Page 68 of Only You

“I didn’t say you were a bad babysitter, Hannah.”

“You might as well have, Alex.”

“I apologize. Lucy is still adjusting to everything.”

I took the pencil to my sketchpad. “Is there anything else?”

“No. I’ll let you get back to your work.” He turned and walked out of the house.

Throwing my pencil down, I sighed.

CHAPTER 23

Alex

After Lucy went to bed, I grabbed the bottle of scotch and took it down to the beach. Sitting in the sand, I brought my knees up to my chest and stared out at the water where the moon's light cast its shadow. I thought about Athena, and the memories of that day flooded my mind as if they had just happened. I brought the bottle to my lips and drank as tears streamed down my face.

“I’m so sorry I failed you, Athena.”

After a while and half a bottle of scotch later, I stumbled back to the house. Before stepping inside, I stared at the guesthouse momentarily and then went to bed.

“Dad, why are you still sleeping?” I heard Lucy’s voice in the distance. “Dad. Dad.”

Opening my eyes, she stood over me.

“What is wrong with you? We have to leave in ten minutes.”

“Shit.” I moaned. “I’ll be down in a few minutes.

After she left my room, I threw back the covers, planted my feet on the floor, and ran my hands down my face. There was no time to take a shower, so I threw on a pair of sweatpants and a T-shirt. As we walked out of the house and to the car, Hannah walked to hers.

“Morning,” I said.

“Morning,” she mumbled without looking at me.

“Someone seems like she’s in a mood today,” Lucy said.

“Be quiet,” I sighed.

When I arrived home, the crew had just pulled up.

“Morning, Mr. Harbor.”

“Morning, Greg. I’m going to take a quick shower and do some work in the cottage.”

“Okay. We’ll get started on the bedroom.”

After showering, I made a cup of coffee, grabbed my laptop, and took it to the cottage for a Zoom call with Owen.

“How does it feel to be back in Harbor Falls?” Owen asked, smiling.

“It’s good. Let’s get to business, shall we?”

After our meeting ended, my phone rang, and Ralph called.

“Hello, Ralph.”

“Hello, Alex. I’m in your driveway. Mind if I come in? I have some things to discuss with you.”