Hope Harbor

by Jill Sanders

  Climbing the stairs after stuffing her face with Kathrine’s chicken cacciatore and a large slice of chocolate cake topped with salted caramel ice cream, she doubted it would take her long to fall asleep. However, as she lay in bed, looking up at the ceiling, her mind replayed the kiss with Dylan.

  Giving up less than half an hour later, she rolled over and picked up her phone. Seeing the late hour, she texted him instead of calling.

  -How’s Palmer doing?

  Tossing the phone down, she reached for the remote to watch an old movie. That always knocked her out quickly. She’d just found the right channel when her phone chimed.

  -Fever is down to 99 and she’s finally stopped puking all over my clean clothes and fell asleep. Sorry about taking off so quickly.

  She smiled down at her screen and sighed.

  -Good news Palmer’s fever is down. Sorry about the laundry. I understand about the kiss-and-run.

  He sent a laughing emoji followed by a kissing one.

  -Hoping to do it again. The kissing part, not the running.

  She sighed and relaxed back against the pillow and wished she had called him instead so she could hear his sexy voice.

  -Ditto

  -How’d it go with your family? I overheard them talking about going through your grandfather’s things tonight.

  -It went as expected.

  -So, who’d you kill?

  -LOL. No one yet, but the day’s not over. I had to listen to grown men arguing over a clock.

  -When Kendra died, her parents took everything of hers and even tried to claim I was an unfit father and get full custody of Palmer.

  -Seriously?

  -The kicker was, Palmer was still in the hospital at the time. They didn’t visit her once in the three months she was stuck in the NICU.

  -Wow, sounds like they belong in my family. Is that why you moved to the island?

  -That, and my father was here, offering help. Besides, I didn’t want to raise my daughter in the city.

  -I can’t imagine growing up anywhere else. It’s a perfect place. Where did you grow up?

  It took him a while to respond this time, and she found herself holding her breath, waiting for his text.

  -Sorry, Palmer woke and started round five of spraying me. I need to go shower and clean up. Talk later?

  -Yes, make sure she has plenty of fluids. Dehydration is bad.

  -Will do. TTYL

  Setting her phone down, she realized that her eyes felt heavy. Just chatting with him had settled her mind from her own worries. She hated the thought of the little girl not feeling well and decided to get her something and drop it off after she had the meeting with the bank manager in the morning.

  It felt as if she’d just drifted off when something woke her. A soft sound from inside her room. As with before, it took her a few moments to remember where she was. She strained to hear what had caused her to wake, but whatever it had been was gone now.

  Her eyes were finally adjusting to the darkness when she realized the outline of someone standing over her wasn’t just in her head. She blinked a few times to confirm the shadow standing over her.

  Then the shadow moved towards her and she screamed.

  Fifteen minutes later, she stood in the lobby, her thick robe wrapped around her still-shaking body as she once again apologized to the middle-aged gentleman.

  “Mr. Strommen, again, I’m very sorry for the mix-up.” She tried to hold her temper aimed at Patrick for double-booking the room. Her room. The one he had blocked out, supposedly, for the entire week but had given to the man who had woken and scared her when he’d come into her room in the dark. Why hadn’t the guy turned on a light? That was the first thing she always did when entering a hotel room. Didn’t normal people do that?

  “I understand these things happen, but in the twenty years I’ve been coming to Candlewood Inn, they have never happened to me. You could have scared me to death,” he added, his eyes narrowing on her as if her screaming about a dark figure hovering over her while she slept was somehow her fault.

  The man appeared in good enough health. Actually, he looked even more fit than most of the men in her family, including Steve and Logan.

  “I assure you that this will never happen again.” She turned to Patrick. “Patrick, would you kindly book Mr. Strommen in the Sunset Suite?” She turned to the older man. “I will upgrade your room, at no additional charge, of course.”

  “I would greatly appreciate having the room I booked. I normally stay in it. Your grandfather never had an issue with me staying there before.”

  “I understand, however, with the late hour, getting someone up there to clean it and move my things… It’s just not feasible. Besides, I think you’ll be very comfortable with the upgrade.”

  The man appeared as if he wanted to argue, but then he shut his mouth and nodded.

  By the time she fell face-first back into bed, there was less than two hours before she was supposed to be up to get ready for her meeting with the bank manager.

  When she parked her car in the bank’s parking lot, there was no hiding the lack of sleep she’d gotten that night.

  In a folder, she had everything the woman had asked her to bring, thanks to Jon Barber, who had made sure she had all the legal paperwork she would need for a smooth transition.

  Copies of her grandfather’s will and his Interim Certificate of the Fact of Death were tucked inside the folder. She had yet to get an official death certificate or even his autopsy report, if there was going to be one. Jon confirmed that she had everything the bank and insurance company would need to move forward.

  Her grandfather’s body had yet to be released from the coroner’s office, due to her family’s indecision on what should be done with him. Since her grandfather hadn’t said in his will if he wanted to be buried or cremated, it was one more thing her family chose to argue over. This held up any services they could have for him. In her mind, the delay held up everyone’s healing and their ability to move on.

  She had set the appointment with the bank manager, a Mrs. McNair, over the phone. But when Eve stepped into the bank and caught a glimpse of the woman, her steps faltered.

  There had only been one other person in Eve’s life who had tortured her as much as her own family.

  Judy St. James. Now, obviously, Judy McNair from the name tag the woman was wearing.

  Judy hadn’t changed much. She was still very round and sporting a huge chip on her shoulder. Her once-long blond hair was cut at angles just above her shoulders. She dressed like a woman twice their age, in a flowing flower top with a long cream skirt that covered her very thick ankles. Her wide feet were tucked too tightly into very practical black shoes with no heel to speak of.

  “Judy.” Eve tried to add a little happiness to her voice at seeing her old school friend. “I didn’t know you were the manager here. How wonderful.”

  Judy’s smile was one that was etched in Eve’s memory. The half snarl had filled Eve’s childhood nightmares.

  “I am,” she said and waved Eve back towards the office. Eve had been to the bank more times than she could remember. It was where she’d first deposited the pennies she’d saved babysitting. Where she’d gotten a loan for her first car and paid said loan off with her hard-earned money before moving away to college.

  Following Judy in, she sat down and waited for her to start. This was her show, and Eve knew that if she wanted to accomplish what she came there for, she would have to let Judy take the reins completely.

  “We’re all so sorry to hear about Reggie’s passing. He was a valued member of our bank and community.”

  “Thank you,” Eve started.

  “With that said,” Judy interrupted, “I’m afraid I can’t give you what you want.”

  Eve took a cleansing breath, then another before she asked. “Why not?”

  “I’ve been contacted by your family. They claim they have filed an injunction…”

  “Which has yet to be offic
iated. I think you’ll find all my documents to be legal.” She leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. “I’d hate to bring Jon Barber in just to have him verify everything.”

  Judy shifted and crossed her arms over her ample chest. “Be that as it may…” Eve noticed the woman hadn’t even looked at Eve’s papers. “I’ve been requested by members of—”

  Eve stood suddenly. “My family has no legal standing. If you can’t do the job you are legally required to do”—she reached for the papers— “I’ll find someone who can.” She turned to go.

  She stopped when Judy said, “You were always a persistent bitch.”

  Eve turned back around, slowly. She raised her eyebrows. Moving slowly, she tucked the folder under her arm as she leaned on the woman’s desk, her palms spread wide as she looked directly into her eyes. “What did I ever do to you? I was never anything but nice, or tried to be, to you.”

  Judy laughed. “Oh, you didn’t have to do anything. We all knew what you thought. How you believed you were better than all of us in the class.”

  “I never did or said anything of the kind.” Eve shook her head.

  “You didn’t have to.” Judy sneered. “It was obvious. The spoiled girl who lived at the inn always got what she wanted. Well, you won’t get this. Your family is seeing to it now.” Judy remained where she was as Eve turned around.

  Seeing the plaque hanging to the left of Judy’s door, she smiled and, instead of leaving, pulled out her cell phone and dialed the number for the district manager that was under the photo while Judy watched in shock.

  “Yes, Mr. Collins?” Eve asked sweetly. “Yes, I’m here at the Orcas branch in Mrs. St. James’s office. It appears your employee is unable to comply with legal procedures.” She went on to quickly explain the situation and, before she was done, Judy’s phone was ringing. Eve watched as Judy’s face paled as she listened to the person on her phone. “Thank you, Mr. Collins. You have been very helpful,” she added before hanging up.

  Less than a minute later, Judy slammed her phone down and stood up. “Bitch,” she growled out as she jerked the folder from Eve’s hand.

  “Thank you,” Eve said sweetly.

  When she left the bank, half an hour later, she was on an emotional high.

  Maybe it was finally knowing the amount in all her grandfather’s accounts, knowing that she had enough to start some of the repairs on Dylan’s list, if she could keep her family from dragging the inn down any further. Or maybe it was that she’d won the battle with Judy. Either way, she stopped at the small local grocery store to stock up on supplies and picked up a small black plush orca for Palmer. Armed with the doll and a bottle of Pedialyte, she made her way towards Dylan’s house.

  Parking next to his truck, she took in all the changes he’d made to the log house. A new deck wrapped around the place, which had a fresh coat of lacquer on all the thick wood beams. There was a new brown metal roof and a newly built shed in the backyard, which also held a two-story playhouse complete with a long, twisting slide and swings.

  When she knocked on the door, a dog barked, causing her to jump. She liked animals, really, but she hadn’t been expecting one.

  When Dylan opened the door, shirtless, holding a large husky by the collar, she could tell she’d caught him off guard. His hair was sticking up every which way, as if he’d been running his hands through it.

  “Hi.” She held up the Pedialyte and the stuffed toy. “I come in peace.” She smiled.

  “Cooper, sit,” Dylan demanded. “My dad’s dog.” He motioned to the dog who had immediately obeyed. “Dad claims it was the dog’s idea to watch over Palmer.” He glanced down at the dog. “He’s only six months old. He won’t hurt a fly.”

  She laughed. “He certainly sounded like a ferocious guard dog earlier,” she said, tentatively reaching out her hand for the dog to smell.

  “He’s protective, but once he gets to know you…” The dog proved Dylan’s point by licking her hand and rolling over to expose his belly for rubs. “See, he’s a softy.” He laughed.

  “I see you haven’t done laundry yet,” she said from her spot where she crouched down to give the dog the attention he wanted.

  “What?” Dylan blinked and then looked down at himself. “Oh, right.” He sighed and glanced around, taking a flannel shirt from a peg by the front door.

  “Don’t cover up on my account,” she said with a smile, causing him to chuckle. Standing, she asked, “How’s Palmer?”

  Dylan sighed again. “Sleeping, finally.”

  “I woke you,” she realized suddenly, taking in his messy hair, the dark circles under his eyes, and the sweatpants he was wearing.

  “It’s okay.” He waved her inside the house. Stepping past the entryway, she glanced around. She’d been in the house before during sleepovers with Holly. But he’d changed a lot. New floors, paint on the walls, modern furniture, and family pictures and colorful paintings strewed all over the coffee table. There were huge pillows on the worn leather sofa in the living room, where a ball game played silently on the television set. She could tell instantly that he’d slept on the sofa to be closer to his daughter’s room, which she could see was Holly’s old room, since the door was propped open.

  She got a quick glimpse of soft pink colors and toys when she passed by. More drawings hung on the fridge. The countertops were full of dishes left over from last night’s debacle. She could hear the washer and dryer working from the rear of the house and guessed that he’d at least thrown some clothes in the wash.

  Looking around, she was suddenly struck with the fact that here was the home she’d never had growing up. The home she’d dreamed of her entire childhood. Warm, safe, filled with love and laughter.

  Maybe it was the lack of sleep or the roller coaster of heightened emotions she was coming down from, but her eyes filled. She let out a soft gasp as first one tear slid down her cheek, then another. Without a word, she turned away from Dylan and quickly darted for the door, needing to escape.

  9

  What the hell

  Seeing the tears pool in Eve’s eyes as she stepped into his messy living room woke him up quickly. Hell, seeing her standing on the other side of his door had made body parts come alive. It was his brain that jumped into gear when she darted out of the house.

  It took less than two seconds for him to rush after her.

  “Hey.” He took her shoulders just as she made it out his front door. “I swear, normally the place isn’t that messy.”

  She closed her eyes and surprised him by laughing as she wiped tears from her face. “Sorry, it’s just…” She took a deep breath. “I’ve had a very long week.”

  He quickly thought over everything she’d gone through since Reggie’s death and nodded. “If you give me a minute, I can hide most of the destruction.”

  She smiled and shook her head. “It’s not that.” She glanced over his shoulder. “There’s love in there.” She glanced around. “In here.” She touched his chest as her smile faltered. “Palmer’s very lucky.”

  He couldn’t help it, his smile grew. “I’m the lucky one.”

  She nodded as another tear slid slowly down her cheek. Reaching up, he gently brushed it aside with his thumb. “I normally don’t make women cry.” Then he noticed the dark circles under her eyes, the dullness in the caramel colors, and took a good look at her. Even though she was neatly dressed in dark slacks, a crisp blouse, and a dark blazer, with her hair neatly pulled to one side with a small clip, he could tell she was a mess inside.

  “Come on, I’ll make us some coffee. We can sit on the back patio and talk so you don’t have to see the mess.” He took her hand and she followed him through the house, stopping to set the stuffed animal on the table next to the Pedialyte.

  He’d been too worried about Palmer’s fever to remember to give her some. Until Eve had mentioned it.

  It was another reason he’d missed having someone to watch his back. His dad could only do so much and when his brain
was fuzzy from lack of sleep, his dad skills sometimes slacked.

  “Here.” He opened the sliding door to the patio and motioned to the table and chairs. “Wait here, I’ll be quick.” He disappeared back into the kitchen.

  The place was a mess. He’d been too busy with Palmer yesterday and last night to care about cleaning up after himself. He quickly shoved all the dirty dishes in the dishwasher and started it as the coffee brewed.

  He pulled out a box of crackers, set a chunk of cheese on a plate, then threw a clump of grapes next to it and carefully carried everything outside.

  “I didn’t have breakfast,” he admitted as he set it all down.

  “Thanks.” She smiled up at him when he handed her the cup.

  “There’s cream…” He motioned and watched her pour a good drop into her mug before handing it to him. He did the same.

  “Want to tell me what has you so upset?” he asked after a moment of silence.

  She sighed and looked out over the yard. The front of the house faced a small field and the road. Behind the house was a larger field that overlooked the channel.

  “Is that yours?” she asked, pointing at the sailboat bobbing in the water at their private dock. He smiled.

  “Yeah, that’s Second Chances. My dad gave me his old boat when he got a new one.” He shrugged.

  “Do you take it out often?” Eve asked.

  “Not as often as I’d like,” he admitted. “I’m teaching Palmer to sail.” He smiled. “She’s a natural.”

  Eve was quiet for a moment. “The bank has given me access to the inn’s accounts.” She turned slightly to look at him. “If you’re available, I think we can start knocking off all those highlighted items on your list.”

  His eyebrows drew up. “I’ll put you on the schedule. How does Monday sound?” He’d need to spend the weekend making sure Palmer was better.

  “Sounds good.” She smiled. “How long will you need to complete the first phase?”

  He did some calculations after trying to remember everything he’d added to the list. “A week should do it.” He added a few extra days. He’d learned to always overshoot an estimate. That way when he finished early, the customers were always happily surprised.