mouselets!” he said.

Hercule and I followed

Kai around the corner,

past a small village

main street and

toward a beautiful

white sand beach. There

by the water stood a

young rodent holding a

sketchbook. She was wearing

a blue dress embroidered with

starfish, and a white

orchid

in her long, black fur.

“Kealoha, over here!” Kai

called,

blushing

all the way

to the tips of his whiskers.

She walked toward us

and smiled, extending her

paw. “I’m so glad you’re here!