Page 56 of Devlin

She was falling in love with the house.

But where would that lead? Would she really move back here? Or was this house going to be another sad memory of what she'd left behind in King Harbor?

When they made theirway downstairs and onto the front deck, Kathy left them alone while she moved inside to take a phone call.

"What do you think?" he asked, as they stood at the rail, looking out at the water.

"It's beautiful," she murmured, turning her gaze to him.

He thought she was damn beautiful, too—her blonde hair lit with gold in the sunlight, her blue eyes alive with wonder and excitement.

"What's your opinion, Devlin?"

"I like the house. It feels like a home. I could see you living here."

"Really?"

"Yes. It's uniquely charming, and you can't beat this view."

"You have the same view at your apartment."

"Not quite as good as this."

"Maybe you should buy the house."

"Or you should," he countered.

She licked her lips. "Whatwould I do with a house in King Harbor?"

"Live in it. You said you've missed the town and that you're at a crossroads in your work life. Why not make a change? Your dad lives here. You have friends here."

"My dad might leave if he decides to take a job elsewhere."

He hated the reminder that her father was currently interviewing with one of his competitors. He'd let the situationlinger too long. He'd told himself that he was doing what he could to make peace between the two men, that Frank had some skin in the game, too, because he'd chosen to criticize Graham. He'd convinced himself that it wasn't all his dad's fault, but that wasn't true. This situation was completely on his father, and he shouldn’t have given him more than a week to come to his senses.

"Devlin?"Hannah said, a question in her eyes. "Where did you go? You got quiet."

"I'm sorry, Hannah. I should have resolved this situation with your dad before this."

"I know it's complicated."

"It got more complicated when my mom left. I had every intention of getting my father to rehire Frank before that. But he was so rattled by her leaving, I didn't push as hard as I should have.I gave him an ultimatum, but I didn't follow up on it. I should have. Tomorrow, I will tell him that time's up. Frank comes back, or I walk."

"What if he lets you go? What would you do?"

"I'd do what I'm doing now. I'd start my own company and work it from the ground up. It would be smaller. It would take me years to get to where I am now, but it would be mine."

"I'm sureit would be successful."

He appreciated her confidence in him. "It would be, or it wouldn't be, but either way, it would be a challenge, and I like challenges." He paused, wanting her to understand. "I grew up as a member of a powerful, successful family. There were a lot of expectations, most of which I didn't choose to fulfill. I didn't go to Harvard like most of my brothers. I didn'twant to work in the whisky business. I didn't want to live in Boston. I said no so many times that when I finally took over the Boatworks, I felt like I needed to say yes to my father being involved on a limited basis. It wasn't difficult, because for the most part, he stayed out of the business. When this situation happened with Frank, I was thrown. I thought I had to respect my father's decision,because he's ultimately my boss, but his decision wasn't worthy of my respect. Anyway, it's difficult to explain, but—"

"I get it, Devlin. I don't know what it was like to grow up a Blackthorne, but I did go into business with my mother. She's my boss, and I know how it feels to try to forge your own way, without disrespecting your parent. I also realize that your mother's departure createdchaos and uncertainty. My father's part in her departure didn't help."

"You're letting me off the hook?"

"We both know I let you off the hook awhile ago," she said with a smile. "But I'm still going to beat you in the race. I won't go easy on you, and you can't go easy on me."

"You don't have to worry about that. I always play to win. And since we're having an honest momenthere, what do you really think of this house?"

---