute
anxiety when she spotted a now familiar face amongst the other tourists. She
was positive it was his profile through the window of the gift shop. Chief
Kalani.
    Straining, Blythe crept closer to get a better
look, all the while conscious of staying incognito. The last thing she wanted
was a one-on-one with the Chief after her embarrassing fire fiasco the other
day. Inching closer, Blythe’s curiosity spiked when she saw two tiny boys
accompanying him, especially since the boys resembled him and were clearly
comfortable in his presence. They swung from his outstretched arms like he was
a giant piece of playground equipment.
    “I’m just going to check out the gift shop,”
Blythe announced before slipping away.
    “Uh-huh, okay,” Jarrod and Rachel echoed without
looking away from their respective focus.
    Entering the gift shop, Blythe pretended to
inspect some lacquered photos of the volcano. From a safe distance, she noticed
how casual The Chief was with the young boys, one about five and the other
around seven. He was attentive, crouching down to their level and making eye
contact, touching the tops of their heads as they browsed, or placing a strong
hand on their shoulders to guide them around. He was clearly over the moon in
their company, enjoying every minute.
    “Anakala Mak, can we get some ice cream?” She
overheard one of the boys ask. Anakala …Blythe racked her memory for the word’s definition. She was
pretty sure it meant Uncle in English. At the revelation, Blythe found herself
breathing a sigh of relief. No wife, no kids. She shook her head, realizing the
thought was useless considering whom she was thinking about. Makaio Kalani
– the cursed Fire Chief. Sure, he was easy on the eyes. One might even
chance calling him drop-dead gorgeous. Still, this guy was off limits.
    “Miss Davenport?”
    Snapping back to attention, Blythe looked up right
into Chief Kalani’s open face. He looked puzzled, like he wasn’t sure why she
was here.
    “Oh, hello. How are you?” she asked, realizing
how awkward she must sound. She dropped her gaze back to the volcano postcards,
making it look like she was searching for a particular one.
    “Fine. What are you doing here? Are you alone?”
he asked as the two boys came around him and gawked up at her.
    “Who’s she?” the smallest one asked. Blythe
noticed Chief Kalani laugh uneasily and put an arm around the boy.
    “Kai, this is a reporter. I helped put out a
fire in her kitchen the other day.”
    Blythe smiled then bit her bottom lip. She
laughed nervously. “Yes, about that. I’m totally mortified, but thank