Page 103 of Happy Harbor
“Yeah, but you always drank them when we came here for office meetings. I’ve never seen younotdrink one,” Lydia said, almost scolding her.
“Ladies, it’s fine if Josie doesn’t want to drink. She probably has the right idea,” Sandra said, desperately trying to be on Josie’s side so she’d take the job.
“I’ve just developed a love for sweet tea since I left, I guess,” Josie said, laughing.
“So, what do you do in such a small town, anyway?” Kira asked, wrinkling her nose like it was the worst thought imaginable.
“Well, I run my grandmother’s restaurant, and I live in a historical home where we sometimes give tours.”
“Sounds awful,” Kira said, sticking her lip out.
Josie thought for a moment. “It’s actually not. The people there are so nice, and they’ll do anything for each other. My daughter is thriving there. I’ve met someone too,” she said, then wished she could take those last words back.
Lydia giggled loudly. “Oh, I see! A handsome cowboy?”
“Cowboy? I didn’t move to Texas. He’s a boat mechanic.”
“Yikes. Quite a demotion from Craig, huh? You need to get back here, girl! So many eligible, successful men!” Kira waved her hand at Josie.
Josie’s stomach churned, but she didn’t feel angry. She didn’t feel much of anything. The old Josie would’ve at least had an urge to reach across the table and smack Kira. Instead, she felt sorry for these women.
“Not a demotion at all. Have you ever had a man move heaven and earth to help you?”
“My old boyfriend Ken sent me flowers once when it wasn’t even Valentine’s Day. Does that count?” Steph asked.
“No, it doesn’t.”
“Can I take your orders, ladies?” the server asked.
“Actually, I’m going to go,” Josie said, standing up.
“Give us a minute, please,” Sandra said to the server, who walked away. “Where are you going?”
“Home.” Josie turned and walked out the front door. Sandra chased after her.
“Josie, what’s wrong? Why are you leaving?”
She turned to face Sandra. “This isn’t my life anymore. My life is in Happy Harbor.”
“Please don’t say that. I need you here.”
“No, I have people who love me who need me there. And I have a family legacy there. That means something to me.” Even saying that was a surprise to her.
“You’d make six figures next year, Josie. Six figures! I know how much that would change your life. And Kendra’s!”
Josie laughed and threw her hands in the air. “I can’t believe I’m going to say this, but I don’t care about the money!”
“You’ve really changed. The Josie I know wouldn’t give up an opportunity like this,” Sandra said, seething.
She smiled. “The Josie you know is dead and gone. This is Josie 2.0, and she doesn’t want this life anymore. She wants a caring community, a family, and a man who adores her. She wants peace and quiet, not traffic and road rage. Goodbye, Sandra, and good luck. I think you’re going to need it.”
Without another word, Josie turned and walked up the sidewalk toward her hotel. She was heading home to Happy Harbor as quickly as she could get there.
* * *
As Josie threw all of her belongings into her small suitcase, she heard her phone buzzing on the small bedside table. Of course, it was Walker again. She decided to answer and let him know she was on her way back home. The trip would take almost six hours, which would put her getting home after dark, but it was worth the effort.
“Hey there! I’m actually about to get in the car now?—”
