Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Harper
I slammed on my brakes and stopped at the entrance of what appeared to be a driveway. According to my GPS, this is where the house was located, but I didn’t see a house. I turned into the driveway, which ended up being a long winding road that led straight to a two-story gray-sided home that sat a few feet away from the sandy beach. I gripped the steering wheel as I began questioning why I even came here. He was no longer my problem. I nervously climbed out of the car and stepped onto the porch, lightly knocking on the door as my heart raced a mile a minute. I knocked again, and there was no answer. Maybe he wasn’t home. I looked around, and there wasn’t another house around as far as the eye could see. By the looks of it, this would be considered a hideaway home, secluded by hills and trees.
Walking around the back, I noted the cobblestone path that led down to the beach. I stood there and stared at the magnificent ocean view as a cool wind swept across my face. I was snapped back into reality when I heard footsteps. Turning around, I saw a man I didn’t recognize.
“Harper? What are you doing here? How did you know where to find me?” Grayson asked in a flat tone as he held two brown bags in his arms. “Let me guess, Julius?”
I stared at him for a moment. A full beard and mustache enshrouded his face. His hair was longer than normal, and he was dressed in jeans and a gray flannel button-up shirt.
“He had no choice. I threatened to sue him.”
Grayson turned around and opened the side door without saying a word. I ran up to the door and stepped inside as he set the bags on the island in the kitchen.
“You didn’t answer my question. What are you doing here?”
“What happened to you?” I asked as I stared at him.
“Life. That’s what. You shouldn’t have come. Heavy rains are headed this way soon, and there’s a chance the roads could wash out. It isn’t safe for you here. Go back to the city,” he spoke as he pulled his groceries from the bags.
“I’ll take my chances. Your grandfather paid me a little visit a couple days ago. He said you quit and told him to sign the company over to Alfie because you didn’t want it.”
“Did he now? He shouldn’t have told you that.”
“So what? Is this your new life now? Hiding away from your family and friends? Giving up your dream of owning the company? Something you worked so hard for.”
“I’m not that man anymore. The company doesn’t matter to me.”
“And why do you look like a lumberjack?”
He shot me a look and shook his head.
“Is this why you came all the way out here? To insult me and my decisions?”
Suddenly the winds picked up, the sky opened, and heavy rain started to pelt against the windows.
“Shit,” he said.
“No. I don’t know why I came out here, to be honest,” I spoke as I crossed my arms and stared at the pouring down rain from the window. Shit, he was right. I was going to be stuck here for a while.
“You shouldn’t have come, Harper.”
“Well, it’s a little too late for that. Isn’t it?”
I walked around and looked at the interior of the home. The light beige walls, the dark wood flooring, and the large beige area rugs were scattered throughout the house. The one thing that caught my attention was the 30 ft. high stone fireplace and the grand piano that sat next to it in the corner.
“This place is reallynice. Are you renting it?”
“No. It’s mine. I bought it.” He walked over to the bar and poured himself a drink. “This place was our vacation home when I was a kid.”
“You still had it after all these years?”
“No. I just bought it about three months ago. I was looking for a house to buy as a summer home for us.” He looked away. “Then this popped up, and I had no choice. I had to buy it.”
“You bought this for us?” I narrowed my eye at him. “Don’t you mean for you? Because your plan was to dump me once you got your company.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore, and I really don’t want to discuss it.”
He went to the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water.
“Yes, Grayson, I would like some water.” I rolled my eyes as I took a seat on the couch.
“Sorry. I’m still in shock you’re here.”
“Me too. So now what? Obviously, I can’t go anywhere.”
“Are you hungry? I can fix us some dinner.”
I couldn’t help but let out a laugh.
“You can’t cook.”
“I’ve been managing just fine.” He walked into the kitchen.
“I can’t believe how hard it’s raining,” I spoke.
“I told you heavy rains were coming. Did you think I was lying?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time.”
He shot me a look and slowly shook his head.
“Okay. Since I’m stuck here, I hate just standing around. At least let me help you cook.”
“You should go rest for a while. You look tired.”
“I don’t want to rest. I want to help.”
“I’m making chili. If you want to help so bad, then you can make a salad. You’ll find everything in the refrigerator.”
I opened the fridge and took out lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Taking a knife from the knife block, I began cutting the lettuce on a cutting board thatwas already on the counter. Silence filled the space between us. He was the one who deceived me, and yet I was the one getting an attitude from him.
“Do you have a bowl I can put this salad in?” I asked.
“In that cabinet over there.” He pointed.
I made the salad as he continued making the chili.
“Do you mind if I take a taste?”
“Why? Don’t you trust my ability?” His brow raised.
“No. Actually, I don’t.”
“Be my guest.” He handed me a wooden spoon.
“Needs a little more spice.”
“Then spice it up.” He handed me the chili powder.
As I was spicing up the chili, he set the table. I couldn’t believe this was happening. We took our seats at the table as soon as the chili was ready.
“You’re not going to be able toleave tonight, so you’ll have to sleep in one of the guest rooms. There’s three of them, so take your pick.”
All of a sudden, the house went dark. The only light was from the fire that was roaring in the fireplace.
“Shit!” he said. “Don’t move. I’ll go turn on the generator.
This was just dandy as fuck. Here I was, stuck in a house, having dinner with a man I never wanted to see again, in the middle of a storm, and the power went out.