Chapter 56: Koa, three months later

a homecoming...

I have loved writing WIlD GIRL so much, and being in the world of the Valley has been magic. For those of you on the fence, choose the annual subscription and I’ll send you a confidential copy of this novel, currently at 100k words…plenty deep to take you away from anything going on “topside.” Once again, mahalo for being with me on this journey and don’t forget to hit the ❤️!

Photo by Derek Owens on Unsplash

THREE MONTHS LATER:

The light was soft and gold as it filtered through the java plum, kukui and ohia trees along the trail, dappling the path in shifting patterns. Birds called above them, darting between the trees, and the scent of her favorite patch of wild ginger hit Koa’s nostrils, telling her she was nearing the site of the cottage.

It had taken three months to get here, physically, emotionally and mentally. After the fire, after Kimo’s death, after everything bent and broke and healed into new shapes, Koa was finally ready to visit the place she’d called home for twenty years. She hadn’t felt strong enough to return—until now.

“You okay?” Kent asked from behind her, his voice low, respectful.

Koa glanced back at him and smiled. “Yeah. It’s past time I visited. Saw the place.”