Chapter 53: Kent and Koa each have an important role

And Koa finds a way through the valley in the dark

Dear readers!

Thanks so much for being with me this far. Don’t forget to hit the ❤️ so I know you’re with me, and don’t forget annual subscribers will get a confidential full copy of the finished book draft when its done!

Koa’s head flew up from her sorting of Ella’s clothes at the sound of the interior front door slamming into the wall. Kent yelled, “Call 911 on the land line! Kimo’s having a heart attack!”

Koa jumped to her feet as Jud lunged for the old fashioned button phone on the counter and the rest of the family froze. Koa hurried out onto the porch, her pulse racing. “Kent? What’s happening?”

Kent didn’t reply. He was on his knees, pressing down hard and fast on the old man’s chest with locked arms and fingers interknit. He was counting under his breath, his face set in grim determination; after five he leaned down and blew a breath into Kimo’s bluish lips.

Koa froze, a hand rising to cover her mouth. “Oh no—Kimo.”

Behind her, the Malapit family spilled out of the house. Nalea and the kids came fast, pulling off rubber gloves. “Oh my god,” Nalea whispered. “What happened?”

“Heart attack,” Kent said without looking up, still pumping Kimo’s chest. “He collapsed. He’s not breathing. No pulse.”

Koa knelt beside Kent, trying not to cry, trying to think of what she could do to help—but all she could do was watch Kent’s hands. Up. Down. Up. Down. Up. Down. Pause, blow…trying to ignite life in the man who’d fathered her best friend.