Chapter 11 #2
Darius rubbed his forehead. He had come here to close the deal quietly, to enjoy the summer with his family, and to finally secure the last pieces he needed.
But every time he thought about the properties, he saw Linda’s warm smile from the pizza place and the easy way she had invited Isabel and Emma to the festival.
He looked out the window. Then there was this house.
There was something about it, and he’d instantly realized why the previous owner was reluctant to sell it.
It wasn’t just a house; it was a beautiful, majestic home where you could feel the family’s history in every room.
The place, even without anyone living here the whole years around before he’d bought it, had been well taken care of.
It was a home built and filled with love.
As cheesy as that sounded. It was true, and he felt it in the very fiber of his being.
Since he’d managed to acquire the place, something inside him changed.
Darius’s enthusiasm for the major project had died, and now it made him feel…
anxious and even a little sick to the stomach for some reason.
He gave a soft snort at his fanciful thoughts.
What did the locals say about Sweet Blossom Bay?
It drew lost souls home. Or something like that.
Maybe he was a lost soul. He knew his sister, Emma, and Penny were.
Each of them had suffered a big loss over the past five years, and they had barely set foot in Sweet Blossom Bay when the three of them already seemed different.
More relaxed, and the shadows haunting their eyes weren’t so prominent.
That was after not even a full day here.
He breathed and shook his head, hoping that by the end of summer, it would not be too much of a fight when he started to launch the Sweet Blossom Bay project.
Darius set the phone down and leaned back in the chair, staring out at the glittering bay.
Linda was a local. She knew everyone. She might be able to help him approach the owner of the properties he still needed without raising suspicion.
Not directly involving her, of course. Just using her knowledge of the community to make the right introductions.
It would be easier if the owner trusted someone from Sweet Blossom Bay.
The thought of using Linda, even indirectly, sat uncomfortably in his chest. He pushed it aside.
This was business. Nothing personal. The owner of the properties was refusing a meeting and not taking his calls.
Darius needed to use whatever means he could to get close to him.
Linda gave him the perfect way to do that as she was a local who knew just about everyone in the small community of Sweet Blossom Bay.
A soft knock on the door startled him out of his thoughts.
“Darius?” Isabel called as she opened the door. “Lunch is ready.”
He stood, forcing a relaxed smile. “Perfect timing. I’m starving.”
As they walked down to the dining room together, Isabel glanced at him sideways. “You look like you’re thinking too hard again.”
Darius chuckled. “Just work things. Nothing important.”
They sat down at the table where Marlene had laid out a beautiful spread consisting of fresh salads, grilled fish, warm bread, and sliced fruit. Darius helped himself and took a bite, savoring the flavors.
“You know,” Darius said, after a while, “it’s not even been a full day, and both you and Emma are already looking happier than you have in months.”
“I guess there is something about this place. It feels… soothing. Like the bay is wrapping itself around us.” Isabel smiled as she took a forkful of food.
“I know what you mean as I feel the same way.” Darius nodded slowly.
“Maybe fate brought us here for a reason. And for you, that reason’s name is Linda?” Isabel gave him a teasing smile.
Darius laughed, but his pulse gave a quick, traitorous jump at the mention of her name. He changed the subject quickly. “Why do you think fate brought you, Emma, and Penny here with me?”
“That I can’t answer,” Isabel said, a soft smile spreading across her lips. “Not yet. But I feel we are definitely here for a reason.”
“Well, here’s to finding out what fate has in store for us this summer.” Darius raised his water glass.
Isabel clinked her glass against his. “To new beginnings on our summer vacation.”
They ate in comfortable silence for a while, the bay sparkling beyond the windows.
Darius tried to focus on the food, on his sister’s improving mood, on the fact that Emma was out enjoying herself with Penny.
But his mind kept drifting back to Linda.
The way she had smiled at him on the beach, the easy warmth in her voice when she invited them to the festival, the quiet strength he had sensed in her.
He pushed the thoughts away. Darius reminded himself that he was here for the properties. For the deal. For his family’s future.
But as the sunlight danced across the water and his sister laughed softly at something Marlene said from the kitchen, Darius couldn’t quite shake the feeling that this summer was going to be far more complicated, and far more meaningful, than he had planned.