Page 49 of Devlin

"When your mother and I startedhaving problems. She didn't want anyone to see the strain between us, so we started saying no to invitations, and eventually the invitations stopped coming. After your mom left, I became a third wheel to Claire and Graham's love story, so I kept my distance."

"Until a few weeks ago when you and Claire had a very personal conversation."

"She needed someone to talk to, someone whohad known her and Graham for a long time, and that was me. But the person she really wanted to speak to was Graham. That's what I told him. I don't regret saying it; I was trying to help. But Graham couldn't see that."

"Devlin gave his father an ultimatum. If he doesn't hire you back, then Devlin will quit."

"That won't do any good. Someone has to make good on our orders. I don'twant Devlin throwing himself under the bus for me."

"I think he's doing it for himself, too. He needs his father to know that he's in charge."

"Graham doesn't react well to ultimatums. Devlin might find himself out on his ass."

"I hope not, but I wanted you to know that he's still trying, so maybe put off these interviews you've been scheduling."

"I'll think about it,but it might be time for me to move on."

She was surprised at his statement. "The Boatworks has been your whole life."

"And the past week I've begun to realize that might be the saddest thing of all."

"Really? I've never heard you talk like this."

"And you probably wish I'd had this epiphany a long time ago." He gave her a sad look. "I'm sorry for breaking up our family,Hannah. I don't know if I ever said that to you."

Her eyes blurred with tears. "I appreciate you saying it now, but I know there were two sides."

"There were. But my devotion to work was a big part of our problems. In retrospect, I realized I used work as an escape from the unhappiness I could feel in both your mother and me, and then it became the breaking point. I don't know howmuch you're working these days, Hannah, but I suspect your hours have gotten longer since your breakup with Gary."

"That might be true."

"Work is important, especially if you love it, if it brings you joy. But don't make my mistakes. Don't use your job as an escape or a hideout. The years go fast. You don't want to wake up one day and wonder what the hell you're doing and why youspent so much time caring about things that don't matter."

"Is that how you feel, Dad?"

"Today…a little bit."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"You're doing it. You're here. Want to share some rocky road ice cream with me?"

Considering she'd had cake at the party, she should probably say no, but she hadn't had this personal of a conversation with her dad since shewas a teenager. "Sounds perfect."

CHAPTER ELEVEN

NOTHING WAS QUITE RIGHT,Devlin thought, as he drove downtown Saturday afternoon. It hadn't been right for the last three days, ever since he'd messed up his evening with Hannah.

Why had he kicked her out? Why had he jumped so far ahead? Why hadn't he just let himself enjoy her company?

He knew why. Because being with Hannah had put all kinds of bad ideas into his head, ideas that he didn't normally have about women. He preferred things simple, fun, uncomplicated. While Hannah might be fun, she was not simple or uncomplicated.

Unfortunately, kicking Hannah out had not put an end to his ideas. He hadn't been able to stop thinking abouther. He'd looked for her and Frank out on the ocean, hoping to catch a glimpse of them in theDaisy Mae, but there had been no sign of them. And every time he saw a blonde walking along the street, he'd done a double-take. But, somehow, he'd made it to Saturday without seeing her. It seemed unbelievable. King Harbor wasn't that big. She had to be avoiding him.

Blowing out a frustrated breath,he wished he could take his restlessness out to the sea, but he'd promised to check in on his grandmother while his dad was out of town. He'd done that earlier in the day, and now he was headed to the Bickmore Hotel for tea with Fiona. He needed to put his tense emotions aside for at least the next few hours.

After parking behind the hotel, he met his grandmother in the grand lobby. Thehotel décor was vintage luxury: gleaming hardwood floors, antique furniture, and art from the Roaring Twenties.

Fiona stood by the hostess station. She'd had her silvery-white hair styled, and she was looking happy in a soft pink floral dress.

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