Page 26 of Only You
“There you are,” I said.
“Sorry, Alex. Lucy wanted to go to the park.”
“That’s okay. How was it?” I asked Lucy.
“It was fun. I met a friend there. Her name is Isabelle. We hung out for a while and talked. I got her phone number.” She held up her phone.
“That’s great, kiddo.” I smiled, glancing over at Mara.
“I’m going swimming in the pool.” Lucy flew up the stairs.
“Who is Isabelle?” I asked Mara.
“She’s Jacob Planter’s daughter.”
“Ah, Jacob. I didn’t realize he still lived here.”
“Almost everyone you were friends with is still here, Alex,” she said. “Isabelle is a very nice girl. How did your meeting with Ralph go?”
“My mother left everything to me—her money, the estate, the town. Did you know?”
“No. I didn’t. Your mother never told me things. You know how she was.”
“I know.” I sighed. “I appreciate you sticking by her all these years and caring for her when she became ill. Follow me,” I said, walking to the office that was once my father’s. Pulling my checkbook from the drawer, I wrote a check for a large sum of money and handed it to her.
“Alex, I cannot accept this.”
“You can and you will. It wasn’t right for her not to leave you anything after she passed. You deserve that money. But you have to promise you’ll still take care of the house until I decide what I’m going to do.”
“You have my word. Thank you.” She smiled, kissing my cheek. “If it’s okay, I’m going to head home.”
“It’s fine. Enjoy the rest of your evening.”
She began to walk away and then stopped and turned to me. “I really hope you decide to stay in Harbor Falls. I know you have a business back in Chicago, but Harbor Falls is a better place to raise your daughter.”
A small smile crossed my lips as she walked out of the room.
CHAPTER 9
Hannah
I spent the morning looking at homes with Gloria, the realtor. The problem was that I invested everything into the shop and had nothing left to buy a house. I didn’t want to live in an apartment, but I felt I had no choice.
“You can live with us,” Adalyn said as she and Luis hung a new art piece on the wall.
“I’ve imposed on you and Colin enough. Besides, I need my own space, and the two of you need privacy. I have to go.” I smiled, kissing her cheek. “I’m meeting Gloria at the shop, and she’s handing over the keys.”
“Ah, I remember those days.” Adalyn smiled. “We’ll celebrate tonight.”
I walked around the block to my new shop, where Gloria was already waiting for me.
“Oh my gosh, I hope I’m not late.” I checked my watch.
“Not at all. I was early. Would you like to do the honors?” She dangled the shop’s key in front of me.
“Of course.” I grinned.
Taking it from her hand, I stuck it into the lock and opened the door. Stepping inside, I inhaled a sharp breath, knowing this was all mine.