Page 76 of Happy Harbor
“They were in such a hurry; I didn’t even think about it. I’m sure they’ll get some pictures at the prom.”
“You’re right. Kids these days take pictures of everything.”
“So, what’s your plan for the evening?” Josie asked.
“I don’t know. The restaurant is covered tonight, and we start the big fundraising event tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve had a free night in years.”
“I don’t suppose you’d like to help me cook dinner?”
Diane smiled. “I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do.”
Josie looked at her and laughed. “That’s really sad, Mom.”
* * *
Josie tried to pretend that she wasn’t waiting up for her daughter to get home from the prom as she sat on the back deck in the quiet night air.
All she could hear were occasional crickets dispersed in the flower beds in front of her. She was tired, but for reasons she couldn’t really explain. Today had been one of the most laid-back days she’d had in a while. Of course, she had gone to work, but then she had helped her daughter get ready for prom, cooked dinner with her mother, and taken a nice nap after she ate.
She’d spent part of the evening cutting slips of paper for a raffle they were having at the fundraising event. She’d also done a phone interview for the local radio station to promote it. Josie would be there for the next two days, right in the middle of town, trying everything she could to raise the money they needed.
If she was honest with herself, she didn’t believe that they would even come anywhere close to getting the money. And that was only going to take care of the past-due balance. She had to make sure that the restaurant remained successful so that she could not only pay the bills, but put money back for herself and her daughter.
The restaurant business was no joke. Until now, she hadn’t realized just how hard her grandmother had worked for all those years. Going to a regular nine-to-five job was a lot easier than running a restaurant, that much was for sure.
She looked up and saw Walker opening the gate and strolling across the yard toward the guest house, his silhouette the only thing visible except for a slight touch of moonlight across his chiseled jawline. He really was a sight to behold. A cross between a boat captain and a cowboy, she had a hard time not staring at him. He obviously didn’t see her sitting there.
“Late night?”
Walker jumped a bit and laughed, his hand over his heart. “You startled me.”
“Now you know how I always feel,” she said, smiling.
He walked over and sat down on the steps next to her. “What are you doing out here at this hour? We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow. I was just finishing up some boat repairs so I can focus on the events.”
“I know. I just couldn’t sleep. Plus, I’m still waiting for my daughter to get home. It’s almost midnight, so her carriage should arrive anytime now.”
“I’m sure she had a great time. I actually saw her down at the Riverwalk taking some pictures with friends before it started.”
“Didn’t she look beautiful?” Josie asked, smiling.
“She did. Just like her mother.” He said it so softly that she barely heard it. It suddenly felt like four thousand lightning bugs were zipping around inside of her stomach.
“Walker...”
“It’s okay. It’s not like I’m going to try to kiss you or anything. But you are a beautiful woman, and somebody should tell you every single day of your life.”
“Why are you talking like this? Have you been drinking?”
He turned his head and looked at her. “First of all, I don’t drink. Second of all, you should have more confidence in yourself.”
There was a pause before Josie said, “You know, before I came here, I was engaged.”
His mouth dropped open. “You were? What happened?”
“He invited me to dinner one night, told me I was too difficult, broke up with me, and went off with another woman.”
“Seriously? What a jerk. He obviously didn’t appreciate what he had.”
