Page 79 of Happy Harbor
“That’s a sad story.”
“No, it’s not. If I’d stayed with Luke, I wouldn’t have you.”
Josie smiled at her. “I haven’t always been the biggest blessing.”
Diane stopped and squeezed her arm. “You are, without question, the biggest blessing in my life. Don’t you ever say that again.”
“Sorry. I didn’t know if...”
“If I regret having you? Of course not. It wasn’t under ideal circumstances, and I couldn’t give you a proper family with a mom and dad, but I’ve loved you since the day you were born. Even when I was a drunken mess, I loved you. You know you’d love Kendra no matter what, right?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t want you to think there was a moment I didn’t love you. I know it seems like love for you should’ve conquered my addiction, but it’s a disease. It’s a compulsion. My brain was very sick, Josie. Now, I’m clearheaded and nothing feels better than walking down this street, chatting with my daughter. It’s a second chance. You deserve a second chance at life too.”
“Y’all must be two of the slowest women I’ve ever seen!” Walker said from the other end of the road. “Come on!”
Diane and Josie laughed before jogging toward him.
* * *
Josie couldn’t believe what she was seeing. The main street running through town had been turned into a festival. There were booths everywhere, as well as games, food trucks, and even a stage. She had no idea what that was for, but she was curious.
“Walker, you’ve outdone yourself, honey,” Diane said. She patted him on the back. “I’m going to go chat with Bear. He’s waving me down.” Josie looked over and noticed Bear and some of the other employees were manning a table where they were selling premade breakfast plates.
“Well, what do you think?”
Josie continued looking around, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open far enough for a bumblebee to fly into it. “I don’t even know what to say...”
“Are you surprised?”
“Surprised doesn’t even begin to cover it, Walker. I can’t believe you did all this.”
“I had a lot of help, trust me.”
“All these people will work here for two whole days just to give me the money? That makes no sense to me.”
“They love Campbell’s, and they loved Miss Adeline. They don’t know you very well yet, but you’re her granddaughter and that’s enough.”
“What’s the stage for?”
“We’re going to have a karaoke contest tonight. People have to pay to enter.”
“Are people actually signing up?” she asked, laughing.
“Yes, they are. I think we have about fifteen people so far. What about you?”
“Me? I’m definitely not a singer.”
“That’s the whole point! Karaoke is fun because people are terrible. Nobody wants to hear good singing up there. That’s no fun!”
“I think I’ll stay safely down here on the ground.”
“We’ll see about that.”
“I can’t thank you enough for doing all this. I could’ve never pulled this off by myself, even if I had months to do it. It’s like you performed a magic trick.”
He smiled. “I told you that you can count on me, Josie. Whether we’re friends or more than that, if I can help you, then I’m going to.”
