The Secret of Fire Island (Kristi Cameron Book 1) by Griffith Cynthia

Author:Griffith, Cynthia [Griffith, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 2014-09-12T16:00:00+00:00

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CHAPTER ELEVEN

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Leilani’s Desperate Story

They sat around a campfire on the beach that night, roasting hot dogs on sticks and toasting marshmallows to make s’mores. Leilani had woken late in the afternoon, still a little shaky, but otherwise feeling better. She had refused to eat at the time, and hadn’t said much, but now she sat with the family and joined in the cookout.

“How’s your hot dog?” Dan asked her. “Would you like another one?”

“No, thank you,” she said, not looking at him. Rachel handed her a s’more and she quietly thanked her.

Kristi and the other two girls tried to draw her into the conversation. Pete asked her about her injuries and she replied in short yes and no answers.

“Leilani,” Mr. Cameron said firmly. She looked up and he held her eyes. “It’s time for a little talk.” She silently nodded.

“You know, when you stowed away on our plane you put my family and our friends at terrible risk.” She bowed her head. “Your extra weight, on an already fully loaded small plane made it dangerous. And besides that, with the strong headwinds we had, it drained our fuel a lot quicker than should have been. Now we don’t have enough fuel to get back to Oahu. And besides that, young lady, do you realize the risk you were taking with your own life?”

Leilani raised her head and looked at him. Her eyes were filled with tears. He continued, more gently. “Fortunately for you, we were flying at low altitude—only about 2000 feet most of the way. If we had been flying at a higher altitude you could have died from lack of oxygen or frozen to death. Or you could have been killed when we landed the way we did. You are fortunate to have walked away with only a few bumps and bruises and cuts, Leilani.”

“I know,” she whispered. “I am so very, very sorry—all of you. I never meant to hurt anyone.”

Rachel took Leilani’s hand and said, “I think it’s time you tell us what is going on, my dear. Why ever would you want to stow away on our plane? Why have you been following us, watching us? What are you so afraid of?”

Kristi said, “It’s okay, Leilani. You can trust us. We only want to help you if we can.” Robyn and Anna nodded in agreement and moved in closer on either side of the upset girl to lend their support.

Leilani sighed deeply and wiped her eyes. “Yes, I know I owe you an explanation.” She looked at the girls. “I was telling you earlier that I recognized you right away when you got on the plane. I knew you didn’t know who I was, but I was afraid if you got a good look at me, you might remember me later if you heard that I was—missing.”

“Missing?” Pete questioned. “You mean you ran away from home?”

“Well, no—not exactly. I was trying to get back to my home in Hawaii. It’s a long story.”

“Well, we have plenty of time, Leilani.

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