Page 42 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“That’s the press for you,” Finn stated as they started their way back toward the Beach Hut. “Although the headlines were very catchy:The Rebel Princess Rebels on a Blaze of Thunder.”
“Yeah.” Harriet sighed, shaking her head. “I made the headlines quite a lot all around the world when I was growing up.”
“What gets me,” Finn told her, “is that the press would rather sensationalize something like you stealing a horse than tell the truth about it, just to sell the news.”
“They did the same thing to you, didn’t they?” Harriet knew the moment she’d touched on the topic of how Finn’s career had ended. She’d open a door he wasn’t ready to open.
“Something like that,” Finn stated abruptly and changed the subject. “Do you think your parents are going to like the house?”
Harriet glanced at him and saw Finn had looked out over the ocean, but not before she’d seen the pain in his eyes. She knew that pain, and even though their situations were different, the pain of betrayal and twisted truth resonated with the same frequency for those who had lived through it. While Harriet had always been curious to hear Finn’s side of the story, she also respected his right not to talk about it. Another thing they had in common was keeping their pain from everyone around them.
“Are you kidding me?” Harriet let it go and switched gears, letting Finn guide the conversation. “My mother will probably want to buy it.”
“Funny you should say that,” Finn told her. “Near the end of last year, I thought about selling the house as, unlike Liam, I’m not really into the holiday trade.”
“I think you’ve done a marvelous job of your holiday home,” Harriet complimented him. “But I understand your reasoning.” Her eyes widened as another thought struck her. “But if you wanted to sell it for real, please give me the first option.”
“Oh?” Finn looked at her curiously. “Do you want to buy a holiday home on Plum Island?”
“No.” Harriet shook her head. “I have my apartment in New York up for sale because I want to make Plum Island my new home.” She smiled at the surprised look on Finn’s face. “Especially now that Jennifer and I have a new business together.”
“Let’s talk at the end of summer,” Finn told her. “One of the things that stopped me from selling was not knowing who mine and Liam’s neighbor would be.” He smiled. “But neither of us would mind if it were you.”
“Let’s put a pin in that.” Harriet laughed. “You only just offered to help me and already nearly got kidnapped.”
“Heck, you’re right,” Finn teased. “And then there’s all the crimes you’d already stacked up against me.”
“Yup!” Harriet rolled her eyes. “Plum Island locals are like bull terriers. Once their jaw locks onto something, it’s never going to be taken away from them.”
Their run came to an end all too soon as Harriet had enjoyed their run together. She had barely come up for breath when they reached the Beach Hut, and her family was waiting for them with Finn’s kids.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Julie breathed a sigh of relief. “I was starting to get worried that…” her eyes slid toward Maggie and Tucker. “Would you two be dears and get us our table?”
“Sure,” Tucker said, grinning at Harriet. “Hey, Harriet.” He surprised her by hugging her. “I see you finally got my dad to run with you.”
Harriet swallowed the tears as she realized Tucker and Maggie were playing their part for her.
“I’ve been telling him for weeks he needs to keep his heart healthy by going for a run.” Maggie hugged Harriet as well and whispered, “Don’t worry, we’ve got this.”
Harriet felt her heart swell as she hugged the little girl and kissed her head. “Thank you, sweetheart,” she whispered back.
“Come on, Mags,” Tucker took his sister’s hand. “Let’s go get a big table.”
As they disappeared into the cafe, Julie and Pat, after greeting Harriet and Finn, turned worried eyes on Finn and Harriet.
“Goodness, Finn, I’m so sorry about that Leon and what he did to you,” Pat said before Julie could get another word in. “Gray told us what happened this morning.”
“We didn’t even know that Leon and his cousin were here already,” Julie stated. “Now I believe his mother, Gloria, is heading to America to bail her son out of trouble once again.”
“It was the best thing you and your brother could’ve done hiring that PI to find out about Leon,” Pat said. “I never wanted you to marry that man, sweetheart.”
“It’s okay, Father,” Harriet told him, not wanting to bring up the past.
“Finn, are you okay?” Julie asked him, concern shining in her eyes. “I hope this incident doesn’t reflect on Harriet in any way.”
“I’m fine, really,” Finn assured Julie with a warm smile. “Why would it reflect on Harriet? Leon’s actions are not her fault.”
Harriet and Finn’s eyes met, and the memory of their kiss hit her in the heart, making her breath catch in her throat —Uh oh,she thought.This is bad!
