Page 31 of Hooked on a Feeling

Deanne: My handyman will come and work on the docks tomorrow, if you don’t mind. I think that’s the biggest thing that needs to be addressed.

Starr: That’s great. I’ll be here all day. Thanks.

Had the people of Emerald Port always been so generous? Had she had an awakening since the last time she was here a few years ago? Or had she matured enough to recognize the value of community? Either way, she was grateful that Deanne was sending someone over to look at the docks. It would be nice to advertise that the slips were available for rent. In a place like Emerald Port where boats were plentiful, it didn’t seem like it would be too hard to get the slips leased.

Another selling point, if she’d ever heard one. Marina for sale with rented slips. That would be the best thing. It would give her peace of mind when she sold, knowing that the new buyers would still use the property as a marina and not tear it down and put in high-rises. Life would be easier if she could sell the marina to John. She hadn’t broached the idea with her parents, but they’d probably refuse to sign off on a sale to a Davenport.

She took a quick shower, and while the hot water warmed her body, annoyance at her parents stewed in her belly. Funny thing was that as much as her grandparents didn’t like the Davenport family, it seemed like they would have appreciated the love and respect John had for this area. If John bought the marina, it would be in excellent hands. He’d already told her he wanted to get it up and running. He was passionate about it.

And it wasn’t like she would be giving it away.

She shut the water off and hopped out, checking her phone to see if he’d sent her a message.

John: You missed a great family dinner.

She laughed out loud.

Starr: I did? Do tell.

Her phone rang, and John’s name flashed on the screen. “Hey there.”

“I didn’t catch you at a bad time, did I?” His husky voice sent electric volts through her veins. “You’re not in a compromising Downward Dog position, are you?”

She laughed and tucked her towel closer to her chest to keep it from falling. “No Downward Dog for me. I just got out of the shower.” He let out a low groan, and she smiled. “I painted all day.”

“Is that right? What did you paint?”

“The Beach House. I painted the outside front. I got the first half done and plan to do the other half tomorrow. I figure if I can devote my days to painting, the financial burden on me will be less, and it will make the property that much more enticing for buyers.”

“That is true. Did you paint all by yourself?” he asked.

“Of course, all by myself. Who else is going to help me?” She lay on her bed and put him on speakerphone. “Besides, I’m not entirely comfortable with the crowdfunding thing, and by doing this, it’s helping buyer, seller, and community all around.”

“I’ll come and help. I can take the day off tomorrow.”

“No. I don’t need your help. That’s kind of you to offer, but I got this.” She was dying to know how his dinner went. “What did your mom make for dinner?”

He growled like he knew she was purposely changing the subject. She was. She didn’t need his help to paint. It would be fine if he showed up just to say hello because she always wanted to see him, but she wasn’t going to let him work.

“Mom made lasagna. Food was great. But everything else was a shit show.”

“Oh no. Why?” She cringed. Had he told his family about her?

“Oh, because my dad was making a big fuss about retiring, and everyone agreed that he needed to commit to retiring. I told him I’d have to move on if he didn’t.”

“And that got his attention, I bet.”

“I don’t know if that got his attention as much as when all of my brothers and sisters stood with me in solidarity.”

“No way!” She gasped. “They did not.”

“Yeah. They all said they were going to quit if my dad didn’t announce his retirement.” There was a little bit of rustling on his end. “My mom was crushed. I’m tired of seeing her that way. She gave him an ultimatum, for sure.”

“Seriously? Wow. Go, Rose!”

“It was tough for her, no question. But I think it will all work out. As long as my dad does what he’s agreed to, then it should all be fine. Part of me worries that he won’t, but I know my dad, and he follows that old-school code of your word is worth more than a signature.”

“Well, you know him best. Congratulations. This is great news for you. See? You didn’t need to buy the marina after all.” Her heart took a nosedive into her stomach.

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