Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
H annah
“I am so happy for you.” I hugged my sister.
“I was so shocked, sis.”
“Good. That was the plan.” I grinned.
“You knew?”
“Maybe.” I winked. “Luis and I are throwing you and Colin an engagement party. Did you tell Mom?”
“I tried calling her, but she didn’t answer. I left her a message to call me, but she hasn’t yet. I hope she’s okay,” Adalyn said with concern.
“I’m sure she’s fine.”
“Have you heard from Alex?” she asked.
“No. I’m sure he’s busy, and when and if I do hear from him, I’ll be busy too with the shop. That’s my only priority, especially now with a wedding coming up.” I smiled. “Speaking of weddings, I want to make your wedding dress.”
“Oh, Hannah. I would love you to. Do you even have time with the shop?”
“I’ll always have time to make my sister’s wedding dress.” I hugged her. “Don’t you worry about that. I’ll sketch a few designs later.”
I went to the kitchen, grabbed my phone from the table, and dialed my mom. She didn’t answer, so I called Antonio, and he didn’t answer either. Sighing, I pulled the dishwasher open, and as I was unloading it, I heard a knock on the door. Opening it, I stood in shock when I saw my mother and Antonio standing there.
“Mom!” I hugged her. “What are you doing here?”
“A mother can’t come and visit her daughters?”
“Hi, Antonio.” I hugged him.
“Hello, sweetheart.”
“Hannah, who’s at—Mom, Antonio!” Adalyn screeched as she flew down the stairs and hugged them. “I’ve been trying to call you.”
“I know, Addy. I’m sorry I didn’t answer. We wanted to surprise you. Let me see the ring.” She grabbed her hand.
“You know?”
“Of course. Colin called and asked for my blessing. After he proposed, he called again and told us you said yes.”
“How long are you staying?” I asked her.
“I don’t know. We’re playing it by ear.” My mom smiled.
“Where are your bags?” Adalyn asked.
“We’re staying at the bed and breakfast,” Antonio said.
“Why?” Adalyn’s brows furrowed. “You always stay here.”
“Well, we figured with your sister here and you being newly engaged, you don’t need two extra people in your house.”
“Hannah’s moving out next weekend,” Adalyn said, and I shot her a look. “She’s moving in with a guy. His name is Alex.”
“What?” My mom cocked her head.
“I am not moving in with Alex. I’m renting his guesthouse.”
“Who is this Alex?”
“His family owns the town,” I said. “He has a beautiful guesthouse, and he’s renting it out. I saw it, I fell in love with it, so I said yes.”
“She went on a date with him. He rented a private helicopter and took her to dinner in Charleston.”
“He’s rich?” My mother’s brow arched.
“Considering his family owns the town, and he runs his own real estate company in Chicago, yes. I’ll call Luis and tell him I’m not working today. Let’s go to the Seaside for lunch.” Adalyn smiled. “Colin will be excited to see both of you.”
“I want to hear more about this rich man.” My mother slyly smiled, hooking her arm around mine.
We climbed into Adalyn’s car and drove to the Seaside Bar & Grille. Stepping through the door, Colin was shocked when he saw our mom and Antonio. I was shocked when I saw Alex sitting at a table with some guy. Our eyes met, and a smile crossed his lips. He stood up and walked over to where we stood, leaning in and kissing my cheek.
“Hi.”
“Hi.” I smiled. “Mom. Antonio. This is Alex Harbor. Alex, this is my mother, Adriana, and her boyfriend, Antonio.”
“Why hello there.” A bright grin crossed my mother’s lips.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Adriana.” Alex smiled.
“I’m a hugger.” She grabbed him and pulled him into her. I wanted to die of humiliation.
After shaking Antonio’s hand, Alex asked if I would come over to his table for a minute.
“I’d like you to meet someone,” he spoke.
Walking over to his table, he introduced me to his friend.
“Hannah, this is Owen, best friend and vice president of my company in Chicago. Owen, this is Hannah James.”
“I was hoping I’d get to meet you, Hannah.” Owen extended his hand. “Alex told me you’ll be renting out his guesthouse.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Owen. And yes, I’m moving in next weekend.” I smiled.
“I’m sure you’ll love it there.”
“Can I talk to you for a minute,” Alex asked, leading me to the bar. “I didn’t know your mom was coming to Harbor Falls. I was hoping we could have dinner together later.”
“Oh, we still can. She’s going to be here for a few days.”
“Excellent. I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock.” He smiled, and I melted.
“What about Lucy?” I asked.
“She’s spending the night at her friend’s house.”
“Ah, okay. I’ll see you at seven.” I smiled, walking away, my belly fluttering.
“ L ook at our girl—going on her second dinner date with the sexy Mr. Harbor.” Luis grinned.
“Stop that.” I lightly patted his arm as I walked past him. “He should be here any second.”
“I wonder if he’ll wine and dine you in Charleston again tonight.” Adalyn smirked.
“I think he’s a very handsome man.” My mother smiled.
“He just pulled up,” Luis said, staring out the window.
I grabbed my purse, said goodbye to my family, and when I opened the door, Alex stood there looking handsome and smelling like a God.
“Hi.” I smiled.
“Hi. You ready?”
“I am.” I pulled the door shut behind me.
He opened the door to his Mercedes, and I climbed inside.
“So, where are we having dinner tonight?” I asked.
“You’ll see.” A smile crossed his lips.
He drove us to the park, and I sat there confused.
“The park?”
“Follow me.” He climbed out and opened the back, pulling out a blanket, a bag, and a large picnic basket.
“Who says picnics have to be done during the day.” He winked.
I followed him to a spot where he spread out the blanket. “Have a seat.” He smiled.
I couldn’t believe he brought me to the park for a picnic dinner. This had to be the most romantic thing anyone had ever done for me.
“We have candlelight.” A smirk crossed his lips as he pulled the small lantern with a candle in the center from the bag. He turned it over, slid the switch to the on position, and set it in the middle of the blanket. “Now, let’s see what we have in here.” He opened the brown wicker picnic basket. “We have a bottle of Cabernet, 2018, two glasses, and a shrimp cocktail to start.”
“I can’t believe you did this.” I smiled.
“I can’t take all the credit. I had some help.” He poured me a glass of wine and handed it to me.
We sat on the blanket under the stars and enjoyed our wine and shrimp.
“Now, for the entrée.” He grinned. “A nice fruit tray for two.” He took the plastic wrap off and set it down. “And two lobster sandwiches on sourdough. I know it’s not the greatest of dinners, but I couldn’t bring anything hot.”
“It’s perfect.” I grinned.
“I did have to ask Colin if you liked lobster.”
“I love it.” I took a bite of my sandwich. “Your friend, Owen, seems like a nice guy.”
“He’s a great guy. I brought him out here because I wanted to show him something.”
“Oh yeah?”
“My parents, well, now me, own a large amount of land fifteen miles outside of Harbor Falls. I’m turning it into a town.”
“What? Seriously?” I cocked my head. “What kind of town?”
“Like Harbor Falls. I’m naming it after my sister, Athena Harbor.”
“Harbor Falls and Athena Harbor. I like it.” I grinned.
“Thank you.”
“Does this mean you’re staying in Harbor Falls?”
“I am. I talked with Lucy about it, and she’s really excited. I’m going to the school tomorrow to enroll her so she can start on Monday. But I will still have to travel back and forth between Harbor Falls and Chicago.”
“What about Lucy?”
“Mara has agreed to care for her when I’m gone. The past year has been hard on her, and she hates Chicago. I haven’t seen her smile as much as she has since bringing her here.”
“You’re doing what’s best for her.” I smiled, placing my hand on his.
“I’m trying.”
“You’re a wonderful father, Alex.”
He breathed out a laugh. “Not really. I already told you that I wasn’t there for her growing up. I guess you could say out of sight, out of mind.” He looked down, and I could tell he was ashamed.
“We all make choices that, in the end, we’re not proud of. That doesn’t mean you’re a terrible father. Look at what you’re doing for her now. You’re making sacrifices. Isn’t that what parents do?”
“I guess so.”