Page 57 of Until We Break

Margot

“Idon’t want to live in that summer anymore,” Caleb answered. “I want this one. This is the one that matters.”

I swallowed. Did that mean he had forgiven me? Why was I too scared to ask him?

“Are you sure?”

He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. It was protective. “I’m sure.”

I had lived with the regret for so long I knew it wouldn’t vanish over biscuits and coffee, but it felt better to be on this side of the apology than always testing it out on my tongue.

I leaned against his shoulder. “Thank you,” I whispered.

“You have a lot to figure out here. I’m talking about the Blue Heron.”

I was glad we could change the subject for a minute.

“The Blue Heron is consuming me.” I stared up at the cracks in the porch ceiling. There were new cobwebs in the corners. No matter what, I couldn’t compete with the wildlife on the island. They were here before me and they were going to prove a point. I was just sharing this space with them.

“What do you need to make decisions about the place?” he asked.

“A lot of money,” I admitted. “I owe back taxes. And you’ve probably realized I’m not exactly killing it around here.”

There hadn’t been a single boater this morning. Although, I had to assume that was to be expected after a big storm. No boaters meant no money today. No new boaters were going to travel to Marshoak and need an overnight slip. I wasn’t bringing in income.

“How can you owe the taxes? It wasn’t yours when Walt ran the place into the ground.”

“Dean keeps telling me it’s part of being an heiress. I always thought that meant someone was dripping in diamonds and gold, not bills and debts.”

We drank our coffee and I nibbled on some of the biscuits. I’d only taken the ones Dean brought to shut him up. I was appreciative of the batch from Caleb.

“What about a loan?” he suggested.

“I don’t have anything that a bank would take as collateral for a business loan. I was counting on the royalties from my tour to pay my own bills for the next year. I wasn’t able to pay next month’s rent when it was canceled.” I wasn’t proud to disclosemy financial situation, but this was the reality of the Blue Heron. Caleb needed to know the reality.

“Does Dean want you to sell it?” There was a twinge of bitterness in his voice.

“It’s an option. I could make a lot of money I think. Hopefully, enough to pay off the double mortgages, the taxes, and all the construction loans Uncle Walt took out when he fixed the docks after the last hurricane.”

“But that was three years ago.”

I closed my eyes and exhaled. “I know, but he never paid it off. Now I have to.”

Caleb leaned forward. His palm coasted over my knee. I felt the warmth of his hand, the warmth between us.

“I didn’t know it was that bad here. No one would blame you for wanting to sell and get out from under all the debt. Especially not me.”

“Thank you,” I replied softly. “It still might not be enough money even if I have a buyer tomorrow. The debts and double mortgages are higher than the property value. And then I don’t even have a place to live or a business to make any money.” I felt the tightness in my chest return. Every time I tried to sort through this fucked up mess, I only felt anxious and hopeless.

“That won’t happen,” he said it with so much reassurance and confidence.

“How do you know what’s going to happen with the Blue Heron?”

“I’m not sure exactly.” He paused. “I’ve got this feeling. This feels right. You. Here in this place.” He looked out at the few boats in the slips. His eyes drifted back to me. “I still can’t get over what you did for Lucas. And now that I know when and how…it’s even more incredible. I’m not necessarily one of those people who believes in fate. But…”

“But what?” I inched closer to him.

“Seems like you were supposed to come back here. For a lot of reasons.” He winked and everything inside me melted.

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