Page 89 of Happy Harbor
Josie knew Scotty wasn’t likely to lie. Kendra had told her it was one of the traits she liked about him. He just didn’t know how to lie, and she liked being able to trust someone like that.
“I believe you,” Walker said. He looked at Josie. “I really do.”
Josie blew out a breath. “I do too, actually. Who were those kids?”
“They said they go to First Avenue High School,” Kendra said.
Walker chuckled. “Ah, good old First Avenue.”
Leonard laughed too. “No surprise there, right?”
“Wait, what’s First Avenue?” Josie asked.
“It’s a new alternative high school for the kids who get into trouble all the time. Kids from several counties go there.”
“Oh, well, that makes more sense,” Kendra said. “I’m so sorry, sir. We didn’t know, or we would’ve stopped them. I guess I don’t need to be so trusting, even in Happy Harbor.”
Leonard put his hand on her shoulder. “This wasn’t your fault or his. And you did the right thing, forcing them to come back. No telling what could’ve happened out there in the water with a bunch of drunk kids and a boat. Thank you for standing up to them.”
She smiled and nodded. “Glad it all worked out.”
“I think I’ll walk Kendra home, if that’s okay with you?” Scotty asked.
Josie nodded. “Of course. If you haven’t had dinner, there’s leftover lasagna in the fridge.”
Scotty smiled. “I love lasagna.”
As they walked away, Josie felt good about what her daughter had done. She felt good about the boy she was seeing. And she felt good to be standing there with Walker. Life was getting good.
* * *
Josie and Walker walked along the dark streets. The only sounds she could hear were crickets and their footsteps in perfect unison. It was like they were alone on the planet.
Happy Harbor wasn’t exactly bustling with nightlife. Once people got home from work, they stayed in for the most part. Businesses shut down at five or six. Even restaurants didn’t stay open late. Well, except hers now. There were no bars in Happy Harbor, so the town was perfectly quiet once the sun went down.
“Do you think you’ll stay in Happy Harbor?” Walker suddenly asked.
She chuckled. “I have no idea. Probably?”
“What would cause you to leave?”
She thought for a moment. “If my mother ever started drinking again, I would leave. I can’t handle going through that again.”
“So you’d leave immediately?”
“Yep. I won’t drag my daughter through watching her grandmother get drunk all the time. If my mother didn’t leave, I would.”
“I think Diane is in a good place.”
“I agree. And she’s never gone this long being sober, so I’m hopeful it lasts. But there were so many times when I was a kid that she made promises and didn’t keep them, you know? It’s hard to believe the nightmare of having an alcoholic parent is over.”
“I don’t want you to leave,” he said, softly.
Josie stifled a smile. It was nice to hear him say that. “Thanks.”
Walker stopped in the middle of the deserted street and turned to face her. The only lights around them were a lone streetlight and the moon above them. “Do you have feelings for me?”
“You’re very blunt, Walker Jackson,” she said, laughing.
