Chapter 16
Josie rolled the silverware tightly in the white paper napkin before throwing it in the plastic tub next to her.
“Do you know how much Primmy raised?” her mother asked.
“I haven’t gotten a final tally yet. She’s doing another tour today, so I’m sure she’ll tell me then.”
“I know it seems like a huge mountain to climb, but this town comes together when needed. I’m excited to see how the event that Walker has planned does. He really seems to have put a lot of work into it.”
“Yeah, he has put in a lot of work.”
Diane looked up and smiled. “What’s going on between you two?”
“Why do you think something is going on?”
Diane laughed. “Because I’m not blind. I see how he looks at you, and I see how you look at him. He finds every excuse to come into the restaurant when you’re here.”
“He’s fixing the apartment,” Josie said, scoffing.
“He had you over for dinner. Guys don’t do that unless they’re interested.”
“I am his landlord, for goodness’ sake. He’s just trying to be nice. If I lose everything, he doesn’t have a place to live.”
Diane stopped rolling the silverware and stared at Josie. “Please tell me that’s not really how you think.”
“What do you mean?”
“You always assume the worst about people and their intentions. And yes, I know a lot of that is because of me, but you have a choice now.”
“A choice? What are you talking about?”
“I mean that when you’re an adult, you have the choice of how you perceive things. How you react to things. Your childhood is an obstacle, but it doesn’t have to mean you see everything through the lens of not trusting people.”
Deep down, Josie knew she was right, but there was still a part of her that wanted to bow up. Wanted to argue with her and place blame. She really had to tamp down that part of herself if she was going to have any chance of a relationship with her mother.
“I’m trying. I know it doesn’t seem that way, but I really am.”
“All I’m saying is that Walker likes you. I can tell. I know him better than you do, and I’ve never seen him this way with any woman.”
“Look, he’s a nice guy. And he’s pretty good-looking. But I have to focus on saving this restaurant and making a new life for me and Kendra here.”
“Speaking of my granddaughter, what time is she going to get ready for the prom tonight?”
“I think the hairstylist is supposed to be at the house around five.”
“A hairstylist? Lordy me, I remember when I went to school dances and just pulled my hair up in a ponytail.”
“Well, today’s youth are not nearly as simple as you were. She’s using some of her savings for this, so I wasn’t going to tell her she couldn’t do it. I’ve never seen her so excited about something.”
“That makes my heart happy. You and Kendra deserve the very best, and I’m glad I get to be here to see you get it.”
“All done!” They both turned to see Walker standing a few feet from the table. For a moment, Josie wondered if he had heard any of their conversation.
“All done with what?” Josie asked, standing up. She walked over to the hostess stand, picked up another stack of napkins, and put them on the table.
“I’m all done with the repairs. Everything is good to go. You can post an ad for rent if you want.”
“You’re already finished? I thought it would take you at least a few more days?”
Walker had found some additional damage just yesterday, so Josie was shocked that he was already finished.
“I sort of worked through the night to get it done. I think I’m gonna go home and take a nap before I have to get back and work on a boat.”
Josie quickly looked over at her mother, who was making a face like she was saying, I told you so.
“You worked through the night? Why?”
“I just wanted to get it done for you so that you could rent it out and get that money.”
“Thank you, Walker. That was a very nice thing to do.”
He smiled and nodded before walking out the front door. Josie felt a flutter of butterflies in her stomach. She hadn’t felt that since she was in high school and the cutest boy on the football team smiled at her. Only it turned out he wasn’t smiling at her but the girl standing behind her. She later stuck gum in that girl’s hair when she sat behind her at the movie theater. Josie wasn’t nearly as petty now as she had been in those days. Well, most of the time.
“See? He’s not just a nice guy. He’s a nice guy who wants you.”
Josie said nothing as she stared out the front window and watched him walk down the Riverwalk. This could get very complicated.
* * *
“Oh my goodness! You look absolutely beautiful!” Diane said as she looked at Kendra in her prom dress.
“Thank you, Grandma. I feel like a princess!”
Josie walked closer and put her hand on Kendra’s cheek. “You look so grown up. I’m not sure I’m ready for this.”
Kendra laughed. “Relax, Mom. It’s not like I’m trying on my wedding dress.”
“Don’t say that! I’m not ready to even think about that.”
“I have a lot to do before I ever get married,” Kendra said, leaning against the railing to the stairs. “I’ve decided I want to go to college.”
Josie lost her breath for a second. “You do? I thought you weren’t interested. I mean, the last time we talked when we were back in Atlanta, you told me you had no interest in college.”
“I know, but I was talking to Scotty, and he’s going to college in Charleston. We looked at the website together, and it looks kind of cool. I talked to my guidance counselor, and if I really buckle down during my senior year, I could possibly get scholarships.”
Josie felt so much pride in that moment. Her daughter had made such a dramatic turnaround in the last couple of weeks that she hardly recognized her. She was happy at school and was going to prom, which were two things she never imagined for Kendra.
“I’m proud of you, Kendra,” Josie said, her eyes welling with tears.
“Oh my gosh, Mom, don’t start crying! I just did my makeup!”
“Sorry, sorry. I’m just a little overwhelmed,” she said, wiping a stray tear away.
Josie looked over at her mother, who was also tearing up. “I’m just so glad I’m here to see it. There were a lot of years I never could’ve dreamed that I’d be standing here at a moment like this.”
“Grandma, don’t you start! I swear, if y’all mess up my makeup...” Kendra rushed off to the bathroom to check her face.
“We have to stop. She’s going to kill us,” Josie said, laughing.
“I know. I’m going to pull it together. She just looks so beautiful.”
Thankfully, the scene was interrupted by somebody knocking at the front door. Josie walked over to open it and found what could only be described as a tall, handsome young man standing there holding flowers in one hand and wearing a black tuxedo.
“You must be Scotty,” Josie said, reaching her hand out to shake his. He looked nervous. Of course, any young man about to take a beautiful girl to the prom would probably be nervous. And she remembered what Kendra told her about Scotty sometimes having trouble in social situations.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s nice to meet you. Kendra has told me a lot about you.”
Josie laughed. “I’m sure not all of it was good.”
He looked at her, confusion on his face. “No, ma’am, all of it was good.”
Josie’s heart warmed. Kendra had been saying good things about her? Every day it seemed more and more like Happy Harbor had some special magic in the air that had changed her daughter, and it would hopefully change her as well.
“Hey there, I’m Kendra’s grandmother.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you too.”
“I’m afraid to ask,” Diane said, laughing.
“Kendra has been nothing but complimentary about you too. She’s very proud of her family.”
“Thank you. Come on in. It’s pretty hot out there.”
Scotty followed them into the foyer. A moment later, Kendra opened the bathroom door and walked out, her high heels clicking against the hardwood floors. She looked up and smiled when she saw Scotty.
“Wow! You look beautiful, Kendra,” he said, putting his hand over his mouth. He walked over and placed a corsage on her wrist.
“Thanks. You look pretty handsome yourself,” she said, trying to stifle her smile. She pinned a boutonniere on his lapel. Josie could tell she was embarrassed to be in front of them.
“What time will you be bringing her home?”
“Mom! It’s not the fifties.” Kendra rolled her eyes.
“Kendra, you shouldn’t talk to your mom that way. She’s just worried about your safety. Miss Campbell, I will have her home no later than midnight, if that’s okay with you.”
Josie nodded. “You can call me Josie, and midnight works just fine.”
“If it”s all the same to you, my mom taught me to be respectful, so I’d like to call you Miss Campbell.”
Josie smiled. “You do what you’re comfortable with, Scotty. Now, y’all go have fun. But not too much fun!” she called as they hurried out the front door. She watched them climb into Scotty’s red truck on the street outside and waved as they disappeared.
“Oh shoot! We didn’t get any pictures,” Diane said, pulling her cell phone out of her pocket.
“They were in such a hurry; I didn’t even think about it. I’m sure they’ll get some pictures at the prom.”
“You’re right. Kids these days take pictures of everything.”
“So, what’s your plan for the evening?” Josie asked.
“I don’t know. The restaurant is covered tonight, and we start the big fundraising event tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve had a free night in years.”
“I don’t suppose you’d like to help me cook dinner?”
Diane smiled. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”
Josie looked at her and laughed. “That’s really sad, Mom.”
* * *
Josie tried to pretend that she wasn’t waiting up for her daughter to get home from the prom as she sat on the back deck in the quiet night air.
All she could hear were occasional crickets dispersed in the flower beds in front of her. She was tired, but for reasons she couldn’t really explain. Today had been one of the most laid-back days she’d had in a while. Of course, she had gone to work, but then she had helped her daughter get ready for prom, cooked dinner with her mother, and taken a nice nap after she ate.
She’d spent part of the evening cutting slips of paper for a raffle they were having at the fundraising event. She’d also done a phone interview for the local radio station to promote it. Josie would be there for the next two days, right in the middle of town, trying everything she could to raise the money they needed.
If she was honest with herself, she didn’t believe that they would even come anywhere close to getting the money. And that was only going to take care of the past-due balance. She had to make sure that the restaurant remained successful so that she could not only pay the bills, but put money back for herself and her daughter.
The restaurant business was no joke. Until now, she hadn’t realized just how hard her grandmother had worked for all those years. Going to a regular nine-to-five job was a lot easier than running a restaurant, that much was for sure.
She looked up and saw Walker opening the gate and strolling across the yard toward the guest house, his silhouette the only thing visible except for a slight touch of moonlight across his chiseled jawline. He really was a sight to behold. A cross between a boat captain and a cowboy, she had a hard time not staring at him. He obviously didn’t see her sitting there.
“Late night?”
Walker jumped a bit and laughed, his hand over his heart. “You startled me.”
“Now you know how I always feel,” she said, smiling.
He walked over and sat down on the steps next to her. “What are you doing out here at this hour? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I was just finishing up some boat repairs so I can focus on the events.”
“I know. I just couldn’t sleep. Plus, I’m still waiting for my daughter to get home. It’s almost midnight, so her carriage should arrive anytime now.”
“I’m sure she had a great time. I actually saw her down at the Riverwalk taking some pictures with friends before it started.”
“Didn’t she look beautiful?” Josie asked, smiling.
“She did. Just like her mother.” He said it so softly that she barely heard it. It suddenly felt like four thousand lightning bugs were zipping around inside of her stomach.
“Walker...”
“It’s okay. It’s not like I’m going to try to kiss you or anything. But you are a beautiful woman, and somebody should tell you every single day of your life.”
“Why are you talking like this? Have you been drinking?”
He turned his head and looked at her. “First of all, I don’t drink. Second of all, you should have more confidence in yourself.”
There was a pause before Josie said, “You know, before I came here, I was engaged.”
His mouth dropped open. “You were? What happened?”
“He invited me to dinner one night, told me I was too difficult, broke up with me, and went off with another woman.”
“Seriously? What a jerk. He obviously didn’t appreciate what he had.”
She chuckled. “Do you remember how gruff I was when I first got here?”
“You mean how gruff you still are sometimes?”
“Well, back in Atlanta, I was worse than that. I got fired from my job because I wasn’t good at working with a team. I could be a bit rude, and I only liked working alone.”
“Why are you telling me all this?”
“Because you might think I’m this beautiful woman—which is hysterical to me—but I’m really just a difficult person.”
He sighed. “Our past doesn’t have to be our future, Josie. I don’t judge people on who they used to be.”
“There’s also the saying that if somebody does something one time, they’ll probably do it again. Like cheaters. I could never date a cheater again.”
“Well, I can agree with you there. I’ve never understood people who cheat. Just break up if you don’t wanna be with somebody anymore. I’ve been cheated on more times than I can count.”
Now it was her turn to stare at him with her mouth open. “Women have cheated on you? Are they nuts?”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“You look like a cover model for some Southern men’s magazine.”
“So we have concluded that we are both immensely attractive people. At least we can agree on something,” he said, laughing. “I’m just saying that you deserve a man who loves you, whether or not you’re being ornery. A real man won’t leave when things get tough.”
“I don’t know what to make of you.”
“What do you mean?”
“There’s this part of me that really wants to dislike you.”
“Why would you want to dislike me?”
“Because I like you too much. I thought it was just friendship, but then I get these feelings...”
He turned sideways on the step, facing her. “Tell me more about those feelings.”
“Absolutely not.” She turned and faced him, their knees touching.
“Why are you so scared?”
“Every person in my life, except for my grandmother and my daughter, turned out not to be who I thought they were. My life has been one trauma after another. So, I guess I guard my heart a little too closely.”
“Can’t you see how I feel about you?”
“Feelings are fleeting. They aren’t real.”
He leaned back against the railing. “Okay, so what is real? The fact that I worked all night to make sure the apartment was ready for you to rent? The fact that I come into the restaurant all the time just so I can look at you? Or what about the fact that I have single-handedly planned an entire fundraising event to pay off that debt just so there’s no chance of you leaving town?”
“I am appreciative of everything you’ve done?—”
“I don’t want you to appreciate it. I want you to see that you’re worth it. That just because everybody else has let you down in your life doesn’t mean that I will.”
“What are you saying?”
Without warning or preparation, he leaned forward, his mouth as close to hers as a person’s could get without touching. She could feel the breath of each word he spoke.
“I’m saying that I’m not going anywhere. You need stability in this storm? I’m it. I’ve waited my whole life for a woman like you, Josie Campbell, and I’ll win your heart one way or the other.” As he went to stand up, his top lip brushed against hers for just a second, and then he was gone, walking toward the guest cottage. She had never felt like chasing someone so much in her life.