She turns to me with a smile. “Aloha. Welcome to the Halona Moana Estate.”
“Thank you. Are you Leilani Palakiko—the one who made our dinner last night?”
“Yes. Was it satisfactory?” She tucks her hair behind her ear, and I see a slight tremble.
“Dinner was outstanding. I just wanted to make sure you knew that.” I smile at her warmly, and she visibly relaxes. “We thought it was perfect for our first night here on the island.”
“I’m so glad to hear that. It was a simple meal, but I’m happy you enjoyed it.” She turns to her oven a moment. “I have some breakfast?” She points to a platter of delicate pastries on the table, and my mouth waters. “And I can make you a traditional Hawaiian egg scramble.”
“Both sound amazing. Thank you.” I spot the coffee pot and pour myself a cup. “Have you seen Ben and Brian, the security guards that flew in with us?”
She nods. “They’re walking around the property with the majordomo and the security staff we have on site.”
“You need security?” I ask.
“We have a small team. We’re the largest privately-owned estate on the island. People often try to camp on the property since we’re next to the national park. And we have to be aware of theft, but their biggest job is to protect the curlew. They’re an endangered bird that nests on our property, and we want to be sure they don’t feel threatened.”
“I had no idea.” I take a sip of my coffee. “Ahh… This is delicious.”
“It’s Kona coffee, freshly grown and roasted on the Big Island.”
“It’s outstanding. I’ll need to take some home.” I take another big sip, and it’s the perfect amount of flavor without any bitterness. With sweetener, it almost tastes like dark chocolate. Amazing.
“It’s roasted just for the estate. We’ll make sure you have as much as you’d like when you go home.”
Jackson walks in. “Did I hear something was outstanding?”
“Good morning. You must be Mr. Graham. Welcome to the Halona Moana Estate. My name is Leilani, and I am your cook. I was told there were no food allergies. If there’s anything you don’t care to eat, please let me know.”
She seems very nervous as she speaks with Jackson. I get it—he can be intimidating.
“Of course. But your bread and coffee smells made me come running.”
Leilani smiles. “I was just telling Ms. Woods that my homemade pastries and a traditional egg scramble are options for this morning. Of course, if there is something else you’d like, I’m happy to make that, too.”
“The egg scramble and pastries sound perfect. Ms. Woods and I are taking the helicopter tour of the property and the island today. We’ll have lunch out but will return for dinner.”
“Thank you, Mr. Graham. Is there anything in particular you’d like for dinner?”
Jackson looks at me and raises his eyebrow, and I shake my head.
“I think you can surprise us, but I have to say I am not a fan of poi.”
Leilani chuckles. “I think unless you grow up eating it, it doesn’t appeal to you.”
“I think it tastes like paste,” he says with a twinkle in his eye.
“You’ve eaten a lot of paste?” Leilani teases.
Jackson laughs. “I did when I was a kid and didn’t like it.”
“Dinner tonight without poi. Got it. I think I have a few other options.” She fusses around the kitchen. “It’ll be a few minutes before I have your breakfast. There is a table set for you on the lanai.” And she points to an open, covered porch area. The entire house has glass windows from floor to ceiling that the staff has opened up to catch the cool breeze coming off the ocean.
We sit down and take in the expansive view. “This is even more beautiful than I pictured in the dark.”
He nods and leans in. “How are you feeling this morning?”
I’m embarrassed that he’s asking—not because he’s my boss or my lover, but because our relationship has changed. We’re really in The Twilight Zone now. “I’m good. A bit sore, but in a good way.”
He grins. “Good to know. We’ll have to work on stretching out those muscles more often.” He winks at me.
I’m ready to respond when Leilani arrives with our breakfast. “Here’s the egg scramble. We serve it with steamed rice.” She places a tall glass of yellow juice in front of each of us. “And some fresh pineapple juice.”
“Looks fantastic,” I gush.
We both take heaping forkfuls of our egg scramble, which is stuffed with meat, peppers, cheese, and green onions—all sprinkled with sesame seeds and a big dollop of steamed white rice.
I don’t know if it’s the Hawaiian air or what’s inside the egg scramble, but I eat everything and hold myself back from asking for seconds.
“That was outstanding,” Jackson says as he sits back in his chair and rubs his belly.
Leilani preens, and I know we’ve won her over.
“Mr. Graham?” An older gentleman approaches.
“Yes?”
“So wonderful to have you here. Welcome to the Halona Moana Estate. I am Jason Crier.”
Jackson is not familiar with the staff of the estate, but I am, and I realize this is the majordomo.
I jump in to save him. “Mr. Crier, I’m Corrine Woods. It’s so lovely to put a face with the voice. You and the staff have done an outstanding job making us feel welcome.”
“Yes, positively exceptional.” Jackson smiles and extends his hand to Jason.
“Please forgive your room accommodations. Ms. Prentis had begun a major renovation of the central part of the house, and while your current rooms are a bit small, they have an impeccable view.”
That explains so much. I wish he would have told me before we arrived so I could have set Jackson’s expectations.
“We managed.”
