Chapter 17
Josie barely slept as she thought about her moment with Walker. Maybe it was the night air or the weight of exhaustion, but it had been nice. Safe. Warm. All of that seemed dangerous to her. Trusting someone felt like stepping right off a cliff into the abyss.
“Are you about ready?” Diane called up to her. They were going to walk to town together. The fundraising event, which she knew little about, was already starting. It definitely wouldn’t look good for the woman who owned the restaurant to show up late, no matter how tired she was.
She ran downstairs and was thankful her mother had a nice big thermos of coffee for her. “The nectar of the gods,” Josie said, as she took it from her. “Did you already put cream and sugar in it?”
Diane rolled her eyes. “Of course I did. What do I look like? An amateur?”
They opened the front door and stepped out onto the wide front porch. It was already hot and humid, yet barely eight a.m. Such was the South Carolina Lowcountry. The Spanish moss hung in the tree above them, swaying slightly in the ever-present breeze. Of course, the breeze didn’t help. All it did was move around the hot air.
“Kendra had a great time at prom. She said they danced for hours and then went to Fishies to eat.” Fishies was a local diner decorated much like one from the fifties with black-and-white tiled floors, chrome-and-red barstools, and a real jukebox from the era. Besides the regular burgers and hot dogs, their claim to fame was their fried fish sticks and hand-cut French fries. The place had been around since Josie was a kid, although not quite as long as Campbell’s. Happy Harbor was big on maintaining history.
“I’m so glad she had a good time. I tried to stay awake, but that’s getting harder and harder with each passing year. Last time I looked at the clock, it was just after ten.”
“Do you think this event is going to come close to raising enough money?”
“I don’t know. It’s a lot of money, for sure, but I also know Walker is one determined man. When he wants something, he generally gets it.”
Josie chuckled. “Turns out, he wants me.”
Diane stopped in her tracks, right in the middle of the road. No one was coming, of course, as the roads in Happy Harbor were pretty quiet at this hour. Most people walked, rode a bike, or used a golf cart to get around.
“He told you that?”
“Pretty much. Last night he found me on the porch waiting for Kendra, and he laid it on the line.”
“And? What did you say?”
“I didn’t say much of anything. I was in shock.”
“I don’t want to say I told you so, but... I told you so!” She bumped her shoulder against Josie’s.
“There’s so much going on in my life right now. I can’t start a new relationship.”
“Josie, maybe this is God’s way of finally showing you it’s okay to love someone with your whole heart and depend on them for support.” They started walking toward town again.
“I thought you also said never to depend on any man.”
“There’s a difference between depending on a man and having a partner you can depend on. In a good relationship, you’ll depend on each other.”
“How do you know all this? No offense, but you haven’t exactly had stellar relationships in your life.”
“No, but I was in love once.”
They stopped again. “Oh yeah? Who?”
“It was before I met your father. His name was Luke Madden, and I was head over heels in love.”
“You were a teenager. All teenagers think they’re in love.”
“That doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love. Like with Scotty and Kendra. I see love there. Don’t you be surprised if those two end up married one day.”
“Hush your mouth!” Josie said, walking again.
“Luke was beautiful with these hazel eyes and dark-brown hair. We were truly in love.”
“What happened?”
“His dad got relocated for his job, and then he was gone. By the time he wrote to me, I was pregnant with you and didn’t respond. He sent a few postcards over the years, but I never wrote back. Then we lost touch.”
“That’s a sad story.”
“No, it’s not. If I’d stayed with Luke, I wouldn’t have you.”
Josie smiled at her. “I haven’t always been the biggest blessing.”
Diane stopped and squeezed her arm. “You are, without question, the biggest blessing in my life. Don’t you ever say that again.”
“Sorry. I didn’t know if...”
“If I regret having you? Of course not. It wasn’t under ideal circumstances, and I couldn’t give you a proper family with a mom and dad, but I’ve loved you since the day you were born. Even when I was a drunken mess, I loved you. You know you’d love Kendra no matter what, right?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want you to think there was a moment I didn’t love you. I know it seems like love for you should’ve conquered my addiction, but it’s a disease. It’s a compulsion. My brain was very sick, Josie. Now, I’m clearheaded and nothing feels better than walking down this street, chatting with my daughter. It’s a second chance. You deserve a second chance at life too.”
“Y’all must be two of the slowest women I’ve ever seen!” Walker said from the other end of the road. “Come on!”
Diane and Josie laughed before jogging toward him.
* * *
Josie couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The main street running through town had been turned into a festival. There were booths everywhere, as well as games, food trucks, and even a stage. She had no idea what that was for, but she was curious.
“Walker, you’ve outdone yourself, honey,” Diane said. She patted him on the back. “I’m going to go chat with Bear. He’s waving me down.” Josie looked over and noticed Bear and some of the other employees were manning a table where they were selling premade breakfast plates.
“Well, what do you think?”
Josie continued looking around, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open far enough for a bumblebee to fly into it. “I don’t even know what to say...”
“Are you surprised?”
“Surprised doesn’t even begin to cover it, Walker. I can’t believe you did all this.”
“I had a lot of help, trust me.”
“All these people will work here for two whole days just to give me the money? That makes no sense to me.”
“They love Campbell’s, and they loved Miss Adeline. They don’t know you very well yet, but you’re her granddaughter and that’s enough.”
“What’s the stage for?”
“We’re going to have a karaoke contest tonight. People have to pay to enter.”
“Are people actually signing up?” she asked, laughing.
“Yes, they are. I think we have about fifteen people so far. What about you?”
“Me? I’m definitely not a singer.”
“That’s the whole point! Karaoke is fun because people are terrible. Nobody wants to hear good singing up there. That’s no fun!”
“I think I’ll stay safely down here on the ground.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I can’t thank you enough for doing all this. I could’ve never pulled this off by myself, even if I had months to do it. It’s like you performed a magic trick.”
He smiled. “I told you that you can count on me, Josie. Whether we’re friends or more than that, if I can help you, then I’m going to.”
“Because you loved my grandmother?”
“Partly, I suppose. But also because I care about you.”
“About last night...”
He held up his hand. “Not now. I have to go tell the man where to set up the petting zoo.”
“Petting zoo?”
“Yep. He has goats, llamas, little teacup pigs, and ponies.”
“You’re insane,” she said, laughing.
“Insane or genius?” he called back to her as he walked away. Honestly, she wasn’t sure.
* * *
Josie walked around the streets, saying hello to people she’d never met. It was way outside her comfort zone, but she did it anyway. Saving Campbell’s was her most important job right now, so she had to push her pride aside.
“Thank you all for working so hard today. You’ll never know what this means to me,” Josie said to Bear and the other employees manning the table. She’d watched them work tirelessly all day, and she didn’t feel like she deserved their loyalty.
“You’re welcome. We love Campbell’s, so we’ll do just about anything to save it.” She smiled and nodded before moving to the next table.
“Thank you so much for doing this!” Josie said to a woman who was selling handmade soaps and giving most of the proceeds to the cause.
She smiled. “You’re welcome, honey. Adeline was a wonderful friend. We played bridge together.”
Josie had never figured out what bridge was. A card game, maybe? She didn’t know and never cared enough to ask. Now she’d give anything to sit with her grandmother while she explained the game.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name.”
“Evelyn.”
“Nice to meet you, Evelyn. And thank you again.”
She stepped around the corner and took a deep breath. It wasn’t quite lunchtime, and she was already exhausted from the heat and constant socializing. Josie was more of an introvert.
“You okay?”
She turned to see her mother standing there holding a stack of premade sandwiches. “Yeah. Just needed a minute. How’s the booth going?”
“Great! We can’t keep food in stock. You know, Walker somehow got tons of people from neighboring towns. These aren’t just Happy Harbor folks.”
“I thought there were a lot more people here than I expected.”
“I don’t know what he did exactly, but it’s working. I can’t wait to get the final tally after tomorrow.”
“I still don’t see how it’s going to be enough...”
“Josie, have faith.”
“You’re right.” Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she looked at the screen. Her only friend from back in Atlanta was calling. “I’d better take this.”
“Okay. See you later.”
Josie stepped farther into the alleyway. “Melody? Is everything all right?”
“It’s so good to hear your voice! How are you?”
“Good sometimes, stressed other times. What’s up?”
“I have some exciting news! Peter proposed. I’m getting married!”
Josie smiled. Melody and Peter had dated for five years, and Josie had often wondered if the man was really serious about Melody. It appeared he was.
“Congratulations, Melody! I’m so happy for you.” She was happy for her friend, but she was also sad for herself. Here she was in her midthirties without ever having been married.
“Thank you. We’re getting married next month. No need to wait! I was calling because I’m having my bridal shower next Saturday. I’m hoping that you can drive in?”
Josie paused for a long moment. The truth was, she didn’t know what her life would look like by next Saturday. Would she be out of a job and no longer the owner of a restaurant by then?
“I don’t know, Melody. There’s a lot going on here that I can’t really talk about right now,” she said, trying not to scream into the phone. The noise from the crowd was all around her, and there was no getting away.
“Oh, please, Josie. It just wouldn’t be the same without you.”
“Fine. I’ll make a way to be there. I really am happy for you.”
“Thank you. Now, the shower is on Saturday at two o’clock. It’s going to be at my apartment. You remember where that is, right?”
Melody’s apartment complex was nice, but Josie felt the distinct rush of dread flow through her body. The thought of being stuck in a room with a blushing bride-to-be and her friends didn’t seem like the best way to spend her weekend. But she really did feel happy for Melody and wanted to show her friend support.
“Got it. I’ll see you then.”
As she ended the call, she prepared herself to go back out onto the street and thank people for what they were doing. She really was grateful but overwhelmed. Meeting people one by one just during the normal course of the day was challenging enough. Going out there like a politician shaking hands and kissing babies was a whole different level.
* * *
Diane sat at the table and stared out over the enormous crowd of people. Even though she knew how helpful the people of Happy Harbor could be, this was beyond anything she’d ever imagined Walker could do. At least now there was a chance they could pay back the money her mother borrowed.
She felt horrible that all of this was really because of her. If she’d never brought Dan into their lives, none of this would be happening. She hadn’t talked to the jerk in many years, and she had no idea why he’d tried to get in touch with her. Why had he extorted money from her mother like that?
Unfortunately, her curiosity had gotten the best of her the night before. She opened Josie’s laptop that was sitting on the kitchen table and did some searching, trying to find him on any social media platform. He had a Facebook account, but he hadn’t posted on it in a couple of years. Even then, it was a post about getting drunk the night before. It might’ve been cute for a young adult to post that, but not a fiftysomething washed-up alcoholic. Just not cute at all.
What had she ever seen in that man? He wasn’t kind. He wasn’t loving. He never wanted to get sober. He’d abused her. Dan had been running from his childhood for his whole life. At first, she’d felt sorry for him. Now, she just wanted to strangle him with her bare hands.
There was a part of her that wanted to track him down and make him pay for worrying and upsetting Adeline in her last days. She wanted to make him pay for almost breaking her relationship with her daughter apart just when it was working again. She wanted to make him pay for putting the restaurant at risk.
But she wanted Josie to trust her even more. If she yanked Dan’s chain and made him come back to Happy Harbor looking for her yet again, Josie would probably flee. And Diane wouldn’t blame her. Dan had been horrible to her daughter as well—verbally abusive. He hadn’t wanted Josie around, and eventually Diane was so under the thumb of alcohol that she let it happen.
So, she wouldn’t pursue him. She’d let him get away with it because she didn’t want him back in their lives. They had no proof that he’d gotten the money from her mother anyway, so all it would result in was a long legal battle. She wanted a fresh start with Josie and Kendra, and sometimes that meant not letting her emotions get the better of her.
* * *
“You must be very hungry?” Josie asked when she saw Walker approaching with two funnel cakes in his hands, each one covered in a mound of powdered sugar. It brought back memories from her childhood when her grandmother would often take her to the local festivals. Funnel cake was her favorite.
“Excuse me, but one of these is for you. Do you want one or should I eat them both?”
“I’m starving. I’ve been working at the cotton candy station all day. Do you know how little cotton candy fills up your stomach? It’s literally like drinking water that has been turned into fiberglass insulation.”
He handed her the funnel cake. “That’s one way to sell it. ‘Come and have some of this delectable cotton candy. It looks like fiberglass insulation!’”
Josie laughed. “So, what have you been working on?”
“Well, I have some big stuff in store for everybody tomorrow, so that has taken up a lot of the day. I was also helping with the cakewalk.”
“I didn’t know there was a cakewalk,” she said, craning her head and looking around.
“It’s over behind the pavilion. Those people were crazy. I thought some of them were going to get into a wrestling match over those cakes.”
Josie had to admit that this was probably one of the best days of her life. As stressed out as she was about getting the money together to pay off her grandmother’s debt, she was also more relaxed than she had been in a while.
People in Happy Harbor really were nice. More than nice, they were caring. They truly seemed to have each other’s best interests at heart. How she hadn’t been able to see that as a kid was beyond her. She’d been too focused on getting into trouble.
Not that Josie thought people who lived in cities and suburbs didn’t care about each other, but this was another level. There wasn’t one person on the street who hadn’t smiled at her. Of course, maybe they just felt sorry for her for being in the predicament she was in, but they were still very nice.
“So you’ve got a big surprise tomorrow? All of this is pretty surprising to me.”
“I’m just glad it’s going well. It seems like a lot of money is coming in today.”
She took a bite of her funnel cake, swallowing it with a smile on her face. Man, those things were good. “You know, I don’t understand why all these people, many who don’t have a lot of money themselves, came here to help us.”
“They really are great people.”
“I feel like I need to do something to pay them back.”
“Keeping Campbell’s open and providing jobs is a great way to do that.”
“I guess you’re right. I am going to try my very best to keep the place open. Though even if I pay off the past-due payments, I’ve still got to make the restaurant more profitable.”
“One thing at a time.”
There was something about Walker that put her at ease. He never added to her stress. It felt like he was standing next to her, trying to carry more of the load than she was. A true Southern gentleman was the only way she knew to describe him, and before Happy Harbor, she didn’t know any of those existed anymore.
Sometimes, when she was out in town, she would see men opening doors for their wives or walking closer to the street to keep the women safe. She knew those were chivalrous things to do, but she hadn’t seen them since she was a little kid. Happy Harbor had been frozen in time, the act of chivalry still an important part of the fabric of everyday life.
Walker cleared his throat before saying, “I wanted to ask you... when this is over tonight, would you like to take a walk along the river with me?”
“A walk? Won’t you be too tired?”
“I need to check on a couple of boats before I go home. I just thought you might like to keep me company.”
She smiled. “You know what? I’ll do that. You’ve done so much for me, I don’t feel like I can say no.”
He moved slightly closer, his face near hers again. “You can always say no to me, Josie. I may not like it, but I will never push you past your limits.”
With that, he walked off again, just like he had the night before. Maybe he was more dramatic than she thought, but it certainly was working.