Page 37 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“So Leon was forced to marry the woman you set him up with, and I take it your family still didn’t get the Gladstone’s olive groves?” Finn asked for clarification.
“That was a drawback.” Gray shrugged. “Joyce Isles olive produces from the groves we have there, and some around the world are very lucrative. We don’t need that land. I think it’s just become some sort of weird challenge for my uncle now.”
“We’ve never actually understood why my grandfather and now uncle have been so transfixed on that land in Greece,” Harriet stated. “But it seems that their obsession with it has reared its ugly head once again.”
“Because Harriet, as far as my uncle knew, was still single with no divorce, breakups, etc. within the past five years,” Gray sighed. “He decided she was fair game to serve up as an incentive for the property.”
“Which also means that the Gladstones are probably once again heading for financial ruin and hanging onto what they still have by the tips of their fingernails,” Harriet told Finn. “Especially after Leon’s latest divorce from the sugar baron heiress who not only kept all her money but is demanding her half of whatever wealth Leon has left.”
“Wow!” Finn breathed. “People really don’t know what goes on behind the scenes in the lives of the rich and famous.”
“As soon as Harriet was free from that pig, she came back to the States, enrolled in night classes, and got a job at Danes Studios,” Gray told Finn, pride shining in the man’s eyes.
“Gray!” Harriet said, annoyed, her cheeks turning a delightful shade of pink. “Finn doesn’t want to know my life history.”
“My dear little sister,” Gray said to her. “If Finn is going to play the role of your fiancé successfully, he needs to know who you really are.”
“Then I’m going to make some tea,” Harriet said, looking at Finn. “Can I get you something to drink?”
“What tea are you making?” Finn asked, now invested in hearing what Gray had to say; he knew he wasn’t going home anytime soon.
“Herbal tea,” Harriet told him. “Actually, it’s a blend from South Africa that I think you’ll enjoy.”
“Sure,” Finn said with a nod. “I’ll try some.”
“And you, Gray?” Harriet asked her brother.
“I’ll have some too, thanks Harry,” Gray said, and Harriet walked into the kitchenette. “You’re very brave to do this for my sister.” He looked at Finn when Harriet was out of earshot. “I will be forever in your debt for doing so. I have no idea what’s really going on with my uncle, so I have to warn you things may get really rough around here when he arrives.”
“I think I can handle it,” Finn assured Gray. “I’ve faced down scarier things than a King on a rampage.”
“I hope so,” Gray said, a warning light flickering in his eyes. “Because my sister is one of the best people I know. She’s not some spoiled pampered princess. Harriet has worked hard to get to where she is today. When she got a job at Danes Studio, Harriet refused preferential treatment and insisted that she work her way up just like Brad had to do.”
“Brad told me that his family ensures that the next generation that takes over Danes productions starts at the same entry level as any other newbie in their company,” Finn told Gray.
“That’s right, and that’s exactly what Harriet did.” Gray snorted. “She was so disgusted with Uncle Titus and that our parents had to take a back seat to what was happening that she tried to give her entire Joyce trust fund away.”
“Really?” Finn’s brows rose.
“Uh-huh.” Gray nodded. “Other than paying for her school education while she was at Oxford, Harriet hasn’t touched that money. I look after it for her and run all her charities.”
“How does she afford this suite?” Finn asked.
“Harriet worked her way up the corporate ladder from Danes Productions to the executive level,” Gray told Finn. “When my mother’s parents passed away, they left us each some money andproperties. Harriet used some of the money to buy herself an apartment in New York and invested the rest. This is all afforded by her working hard, saving, and investing.” He smiled. “Harriet helps everywhere she can and would literally give someone the shirt off her back if they needed it.”
“I’ve come to realize that in the short time I’ve spent with her this evening,” Finn admitted.
Gray glanced toward the kitchenette and leaned forward. “Finn, I have to ask if you’re willing to brave the storm that’s coming because I don’t want to alarm Harriet or my parents, but I have an awful feeling there’s a lot more to all this than meets the eye.”
“Earlier, I would’ve been hesitant,” Finn confessed. “As long as my kids are out of the line of fire, I’m all in.” He was surprised at how much he meant that.
“Thank you, Finn,” Gray said. “I promise you I won’t forget what you’re doing for my sister. She deserves the whole world, you know. While she can be sassy and as if nothing can break her, at the end of the day, she’s human, and we all have a breaking point. My uncle and Leon are that for Harry.”
“Don’t worry,” Finn assured Gray. “I won’t let anything happen to her.”
“Tea,” Harriet said, carrying a tray into the living room and placing it on the coffee table. “Oh, and I brought some of my homemade choc-chip cookies.”
Gray gave her a suspicious look. “Which ones?” He looked at the cookies as if they were a plate of spiders.
