Chapter 11
CHAPTER 11
A lex
I drove fifteen miles out of Harbor Falls and stood in the middle of the open field that now belonged to me. My great-grandfather purchased it after his father died to ensure no one could build on it. My parents used to bring my sister and me here when we were children, and my sister would run through the open fields with her arms out, shouting, “Welcome to Athena Harbor, where all of your dreams come true.” My parents discussed building another town on this land, similar to Harbor Falls. But for some reason, my father never went through with it.
Pulling my phone from my pocket, I dialed Owen.
“Top of the day to you,” he answered, and I smiled.
“I need you to fly to Harbor Falls first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Why?” he asked.
“There’s something I want to show you.”
“I have a meeting tomorrow with Gunderson.”
“Reschedule it. I’ll pick you up at the airport. After you book it, text me your flight information.”
“Okay. Sure, Alex. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
When I arrived home, I looked out the sliding door and saw Lucy and Isabelle in the pool, splashing, laughing, and having fun.
“You’re back.” Mara smiled, walking into the kitchen.
“I am. How are the girls?”
“As good as gold. I was just getting ready to make them lunch. Can I make you something?”
“No. I’m good. Thank you anyway. Actually, I have another errand to run. By the way, my friend and vice president of my company is flying in tomorrow. Can you make sure the other guest room is ready for him?”
“Of course, Alex. It sure is good to see children in this house again.” She smiled, staring at the girls in the pool.
I headed to the Seaside, and when I stepped inside, I saw Katherine behind the bar.
“Hey, you.” She smiled. “Beer?”
“Hi, and yes. Thanks.” I sat on the stool. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” She set the beer in front of me.
“Would you be interested in re-doing the primary bedroom and bathroom at the house?”
“Really?” She smiled. “I’d love to. When are you thinking?”
“As soon as possible. I want it completely renovated and any trace of my mother removed.”
“I understand. I’ll put some things together tonight and then call you. I’ve certainly got my work cut out for me.” She grinned. “I’m also designing the interior of Hannah’s new flower shop.”
“You are?” I tipped the bottle to my lips.
“Yeah. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“I’m sure it’s going to look beautiful.” I smiled.
H annah
“I have to get to the art gallery. I’ll see you later.” Adalyn smiled.
“Have a good day, sis.” I brought the coffee cup to my lips.
Colin walked into the kitchen. “Is she gone?”
“Yes.” My brows furrowed.
“Good. There’s something I want to show you.” He smiled, sitting down at the kitchen table. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a ring box and flipped open the lid.
“Colin.” I covered my mouth with my hands as I stared at the beautiful diamond ring. “It’s beautiful.”
“She’ll say yes, right?” he asked.
“Of course, she’ll say yes. When are you going to ask her?”
“Tonight. We’re having dinner at the bed and breakfast with my aunt and uncle, and then I’m going to take her out to the gazebo and propose.”
“I’m so happy for you. And that ring.” I grinned. “You have excellent taste.”
“Thanks.” He chuckled. “I’m really nervous, Hannah.”
“Don’t be. My sister loves you like crazy. You have changed her life in ways she never thought possible. You’re her soulmate, Colin.”
“And she’s mine. I have to get to the Seaside.” He stood and kissed the top of my head. “I’ll see you later.”
“Bye.” I wrapped my hands around the warm cup.
While sitting there, sipping my coffee, I thought about Alex and last night. I thought about his lips on mine and the way his hands held my face. The man was so sexy and desirable, and I would have let him take me to bed. In deep thought and fantasy, the sliding door opened, and Annie stepped inside.
“Hello. Hello.” She smiled.
“Oh, hey, Annie.”
“Are you the only one home?” she asked, setting a container on the table.
“Yeah. Colin and Adalyn already left.”
“Then you’re my guinea pig.” She grinned, opening the container. “I made apricot muffins. Let me know what you think.” She handed me a muffin.
I took a bite and closed my eyes. “Oh my God, Annie. This is amazing.”
“That’s what Jerry said, too, but I don’t trust him. He says things to please me.” She winked. “Do you think they’ll be a hit at the bakery?”
“Definitely.” I nodded as I took another bite.
She pulled a chair out and sat down. “So, tell me how your date was last night with Mr. Hottie Harbor.”
“It was nice. We had a great time.”
“Is love in the air?”
“No.” I laughed. “Love is a fleeting moment that is never guaranteed. I prefer to let it fleet right on by.”
“You can’t let one bad apple ruin the bunch. Look at your sister. She came to her senses.”
“Adalyn and I are very different. Anyway, I’m sure Alex will be going back to Chicago soon.”
“I’ve always liked him. Such a shame what his mother did to him after his sister passed away.”
“What did she do?” I narrowed my eye.
“Well, she blamed him. She told him it was all his fault and she would never forgive him. After Athena passed, God rest her little soul, Caitlin Harbor became mentally unstable. She locked herself in her house and would never let anyone come over. She constantly made remarks to Alex about his sister’s death and even told him that she wished it was he who drowned and not Athena.”
“Oh my God. That’s awful.”
“I know. The whole town knows it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t take it anymore. So, he called his aunt in Chicago, told her everything, and she flew to Harbor Falls and took him back home with her. He hadn’t been back since. Talk about childhood trauma.” Her brows raised. “Anyway, his daughter is a sweetheart. I really hope he stays in Harbor Falls. Don’t you?” She cocked her head.
“It’s his life. No one can make him stay.”
“Maybe a certain someone can.” She winked as she stood up. “I have to get to the shop. Pretty soon, you’ll be saying the same thing.” She grinned.
I smiled and said goodbye to her. Later that afternoon, I was meeting Katherine at the shop to review the design she’d done and make any changes I saw fit. The only thing left was I had to call the contractor, but I’d wait until after I met with Katherine.
“ I ’m so excited!” Katherine grinned, walking into the shop.
“Me too.” I smiled, hugging her.
She placed the design on the table left inside the shop, and we reviewed it. Her plans were perfect and everything I wanted.
“Now that I have the plans, I can call the contractor and get an estimated time for when they’ll be able to start.”
“I’m sure it won’t be that long,” Katherine said. “So, I heard you went on a date last night with Alex.” A smirk crossed her lips.
“It was no big deal. We had dinner.”
“In Charleston, after flying in a helicopter he rented.” Her brow arched.
“News travels fast here.” I smiled.
“You already know that.” She pointed at me. “Anyway, he came into the Seaside earlier.”
“He did?”
“Yeah. He asked if I would be interested in redoing his house's primary bedroom and bathroom.”
“Why?” My brows furrowed.
“Probably because it’s the only room his mom wouldn’t let me touch. It makes me wonder if he’s going to stay in Harbor Falls. Did he say anything about it last night?”
“No. He didn’t say a word. Maybe he wants it redone to sell it.”
“Ugh. I hope not. It would be too weird in this town if a Harbor weren’t living in that house. I have to run. We’ll talk later.” She hugged me.
After she left, I pulled out my phone and dialed the contractor. After speaking with him, my happiness quickly turned to disappointment. Letting out a sigh, I went to the park and sat on the bench. My phone rang, and a smile crossed my lips when I saw Alex was calling.