"Sure." She was actually a little relieved to have Devlin by her side. She hadn't seen Jessica in years, and she had no idea who else would be at the party, if she'd have anyone to talk to or if she would just be extremely uncomfortable. She'd almost chickened out from attending, but the past few days helping her dad work on the boat had been a little boring. She'd forgotten how detailed he was, and how lost he could get in his craft, forgetting she was there half the time.
She'd told herself not to take it personally, but the quiet had been getting on her nerves, so she'd decided to come to the party. At least, now she would know one person, even if it was the one person she'd been trying to avoid.
The banquet room in the Yacht Club was packed with people. Jessica certainly had a lot of friends, and most of those friends were eager to give Devlin a hug or a handshake. She felt a little invisible in his shadow, but it gave her a chance to look around the room.
There were a dozen round tables in the middle of the room and two long buffet tables that were already laden with food, although no one was eating yet. A bar by the French doors leading onto the cocktail deck had a good-sized line going. A couple of servers were walking through the party, offering appetizers.
Outside, there were more tables and more people. It was a beautiful evening, unusually warm, with the temperature lingering in the low seventies even at six o'clock at night.
"Have you all met Hannah?" Devlin asked, taking her hand and pulling her into his bright light.
She smiled at the three young women, all around her age. Two of them didn't look very happy to see Devlin's hand in hers. She wanted to pull away, but that seemed like it would draw more attention.
"Hannah, this is Diana, Georgia, and Caroline," he said.
"Hello. I'm Hannah Reid. I went to school with Jessica." She didn't recognize Diana or Georgia, but Caroline looked very familiar. "Wait a second. You're Caroline Richards?"
"I wondered if you'd remember me."
"Of course I do, but your hair wasn't red when I knew you. It threw me for a second."
"No, it was a dull brown. I got bolder as I got older." Caroline let out an infectious laugh. "That should be my slogan. Bolder and older. Anyway, it's nice to see you again, Hannah. It has been a long time."
"It has."
"Devlin, why don't you come out on the patio with us?" Diana suggested. "It's much cooler there. And the bar on the deck is not nearly as crowded."
"I wouldn't mind getting a drink," Devlin said, gazing down at her. "What about you?"
"I'm fine for now."
"I'll be back soon," he promised.
As Diana and Georgia walked Devlin outside, Caroline gave her a speculative smile. "Don't be jealous, Hannah. They've been trying to get Devlin's attention for the last three years, and he's just not interested."
"I'm not jealous," she said quickly. "I'm not with Devlin. I ran into him outside. My father works for him. Or he used to, anyway." She paused as a tall brunette joined them. "Jessica! Happy birthday!"
"Oh, my God," Jessica said with delight and amazement. "Hannah. My mother told me she invited you. I was going to call and see if you were coming, but I didn't have your number. I'm so glad you came."
She gave Jessica a hug, thinking how pretty she was now with her dark hair and dark eyes.
"I see you've reconnected with Caroline," Jessica added. "Whitney is supposed to come, too."
"I'd love to see her, too."
"So, what have you been up to?" Jessica asked. "I heard you're living in Austin, Texas."
"Yes. That's where my mom and I moved after we left here. She started a real estate firm, and I became an agent a few years ago."
"I always thought you'd do something with your dad and with boats. You were mad about sailing."
"There wasn't any ocean in Austin, and I got caught up in other things."
"But you're racing on Memorial Day, my mom said."
"I am. I hope I'm up to the challenge. Luckily, I have my dad to lead the way."
"I can't believe your father isn't racing with Devlin this year." Jessica took a quick glance around, then lowered her voice and said, "But I've heard that your father is no longer working at the Boatworks, so I guess it makes sense. Although, none of us understand what happened."
"It's a complicated situation."
"Well, I'm sure Devlin won't be thrilled to lose Frank for the race. They've been unbeatable," Jessica said.
"I'm not thrilled at all," Devlin interrupted, handing her a glass of wine. "I hope white is good. I remembered you had a chardonnay the other night."
"It's fine. Thanks." She couldn't help noticing the renewed curiosity in Caroline's eyes, and even Jessica looked taken aback by Devlin's comment.
"Are you two friends?" Jessica asked. "I was thinking if you both came to the party that there might be tension after what happened to Frank."
"There's definitely tension," Devlin said, giving her an intimate look.
She felt a wave of heat run through her, hoping she was the only one who saw the glint of reckless humor in his eyes. But Caroline's knowing smile put an end to that foolish thought.
"Oh, well…" Jessica looked a bit confused by his comment.
She quickly stepped in. "My father's relationship with Devlin and the Boatworks is not my business. It's between them," she said, thinking that she probably should have had that thought before she went into Devlin's office and ranted like a crazy person.
If she hadn't gone to see him, they might not have talked at all, might not have gone sailing, might not have kissed…
"But the race is between all of us," Devlin said. "I'm looking forward to competing against Hannah and her father. By the way, happy birthday, Jess."
"Thank you."
Their conversation was interrupted by Jessica's mother, Grace, who stepped up to a microphone and urged everyone to go to the buffet.
"Shall we get some food?" Jessica asked.
"I'm game," Caroline said.
"You two go ahead," she said, knowing that Jessica needed to be at the front of the line.
"We'll talk later, Hannah," Jessica promised. "If not tonight, because I know it's crazy here, maybe we can get together on Saturday. We could go to tea at the Bickmore."
"That would be great."
"What about you, Caroline?" Jessica asked. "Can you join us?"
"Absolutely."
"Then it's a date."
As Caroline and Jessica moved away, Devlin slid closer to her, jostling her shoulder with his. "Looks like you and your friends are going to pick up right where you left off."
"It's great to see them again, but I think you were giving them the wrong idea."
"About what?" he asked with an unrepentant grin, as he turned to face her.
"Us. Not that there is an us, but you kind of implied there was."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"That tension comment wasn't loaded?"
"Well, we do have a lot of tension. And do you really care what anyone thinks?"
"Don't you care? You're the one who lives here, who will face questions from your friends."
"My friends don't ask me questions, at least not about women."
"So, what happened to your fan club?" she asked, changing the subject.
"If you're referring to Diana and Georgia, they disappeared when I told them I needed to take you your wine."
She sighed. "I'm sure they got the wrong idea, too."
"Who says it's the wrong idea?"
"Have you dated either one of them?"
"God, no."
"Why do you say it like that? They're attractive, the right age, obviously interested…"
"Diana is a huge gossip; I don't like that. And Georgia has a laugh that's like fingernails on a chalkboard."
She smiled at his grimace. "I'm sure it's not that bad."
"Trust me, it is."
"Well, if you don't date them, who do you date?"
"No one you know."
"Seriously, Devlin, is there someone in your life?"
He leaned in and whispered in her ear. "Do you think I would have kissed you the way I did if there was?"
She shivered at the warm caress of his breath. "I guess not, but I don't know."
"I don't kiss more than one woman at a time."
"Well, we're done with kissing, so you're free to move on."
He smiled. "I've missed you, Hannah."
"It's been three days since we last saw each other."
"Good to know you've been counting the days, too."
"I haven't," she denied, knowing that was a blatant lie. Every time she'd gone into town, she'd found herself looking for him.
"Devlin, Hannah, time to eat," Mrs. Varney said, interrupting their conversation. "You'll want to get your plate before I let the kids hit the buffet."
"We're on it," Devlin said, putting his hand on the small of her back.
As they moved toward the buffet line, Devlin was waylaid by more friends, and she managed to slip away from him, filling her plate and taking it out on the patio. Caroline was sitting alone at a table.
She waved Hannah over. "Come, sit." She patted the empty chair next to her. "I was beginning to feel like a wallflower."
"I doubt you could ever be that," she said, as she sat down.
Caroline smiled. "I see you've lost your shadow."
"If you're referring to Devlin, I think I'm his shadow. He's like the brightest star in the galaxy."
"He is, but don't tell him that."
"Trust me, I won't. He definitely doesn't need more confidence."
"I haven't met a Blackthorne who isn't confident. But Devlin is a good guy. I don't know what went down with him and your father, but I'm sure there's more to the story, because Devlin doesn't just let people go."
"His father got in the mix."
"Well, that makes more sense. Graham Blackthorne is definitely capable of letting people go."
"So, what are you doing now, Caroline?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.
"I'm the program director at the Center Theater."
"That sounds fun."
"It's small time, but I love putting on shows, and working with actors. We have a children's summer workshop, too, that's very popular. Oh, and I'm also engaged. My ring is getting resized. That's why I'm not wearing it tonight."
"That's all great. No wonder you look so happy."
"I feel very lucky."
"Where is your fiancé? I'd like to meet him."
"That will have to be another night. He's a fireman, and he's working tonight. What about you? Any men besides Devlin?"
"There's no Devlin."
"I think you might be wrong," Caroline said with a pointed look.
She turned and saw Devlin approaching with a full plate of food.
"It's just dinner," she told Caroline.
"Maybe it doesn't have to be."
When Devlin slid into the seat next to her, she found herself wondering the same thing.
Chapter Nine
Devlin liked hanging with Hannah, even if she did not like hanging with him. Actually, he thought she liked it just fine; she simply didn't want to admit it, which was why she spent most of their meal grilling Caroline on her personal life and all the latest King Harbor news.
It had been awhile since a woman had given him the cold shoulder, and he had to admit it made him want to find a way to change her mind. He hadn't felt such a hunger for a woman in a long time—the kind of hunger that kept him up at night, that made him turn the shower from hot to cold, that suggested he give the logical part of his brain a long vacation and let his desire dictate his actions.
"Devlin?"
He suddenly realized Hannah was giving him an odd look. He hoped none of his thoughts had actually come out of his mouth. "Sorry, what?"
"Do you want cake? I'm going to get a piece."
"I'll share yours."
"Not a chance. I never share cake. Caroline, what about you?"
"I'm in pre-wedding diet mode," Caroline said. "No cake for me."
"Fair enough," Hannah said, as she headed into the banquet room.
He found himself watching the sway of her hips as she walked away in a short little dress that clung to her curves and showed off her beautiful legs.
"You are in trouble," Caroline said, an amused look in her eyes. "I don't think you want cake; I think you want Hannah."
He grinned back at her. "What if I do?"
"I'd say be careful. She's leaving in two weeks."
"I'm aware. I'm not thinking that far in the future."
"Spoken like a true man."
He shrugged and sat back in his seat as Hannah returned to the table with two servings of chocolate cake. She put one plate in front of him and then took her seat. "I'm so glad Jessica still loves chocolate," she said. "Do you want a bite, Caroline?"
"I thought you said you don't share?" he teased. "Or was that only with me?"
"I'm offering a bite, not half."
Caroline put up her hand. "Don't tempt me. I'm actually going to take off. It was nice to catch up, Hannah. I'll see you Saturday at the Bickmore, and Devlin, I'm sure I'll see you around."
After Caroline left, they ate their cake in relative silence, conversation from the other partygoers washing around them.
The night was coming to an end, but he wasn't quite ready to let Hannah go, and he had a feeling as soon as she finished her cake, she'd be heading home.
"So, I found Mason a boat," he said. "A single-handed dinghy about twenty-five years old. It was the boat my father taught me how to sail in, and it was the first boat I ever raced. I wasn't sure it was still seaworthy, but it appears that it is."
"That's great. Have you told Mason?"
"I have. He's very excited. His mom signed him up for the sailing program, and in exchange he's going to do a lot more around the house to help out."
"That's a win for both Mason and Erica. You did a good thing, Devlin."
He was glad she thought so. "Blackthornes aren't all black."
She tipped her head to his point.
"How's your father doing?" he asked.
"He has been working long hours on the boat, so we haven't talked a lot, but every now and then I catch a look of frustration and worry on his face. His whole life has been his job. He doesn't know what to do with himself, where to go, if he doesn't go to the Boatworks. Thank goodness he has the Daisy Mae to work on, and the idea of beating you and your father is keeping him going."
"I know it's rough, Hannah. I actually gave my dad an ultimatum a few days ago."
Her eyes widened. "What do you mean?"
"I told him that we need Frank back at work and on the boat, and he needs to respect how I run the Boatworks or I should move on."
"You threatened to quit? What was his response?"
"He told me not to give him ultimatums and stormed out of the room. Then he went back to Boston, but I think he'll eventually come to his senses."
"I'm losing faith in that."
"It has only been a few days. He'll be back soon, and we'll talk again."
"I appreciate you taking the stance that you did. Thank you for going to bat for my dad."
His gaze met hers. "I just did what was right. I'm sure you thought it took me too long, but I hoped it wouldn't have to come to an ultimatum."
"Would you really leave the company? It's your family business. You've worked hard to build it up. Could you walk away?"
"I don't want to, but I could, and I would. Hopefully, it doesn't come to that." He paused. "Your father asked Erica to box up his office. Did you know that?"
"No, I didn't. That sounds like he's giving up."
"I told her to go slow, but while we were talking, she showed me some old photos she'd found in Frank's filing cabinet, pictures of Frank and your mother and my parents. They were actually pretty good friends at one time."
She gave him a confused look. "I remember them be
ing friendly, but not to the point where they spent time together."
"But they did. There are lots of pictures of our parents together. You're even in one of the shots. You were a chubby baby."
She frowned. "Where were these pictures taken?"
"Around town. The point is that the relationship between our fathers goes back a long time. There's a feeling of betrayal on both sides, with my mother in the middle."
"I'd like to see the photos."
"Sure. Why don't you come back there with me now?"
"It's late."
"It's eight thirty. King Harbor may be a sleepy town, but we don't go to bed this early. Did you drive here?"
"I walked. It's only a mile or so."
"You really like walking, don't you?"
She smiled. "I take it that you drove."
"Well, to be fair, I did have to pick up Jessica's present on the way. Why don't I drive you to the Boatworks and then after you see the photos, I'll take you home?"
She hesitated. "Okay, but I'm just going to look at the pictures and then leave."
"What else would we do?" he said with a laugh.
After saying good-bye to Jessica, they made their way out of the Yacht Club and into Devlin's car. The drive to the Boatworks took less than five minutes, which didn't give Hannah much of a chance to have second thoughts about spending more time with Devlin. Indecision was still rolling around in her head when he unlocked the door and waved her into the building.
The large structure was dark and completely empty, giving it a bit of a spooky feel with the skeleton of a boat taking up room on the main work floor. Devlin flipped on some lights as they made their way up to her dad's office, which was on the second floor.
It felt even stranger to walk into the office and see some of her dad's things in boxes. It brought home a sense of finality that she'd been trying to avoid. Maybe her dad was done at the Boatworks. Or at least he thought he was done.
"You should tell my dad what you said to Graham," she told Devlin, as he moved around the desk. "It might reassure him. Unless you weren't serious about your ultimatum?"
"I'm serious. I can certainly speak to Frank, but I was hoping to wait until after I had a definitive answer. I do have to warn you that while I might fall on my sword for your father, it could just mean we're both out of a job."
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