Chapter 5
LUKE
Every step I take makes pain throb through my hip, but when the sweat catches the breeze off the ocean, it makes it all feel better. That January chill is nothing that'll stop my runs. My feet pound the sand in rhythm, moving closer toward the pier and the end of my route.
As I approach, I see a few cars parked at the entrance and know the businesses are starting to open.
I'm set to meet with Tom Whitaker from Bandon Construction Pros in a bit, but they're early.
I see the large black truck with a bright white logo and realize I'm doing this soaked in sweat, not fresh out of a shower the way I thought.
Mr. Whitaker is standing outside the office as I mount the stairs with my limp and nod at him. He grimaces and shrugs as he says, "Sorry, I'm a bit early. I wanted to get a jump on my day. I have a lot to get done."
"Yeah," I tell him, passing him to unlock the office, which I've been keeping more secure since I've started doing things around here. Never made much sense to me why Dad would leave things unlocked all the time. "Just let me grab my phone."
Mr. Whitaker waits on the pier while I step into the office and rush to the bathroom, using a wad of brown paper towels to mop my forehead.
Then I grab my phone from the desk drawer and snag a sock hat, jamming it on my head.
Running with a hat on is gross, but sweating in this January ocean chill while walking in the breeze will get too cold.
When I pop back out, he's ready to go, already gesturing toward the second pier, where I know we need the most work.
"Looks like some moorings are loose over there. Let's start there." I nod and follow him out across pier one to pier two.
When I saw one of the boats free floating the other day, I figured the mooring had rotted away or something.
Plus, with the dip near one of the pillars, it makes for uneven footing.
If all I need are a few boards, it'll be expensive.
Much more than that and it'll end up shutting us down while we get repairs going. But it has to be safe.
"I really appreciate your coming around to help out," I tell him, falling into step. "Dad should've taken care of this a long time ago and he just procrastinated, I think."
Mr. Whitaker grumbles something I can't hear as we turn down pier two. "Yes, well I've been sending those notices for a while now. I assumed he's got the point, but he's lucky the city inspectors haven't shown up. I'm just doing my job being friendly. I'll have to be harder on him from now on."
I grimace and sigh as we stop next to the first mooring, completely rotted away. "Actually, I'm in charge now. Dad passed on last week." It isn't easy, but for those who haven't heard yet, someone has to tell them.
Tom looks up at me with shock and then his face settles. "I'm sorry to hear that, son." He nods and pinches the bridge of his nose. "My apologies. Your father was stubborn and you're right, he did procrastinate. But he was a good man. He'll be sorely missed."
I point out the bad mooring and change the subject, and he stoops to inspect a few things, making notes on his phone.
When he crouches, I attempt to crouch next to him, but the stiff rod in my leg reminds me I can't do the things I used to do the way I used to do them.
Muscles stretch and my bones ache, but I manage to squat down next to him and poke around a bit.
For twenty minutes we go over one by one the things he's already pointed out to my father, and when we're on the way down to look underneath the pier, we bump into someone else nosing around.
I see her before she sees me, and the tension that coils in my chest when I'm about to get really upset starts low but spreads fast.
"Ms. Hannah Brooks," she announces, turning to thrust her hand at Mr. Whitaker.
She has her own inspector too—with a bright orange vest and a hard plastic hat on her head.
"This is Mrs. Pauline Reyes, our city’s safety inspector.
" Hannah's smile is bright but not warm.
She's either tense because of me or she's nervous.
Maybe a bit of both. Anything that affects this marina will affect her business.
She's right to be nervous if she’s dragging city inspectors down here.
"What are you doing here?" I ask, not so casually.
I heard about her little stunt at town hall and how the big, fancy investor came to her rescue.
Hattie is as much a gossip hound as she is a friend.
Hannah went behind my back to try to force her festival through the town council, but what she doesn't realize is my answer will be no, no matter what.
She flicks a glance at me and clears her throat. "Mr. Maddox," she says calmly, "we're here to do a few checks on the property for city safety reasons."
As she turns to gesture toward where the pier pylons are sinking, I notice her name tag with the words City Council Member emblazoned on it. So she's here in her official capacity and she probably thinks she can bully me into doing what she wants. Well, she's wrong.
"There were some reports of unsafe conditions. We're just here to check on it." She turns to Mrs. Reyes and smiles. "Would you like to take Mr. …?"
"Tom Whitaker, thank you," Tom says, extending his hand to Mrs. Reyes.
"Mr. Whitaker down there to do some inspections? I can speak with Mr. Maddox for a moment." Hannah oozes charm and cordiality, but I can see the emotion bubbling under her professional surface. This is just a manipulation tactic. She really thinks she's going to win this.
"Of course. Mr. Whitaker, show me what we're looking at.
" The two of them walk off under the pier and Hannah waits until they're out of earshot before she turns back to me, but I must look like I have steam coming from my ears.
I'm livid. I can take care of my own issues.
I don't need the city looking into things.
Tom's presence here clearly indicates that I’m already doing my job.
"Look, Luke, take a deep breath." Hannah holds her hands up trying to calm me, but I'm too upset.
"What are you doing!" I hiss, careful not to be too loud. "I don't want city inspectors down here. I have my own guy and he's doing a fine job by himself." I don't even need this hat to keep me warm. I am steaming mad without it.
"Okay, I know, but I didn't do this… Alright? The mayor approved the festival and insisted we make sure things are safe and—"
"A festival I said no to already," I say, cutting her off. "You went behind my back after I already told you no."
She presses her fingertips to her temple and for a brief second I see remorse cross her face.
Nick would hate that I'm talking to her like this.
He was always so protective over her. I just can't let her bullrush over my father's land.
He didn't approve of this to my knowledge, and it doesn't matter how charismatic or driven she is—or how gorgeous—she has to do this the right way.
"I wasn't trying to upset you, Luke. I really did talk to Frank and—"
"Hannah!" Mrs. Reyes calls, and it jerks Hannah's attention away from me. The glint of fear in her eyes is enough to convince me she realizes how bad this could be for both of us. If the marina gets shut down, she's out of a job until I fix this.
Of course, I will fix this. But I won't be taking any of the money her pretty boy rich benefactor offers. This land stays mine, no one else's.
"One second!" Hannah calls, turning back to me. "Luke, please, just consider it. I know you hate the idea, but Nick would want you to help out."
She looks like she wants to reach for my hand and touch it, but she turns and walks away. I have no choice but to limp off after her, stiff from not stretching and in enough pain already this morning that I could take some painkillers.
I'm not doing that festival at all, but I am starting to understand her drive. Everything she's doing is because of Nick somehow, and she's carrying a burden I put on her shoulders. It makes guilt roil around in my belly until I feel angry at myself instead of her.
One of these days, I'll move on, but for now I just have to take one step at a time and pray I make the right choices. For me, for Nick, for my father, and for this property.