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boy.“Well, well, Silas. When did you arrive in Honolulu? You should have let us know. I’d have had someone meet you and bring you here to Kea Lani. So, what do you think of the Derrington sugar plantation?” He acted as if the young man’s appearance was no more than a family member dropping by unexpectedly.
    With the arrival of Silas Derrington, Townsend began making public overtures that Zachary found alarming. Who knew which way the family winds would blow? It would depend on Grandfather Ainsworth’s reaction when he returned. Grandfather had been inWashington D.C., when Silas arrived, so he too would be in for a surprise that afternoon. He now had another grandson—an
illegitimate
one. How would he respond to Silas? The injustice Townsend had done to both Zachary and to Silas had angered Eden.
    Silas was perhaps the one who had suffered most for his father’s sin, though Zachary would certainly disagree. Townsend, meanwhile, continued to show himself calloused enough in conscience to proceed on his life’s journey without apparent guilt toward God, his wife, or either of his two sons. How that was possible, Eden often wondered.
    “‘A real
man
, my son Silas,’” Zachary mimicked Townsend’s voice. “‘Takes after me, his father.’”
    Eden, incredulous, looked at him. Had Townsend actually said this in front of Zachary? The anger on his face confirmed it.
    “That’s what he said,” Zachary choked. “Said it right in front of me to some of the legislators at the Iolani Palace dinner meeting last night. And all I could do was to stand there embarrassed, my feet glued to the floor. He boasts of the relationship growing strong between him and his ‘firstborn son,’ Silas.” He gritted. “It brings him pleasure, he said. And Silas
illegitimate
. But me? Oh, no. Not a word, even though I’ve been loyal to him all my life.”
    Eden was aware of Townsend’s favoritism toward Silas, and flaunting it publicly was unwise, serving only to feed jealousy and competition between the brothers. She could see jealousy, like an adder, sinking poisonous fangs into weak human flesh—Zachary’s. The tensions were increasing with time, and she saw no promise of resolution. If her uncle Townsend acted with impatience and recrimination, as he was likely to do, he would be adding fuel to the fire.
    Was any good to come from Silas’s return to Honolulu? Perhaps Grandfather Ainsworth’s forthcoming response would put an end to Townsend’s behavior.
    “I’ll try to warn Candace about Grandfather’s arrival as soon as I leave Ambrose,” she said.
    Eden gazed off toward the pale blue water and clear sky. The palms rustled lazily in the tropic breeze beside the road. Just beyond the horizon a storm appeared to be building. Eden sensed that trouble would indeed come to test them all.
    Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life
, she quoted from Proverbs 4:23.
Lord help us Derringtons
, she prayed.
We are all walking the cliff’s edge, where our hearts and convictions are concerned. To accomplish Your purpose for our lives is the true cause that will matter in the end
.

Chapter Three
Ambrose
    Z achary drove along the narrow dirt road toward the little missionary church established by Eden’s parents. The familiar bungalow for Ambrose and Noelani stood nearby, a welcoming sight for Eden. Noelani would be up at Hawaiiana caring for baby Kip while Ambrose was home preparing for the Sunday service.
    Her cousin halted the buggy near the roadside and was about to climb down to assist her, but she remembered his injured knee and stopped him.
    “Zachary, before I go … don’t think I’m trying to interfere, because I understand how you feel. But saying too much to your father in Silas’s presence can’t strengthen your cause. Wait until Grandfather is home, then tell him how you feel about Silas. Remember, Grandfather doesn’t yet know.”
    His face was glum. “Sometimes I wonder.