Chapter 10
CHAPTER 10
A lex
I couldn’t help but stare at her as we sat across from each other. She was perhaps the most beautiful woman I’d ever laid eyes on.
“So, tell me about Hannah James.” I smiled, tipping the glass of scotch to my lips.
“You already know that I’m opening a flower shop.”
“I do know that. I want to know about you. Why did you leave New York City to move here?”
“It’s complicated.” She sighed.
“I think everyone’s life is complicated, mine included. I’m a good listener.”
“You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“Never would I think that.” I smirked.
“I was in a relationship with a guy, and it turned out he was a liar.”
“What did he lie about?” I asked.
“The man was married and never told me.”
“Oh.” My brow arched. “How did you find out?”
“I was at his penthouse waiting for him to come home from work, and his wife dropped by.”
“Wait. I’m confused. She didn’t live there?”
“No. He had a home back in Connecticut. I was just stupid not to see the signs in the beginning.”
“You were not stupid. He was for pursuing you when he was married.”
“Anyway, after finding out, I came here to stay with Adalyn to reassess my life. Then, my boss from New York called me and demanded that I get back to work. After calling him a few choice words, I quit. That’s when I was walking by and saw the empty shop. Everything fell into place after that. I decided I wanted a fresh start, a life makeover, so to speak. As much of a city girl as I am, Harbor Falls gave me a sense of peace that I didn’t get in New York.”
“I can relate to that.” I smiled. “What are your plans for a home? Are you looking at houses or planning to stay with Colin and Adalyn?”
“I’ve been looking for a house, but I’m tapped out now. Gloria showed me an apartment, which was okay, but it’s thirty-five minutes from town, and I don’t want to go out that far. So, I guess I’ll stay with my sister until I find something else. Maybe one of the residents will move and decide to rent their house.”
“I doubt it,” I said. “But, you never know.”
“Tell me about yourself, Alex Harbor.”
“I’m sure the town’s been talking since I’ve returned, and you already know everything there is to know.”
“It’s all just gossip until I hear it straight from the person themselves.” A smile crossed her lips.
“Well,” I picked up my drink, “I’m the founder and CEO of A.H. Properties Inc. in Chicago.”
“Your company must be very successful,” she said.
“It is.” I smirked. “I started it when I was twenty-four and grew it from the ground up. Here it is ten years later, and it’s a multi-billion-dollar company.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Harbor.” She held up her glass, and I lightly tapped mine against it.
“Thank you. My daughter Lucy came to live with me a year ago after her mother passed away from a heart attack.”
“How old was she?” Hannah asked.
“Thirty-two.”
“That’s scary. That’s how old I am. Jesus, you never know when your time is up.”
“I know. It’s been a rough year with her. She has a lot of issues, and no one can seem to help her. I only brought her here with me because she got suspended from school for a week, and my nanny quit.”
“What did she do to get suspended? She’s only eleven.”
“You’re going to love this.” I smirked. “Not only did she push another girl down in gym class, but she also told her teacher that she was a psycho bitch, fat and ugly, and no man would ever want her, and she’ll be single for the rest of her life.” I threw back my drink.
I stared at her as she tried to hide her laughter, but she couldn’t.
“I’m sorry.” She laughed. “I know it’s not funny.”
A chuckle erupted from me. “It’s not, but it is.”
“Have you tried taking her to therapy? It sounds like she’s having a difficult time dealing with her mother’s death and having to live with you full time.”
“I’ve sent her to countless therapists, and she won’t talk to them. I can’t say I’m not to blame for some of her behavioral issues.”
“Why?” She cocked her head.
“I haven’t been the best father to her. Her mother and I couldn’t get along. We were complete opposites. Not long after we broke up, she told me she was pregnant. We tried to make it work again, but it didn’t last long. After she had Lucy, she packed her bags and moved to Georgia, where her mother lived. I was starting my company and didn’t have time for anyone or anything else. I sent her money every month and went to Georgia a couple of times a year to visit Lucy. I’m not proud of the decisions I made. I should have been more involved in her life. When she came to live with me, I was practically a stranger to her.”
“What about her grandmother?” Hannah asked.
“She doesn’t have much and drinks a lot. I couldn’t let my daughter grow up in that environment. So, after the funeral, I brought her back to Chicago with me.”
“I assume she never met your mother?”
“I haven’t spoken to my mother since I left Harbor Falls at sixteen.”
“Oh.” She looked down.
“I’m sure you’ve heard that my sister passed away at the age of thirteen.”
“I did, and I’m very sorry,” she softly spoke.
“My mother couldn’t get over her death. It became so bad that I had no choice but to leave.”
“What about your father?” she asked.
“He passed away three years before my sister.”
“I’m sorry. I know how it feels to lose your father. Mine passed away nine years ago. It hit my mom really hard—all of us, actually. Last year, she went to Italy, met a man, and brought him back to New York with her.”
“Seriously?” I smiled.
“She said it was love at first sight. Antonio is a great guy, and he makes her happy. That’s why I don’t feel too guilty for packing up and moving here.”
Hannah James was easy to talk to. I told her things I’d never told anyone except Owen. When she asked about me, it felt natural to tell her, even though I was sure she saw me in a different light. After finishing dinner, we climbed into the helicopter and returned to Harbor Falls. As much as I wanted to take her home with me, I had to pick up Lucy from Annie’s.
“How about a walk on the beach before I take you home,” I said. “It’s a beautiful night.”
“I’d love that.” A smile crossed her lips.
Once we hit the beach, we kicked off our shoes, and I rolled up the bottom of my pants. Taking hold of her hand, we walked along the shoreline as the stars and the moon lit up the night sky.
“Thank you for a beautiful dinner in Charleston.” She glanced at me.
“You’re welcome.” I stopped, let go of her hand, and cupped her face as her eyes stared into mine. “You’re a very beautiful woman, Hannah James. I hope you don’t mind that I’m going to kiss you now.”
“I don’t mind at all.”
Leaning in, my lips brushed against hers. What started as a soft kiss became hard and pleasurable. My cock quickly rose to the occasion, and I needed to stop.
“I better get you home before Colin calls the police.” I smiled, softly stroking her cheek.
“Okay.” She laughed.
Inhaling a sharp breath, we returned to the car, and I drove her home. After saying goodbye, I went next door to Annie’s and lightly knocked on the door.
“Hey, Alex.” Jerry smiled, opening the door. “Come on in.”
“Hey, Dad.” Lucy walked over.
“How was your baking lesson?” I patted her head.
“She’s a natural baker.” Annie grinned. “Here are some of the desserts we made.” She handed me a container.
“Thanks, Annie. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble.”
“Not at all. She was an angel.”
“Bye, Annie. Bye, Jerry.”
“Bye, sweetheart. You’re welcome here anytime,” Annie said.
We climbed into the car, and I looked at Lucy.
“Annie said you were an angel.” I smiled.
“I like Annie and Jerry. She’s a little crazy, but who isn’t.” She grinned. “And Noah is so cute. Annie let me feed him his bottle.”
“I’m happy you had a good time.”
“How was your date with Hannah.”
“We had a nice time.” I smiled.
T he following morning, I took my cup of coffee out to the patio and thought about Hannah. Hell, I was up all night thinking about the kiss we shared and how I wanted more. My phone rang, and I saw Owen calling when I glanced at it.
“Good morning.”
“You sound like you’re in a chipper mood. Harbor Falls must be doing you good.”
“No complaints so far. What can I do for you, my friend?”
“Any idea when you’re coming back?”
“Why? Is there a problem?”
“No. Everything is going well. I met with Garrett Garrison yesterday, and he sold the property to us. We can start building that mall.”
“Excellent, Owen.”
“Hey, Dad?” Lucy opened the sliding door.
“Hold on a second, Owen.” I turned and looked at Lucy.
“Is it okay if Isabelle comes over and goes swimming?”
“When?” my brows furrowed.
“In a couple of hours. Her dad said he could drop her off.”
“Yeah. I guess that’s okay.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She smiled and shut the door.
“What was all that about?” Owen asked.
“Lucy is having a new friend over.”
“Friend? She’s lived in Chicago for over a year and never made friends. You’re in Harbor Falls for a week, and she already has one?”
“I guess so. Listen, I need to do a few things. Thank you for closing the Garrison deal. I’ll talk to you later.”
Unlocking the door to the guest house, I stepped inside and walked around.
“Don’t be stupid, Alex,” I whispered to myself as I walked out and locked the door.
When I entered the main house, I set my phone down, took out a carton of eggs from the refrigerator, and cracked them into a bowl.
“Lucy, breakfast is almost ready,” I shouted.
She entered the kitchen and furrowed her brows.
“What?” I asked.
“You haven’t made eggs in a long time.” She climbed up on the stool at the island.
“Today I am.” I smiled as I plated them. “What do you want on your toast?”
“I saw some raspberry jam in the refrigerator,” she said.
“Raspberry jam it is.”
I took it out of the fridge and stared at the jar as a memory popped into my head.
“Come on, you two. We have to get to the farmer’s market and pick up some of the wonderful jam Mrs. Carter makes,” my mother said.
“Can we get raspberry?” my sister, Athena, asked.”
“We can get any kind you want.” My mother smiled.
“Yay! You know raspberry is my favorite.” Athena smiled brightly.
“Uh, Dad? Are you okay?” Lucy asked.
Snapping into reality, I turned and looked at her.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I inhaled a sharp breath.
Spreading the jam on the toast, I set it on the plate with the eggs and placed it in front of her.
“So, tell me about your new friend, Isabelle.” I leaned against the counter, holding my coffee.
“She’s nice. Her mom died when she was five, but she has a step-mom now.”
“Oh yeah?” I tipped the cup to my lips.
“Yeah. She said she’s nice, but it took some getting used to.” She took a bite of her toast.
“Mara should be here any minute. She’ll look after you today while I run some errands.”
“Okay. But I’m old enough to stay home alone.”
“Not happening, kiddo. I’m going to jump in the shower before your friend gets here.” I patted her head as I walked by.
“Dad?”
“Yeah?” I stopped and turned to her.
“I really like it here. It feels like home to me.”
I stared at her as a small smile crossed my lips.