arts working with Tomas and slo

onnections with Kaia-quiet talks,

ool singing performance, a

f tools in one hand and the sun beating down on his shoulders. The pain in his

u look," Tomas said, han

d. "I get

pipe that had cracked after a recent storm. Sweat clung to Ash's back, but it didn't

d of approval. "You

don't remember much, but using

ent. "Maybe this place is w

the thought lingered i

. People began to greet him. The children waved when he passed. He helped repa

ayed in his mind the l

just polite nods, quiet hell

se curls behind he

hen she thought

ed looking at

she did

of , Leni ,remindedTomas and Ash about "Kaia h

he was sharpening Tomas

hat girl has a voice t

was allowed to go. H

ound the small outdoor stage. The students wore their best-pressed shirts, fresh braids, colo

freshly cut by one of the local barbers. He still didn't remembe

age, barefoot and radian

the warm night air. Her curls were loose tonight, falling around her shoulders, the faintest shimme

e began

It wasn't theatr

ch. Soulful. Full of s

got to

ded. The lig

ew in that moment: this girl's voice was the

island chief's daughter, sat wi

Broad-shouldered. Sharp jawline. Clean lines, quiet

men here. He didn't sl

ray under dark lashes, and when he smiled-just ba

wa

re imp

watching Ka

jaw ti

as the chief's daughter. The top of the f

il

oolyard. Ash stood with everyone else, but his eyes were only

expecting

met for jus

ng passed b

a sm

a

aware

oked aw

sh di

hed from t

Ash wa

made a d

ke that. Not if she had