Page 62 of The Seashell of ’Ohana

“Let me help, Abby.” Ian glanced over his shoulder at me. “If he falls, he’ll bring you down with him.” He was right, and I wasn’t going to argue with him. “Put one hand on the rope and one hand on my shoulder. I’ll help you down, too.”

Ian’s muscular shoulder was difficult to grasp, so I balled the back of his T-shirt to make a fist. The soft splash of the waterfall filled my ears, and mist dampened my face. Once we passed the slippery path, we were at the hidden waterfall.

“Wow, look at that.” Tyler pointed to the waterfall, its bottom pooling into a stream.

The stream led to another drop. We were in the middle of a two-tiered waterfall. I inhaled deep, fresh air as I glanced about. Nothing but trees and shrubs surrounded us.

“You’re welcome to take pictures and swim,” Cassie said. “We can stay for half an hour before another tour comes by.”

After everyone drank water from Kate’s backpack underneath a tree, Bridget and Tyler took off their shoes and waded at the shallow end. Ian and Lee stood by the kids while Kate took pictures.

“Are you having fun?” Kate asked, pressed against the camera’s viewfinder.

“I’m with you. We have fun no matter what we do.”

Kate shifted from side to side and kicked loose a few pebbles. She moved forward and backward, trying to get the best angle.

“We’re still on for tomorrow, right?” my sister asked.

“Yes, we are. Unless you need to cancel.”

She hadn’t looked at me yet, and that was a good thing. I was a terrible liar, and my cheeks felt hot. Ian, Lee, and the kids threw pebbles to see who could throw the farthest.

Kate lowered her camera. “No. I’m good. Lee is busy with work. And Bridget is going to a birthday party. Is Tyler going, too?”

“No. He wasn’t invited. I think it’s just the girls.” I glanced over at Ian and Tyler, who gave each other high fives.

Kate scrunched her eyebrows to the center. “Oh.” She sounded surprised—reasonable, since they were in the same classroom and kids usually invited the whole class. “Okay, then. It’ll be the three of us.”

It was a flimsy excuse, but I’d needed something.

“Sounds good.” I leaned my back against the tree. “What time do you plan on dropping by? I might go to the gallery for a bit.”

Kate pointed the camera at the waterfall and clicked. “What time would you like for me to come?”

Lee had asked me to bring Kate to Ian’s house by seven, but she should fix herself up and wear something more elegant than jeans and a T-shirt.

“I’m going to take the three of us out somewhere nice, so you need to dress up. They have a dress code.”

Kate crossed her arms. I was sure she could see right through me.

“What’s the occasion?” She peered up to the clouds, then angled her head. “Am I forgetting something?”

“No. Nothing like that.” I flashed a glance toward Lee, Ian, Tyler, and Bridget, splashing water at each other and laughing. “Can’t I just take my sister to a nice restaurant?”

“Fine, then I get to treat you next time.” She picked up her camera to take pictures.

“Who said I was paying for tomorrow’s dinner in the first place? I planned to make you pay,” I teased, edging closer to the water.

“I knew it!” She grinned and kicked water at me.

I backed away. “Hey …” I stopped when I saw Cassie talking to Ian.

She hooked strands of hair over her ear and leaned closer to him, her shoulder almost touching his. The waterfall made it impossible for me to hear them, but they were laughing. When Cassie placed a hand on Ian’s arm, I frowned.

Kate raised an eyebrow. I ignored her and shifted my gaze to Tyler. But, damn it. Every other second, my eyes slid over to Ian and Cassie.

They must be exchanging phone numbers, because they both had their cell phones out. None of my business. Ian and I were friends, nothing more. I was the one who’d made that clear.