Page 14 of Only You

“Thanks.” She placed her small hand in his.

“The car you requested is over here, Alex,” he said.

“Thank you, Ralph. I’ll need you to give Lucy and me time to settle at the house.”

“Of course. I’ll be in touch tomorrow.” He nodded.

I loaded our bags into the back of the black Mercedes G63.

“I didn’t know you could drive,” Lucy said.

I chuckled. “I know how to drive.”

“Are you any good?” She climbed into the front seat and buckled her seat belt.

“Are you worried?” I arched my brow.

“A little bit.”

As we drove, we passed the sign welcoming us to Harbor Falls. My stomach twisted as I took a sharp breath.

“I think it’s weird that our last name is Harbor, and we’re in Harbor Falls,” she said, glancing at me.

“My great-great-grandfather was the founder of this town. It’s been my family’s legacy for decades.”

“This is your town?”

“Yeah. I suppose it is.” I looked at her as she stared at the scenery.

“It’s beautiful here,” she said.

“It always has been.”

“Why did you leave?”

“As I said, it’s complicated.”

I entered the code on the keypad, and the wrought iron gates opened. Pulling into the large circular driveway, I gripped the steering wheel and stared at the white-sided double-front estate I once called home.

“Wow!” Lucy exclaimed. “You used to live here?”

“Yep.” I opened the back of the SUV and grabbed our luggage.

The front door opened, and Mara stood there, smiling at me.

“Alex.”

“Hi, Mara.” I hugged her.

“Look at you. What a fine man you’ve become. Who’s this?”

“Mara, this is my daughter Lucy. Lucy, this is Mara. She takes care of the house.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lucy. You look a lot like your daddy.”

“I hope not.” She stepped through the door.

“Ignore her.” I sighed, shaking my head.