Page 48 of Hooked on a Feeling

“You okay?” John squeezed her forearm.

“Yeah. Yeah.” She blinked.

“I know it’s a lot to take in, and there’s no pressure. You have one week before the trust expires. And if you have no desire for this property, just keep doing what you’re doing.” Albert gave Starr a big smile.

“He’s right.” Deanne nodded. “I only wanted you to understand everything that you are entitled to. I was sure you didn’t know this and wanted you well-informed before it got to be too late.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that.” She swallowed, her mind racing. She couldn’t look at John because, damn it, this wasn’t in her plans. The love. The property. Emerald Port, in general.

“If you have any questions, please call. I don’t officially do much work anymore outside of a small circle of folks I know, but you being the granddaughter of Harold Young, I’m happy to help.” Albert turned to John. “And I hear you got into a bit of trouble, young man. If you need a lawyer, I would be happy to extend my services to you as well.”

“Thank you, sir. I would love to take you up on that offer.” John put both of his hands up. “As a paying customer, of course.”

“We can work something out.” Albert reached into his breast pocket and handed John a card and then one to Starr. “Here is my card. Call me when you’re ready, and Ms. Young—good luck.”

“Thank you so much.” Starr couldn’t seem to utter any more words. John and Deanne walked Albert to the door and saw him out.

The marina could be hers.

Well, could it?

She had one week, and honestly, she had no clue what would be defined as a profit. Maybe she should have asked. Because right now, aside from the electricity and water bills and the random supplies Lyle bought to keep the place running, there weren’t many expenses. Besides the cost of the paint and shingles, she couldn’t think of much else. There was no loan. No big overhead on the restaurant or convenience store since both were shut down. Just taxes and insurance, so far.

She rubbed the bridge of her nose. Why was she thinking about this? John and Deanne’s voices floated from down the hallway, and Starr set the papers down. If anything, she owed Deanne a big thank you for making sure Starr was enlightened about what was in the trust.

“Does that change your mind about listing the property with me?” Deanne asked. “Or would you like to get things signed?”

“I need a day to digest. I wasn’t expecting any of this. Thank you for setting this up,” she said as John meandered out onto the patio, sliding the door shut softly behind him. Who was she kidding? She knew what she wanted if she listened to what her heart was telling her. But her mind… That was different.

“How is the coffee shop?” Starr asked Deanne.

“I sold it.”

“Congratulations.”

“It’ll work well. I sold it to a great girl. In fact, she’s your age. If you decide to stay, you guys could become friends.” She winked. “Don’t think I don’t know you’ve become fond of our kale cucumber smoothie.”

“Guilty as charged.”

“They are pretty amazing. Anyway, I’ll leave you to it.” Deanne’s sandals made clomping noises on the tile as she walked to the front door and let herself out.

Starr closed her eyes, imagining her future life.

Somehow, she wasn’t surprised by what she saw. Little kids running around the cottage and jumping into the harbor off their private docks, just like she and her sister had done growing up. She opened her eyes. John was standing on the patio with his back to her, facing the water. He was in need of a haircut because the ends along his neck were starting to curl up.

As if he knew she was watching him, he turned his head and glanced at her over his shoulder. He winked, and her heart knew exactly what she needed to do. The universe was dropping hints every which way, and she wasn’t stupid enough to ignore them. Especially not after learning about the trust.

She moved toward him, put her hand on the sliding glass door to the patio, and pulled it open. It was time to give up on expanding her studio in Boulder and walk into her future.

* * *

“You sure look happy,” John told Starr when she came out on the patio. Nothing more beautiful than seeing her eyes light up when she smiled. John pulled her into his chest, resting his chin on the top of her head.

“I am happy.” She leaned back and met his gaze. “Can I ask you a question?”

“Anything. Always. You know that.”

“What if I stayed? What about us?”

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