Page 28 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Mother?” Harriet’s voice came from behind him. “What are you doing here?”
“Hello, sweetheart,” Julie greeted her daughter as Finn stepped back to allow Julie to enter. “We had to come because your father wasn’t going to leave you to face your crazy uncle on your own.” She turned and smiled at Finn. “Although I see you already have a knight in shining armor at your side.” Her eyes widened as they fell on Harriet’s hand. “Oh my, what a beautiful ring.” She turned and looked at Finn. “Is this a family heirloom?”
Finn nodded. “Yes. It belonged to my mother.”
“Julie, I thought we were going to our room and calling Harriet before barging in on her,” Patrick Joyce said. He walked into the room, stopping when he saw Finn. “My goodness, I know you.” He held out his hand. “You’re that surfing champion.”
“Father, this is Finn,” Harriet said, going up to her father and hugging him. She turned and looked at Finn. Their eyes met and held. “My fiancé.”
Well, just like that, I’m engaged,Finn thought to himself just before all thoughts flew out of his head when Harriet linked her hand with his.This is going to be interesting and disturbing, he realized as he braced himself for what was to come.
CHAPTER 5
Harriet’s mind was in turmoil as she stood with her hand cradled in Finn’s strong, warm embrace.
Am I crazy?Harriet thought.What the heck am I doing?
“I must say, I was quite upset when you blurted your engagement out over the phone,” Julie said to Harriet.
Her shrewd eyes moved from Harriet to Finn, making Harriet take a step closer to Finn, who must’ve felt the tension inside her. He dropped her hand and wrapped an arm around Harriet’s shoulders.
“I’m sorry, Mrs. Joyce,” Finn said apologetically. He kissed the top of Harriet’s head, making her mind even mushier than it already was. “I asked Harriet to wait to announce our engagement.” He smiled down at Harriet, making her heart do crazy things in her chest. “With everything that happened between Daniella and Alex, we didn’t want to overshadow their moment.”
“That’s very noble of you, young man,” Pat said.
“Thank you, sir,” Finn addressed Harriet’s father. “We didn’t want to make a formal announcement until Harriet and I had spoken to you. The only person who knew before Harriet spoke to you today was Dawn.”
Way to go, Finn!Harriet hid a smile.Wow. He is an excellent actor.
“See, Harriet, this is how you know you have a decent man,” Julie told her, making Harriet’s heart drop with the heaviness of their charade. “Welcome to the family, Finn.”
“Yes.” Pat joined his wife in welcoming Finn. “I’m sorry we spoiled your plans.” He sighed. “As soon as Julie told me Harriet’s news, I knew we had to get to Plum Island before my brother arrived.” He shook his head. “I hope he doesn’t scare you off, Finn. I’m glad my daughter has found someone as noble and steadfast as you seem to be.”
A wave of guilt hit Harriet like a tidal wave, and she just stopped herself from gasping aloud at the impact. She looked up at Finn. He had a genuine smile on his face and had stepped into his part in Harriet’s deception like a true hero. More guilt hit her as she felt the weight of his, too, and what this was costing him.
What have I done?Harriet felt the panic rise in her chest and had to swallow it down while trying to keep a smile plastered on her face. She hoped the guilt wasn’t shining in her eyes like big pink flashing neon signs—Person with pants on fire over here!
“No, sir,” Finn looked at Harriet, pulling her closer. “I can assure you I’ve faced a lot in my life, so it takes a lot to scare me off.”
“It’s good to hear that,” Pat told him. “Trust me. You’re going to need to be a Marine to withstand what’s coming, especially when that brother of mine hears Harriet’s engaged.” A smile tugged at her father’s lips, and she saw a look of triumph flash in his eyes. “And please, call me Pat.”
“And you can call me Julie,” Julie said. “How about we have dinner together tomorrow night before the entire Blackwell wedding party, including Pat’s brother, arrives the following day?” She smiled at Finn. “That way, we can get to know you better, and you can invite my new grandchildren Dawn told me all about earlier today.”
Harriet nearly choked when her mother said that. Her throat felt dry, and the pressure in her chest felt like someone was squeezing her lungs as she felt the web of lies weaving around them.
“I love your suite, Harriet,” Julie said. “We had to get a mini-suite as the Blackwells booked out the other four suites.” She looked around and moved towards Harriet’s bedroom. “Harriet, why are your clothes all over the floor?”
Harriet’s eyes widened as she realized that not only were her clothes all over the floor but also all her suitcases spread over her bed.
“Oh shoot!” Harriet muttered, pulling herself out of Finn’s arms. “I forgot I was packing for Cape Town,” she whispered to him.
Harriet walked toward her room with Finn close behind her. She found her mother picking up the clothes Harriet and Alex had fought over earlier. Julie neatly folded each item and packed them into the closet.
“I thought you hadn’t salvaged anything from the fire at Alex’s house,” Julie said, straightening the clothes in the closet.
“What?” Harriet looked at her mother stupidly for a second before her words sunk in. “Oh… uh…” Her mind spun as no excuse formed.
“Harriet is packing because she’s moving into my holiday house,” Finn said, jumping in to save her once again. They looked at each other, and Harriet gave him a grateful smile. “We were going to offer the suite to you and Pat, but then whenyou told Harriet you weren’t coming, she decided to stay at the hotel.”
