by Fiona Rivers
“Can I get you another glass of wine?”
“Ah. No thanks. I’m good.”
“How was the lobster roll?”
“Excellent and very delicious. Thank you for suggesting it.” The corners of her mouth curved upward.
“You’re welcome. Is there anything else I can get for you?”
“Just the bill, please.”
“Your meal is on the house tonight.” A warm smile erupted from him.
“Oh no. I couldn’t.” Adalyn reached in her purse and pulled out her wallet.
“It’s already been taken care of. You said you weren’t from around here so consider it a welcome to Harbor Falls meal. I want you to remember us the next time you’re in town.”
“Thank you. That’s very kind of you.”
“You have a good night and come see us again soon.” His knuckle tapped the table before he walked away.
Adalyn couldn’t help but chew the bottom of her lip as she watched him step behind the bar. Grabbing her purse, she headed out the door, climbed in her Jeep and drove to the new place that would become her home.
7
Colin Young stood behind the bar with a smile on his face as he watched Adalyn walk out of his bar and grille. The moment he saw her, he felt the need to talk to her, hence the reason why he took over for Katherine and waited on her himself. He was drawn to her in a way he hadn’t been drawn to anyone in a long time. Maybe it was her five-foot six lean stature. Or perhaps it was the way her long blonde hair flowed over her shoulders. The moment he stepped over to her table and she looked at him with her baby blue eyes, he was captivated. After she walked out, he went over to the window and watched her climb into her Jeep Wrangler. She was truly a beautiful woman and disappointment soared through him at the thought that he may never see her again.
“It seems to me you have the hots for that woman.” Katherine smiled as she nudged his shoulder.
“She’s beautiful. Isn’t she, sis?”
“She is. Now I see why you took my table. Did you get her name?”
“Adalyn Richards.”
“Nice. How about a phone number?”
“Nah.” Colin turned and headed back over to the bar. “She’s just a tourist. I’ll never see her again.”
“Who knows. Maybe she’ll come back in here before she leaves Harbor Falls.”
“One could only hope.” A sigh escaped his lips.
Colin and his twin sister were the owners of the Seaside Bar and Grille. The family business that was left to them ten years ago after their parents were killed in a boating accident. They were both twenty-four at the time and Katherine was living in New York and had just graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in Interior Design. After the accident happened, she came back to Harbor Falls and never left again. Colin, on the other hand, always knew he’d be taking over the business someday, so he went to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance. Harbor Falls was and always had been his home and the thought of ever leaving never crossed his mind.
Colin Young did more than just run the Seaside Bar and Grille. He was also the town’s handyman. Whenever any of the local residents needed something fixed, they always called on him. If you were to ask anyone about him, they would tell you he was one of the nicest people they’d ever met, and that his parents raised him well.
“Still thinking about Adalyn?” Katherine asked as she passed by the bar.
“Maybe a little.” He smiled.
Adalyn pulled into the driveway of her new home and closed her eyes for a moment, thanking God she had finally made it. It was a long drive and a long day, and she was happy to finally be home. Walking up the steps to the porch, she punched in the code to the lockbox and removed the housekeys from it and opened the door. Stepping inside, she hit the light switch in the foyer and stood there with a smile on her face. Even though the house was empty, it still felt like home. She went into the kitchen and turned on the lights. She loved how spacious it was and double the size of the penthouse kitchen. But what she loved most of all was the light and airy feel of the white cabinets, white tiled backsplash and white granite countertops with veins of light and dark gray throughout.
She stepped outside and as she was grabbing boxes from her car, a woman walked over to her.
“Hi. You must be our new neighbor. I’m Annie Fricks, from next door.”
“Nice to meet you, Annie. I’m Adalyn Richards.”
“Great to meet you. Here, let me help you.” Annie reached for a box.
“Thank you, but you don’t have to.”
“I know I don’t, but I want to. Is it just you here, or you and your husband?”
“Just me.” Adalyn gave her a small smile as they set the boxes down in the living room.
“Oh, well welcome to the neighborhood. You’re going to love it here. May I ask what you do for a living?”
Annie Fricks seemed to be the Gladys Kravitz of the neighborhood. That much Adalyn could already tell.
“I’m an art curator.”
“Fascinating. So where do you work?”
“If my wife is being too nosey, tell her it’s none of her business,” a man spoke as he walked into the house carrying a box. “I hope you don’t mind. I figured I’d help out.”
“Adalyn, this is my husband, Jerry. Jerry, meet our new neighbor, Adalyn. She’s by herself.” Adalyn heard her whisper.
“Nice to meet you, Adalyn. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
“Thanks, Jerry. Nice to meet you too.”
“Adalyn was just telling me she’s an art curator,” Annie spoke to her husband.
“No kidding. My grandmother was one of those back in the day. Judging by your accent, I can tell you’re not from around here.”
“I’m not. I just moved here from New York.”
“Ah. A New Yorker. I almost said that.” A smile crossed his lips as he pointed his finger at her.
“So where does an art curator get a job around here? Annie asked.
“I’m actually opening up an art gallery in town. Right where the secondhand store was.”
“Wow. That’s wonderful news. Harbor Falls needs its own gallery. We have to drive at least fifty miles if we want any artwork.” Annie grinned.
“Come on, Annie. Let’s go home and let Adalyn get back to getting settled in.”
“Of course.” Annie reached out and grabbed both of Adalyn’s hands. “If you need anything at all, we’re right next door.”
“Thank you. I appreciate it.” Adalyn smiled as she walked them both to the door. “Thanks again for helping with the boxes.”
“Not a problem. That’s what neighbors are for,” Jerry said.
Annie Fricks was a woman who stood five foot four with medium length curly brown hair and striking green eyes. Her husband, Jerry, stood about six feet tall with sandy blond short hair and a balding top. When they stood side by side, one could tell how well they fit together.
Grabbing the last box from her car, Adalyn pulled it into the covered parking area attached to the house, went inside and stared at the few boxes she brought. Opening the one which was labeled for the kitchen, she took out her Keurig and set it on the granite countertop. That was the one item she would desperately need come morning. After unpacking everything she’d brought, she changed into her pajamas and set up her air mattress in the bedroom. All the furniture she ordered would be delivered tomorrow morning around ten a.m. and the moving truck with the rest of her things would arrive around noon.
She climbed on her air mattress and snuggled in for the night. Never in a million years had she thought she’d be living alone, and the reality of it started to settle in. Tears filled her eyes as she gripped the sheet that covered her. Anxiety was rearing its ugly head and she felt as if she couldn’t breathe. Jumping up from the air mattress, she opened the sliding door in her bedroom and stepped out onto the balcony. Closing her eyes, she took in the smell of the saltwater air and l
istened as the waves rolled in and out. Instantly, her body began to calm, and a feeling of peace washed over her. It was at that moment, she knew she was going to be okay.
8
Adalyn woke up at six-thirty a.m. to the sun peering through the sheers that dressed her bedroom windows. After getting dressed and deflating the air mattress, she made a cup of coffee and took it outside on the deck. Thankfully, the previous owners left two Adirondack chairs behind. Sitting down, she brought her knees up while she drank her coffee and stared out at the ocean water. The sounds of the seagulls overhead and the waves crashing into the shore, was the perfect way to start the day. She wasn’t used to mornings like this. Her mornings used to consist of the hustle and bustle of people, sirens and noisy traffic. This was definitely a welcomed change.
Shortly before her furniture was to arrive, Adalyn walked around her home and visually placed where every piece was going to be set up. She had spent a fortune on new furniture, but to her it was worth it. She wanted nothing from the penthouse to remind her of her marriage. She wanted to lock those memories away in her mind and keep them there forever.
Both trucks ended up coming a bit earlier than they were supposed to. At approximately quarter past nine, the furniture movers pulled up and unloaded all the furniture room by room. At half past eleven, the moving truck pulled up and unloaded the rest of her things from New York. After unpacking, she stared at the box, which contained a seventy-inch tv, that leaned up against the fireplace in the living room and sighed.
“Knock, knock,” she heard Annie’s voice and the front door open.
“In the living room,” Adalyn shouted.
“Wow. Now this is looking like home.” She smiled as she admired Adalyn’s new furniture. I brought you a housewarming basket.”
“Annie, thank you. That was so nice.” Adalyn grinned as she took the wicker basket from her.
The basket contained homemade blueberry muffins, chocolate chip cookies, a coffee mug that had Harbor Falls written across it and a bottle of wine.
“As much as I would love to stay and chat, I’m afraid I have to run. I have a doctor’s appointment in thirty minutes,” she said as she stared at the large box against the fireplace. “Do you need your TV hung on the wall?”
“Yeah. I’m putting it above the fireplace. Problem is, I need to find someone to hang it for me. Does Jerry know how to hang a TV?”
Annie let out a laugh. “Jerry doesn’t even know how to hammer a nail in the wall. But I know someone who can put it up for you. In fact, I’ll give him a call as soon as I leave.”
“Thanks, Annie.”
“Not a problem, friend. Listen, I have to go. Are you going to be home the rest of the day?”
“I just have to run to the grocery store. Other than that, I’ll be here.”
“Great. I’m sure he’ll stop by later to help you with that TV.”
Later that day, Adalyn climbed in her jeep and headed to the grocery store. As she was in the kitchen putting her groceries away, there was a knock at the door. Opening it, surprise took over her when she saw Colin standing there holding a red toolbox in his hand.
“Colin?”
“Adalyn?” A bright smile crossed his face. “You’re Annie’s new neighbor?”
“Yeah. You’re the guy she called to help me with my TV?”
“Town handyman.” He grinned.
“Come in. Thanks for coming.”
“Wow. It looks like you’re already settled in,” he said.
“I pretty much am. Here’s the TV and here’s the wall.” She pointed above the fireplace.
“I’m just going to get my ladder from the truck.”
Adalyn stood there pleasantly surprised as the fluttering in her belly acted up again. He walked back in, set the ladder up and took out his tape measure.
“So, you’ve met Annie.” He grinned at her as he took down some measurements.
“Yeah. She’s been really nice. She brought me a housewarming basket earlier. Would you like a muffin?”
“Maybe when I’m done.” He smiled as he stared at her. “In case you haven’t noticed, Annie is the town gossip, so I’d be careful what you tell her if you don’t want the whole town to know.”
“I kind of got that impression last night.” Adalyn laughed. “So, you work in a bar and you’re the town handyman?”
“I don’t just work at the bar, I own the Seaside Bar and Grille.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“My sister Katherine and I took it over when our parents were killed in a boating accident several years ago.”
“I’m sorry, Colin. I had no idea.”
“Thanks.” A warm smile crossed his lips.
“Can I get you something to drink? I just made a pitcher of lemonade. Or I have a bottle of wine that Annie put in the housewarming basket.”
“I may just take you up on that when I’m finished.”
Adalyn finished putting the last of her groceries away while Colin worked on getting the TV hung. She couldn’t help but steal small glances at him every now and again. He was such a handsome man. Especially the way his biceps bulged as he lifted the TV and put in on the wall. After the TV was secured, he put the batteries in the remote and turned it on.
“You’re all set.”
“Thank you.” Adalyn smiled and handed him a glass of lemonade. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Colin. Let me pay you something. You already paid for my dinner last night. I am not letting you walk out of here without payment.”
Just as Adalyn said that, there was a knock at the door and then it slowly opened.
“Hello, hello.” Annie’s voice filtered in.
“That’s the second time today she’s done that,” Adalyn whispered.
“I think it’s best you keep your doors locked.” A chuckle erupted from Colin.
“Hey, Annie.” Adalyn smiled as to hide the irritation she felt.
“Hi, Adalyn. Hey there, Colin. Thank you for coming over and helping our Adalyn out. I brought you a homemade chicken pot pie.” She held up the white ceramic pie plate.
“Wow, Annie. First muffins and now chicken pot pie. I think I’m going to like living next to you.” Adalyn smirked as she took the dish from her and set it on the counter.
“I knew how busy you were today trying to get settled and you probably wouldn’t feel like cooking dinner, so I just made an extra one for you.”
“You’re too sweet. Thank you.”
“So, Colin, did Adalyn tell you she’s opening up an art gallery where Carson’s Secondhand store was?”
“No. She did not.” Colin’s brow raised as he glanced Adalyn’s way.
“Yep. So we’re going to have our very own art gallery in Harbor Falls. I’m super excited about it, and I wasted no time telling some of the girls.”
Colin stood there and stared at Adalyn as the smile never left his lips. As of last night, he believed he would never see her again, and now, she was a permanent resident of Harbor Falls. The thought delighted him and the need to get to know Adalyn Richards intensified.
“I’m sure you didn’t waste any time, Annie.” A smirk crossed Colin’s face.
Adalyn gave him a small smile as Annie announced she had to go.
“Thanks again for the chicken pot pie,” Adalyn said as she walked Annie to the door.
“You’re welcome. Maybe Colin would like some,” Annie whispered in her ear.
Adalyn let out a sigh as she shut the door and walked back to the living room.
“You can believe you’re the talk of Harbor Falls at this very moment,” Colin chuckled.
“All good I hope.”
“Annie seems to like you already so I’m sure it’s all good. If I happen to hear anything bad, I’ll let you know.”
“Thanks.” She laughed.
“I better get going.” Colin headed towards the door.
Adalyn bit down on her bottom lip before
speaking, “Why don’t you stay for some chicken pot pie? As a thank you for helping with my TV.”
Colin turned and looked at her; his eyes danced at the invitation.
“Sure. I’d like that.” The corners of his mouth curved upward.
“Great. Have a seat and I’ll get it ready.”
“Let me help. Where are the plates?” Colin asked as he was eager to help.
Adalyn turned to him and let out a laugh. The kind of laugh Colin found incredibly cute.
“I don’t remember which cabinet I put them in.”
“Found them.” Colin grinned.
Adalyn took the chicken pot pie and set it on a hot pad in the middle of the table. Grabbing some silverware, she laid them down next to the plates Colin set. Cutting into the pot pie, steam emerged from it as she carefully took a piece and put it on his plate, and then placed a piece on hers.
“Wow.” Adalyn’s eyes widened. “This is delicious.”
“Annie Fricks is known for her cooking and baking around here. She may be the town gossip, but she sure is a great cook,” Colin said.
9
“So, what made you decide to open up an art gallery?” Colin asked, thinking he would take this time over dinner to try and get to know Adalyn better.
“Well,” Adalyn spoke, “back in New York, I worked as an art curator in a museum. Art has always been a passion of mine from the time I was a child. My parents were huge art collectors and every Saturday morning, my mom would take me and my sister to different art galleries. She was always on the hunt for something new. I’ve known ever since I could remember that I always wanted to open up my very own art gallery.”
Colin sat there mesmerized by her and carefully listened to every word she spoke. Not only was she beautiful on the outside, he also saw the beauty in her soul.
“What made you move from the big city to this small town?”
Adalyn stared into the blue eyes looking back at her and hesitated to answer his question. It didn’t seem appropriate to tell him about her life back in New York. She was guarded and trust no longer came easily as it once did.
