Mistwalker Read Free

scoop up Pip.
    Turning back toward Sun House, Darby lectured the dog. “It’s a wonder Jonah allows you to live here. Every animal on this place has a purpose, and I sure don’t know what yours—ouch!” Pip’s nails scratched Darby’s arm as the dog squirmed. “Forget it. You’d better watch out for Hoku. She could really hurt you. Even though you’re a pest, I don’t want that to happen.”
    She carried Pip upstairs and inside, released her, and wondered why the dog was growling and wagging her tail at the same time.
    â€œThis must be fun for you,” Darby grumbled.
    She’d just grabbed the two pink-and-white-striped hatboxes when she heard tires bumping over the cattle guard at the ‘Iolani Ranch entrance. A glance out the upstairs window told her the farrier was leaving, but Megan and Aunty Cathy sat in the idling ranch truck, waiting to drive in when the farrier had passed.
    And here she was in their house.
    Heat flooded Darby’s face. She was allowed to be here. She had permission to look at her mother’s stuff. So why did she feel like a burglar?
    â€œStay,” she ordered Pip.
    As Darby clomped downstairs, Aunty Cathy and Megan climbed out of the parked truck. Then they stared up at her.
    Aunty Cathy pushed her brown-blond hair behind one ear and considered the hatboxes.
    Megan’s high color was more than her usual post-soccer practice flush as she said, “Cool, you decided to look at that stuff!”
    â€œYeah,” Darby said. She couldn’t blame her friend for her excitement. Megan had lived with boxes of secrets in the corner of her home for over a year. Who wouldn’t be curious?
    â€œNow that my mom’s coming for sure, I just want to see if, you know, there’s more to why she left.” Darby took a deep breath, then blurted out the rest of it. “I want to find something that will help me make her want to stay.”
    Aunty Cathy started to say something, hesitated, then closed her mouth.
    â€œDon’t you think I should do it?” Darby asked.
    â€œThat’s a tough one,” Aunty Cathy said. “You know for sure that she’s coming?”
    Darby nodded. “Aunt Babe was right. She told me to tell Mom that it would be a special favor to her if Mom came in time for the presentation. You know, so that the TV cameras show Ellen Kealoha at Sugar Sands Cove Resort.”
    â€œPlayground of the stars,” Megan said, laughing.
    â€œIf she’s going to be here tomorrow, you could ask her permission,” Aunty Cathy said.
    Darby’s stomach sank. Was it disappointment or embarrassment?
    â€œI won’t tell you not to do it, but if you’re asking me for advice…” Aunty Cathy’s voice trailed off.
    â€œI am,” Darby admitted, even though Megan rolled her eyes.
    â€œJust let your feelings be your guide,” Aunty Cathy suggested. “If you come across something that feels too personal, set it aside.”
    â€œBut Jonah’s the one who packed it up,” Megan interrupted. “There can’t be anything that private, can there?”
    Aunty Cathy didn’t have to say a word. The look she shot her daughter was enough.
    â€œSorry,” Megan apologized. “This is none of my business.” She pretended to zip her lips, then slungher soccer bag over her shoulder before heading up the stairs.
    â€œJonah did pack it all up, and he planned to send it to Ellen when she got settled on the mainland,” Aunty Cathy said. “But she didn’t send him an address until years later.”
    Darby couldn’t imagine doing that to her parents.
    â€œAre you sure?” Darby asked.
    Aunty Cathy put a hand on Darby’s shoulder. “No, honey, I’m not. Jonah hasn’t been very”—she searched for the right word—“forthcoming? Or open, about your mother.”
    Jonah wasn’t open about much of