Page 22 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“What’s that supposed to mean?” The sensation started to grow as she watched Alex rush toward the door. “Alex?”
“Just that our solution to your current problem has arrived,” Alex told her. “And while I’d love to stay, I have to meet the assessor with Malcolm.”
“What?” Harriet stood staring at Alex in confusion as a feeling of dread crept over her.
Alex pulled the door open, and Harriet’s eyes widened in shock. Her heart jolted and started hammering against her rib cage when she realized what her friend’s solution was.
“Hello, Harriet.” Finn stepped inside her suite behind the man delivering room service.
Never had Harriet wished for a sinkhole to open up and swallow her as hard as she did at that moment.
CHAPTER 4
Finn watched as Alex hurriedly signed the room service bill and made a swift exit, leaving behind an atmosphere thicker than the ocean mist on a chilly morning. Harriet stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock, while Finn felt like he was standing on thin ice, unsure of where to step next. The weight of the situation pressed down on him, urging him to find a way to break through the silence and tension that enveloped them.
He cleared his throat, hoping to dispel some of the heavy air in the room. “Um, I’m sorry to barge in like this,” Finn began, his voice coming out softer than he intended. “I, uh...”
Their eyes met, and he was struck by how green hers were. They were wide with shock before Harriet’s head swiveled to the spot where Alex had just stood as if hoping he’d suddenly reappear.
Finn’s heart sank as the magnitude of her situation suddenly hit him. He’d come here with the intention of helping and being a supportive friend, although he and Harriet were moreacquaintances than friends. But now he feared he had only added to Harriet’s distress.
I knew this was a terrible idea!Finn sighed. “I’m sorry,” he said, his words feeling inadequate in the face of Harriet’s stunned silence. He knew how she felt. “I didn’t mean to intrude or make things more difficult for you. I told Caroline, Jennifer, and Alex to let you in on their plan, and then we could meet and discuss it.”
Finally, Harriet blinked, her eyes focusing on Finn as if seeing him for the first time. “No, it’s not your fault,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper. “I just... I wasn’t expecting… this.”
Finn nodded, understanding flooding through him. “Yeah, I can imagine,” he said, his discomfort easing slightly as Harriet acknowledged his presence. “At least my sister and Jennifer blindsided me.” He smiled.
Harriet’s lips twitched in a semblance of a smile. “Are… are you hungry?” She pointed to the trolley laden with dishes, a teapot, and a coffee pot. “Alex ordered enough to feed a few horses.”
Finn looked at the trolley and nodded. “I could eat.”
Harriet’s smile widened, and Finn felt a warmth spread through him at the sight. “Should we move to the dining table?” Harriet was about to wheel the trolley, but Finn stepped toward it.
“Let me,” Finn offered.
Harriet pursed her lips, nodded, and led the way to the dining table that looked out over Cobble Beach. They unloaded the dishes onto the table in silence and took seats opposite each other.
“Can I pour you some coffee or tea?” Harriet asked.
“Do you have water?” Finn asked. “I’m all coffeed out for the day.”
“Sure.” Harriet stood and walked into the kitchenette to pull two bottles of water from the refrigerator and two glasses from a cupboard.
“You can still have coffee,” Finn told her, smiling.
“Oh, I didn’t order the coffee. That was Alex,” Harriet told him, retaking her seat. “I ordered herbal tea.”
“Oh, what kind of herbal tea?” Finn opened the bottle of water and poured it into a glass Harriet had put on the table.
“Ginger root with cayenne pepper, fresh orange, and lime pieces,” Harriet said.
“That sounds interesting,” Finn looked at the fancy teapot. “If there’s enough in there for two cups, I wouldn’t mind trying it.”
“Sure,” Harriet said, pouring some of the tea into the cup in front of Finn. “It’s delicious. You have to get used to the peppery taste, but the fresh orange and lime smooth it out.”
Finn watched Harriet pour herself a cup, splash a bit of the cold water into it, and take a sip of the tea before mimicking her.
“You might want to put some honey in it, as it’s your first cup,” Harriet warned him, pushing the bottle of honey toward him.
