Chapter 29: Jud and his family visit the Valley

Chapter 29: Jud tightened his grip on the steering wheel as the truck’s tires crunched over the uneven surface of the route leading down into Waimalia Valley. The rugged paved surface was narrow, and steep enough to make your gut twist.

Around him, the weight of his family was precious kuleana, responsibility: the kids bouncing with excitement in the extended cab, their windows down. Nalea beside, her gaze on the valley below, midday sun reflecting on her shining black hair.

“Whew, this road get my stomach doing flips,” she muttered, gripping the door handle as the truck dipped again. “Good thing you a good driver.”

Jud smiled without taking his eyes off the road. “Better be. Otherwise, we might be joining the horses at the bottom of the valley, yeah?”

“Not funny,” Nalea said.

“Daddy, how much longer?” Pali asked, holding the doorframe as she peered out. “I wanna see those wild horses already!”

“Almost there, baby girl.” Jud’s voice was calm though his shoulders were tight.

As he crept down a sharp incline, Jud’s attention was pulled to a truck coming up the road from the opposite direction.

The vehicle was moving real slow, like the driver was taking care not to rattle the bones of whoever was sitting inside. As they passed, squeaking by, Jud exchanged a nod with the driver —a local guy dressed in hunting clothes. A girl sat beside him, braids fluttering in the wind as she stared out the window, her hands holding the frame like his kids were. A couple of hounds in a cage behind the truck’s cab wagged their tails.

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