Aloha Love by Yvonne Lehman Page B

bush. “I was talking to God.”
    “God’s behind the bush?” He didn’t smile. “Do you think we should step back in case it bursts into flame?”

Twelve
    Against her will, Jane’s mouth dropped open. The man who had been so aloof was cracking a joke? Or was he being sarcastic? Maybe they just didn’t speak the same language, but she’d give him the benefit of the doubt.
    “If it bursts into flame we could run jump into the ocean. I suppose God could part the Pacific Ocean as well as part the Red Sea. But. . .that would be an awful long walk to the other side. It took five months in a ship.”
    He laughed, and she joined in. Maybe his aloofness the day she arrived had simply been concern about her illness.
    His smile vanished as if he had laughed in spite of himself. She gestured toward the bushes. “The bushes just happened to be here. Actually, I was thanking God that we arrived while Pansy is still alive and asking how I could be helpful to her.”
    With a slight nod he said, “That’s commendable.”
    She shook her head. “Not really. I think that’s what God tells us to be like.” She gave a small self-conscious laugh. “I’m afraid I’ve been quite pampered and spoiled.”
    He didn’t look surprised. Maybe she’d better change the subject. She turned again to face the bushes. “This is very beautiful.” She touched a leaf of the huge plant. She’d never seen leaves quite so large or glossy on what must be a bush since it grew on what appeared to be stalks instead of trunks. The leaves were about four inches wide and ranged from one to two feet long, Her gaze moved up to where some of the stalks were twice her height. “What is it?”
    “This variety is Cordyline fruticosa , a member of the lily family. There are several varieties. But this one,” he said, as she felt him watching while she touched one leaf after another, “this is a Ti plant.”
    “Tea? Oh, you make tea from this?”
    “No, no.” Mak laughed. “It’s spelled t-i, and some westerners call it ‘Ti’ with a long i . However, the correct pronunciation sounds like tea. Many of the native Hawaiians call it Ki.”
    “I’ve never seen a plant like this.”
    “It has many uses,” he said. “The Hawaiians used to use the leaves for roof thatching, weaving it into sandals, hula skirts, and even rain capes.” He touched a large leaf. “In the past and today, the roots can be baked and eaten as a dessert. Food is sometime wrapped in the leaves and cooked. There are many other uses, including medicinal. And,” he added, “they’re used to ward off evil spirits.”
    As her face swung around to look at him, she swiped away wisps of hair that the breeze had teased from her roll and blown into her face. “But that wouldn’t be why they’re planted around a church.”
    “Are you sure of that?” he teased.
    “Well, Pastor Russell said two-thirds of this island is Christian. And he certainly wouldn’t use plants to ward off evil.” She gave him a doubtful look. “He uses God’s Spirit.”
    “True,” Mak said. “But it all depends on who you want to come to church—those who already believe the Christian religion or those who believe the myths and ancient gods. The unbelievers wouldn’t come to hear the pastor because they believe in evil spirits. Even some of the Christians hang on to their superstitions.”
    “How can they be Christians and still be superstitious?”
    He gave her a look. “Ever hear of walking under a ladder, or a black cat running in front of you?”
    “I take your point,” she said. “Or breaking a mirror will give you seven years bad luck.” He was a handsome man. “Is wearing flowers on your hat a superstition?”
    “No, it just means we have a lot of them here. They represent this island.” He shrugged. “Like that one star you have in Texas.”
    “One star?” Was he crazy?
    “Isn’t Texas called the Lone Star State?”
    “Yes, but that’s in the flag. And it’s bigger than