The price was pretty perfect, too. The description mentioned rustic charm, which probably meant the interior needed work, but that wasn't all bad if the bones of the house were good, as long as the location was as great as it appeared.
Was this a sign?
Caroline's words rang through her head. She'd said she didn't believe in fate or signs, but she could almost feel a hand on her back, urging her to go inside, get more information, maybe take a look at the house.
And then she saw another image in the window, the figure of a man right behind her. She whirled around, looking into Devlin's curious eyes.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, feeling breathless.
"I was at the hardware store." He tipped his head to the building across the street. "Didn't you hear me call your name?"
"No, I didn't. Where's your grandmother?"
"She went home. I had some errands to run. Did you have a nice time with your friends?"
"It was great to catch up. I'd forgotten how well we all got along."
"It looked like you were having a good time."
"It sounded like you were as well. Your grandmother has a very infectious laugh."
"That she does—sometimes fueled by the flask of Blackthorne Gold she keeps in her purse."
She smiled at the tender amusement in his eyes. "I didn't know that. However, you still must have been very entertaining."
"She actually finds herself quite amusing, too. But it was fun. So, what were you looking at that had you so captivated you couldn't hear me calling your name?" He moved around her to gaze at the flyer on the window. "One of your pretty hill houses."
"Yes. It caught my eye."
"Uh-oh, it says it's rustic. I know that's code for needs work."
"It is, but I'd kind of like to see it—for curiosity's sake," she added, not wanting him to get the wrong idea. "Not because I want to buy it. I'm curious as to how things have changed around here."
"Sure." There was a gleam in his eyes that told her he wasn't quite buying her explanation.
"It's true."
"Let's go in and find out more about it."
Before she could say no, he opened the front door and walked inside. She wondered what he'd do if she just left, but since she was interested in learning more, she reluctantly followed him into the office. He was already chatting it up with an older woman, who had platinum-blonde hair and was dressed in a crisp blue linen sheath dress.
Devlin broke away from his conversation. "Hannah, this is Kathy Lawrence, one of the best agents in town, and a friend of my mom's."
Of course he would know the real estate agent. She smiled at the other woman. "Hello, I'm Hannah Reid."
"Devlin says you're interested in the cottage on Pelican Drive."
"It looks very charming," she said. "Will it be open this weekend?"
"Yes, it will be open tomorrow, but I'm actually heading up there in about twenty minutes; I have a client who wants to see it. If you're free, I can take you there now."
Was that another sign?
"I am free, but I should let you know I'm not a serious buyer. I grew up here and I always loved those houses on the hill. But I live in Austin now. I'm actually a real estate agent there."
"No problem, and your name is very familiar," Kathy said slowly. "Your mother is Marianne Reid?"
"She is."
"I remember her. We were in PTA together. I have a son—Rob—he was in Devlin's grade. Did you know him?"
"No, But I'm five years younger than Devlin."
"Of course. Anyway, I was sorry when your parents broke up. Your mom was always so good at running the Halloween fair."
"I forgot about that. She loved doing the haunted house."
"It was never the same after she left." Kathy checked her watch. "If you want to see the house before my client arrives, we should go now."
She wanted to say yes, then remembered… "Actually, I don't have a car. I walked into town."
"You and your walking," Devlin said with a laugh. "It's at least a three-mile walk from your house to here."
"It's good exercise." She turned back to Kathy. "Perhaps I can ride with you and then get a rideshare back from the house."
"You could do that," Kathy said.
"Or I could take you," Devlin put in. "I'd actually like to see the house."
"That will work." Kathy took her purse out of a drawer in her desk. "Let's go."
She wanted to protest, but Kathy was headed out the door, and Devlin was waving her forward, mentioning his car was right outside. A moment later, she slid into the passenger seat of his Audi.
"I'm starting to wonder if you drive around town looking for me, just so you can give me a ride," she said dryly.
He grinned. "It's just a happy coincidence."
"Is it happy? I thought we'd agreed to not hang out anymore."
"I don't remember that."
"You don't? Seriously?"
"We're friends, Hannah. Isn't that what we decided?"
"I suppose. Still, I can't believe you're that interested in looking at a house."
"You've made me curious about those hill houses. I might not want to live in my apartment forever."
"You said it was convenient."
"It has been, but as you told me, it can be good to have a break between work life and home life." He paused. "How's the Daisy Mae coming along? I heard you and your dad took her out yesterday."
"Who did you hear that from?"
"Donnie Blake. He's also entered in the race. He thinks both Frank and I are going to lose now that we've split up."
"I guess that's possible. But you have a better chance of losing."
He shot her a grin. "I love your confidence, even if it's misplaced."
She knew it probably was misplaced, but she wasn't going to tell him that. "Have you found your racing partner yet?"
"My dad will be home tomorrow. I'll get his final answer—on everything."
She took a quick breath at that piece of information. She only wanted a final answer if it was in the affirmative. If it wasn't, she didn't know what her dad would do.
"I hope your dad has come to his senses," she said. "But it might be too late. My father went to Portland today."
Devlin hit the brakes hard, and she braced her hand against the dashboard. "Whoa."
"Sorry. I didn't think Kathy was going to stop on the yellow light."
"Was that it or were you rattled to know that my dad is talking to Victory Sailing, one of your biggest competitors?"
"I thought Frank would give me more time. I'm trying to make things right."
"I know you are, Devlin, but at the end of the day, even if you throw yourself under the bus, my dad might still get run over. He has to look out for himself."
"Is that what you told him?"
"No. I actually suggested that he give you more time."
His gaze softened. "Seriously? Why?"
"There are a lot of reasons. My dad loves the Boatworks and his job. But mostly it's because you're a good man, Devlin. You've put your own job on the line for him, and that's amazing."
"I'm glad you think so." He gave her a look so long that the car behind them sounded the horn. He hastily drove through the intersection.
She turned her gaze out the window, afraid she'd revealed far too much.
Chapter Twelve
Devlin had only offered to take Hannah to see the house because he wanted to spend time with her, but he had to admit the cottage was something special. The bathrooms were old and needed work, but the second-floor master suite was impressive, and the ocean views from three sides of the house were spectacular. There was also a rooftop deck with a telescope set up. Clearly, the night sky was as compelling as the ocean.
As he followed Hannah and Kathy around the house, he only half-listened to their conversation. Occasionally, he smiled to himself, because it was obvious that Hannah was trying to act as if this visit was nothing more than professional curiosity, bu
t he'd seen the wonder in her eyes when she'd first stepped across the threshold, when she'd entered the master bedroom, and wandered out on the deck.
She was falling in love with the house.
But where would that lead? Would she really move back here? Or was this house going to be another sad memory of what she'd left behind in King Harbor?
When they made their way downstairs and onto the front deck, Kathy left them alone while she moved inside to take a phone call.
"What do you think?" he asked, as they stood at the rail, looking out at the water.
"It's beautiful," she murmured, turning her gaze to him.
He thought she was damn beautiful, too—her blonde hair lit with gold in the sunlight, her blue eyes alive with wonder and excitement.
"What's your opinion, Devlin?"
"I like the house. It feels like a home. I could see you living here."
"Really?"
"Yes. It's uniquely charming, and you can't beat this view."
"You have the same view at your apartment."
"Not quite as good as this."
"Maybe you should buy the house."
"Or you should," he countered.
She licked her lips. "What would I do with a house in King Harbor?"
"Live in it. You said you've missed the town and that you're at a crossroads in your work life. Why not make a change? Your dad lives here. You have friends here."
"My dad might leave if he decides to take a job elsewhere."
He hated the reminder that her father was currently interviewing with one of his competitors. He'd let the situation linger too long. He'd told himself that he was doing what he could to make peace between the two men, that Frank had some skin in the game, too, because he'd chosen to criticize Graham. He'd convinced himself that it wasn't all his dad's fault, but that wasn't true. This situation was completely on his father, and he shouldn’t have given him more than a week to come to his senses.
"Devlin?" Hannah said, a question in her eyes. "Where did you go? You got quiet."
"I'm sorry, Hannah. I should have resolved this situation with your dad before this."
"I know it's complicated."
"It got more complicated when my mom left. I had every intention of getting my father to rehire Frank before that. But he was so rattled by her leaving, I didn't push as hard as I should have. I gave him an ultimatum, but I didn't follow up on it. I should have. Tomorrow, I will tell him that time's up. Frank comes back, or I walk."
"What if he lets you go? What would you do?"
"I'd do what I'm doing now. I'd start my own company and work it from the ground up. It would be smaller. It would take me years to get to where I am now, but it would be mine."
"I'm sure it would be successful."
He appreciated her confidence in him. "It would be, or it wouldn't be, but either way, it would be a challenge, and I like challenges." He paused, wanting her to understand. "I grew up as a member of a powerful, successful family. There were a lot of expectations, most of which I didn't choose to fulfill. I didn't go to Harvard like most of my brothers. I didn't want to work in the whisky business. I didn't want to live in Boston. I said no so many times that when I finally took over the Boatworks, I felt like I needed to say yes to my father being involved on a limited basis. It wasn't difficult, because for the most part, he stayed out of the business. When this situation happened with Frank, I was thrown. I thought I had to respect my father's decision, because he's ultimately my boss, but his decision wasn't worthy of my respect. Anyway, it's difficult to explain, but—"
"I get it, Devlin. I don't know what it was like to grow up a Blackthorne, but I did go into business with my mother. She's my boss, and I know how it feels to try to forge your own way, without disrespecting your parent. I also realize that your mother's departure created chaos and uncertainty. My father's part in her departure didn't help."
"You're letting me off the hook?"
"We both know I let you off the hook awhile ago," she said with a smile. "But I'm still going to beat you in the race. I won't go easy on you, and you can't go easy on me."
"You don't have to worry about that. I always play to win. And since we're having an honest moment here, what do you really think of this house?"
"That it's pretty close to perfect, even though it needs attention. In my head, I can see exactly how it would look with the right furniture, new paint on the walls and colorful tile in the bathrooms. It would be amazing." She let out a breath. "I just wish it was in Austin."
"If it was, it wouldn't be amazing, because there would be no ocean view."
"I know." She paused as they heard a car door close. "I think Kathy's client is here. We should go—let them walk through the house on their own."
"All right." They slipped down the stairs, giving Kathy a wave before getting into his car.
As they drove away, he saw Hannah cast a longing look at the house.
"I hope those people don't make an offer," he said.
"Why?" she asked, her gaze moving back to his.
"It will give you time to think about it."
"I don't need time, Devlin. I have a life somewhere else. And in a week, I'll be back to it."
"Well, a lot can happen in a week."
A lot had already happened, Hannah thought as they drove away from her dream house. She'd reconnected with her dad, her friends, and Devlin. She'd found herself feeling inexplicably happy just being back in King Harbor. It felt like she belonged here.
She tried to tell herself it wouldn't last, that it was only the newness of her return, the fun of revisiting the past. Her future was in Austin—wasn't it?
She'd put a lot of time and effort into building a career there, and her mom would be terribly disappointed if she left. Although, her parents had both had a chance to pursue their dreams. Why shouldn't she?
Because dreams didn't last. The morning always came.
"Do you need to get home?" Devlin asked.
His question interrupted her depressing thoughts. "Not really. Why?"
"A friend of mine, one of my employees actually, has a pop-up pizza company that he operates out of a food truck on Friday and Saturday nights. It's probably the best pizza you'll ever eat."
"That's quite an endorsement."
"I speak the truth. But you can find out for yourself, unless you're still full after tea?"
She checked her watch, realizing it was already half past five. "Those little sandwiches seem like a long time ago now. I'd be up for pizza."
"Great. He's parked in the lot by Cooper's Beach tonight."
Devlin turned the car around and headed away from the downtown to a popular surfing beach on the outskirts of King Harbor. Cooper's Beach had the biggest waves for twenty miles and was always busy in the mornings and late afternoons, especially once they got past Memorial Day.
"Did you ever surf here?" she asked Devlin, as the ocean came into view.
"Years ago, when I was a teenager. I prefer sailing now. I don't like waiting for a wave. I like to make my own," he said with a charming grin. "What about you?"
"Sailing is also my favorite activity on the water."
"A girl after my own heart."
She smiled, but his words reminded her that his heart wasn't really available. She didn't know if he was still in love with his college girlfriend. But she did know that he'd put his heart on ice after her death and that he'd never had another serious relationship since then. Not only had he told her that, but Jessica and Caroline had been happy to relate how very single Devlin was, despite the fact that most of the single women in town would have been happy to date him.
She would have been happy to date him, too, if she lived here permanently, and if he didn't have a ghost for a first love. Who could ever compete with that?
She'd already lost her last fiancé to an ex; she wasn't about to fall for someone who was still in love with another woman. Which was why she should have turned down the pizza invitation, why sh
e should be turning down every invitation that Devlin gave her.
On the other hand, as long as she knew what was what, why not have some fun?
She would only be here for another week. There was a definitive end coming, so maybe she should relax and enjoy herself.
Devlin parked in a fairly crowded lot by the beach. The days were getting longer, and sunset was at least two hours away. Not only were there plenty of surfers and beachgoers coming out of the ocean and off the sand, but there also appeared to be quite a few people who'd come just for pizza.
The food truck was parked near the picnic area, and most of the tables were full. There were also people perched along the low brick wall that ran around the parking lot.
She followed Devlin over to the truck, where they got into line.
"Your friend is popular," she said, her stomach rumbling at the delicious aroma of garlic, onions, sausage, and other Italian spices.
"I told you. What kind of pizza do you want? I'm thinking we should get half and half."
"Great. You know what's good, so you pick."
"Anything you hate?"
"Not a thing."
"Then why don't you grab us a table while I order?"
"Good idea." She stepped out of line and snagged a picnic table deep in a canopy of trees, but she could still see the water. While she was waiting for Devlin, she checked her phone and saw a text from her mom. She wanted to know if she could change her plans and come back for Memorial Day weekend, because she needed another person for an open house that had just come up on a three-million-dollar home. It would be a big commission for the company, and she wanted Hannah on it.
Despite the financial enticement, the last thing she wanted to do was go back to Austin to sit on an open house. In fact, it was her least favorite thing to ever do. She liked working with clients and taking them to homes on appointment, because it was personal and purposeful, but standing in an empty house on the off chance that someone other than a curious neighbor would come by was not interesting at all and usually a huge waste of time.
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