Page 61 of Mail Order Sunset (Hawthorne Billionaire 4)

“You’ve made me look incompetent to the town, and if I don’t have their confidence, they will think I can’t run that marina. I crossed my arms over my chest. “I guess it’s a pride thing for me, too, but, in the end, I didn’t push you and you didn’t push me.”

“That’s true, we somehow got tangled and momentum took us both.” Sawyer leaned against the window.

We stared at each other for a few seconds until Dad cleared his throat.

“What was your name again, son? I can’t keep calling you ‘Fancy Yacht Boy’.” Admiral pulled his tray closer to the bed. “Would you like something from this fancy basket from the bakery?”

“Wow, Dad, who sent that?” I looked through the basket. “I don’t see a note. Maybe the town got together and sent it.”

“That’s not the way this town does things, but Fancy Yacht here might do this kinda thing, am I right?” Admiral said. “You never said your name.”

“It’s Sawyer Hawthorne, a.k.a. Fancy Yacht.” Sawyer’s cell rang. “Pardon me for a moment, I need to get this.”

“Dad, you shouldn’t say things like that to a customer.” I scolded. “Why would he send a basket like this?”

“Because he felt bad that the Admiral was injured. And, he’s been taking up a lot of your time, keeping you away from him,” Sawyer said, leaning against the open doorway. “I have to get going. I just wanted to stop in and check on you.”

“I told you it was him.” Admiral grinned ear to ear. “Thank you, you saved me from a few days of terrible hospital food.”

We all laughed at that.

“Jade, I need to bother you again. I bought a boat off of George, and I need it delivered to the island. Do you think you could get it there for me?” Sawyer asked. “I also thought you could bring the band over in it tonight. Then it’s only one trip over.”

“That works. I’ll check with George to see when it will be at the marina,” I smiled. “Thank you for the basket. You’ve made this guy here very happy.”

“And what about you? Does it make you happy too?” Sawyer smiled.

“It wasn’t necessary but, yes, thank you,” I said.

How did I not notice the dimples before? Stop staring. Look away.

“Dad, I need to go over to the marina and work. Your physical therapist should be in here pretty soon.” I looked over to find him sleeping with a muffin in his hand.”

Finally, he sleeps.

I sat watching him sleep for a bit while I checked my emails. I’d sent in for some side work, but nothing had come in yet.

We can figure this out. He’s gonna get better, then the marina will be up and running again.

I walked over to the nurse’s station. “Hi, Dad seems to be having a lot of shakes in his sleep. Has Tom…Dr. Johnson been told?”

“Hey, Jade. Yeah, we noticed it last night. He knows about it and said he would talk to you today sometime,” one of the nurses answered, chewing on a donut.

“That’s a nice basket you got there? Who sent it?” I asked.

“You’re funny, girl. I was going to come down there and thank you personally, we just got slammed.” The head nurse stood with three charts in her arms. “You didn’t have to do this, but we sure do love it.”

“Wait, you think I sent it?” I sighed. “Why do you think it was from me?”

“Because the card says “From Jade and Admiral. Thanks for all your hard work and patience.” The nurse handed me the card. “You don’t have to be shy about it, but thanks for noticing.”

I handed the card back. “I have to go to the marina. Please call me for anything.”

I took a look in on my dad, then waved to the nurses on my way out. I walked the short blocks to the marina, deep in thought on how to pay the outstanding electric bills to get the power back on.

The money from the diving expedition should cover some of the electric bills, and when Mr. Hawthorne pays at the end of the week, that should cover the rest.

“Mr. DeLuca, why are you on my property again?” I asked when I found him standing on the dock near the office. “You need to leave. You are not welcome here.”

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