Somewhere on Maui (an Accidental Matchmaker Novel) Read Online Free PDF

She threw strong arms around him. “How’s my cuz?”
    She winked at him, and he couldn’t help grinning back. They were third cousins, but in the way of Hawaii, any cousin was a close cousin, and Adam had been getting the feeling Tami was his mother’s choice for his next wife.
    “Hey, Tami. You’re looking good, girl.”
    Tami danced hula for the Royal Lahaina Luau, and the cultural art form kept her supple golden figure firm and tight. A waterfall of shiny black hair brushed her waist, and her shapely backside was wrapped like a package in a tropical-print pareu.
    “I know. You too, Adam.” Tami patted his chest the way a shopper would check to see if the fruit was ripe enough in the grocery store.
    “Can you help me?” Mrs. Rodrigues had a platter of huli-huli chicken in her hands.
    “Oh, let me, Auntie!”  Tami took it from her, setting the platter on the table. She unplugged the rice cooker and brought it over while Adam filled water glasses for them from the Brita pitcher in the fridge.
    Mrs. Rodrigues turned back to the stove.
    “No, sit, Auntie Kalia,” Tami commanded, and Adam helped settle his mother in one of the old wooden chairs he’d restored. “I’ll get the vegetable.” She took the pot off the stove, drained steamed Chinese cabbage at the sink, served it on the old melamine plates they’d used since Adam was a kid.
    “Something more than water to drink, Tami?” Adam noticed she smelled like tuberose and coconut as he passed her.
    “Sure. I’ll have what you’re having.” Tami sat, reached for the serving spoon to dish up the food to Mrs. Rodrigues first. “How have you been feeling, Auntie? How’s the hip?”
    Mrs. Rodrigues had fallen two months ago, breaking her hip, and that’s when Adam had moved into the house with his mother. His sisters were both married and busy, and while they stopped in to check on Mama during the day, the family had decided someone was needed on the premises.
    He’d quietly let his apartment go because he didn’t think he’d be moving out of the family home, and he’d never let her go to an assisted care.
    “Getting better each day.” Kalia Rodrigues smiled, but it hurt Adam to see the pinched pain lines around her brown eyes. “I hope I’m going to get rid of this cane soon.”
    “Good.” Tami had been at gatherings with them many times over the years, but this was the first time she’d had dinner with just the two of them. Adam wasn’t sure how he felt about the proprietary way she served, taking the dishes back off the table when the plates were loaded. “I see you still cooking so good, Auntie. No wonder Adam stays home.”
    In spite of his mixed feelings, he slanted a grateful glance at Tami—it was nice of her to make Mama feel better about the situation.
    “Let’s say a blessing.” Mrs. Rodrigues insisted on saying grace every night. She took hold of Adam’s and Tami’s hands, forcing them to hold hands too. Tami’s hand felt small and soft in his, and he closed his eyes as his mother recited the Lord’s Prayer. Tami gave his hand an extra squeeze as she released it, picking up her fork.
    “So how do you cook this chicken so ono in the oven? ” The women chatted on. Adam stayed quiet as he ate and covertly watched Tami.
    Could she be the woman he’d been searching for? Right in front of him all these years? She was certainly beautiful. She shared family ties and heritage, and she had his mother’s approval—but lovely as she was, he felt nothing more for her thana sisterly affection . He wished it were different.
    Maybe he needed to go on a date with her to make sure.
    After dinner, Mrs. Rodrigues got into her La-Z-Boy armchair to enjoy her favorite show. Adam and Tami, after clearing the table and cleaning up, walked out to sit on the front porch. Like most plantation houses of that era, the tin roof extended over the deep porch of weathered wood bordered by a low railing, which Mrs. Rodrigues had decorated with glass