Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
A lex
After Lucy went to bed, I grabbed the bottle of scotch and took it down to the beach. Sitting in the sand, I brought my knees up to my chest and stared out at the water where the moon's light cast its shadow. I thought about Athena, and the memories of that day flooded my mind as if they had just happened. I brought the bottle to my lips and drank as tears streamed down my face.
“I’m so sorry I failed you, Athena.”
After a while and half a bottle of scotch later, I stumbled back to the house. Before stepping inside, I stared at the guesthouse momentarily and then went to bed.
“Dad, why are you still sleeping?” I heard Lucy’s voice in the distance. “Dad. Dad.”
Opening my eyes, she stood over me.
“What is wrong with you? We have to leave in ten minutes.”
“Shit.” I moaned. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.
After she left my room, I threw back the covers, planted my feet on the floor, and ran my hands down my face. There was no time to take a shower, so I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. As we walked out of the house and to the car, Hannah walked to hers.
“Morning,” I said.
“Morning,” she mumbled without looking at me.
“Someone seems like she’s in a mood today,” Lucy said.
“Be quiet,” I sighed.
When I arrived home, the crew had just pulled up.
“Morning, Mr. Harbor.”
“Morning, Greg. I’m going to take a quick shower and do some work in the cottage.”
“Okay. We’ll get started on the bedroom.”
After showering, I made a cup of coffee, grabbed my laptop, and took it to the cottage for a Zoom call with Owen.
“How does it feel to be back in Harbor Falls?” Owen asked, smiling.
“It’s good. Let’s get to business, shall we?”
After our meeting ended, my phone rang, and Ralph called.
“Hello, Ralph.”
“Hello, Alex. I’m in your driveway. Mind if I come in? I have some things to discuss with you.”
“I’m in the cottage. Come on back.”
A few seconds later, the cottage door opened, and Ralph stepped in.
“New office?” A smirk crossed his lips.
“Temporarily. The crew is here working on the primary bedroom.”
“Steven Winters is retiring and moving to Maine.”
“Why? Why Maine?”
“His two sons own a lobster trapping business, and it’s not doing well. So, Steven decided it was time for him to retire and go and help them. Being a Harbor and the owner of this town, you need to appoint someone to take over the day-to-day business. My thought is you can step in and do it. You’d have the office space, and since you’re planning on building Athena Harbor, I think your stepping into the position would benefit both towns. Besides, I don’t think anyone else is qualified. Your mother specifically appointed Steven because he was the only one she trusted when she couldn’t do the job herself anymore.”
“I have my business back in Chicago, Ralph.”
“There’s no reason you can’t do both. Hire more staff here.”
“Let me think about it.”
“Think fast. Steven is leaving in two weeks.”
After Ralph left, I drove to the town’s offices. It was a three-story building right across the street from Hannah’s flower shop. Stepping inside the building, I went up to Steven’s office. I hadn’t been in here since I left Harbor Falls all those years ago.
“Hi, Mr. Harbor.” Layla, Steven’s secretary, smiled.
“Hi, Layla. Is he in there?”
“He is. Go on in.”
I opened the door, and Steven looked up from his computer.
“Alex.” He smiled. “I haven’t seen you since the funeral. How are you?”
“I’m good, Steven.” We shook hands.
“I’m assuming Ralph told you?”
“He did. Maine, eh?” I smirked.
“My boys need me, and Georgette is ready to go.”
I tucked my hands inside my pants pockets and walked to the large window facing the flower shop, where workers were coming and going.
“You know, Alex. This position is your birthright,” Steven said, walking over to the window and standing beside me. “I think it’s great a flower shop is coming back to Harbor Falls.”
“Yeah. It is. And you’re right. This is my birthright. Athena and I would always come into this office with my father. We’d fight over who got to sit in his chair.”
“I remember.” He smiled, placing his hand on my shoulder.
“Athena and I were supposed to take over when my parents retired. Then my dad passed, and Athena?—”
“It was a horrible tragedy and accident, Alex. I hope you understand that nobody in this town blames you for what happened.”
“Not everybody, Steven.”
“Losing a child affects a parent in ways we could never imagine. Your mother was angry at the world.”
“You weren’t there. You didn’t live with her for a year after it happened.” I saw Hannah walk into the shop, holding a cup holder with coffee.
“I heard you want to build on that land outside of town,” he said.
“I don’t want to. I am building on that land. All the paperwork has been filed with the state, and the planning commission is on board. I’m just waiting for the final approval from the state and the development plans from the architect company I hired.”
“Athena Harbor?”
“Yeah.” I smiled.
“Your sister would be very proud of you.”
“It was her dream. Anyway, I don’t want you to worry.” I placed my hand on his shoulder. “I will take my rightful place here. We need to make sure the transition goes smoothly.”
“Thank you, Alex. I feel like a weight has been lifted. You know how much I love this town, and honestly, I wouldn’t trust anyone but you.”
“Thanks, Steven.”
I left his office and removed three pink hydrangeas from the landscaped bushes around the building. Walking across to the flower shop, I stepped inside.
“Alex, what are you doing here?”
“I came to give you these.” I handed Hannah the hydrangeas.
“Did you get these from the bushes across the street?” Her brow arched.
“I did. It’s the only place to get flowers around this town.” I smirked.
She laughed as she brought them up to her nose. “They’re beautiful. Thank you.”
“Listen, Hannah. I know things have been tense with us the past few days. Have dinner with me tonight.”
“What about Lucy?”
“Mara is back, and she’ll be over later to keep an eye on her.”
“Okay. Let me cook for you. Be at my place at six-thirty.”
“I don’t know.” I slowly shook my head. “It’s kind of a far walk.”
“You’re a jerk.” She laughed, playfully smacking me.
“I can be. I’m sorry. I’ll see you at six-thirty.” I kissed her forehead. “I’m headed over to Annie’s shop. What can I bring?”
“Any dessert you want.” A bright smile crossed her lips.
“This place is looking great.”
“Thanks. The flower coolers are being delivered today. The shop should be ready to open in less than two weeks.”
“What about the sign?” I asked.
“It’s on its way.” She grinned.
“Good. I can’t wait to see it. I’ll see you later.”
“Bye, Alex.”
I winked before leaving her shop.