Gentle Persuasion. Cerella Sechrist

don’t know what that is.”

      “Oh, um...I guess it’s sort of like barbecue chicken but with ginger, soy sauce, brown sugar, you know.”

      Another rumble in Ophelia’s stomach settled the matter for her. “I’d love to try it.”

      Leilani nodded with a grin and continued to pull containers from the fridge, announcing their contents as she placed them on the kitchen island.

      “Mango bread, huli huli chicken, steamed rice with pineapple, roasted sweet potatoes...”

      Ophelia began peeling lids off the dishes. “Sounds like a feast.”

      “Tutu may be a little prickly sometimes, but her food is pure sweetness.”

      Inhaling the fragrant scents of soy, spice and sugar, Ophelia didn’t argue this statement. Leilani opened cupboards and pulled forth plates and glasses. Placing them on the kitchen island, she gathered utensils and began spooning out generous helpings of the leftovers.

      “How are you enjoying Hawai’i?” the younger girl asked conversationally.

      Ophelia noticed she pronounced her homeland’s name with the appropriate accent. It was a pleasant sound.

      “It’s beautiful. An island paradise. But I haven’t even been here twenty-four hours, so I can’t say I’ve experienced much.”

      “Except Tutu’s hospitality?” Leilani smirked as she slid a plate of food into the microwave above the stove to heat it.

      “Is she always so...”

      “Outspoken? Usually.” Leilani shrugged. “But she’s been touchy lately. Things are...tense.”

      Ophelia straightened with interest. “Oh?”

      “Yeah. The inn and plantation are experiencing financial issues. When Dane bought the property, it had fallen into pretty bad disrepair. He sank all of his savings into the renovations and roasting equipment, and he hasn’t been able to recoup his investment.”

      Ophelia mulled over this new information. “Any new venture takes time to turn a profit,” she remarked.

      “That’s what Dane tells Tutu to keep her from worrying. But it’s not hard to tell that he’s worried, too.”

      The microwave emitted a series of beeps, and Leilani swapped out one plate for another. She turned to face Ophelia once more.

      “So you should feel good, knowing your stay here contributes to a worthy cause.” She winked pleasantly, and Ophelia felt the sting of guilt.

      “It’s a lovely inn, and I’m happy my stay will provide a bit of income. Only...”

      Leilani placed the first warmed plate of food on the table and gestured for Ophelia to take a seat. Carrying her glass and a set of flatware with her, she settled at the teak table.

      “Only?”

      “Only, I’m afraid you’ve been nothing but sweet and open with me, and you’ll likely not appreciate my reasons for coming here in the first place.”

      Leilani considered her for several seconds, and Ophelia left the plate of food untouched as they stared at each other. Eventually, the microwave’s beeping broke the silence.

      “You’re one of them, aren’t you?” Leilani made no move toward the microwave.

      “Them?”

      “From Dane’s past. From New York.”

      “No, not exactly. I mean, yes, I’m from New York. But I just met your boss this morning. I knew him by his reputation in the corporate world, but we never laid eyes on each other before today.”

      Leilani cocked her head, studying. “Then you’re one of those recruiters.”

      Ophelia dipped her head in acknowledgment. “How many have there been? Before me?”

      Leilani shrugged carelessly before turning toward the microwave. “Enough to become an annoyance.” She turned back and studied Ophelia. “None as pretty as you, though.”

      Ophelia blushed, but Leilani turned back toward the microwave without commenting further. Removing her own warmed plate, she joined Ophelia at the table, settling comfortably across from her. Ophelia toyed awkwardly with her silverware, not wanting to appear rude by diving straight into the food. Her mother had instilled that habit in her long ago.

      Leilani noted her fidgeting and grinned, putting her at ease once more. “Go ahead. Tutu’s a much better cook than conversationalist—I promise.”

      Offering a small smile in return, Ophelia took up her fork and speared a chunk of roasted sweet potato. The starchy morsel melted on her tongue, a tangy ginger glaze causing her taste buds to tingle happily. She quickly forked another bite and then a third into her mouth before moving on to the crisp, smoky, soy skin of the huli huli chicken. After a long stretch of minutes and more bites that included the doughy, honeyed mango bread and fragrantly steamed rice with pineapple, Ophelia paused to take a breath. At some point while she ate, Leilani had filled her glass with lime-spiked water. She took a long sip before shrugging apologetically.

      “I must have been hungrier than I realized.”

      Leilani beamed at her. “It’s good to see a city girl eat like that. Most of the other recruiters who came turned up their noses at our food. It offended Tutu immensely.”

      “It’s their loss,” Ophelia assured as she peeled another savory section of chicken from the bone and popped it into her mouth.

      “Tutu’s going to end up loving you.”

      Ophelia wrinkled her nose with skepticism. “I somewhat doubt that, but...” She paused. “Thank you. For not getting upset about why I’m here.”

      Leilani licked her fingers and leaned back in her chair. “You’re just doing your job.”

      “That’s a very positive outlook. I hardly imagine other recruiters were welcomed so generously.”

      “Dane’s a grown man. He knew what he was doing when he left the mainland, and he knows what he’s doing here. No one can change that, except him. Tutu doesn’t give others enough credit to make their own decisions.”

      Ophelia reached for a napkin from the stack in the middle of the table. She wiped her fingers with it before placing it next to her plate. “Is that why you were sneaking in tonight? She doesn’t trust you?”

      “It’s more complicated than that. Tutu has been responsible for me for years. And she had good reason to worry for a long time. But things are different now. I’m different. And she hasn’t been able to see that.”

      “She seems like a woman who could be pretty stubborn....” Ophelia thought about her own mother’s rigid standards and dropped her eyes to toy with the remains of her rice, pushing the grains into a tidy pile in the corner of her plate. “But I’m sure she loves you. She seems like someone who would love fiercely.”

      When she looked back up, Leilani nodded. “She is! She’s been there for me through a lot. I just wish she’d give me some credit for how much I’ve changed.”

      Ophelia tried redirecting the subject. “Who was it that brought you home tonight, if you don’t mind my asking?”

      Leilani’s eyes sparkled at this question. “My boyfriend, Sam. We’ve been seeing each other for three months now. Dane’s even been giving him odd jobs around the plantation. I think it kinda drives Tutu crazy, having him around so much.” Leilani giggled at this.

      “So do you have a boyfriend?” she asked.

      Ophelia started at this unexpected question.

      “Um...”

      “You’re not wearing a wedding ring.” Leilani pointed out the obvious.

      “No.