Chapter 31
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
VISIONS
DYLAN
Dahlia and I step outside after the whirlwind of introductions, reassurances, plans, and my family basically offering Dahlia a lifetime of loyalty. The door closes behind us, muffling the laughter coming from the kitchen.
She exhales like she’s been holding that breath for months.
“Dylan. They’re incredible. I can’t believe how well that went,” she says, shaking her head like she’s trying to clear it. “You said they were nothing to be afraid of, but I didn’t believe you.”
I grin at her and kiss her temple. “I know.”
“We stay?” Chloe asks hopefully.
“We’ll come back,” I tell her. “I promise. Did you like Grayson?”
She nods emphatically, her curls bouncing up and down.
Dahlia and I get in the car, and she leans her head back on the seat and turns her head toward me. Her eyes narrow playfully, and even though she still looks exhausted and concerned, she seems lighter.
“You knew I didn’t believe you?” she asks.
“Of course. And it’s understandable.” I put Chloe in her car seat. “The Whitmans are a lot to take in. Loud. Opinionated. But they’re also…” I pause. “They’re the most loving people you’ll ever meet.”
She nods slowly, eyes glassy, still stunned. “I want my mom and Aunt Ginny to meet them.” She looks up at me, almost shy. “And you.”
My mouth actually drops open. “I get to meet your mom and aunt now?”
She bites her lip, looking guilty, and squeezes my hand. “I’m sorry. I’ve gone about this all wrong, haven’t I? I’m sorry I’ve made it so difficult.”
“Hey,” I say, the word soft and immediate. “Your dad made it difficult. And you were right to be worried about him…if he makes good on any of his threats.”
I say it like it’s fine—even though it’s not—but she sees right through me.
“Maybe he won’t,” I add.
Her eyes are fearful. “I never thought he’d threaten your safety. Ever. Manipulation, yes. Try to ruin your reputation?” Her face crumbles. “Why would I ever trust him, just knowing those things?”
It hits me again just how long she’s been living under the shadow of this man. How normal walking on eggshells has become for her.
“I just want you to be careful,” she whispers. “I want you taking all the precautions. I want you to pay attention at all times. I know it might sound dramatic, but—”
“It doesn’t,” I say immediately.
Because I was on that boat with him.
She draws in another shaky breath. “The security team at Windhaven that your dad was talking about…are they good?”
“I believe so. But I don’t love that your dad got on the excursion list under a false identity.
He would’ve had to show his fishing license to reserve a spot, which means he has a fake ID.
Dad and I talked about that before I left.
He’s going to talk to them and show them pictures of your dad, so they can be on the lookout for him.
He thought he already had, but your dad backed off of the threats with Windhaven once he knew the town was in support of the resort. ”
She nods. “I don’t think he’ll hurt you physically, but…I’m…I don’t know. You should call Rudy right away. Make sure he knows everything.”
“Okay. You’re right.” I squeeze her thigh and then turn up the heat. “My family already loves you,” I say quietly. “It didn’t take long.”
She blinks, and a tear rolls down her cheek. “I already love them too.”
“We’re going to be okay,” I tell her. “Don’t worry. He’s not going to control our lives.”
She nods, but she doesn’t believe me. She looks vulnerable in a way that makes something fierce ignite in my chest.
“I want to show you everything,” I tell her as we pull out of the lodge driveway. Her hand is warm on my thigh, and Chloe’s babbling to her unicorn in the back seat. “Now that we’re out in the open…” I grin over at Dahlia. “Welcome to Windy Harbor.”
She laughs, bright and breathless. “Finally.”
“Where do you want to go first?” I ask.
We’ll pack up the Airbnb later. Luckily for us, a cabin is open this week, since it’s been booked pretty much nonstop since it was finished.
“Cox Trading Post,” Dahlia says. “Then The Kitty-Corner Cafe. And you pick where after that.”
I tap the steering wheel twice. “Okay. You’re on.”
When we walk into Cox Trading Post, Erin’s head snaps up from the counter. Her eyes go comically wide.
“Oh my God.” She points at Dahlia, then at me, then at Chloe. “I have gotten nonstop texts since you guys left the house. The fam is NOT pleased with me.”
I bump her hip with mine. “Nah. Once they see your face, all will be forgiven.”
She snorts. “I know. But my guilty conscience will have me bringing apology gifts for the rest of my life.”
“That’s fair,” I say, and she laughs. “If that’s true, I’ll reimburse…since it’s our fault you kept your mouth shut.”
She points at me. “You’re on.” She smirks. “Just kidding.”
Dahlia’s already wandering around the store, touching everything.
“She’s adorable,” Erin whispers. “So pretty. And already a hit with your family. Was there ever any doubt?”
“Oh no. No doubt.”
A few minutes later, Dahlia reappears with a small Windy Harbor sweatshirt for Chloe and one of those cute kitchen towels that says Feeling Superior. It has a drawing of our town with the lake surrounding it.
Dahlia drapes the sweatshirt over Chloe’s head. Chloe smiles down at it.
“So cute,” Dahlia says.
My heart is so full it’s stupid.
I pull up to The Kitty-Corner Cafe and hoist Chloe up on my shoulders.
She’s looking drowsy, and we want to feed her before she crashes.
We’ve barely gotten out of the car when Ralph—the rooster Juju’s Papa Hector insists on treating like royalty—comes strutting around the side of the cafe like he owns the joint.
“Dylan,” Dahlia whispers, eyes wide. “Why is that rooster looking at me?”
“Uh-oh,” I say. “Ralph’s…particular.”
“Particular?” she repeats.
Before I can explain, Ralph puffs up like he’s about to challenge her to a duel.
“Run,” I say.
“What?!”
“RUN!”
She takes off at full speed, and Chloe shrieks with laughter on my shoulders while the rooster chases Dahlia across the grass. By the time we make it inside, we’re huffing and puffing, and Dahlia’s bent over, hands on her knees.
“I’m—so sorry,” I say between breaths. “I forgot about Ralph. He’s Hector and Hal’s rooster. I hope you get to meet them today. Ralph…he has an issue with women.”
“Why?!” she asks, breathless.
“Hmm. Should I go ask him?”
She swats my chest, laughing. Then she looks around. And her face changes entirely.
“Oh,” she whispers. “This is so dreamy. I love it.”
The cafe glows warm in the morning sun, all wood beams and mismatched tableware and plants hanging from every rafter. It smells like fresh coffee and cinnamon rolls and heaven. Lunch is always great here too. You can’t go wrong at The Kitty-Corner.
Juju’s already behind the counter, wiping her hands on an apron. “There you guys are! Hey,” she says, smiling wide.
“You got over here fast,” I say, smiling back.
“The bonus of living in a small town.” She laughs. “There’s someone I want you to meet. Two someones.”
She glances around us.
“Papa and Uncle Hal,” she calls.
They’re sitting at a nearby table. When they see us, they both get up and walk over.
Hector puts his hand on my back. “Hey there, Dylan. Am I seeing things or…is there a princess on your shoulders?” He winks at Chloe, and she giggles.
“I princess,” she says.
“Why, hello there, Princess…” He pauses.
“Chloe,” I fill in. “And this is her mama, Dahlia. My girlfriend,” I add, grinning at Dahlia. “Feels pretty great to say that around here.”
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Hector says to both of them.
“And this is Uncle Hal,” Juju says.
Dahlia and Chloe look between the two of them. They’re twins, so it can be disconcerting at first to see the similarities.
“I’m the fun one,” Hal says.
“Don’t pay him any mind,” Hector says, chuckling.
“They’re both fun,” Juju says, giving her uncle a look.
Hal just smirks and does a little bow in front of Dahlia. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, lovely lady.”
“Thank you,” Dahlia says, trying not to laugh. “Pleased to meet you.”
“How’s your grandma Nancy?” Hal asks me. “She hasn’t been in the cafe lately.”
“She needed a break from all your flirting,” Juju says.
“Nonsense. She’s very taken with me,” he tells us.
Hector snorts. “She barely tolerates you.”
They go back and forth, cracking us up, until Juju finally says, “How about food? Can I get you anything?”
“I would love an iced latte, orange juice, a breakfast sandwich, and a muffin,” Dahlia says.
I place my order as well, and we sit down. Some of the regulars come in, and I introduce everyone who says hello to Dahlia and Chloe.
Dahlia’s still smiling when we leave.
“There’s one more place I want to show you before we go to the cabin…unless you think we should get Chloe right back for a nap.” I glance over at Dahlia.
“Let’s do it,” she says.
I drive to my parcel of land. On the way, I stop to show her the tree house Camden and Noah built for Juju.
Dahlia and Chloe are both sufficiently impressed—it’s amazing.
When we reach the dirt path leading to my land, I drive slowly through the trees until we’re in front of the clearing by the water.
“This is my land,” I say. “Now that the resort is up and running, we’re going to take turns having our houses built.
Goldie’s is almost done, and Camden’s is just getting started.
Noah’s over all of it. He’s unbelievably skilled…
and will probably do his place last because that’s just the way he is.
Recently, he’s rented a house in town for him and Grayson.
Now that I’m here, Tully is the only one left who isn’t here in town. ”
“It’s beautiful here, Dylan. I love it. Is this where the house will sit?”
I grin. “Yes.”
I tell her a few ideas I have, and she’s excited about all of them. I’m about to ask her if she can envision herself here, but it’s been a big day. I don’t want to scare her off by telling her I want her to live here with me, but…it’s all I see.
She’s in the center of every dream I imagine coming true.