Chapter 3
CHAPTER 3
H annah
Excitement flowed through me. Could I do it? I believed I could. Walking back to Adalyn’s gallery, I stepped through the door.
“You’re back.” Adalyn smiled. “Sorry about earlier.”
“That’s okay. You’re a busy woman.” I hugged her. “I’m cooking dinner tonight. Luis, you and Alfred are invited.”
“Thank you, darling. We’ll be there.” Luis grinned.
“Why are you cooking?” Adalyn asked.
“Why not?” I shrugged. “I want to do something special since I’m staying with you.”
Adalyn stood, narrowing her eyes at me.
“What is really going on, sis?” she asked. “This morning, you were depressed and told me you weren’t leaving the house when I suggested you find something to do.”
“That was then. This is now. I took your advice, ventured out, and did a lot of thinking about things. I’ll tell you more over dinner. Make sure Colin is home.” I smiled and walked out of the gallery.
After stopping at the market, I went home, put the groceries away, sat on the deck, and started writing my business plan. It needed to be perfect to obtain a business loan from the bank. Glancing at my watch, it was time to start dinner. Fettucine alfredo, tossed salad, fresh bread from the market, and homemade pineapple upside-down cake would complete tonight’s meal.
It was six o’clock when the door opened, and Colin walked in.
“Hey, you.” He smiled, walked over, and kissed my cheek. “Adalyn said you were cooking tonight. It smells great.”
“Thanks, Colin. It’s the least I could do.”
“You’re making my favorite.” Adalyn grinned when she walked into the kitchen. “It smells good in here.”
“Thanks, sis.”
“Is that a pineapple upside-down cake?”
“Yep. I know how much you love it.” I smiled.
“I’m sorry, Hannah, but what the hell has gotten into you? You are a totally different person today.”
“Like I said, I’ll tell you everything over dinner. Where are Luis and Alfred? Dinner is ready.”
“We’re here, darling.” Luis walked over and kissed my cheek.
“Hi, Hannah.” Alfred smiled. “It’s good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too, Alfred. Everyone sit down. Dinner is ready.”
Adalyn grabbed the salad and set it on the table with the bread as I placed the bowl of fettuccine in the center.
“This looks wonderful,” Luis grinned.
“It sure does.” Colin smiled. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a homecooked meal.”
Adalyn reached over and smacked his arm. “Really?” She cocked her head.
“No offense, sweetheart. I know you’ve been really busy.” He leaned over and kissed her.
“Well, sis. Spit it out. What is going on with you?” Adalyn asked.
“I will admit you seem to be on cloud nine today,” Luis said.
“I quit my job in New York.”
“What?” Adalyn’s brows furrowed. “Why?”
The sliding door opened, and Annie and Jerry stepped in with Noah.
“Oh, you’re in the middle of dinner,” she said.
“Give me that beautiful baby.” Luis smiled, stood up, and took him from her.
“Everything you’ll need is in the diaper bag,” Annie said, setting it on the island. “Thank you for babysitting Noah while we have a date night.”
“You’re welcome.” Adalyn smiled. “You two have fun, and don’t worry about Noah.”
“Yeah. He’s in good hands with us.” Colin smiled.
Annie and Jerry kissed Noah goodbye and walked out the sliding door.
“I can take him, Luis,” Adalyn said.
“You shush. I’m not ready to give him up.” He picked up his fork and ate while Noah slept in his arms.
“Again, why did you quit your job?” Adalyn asked.
“Because Leon is an asshole. He called me earlier today, started his shit, and I snapped. I told him I quit and to shove his designs up his narcissistic, arrogant ass.” I smiled.
“Oh, good girl.” Alfred grinned. “I never did like that man.”
“What will you do when you return to New York?” Colin asked.
“Well, after spending some time in the park today, I was walking down the street and saw this empty shop on the corner of Magnolia and Main.”
“That used to be a flower shop,” Colin said.
“That’s what Gloria told me.”
“You spoke to Gloria?” Adalyn’s brows furrowed.
“I did, and I’ve decided to move to Harbor Falls and open a flower shop.” A grin crossed my lips.
“What? Are you serious?” Adalyn’s voice beamed with excitement.
“I’m very serious, sis.”
“Oh, my God!” Luis exclaimed. “You’ll love it here. Won’t she, Alfred?” He glanced at him.
“That’s great news, Hannah. And yes, you will love living in Harbor Falls.”
“I’m so confused right now,” Adalyn spoke. “You’re opening a flower shop?”
“Yep.” I popped my lips.
“Do you know anything about flowers?” Colin asked.
“Yes, she does,” Adalyn replied. “She can make a flower arrangement like nobody’s business. I can’t believe this.” She placed her hand over her mouth. “You’re moving here.” Tears filled her eyes as she stood up, walked over to where I sat, and wrapped her arms around me. “I’m so happy.”
“Me too.” I smiled. “I wrote out my business plan earlier. Now, I need to go to the bank and pray they’ll give me a business loan.”
“They will,” Colin said. “Harbor Falls needs a flower shop. Make sure you talk to Phil at the bank. He’s the senior loan officer.”
“Thanks, Colin. I will.”
“Fashion designer turned floral designer. I’m so excited.” Luis beamed with excitement.
“Congratulations, darling. Let me know if you want me to review your business plan.” Alfred smiled.
“That would be great, Alfred. We can look it over after dinner.”
After we ate and each had a slice of cake, I sat at the table with Alfred while he reviewed my business plan.
“This is really good, Hannah. I don’t think you’ll have any problem getting the loan,” he said.
“Where are you going to live?” Adalyn asked, pouring me another glass of wine. “You’re more than welcome to live with us. Right, Colin?”
“Of course. Our home is your home.” A smile crossed his face.
“I appreciate that, but I’ll be getting my own place. Once I get the loan for the shop, I’ll have Gloria show me some houses if I can afford them.”
“Mom is going to flip out,” Adalyn said. “When are you telling her?”
“I don’t know,” I said, chewing my bottom lip.
Luis and Alfred left, and Colin took Noah into the living room. Turning on the TV, he sat on the couch with him in his arms.
“He’s going to make a wonderful dad someday.” I smiled.
“Yeah, he is.” Adalyn hooked her arm around me. “I still can’t believe you’re giving up fashion design. It’s always been your dream.”
“Things change. Dreams change. Instead of clothing, I’ll be designing floral arrangements.” I smiled.
“There’s one thing I’m worried about,” Adalyn said.
“What’s that?”
“You’re a city girl. Life in a small town is completely different.”
“I know, and it’s time this city girl settles down. I really got to thinking about my life and things after what Matthew did to me. It’s time for a change, and if anyone can understand that, it’s you.”
“I know.” Adalyn grinned. “I just hope you don’t get bored here.”
“I won’t. I already have friends here and have a new shop to focus on. Besides, when I’m here, I feel a sense of peace I’m not sure I’ve ever felt before.”
Adalyn tightened her grip around me. “I know. It’s an amazing feeling.”
“Do me a favor and don’t mention this to Annie yet. I don’t want the entire town knowing before I even get the loan.”
“Trust me. I won’t.” She laughed.
The three of us were in the living room, talking, when the sliding door opened, and Annie and Jerry walked in.
“How was date night?” Adalyn smiled.
“It was great, but oh my God, did you hear?” Annie asked.
“Hear what?” Colin’s brows furrowed.
“Caitlin Harbor passed away tonight.”
“Who?” I asked.
“Caitlin Harbor. Her husband’s great-grandfather was the founder of Harbor Falls.”
“Katherine renovated her estate a couple of years ago after Mrs. Harbor became ill,” Colin said.
“I wonder if her son will be at the funeral,” Annie said.
“I hope he is. It’ll be good to see him again,” Colin smiled. “It’s been a long time.”
“I didn’t know she had a son.” Adalyn’s face twisted.
“Colin will fill you in. We need to get this sleepy boy home to bed.” Annie smiled as she lightly kissed Noah’s head. “Thanks again for babysitting him. I hope he wasn’t any trouble.”
“He was a perfect angel.” A smile crossed Adalyn’s lips.