Page 11 of Love In Harbor Falls

“Come on, Annie. Let’s go home and let Adalyn get back to getting settled.”

“Of course.” Annie reached out and grabbed both of my hands. “If you need anything, we’re right next door.”

“Thank you. I appreciate it.” I smiled as I walked them both to the door. “Thanks again for helping with the boxes.”

“Not a problem. That’s what neighbors are for,” Jerry said.

Annie Fricks was a woman who stood five foot four with medium-length curly brown hair and striking green eyes. Her husband, Jerry, stood about six feet tall with sandy blond hair and a balding top. One could tell how well they fit together when they stood side by side.

Grabbing the last box from my car, I took it inside and set it down with the rest of the boxes on the floor. Opening the one labeled for the kitchen, I took out the Keurig and set it on the granite countertop. After unpacking everything I’d brought, I changed into my pajamas and set up the air mattress in the bedroom. All the furniture would be delivered tomorrow morning around ten a.m., and the moving truck with the rest of my things would arrive around noon.

Climbing on the air mattress, I snuggled in for the night. Never in a million years had I thought I’d be living alone, and the reality of it started to settle in. Tears filled my eyes as I gripped the sheet that covered me. Anxiety was rearing its ugly head, and I felt as if I couldn’t breathe. Jumping up from the air mattress, I opened the sliding door in the bedroom and stepped out onto the balcony. Closing my eyes, I inhaled the saltwater air and listened as the waves rolled in and out. Instantly, my body began to calm, and a feeling of peace washed over me. It was at that moment I knew I would be okay.

CHAPTER8

Adalyn

I woke up at six-thirty a.m. to the sun peering through the sheers that dressed the bedroom windows. After getting dressed and deflating the air mattress, I made a cup of coffee and took it outside on the deck. Thankfully, the previous owners left two Adirondack chairs behind. Sitting down, I brought my knees up while drinking my coffee and stared at the ocean water. The sounds of the seagulls overhead and the waves crashing into the shore were the perfect way to start the day. I wasn’t used to mornings like this—my mornings used to consist of the hustle and bustle of people, sirens, and noisy traffic. This was definitely a welcomed change.

Shortly before my furniture arrived, I walked around the house and visually placed where every piece would be set up. I’d spent a fortune on new furniture, but it was worth it. I wanted nothing from the penthouse to remind me of my marriage, and I wanted to lock those memories away in my mind and keep them there forever.

Both trucks ended up coming a bit earlier than they were supposed to. At approximately quarter past nine, the furniture movers pulled up and unloaded all the furniture room by room. At half past eleven, the moving truck pulled up and unloaded the rest of my things from New York. After unpacking, I stared at the box containing a seventy-inch TV that leaned against the living room fireplace and sighed.

“Knock, knock.” I heard the front door open and Annie’s voice.

“In the living room,” I shouted.

“Wow. Now, this is looking like a home.” She smiled as she admired the new furniture. I brought you a housewarming basket.”

“Annie, thank you. That was so nice.” I grinned as I took the wicker basket from her containing homemade blueberry muffins, chocolate chip cookies, a coffee mug with Harbor Falls written across it, and a bottle of wine.

“As much as I would love to stay and chat, I’m afraid I have to run. I have a doctor’s appointment in thirty minutes,” she said as she stared at the large box against the fireplace. “Do you need your TV hung on the wall?”

“Yeah. I’m putting it above the fireplace. The problem is, I need to find someone to hang it for me. Does Jerry know how to hang a TV?”

Annie let out a laugh. “Jerry doesn’t even know how to hammer a nail into the wall. But I know someone who can put it up for you. I’ll give him a call as soon as I leave.”

“Thanks, Annie.”

“Not a problem, friend. Listen, I have to go. Are you going to be home for the rest of the day?”

“I just have to run to the grocery store. Other than that, I’ll be here.”

“Great. I’m sure he’ll stop by later to help you with that TV.”

Later that day, I climbed into the jeep and headed to the grocery store. There was a knock at the door as I was in the kitchen putting groceries away. Opening it, surprise took over me when I saw Colin standing there holding a red toolbox in his hand.

“Colin?”

“Adalyn?” A bright smile crossed his face. “You’re Annie’s new neighbor?”

“Yeah. You’re the guy she called to help me with my TV?”

“Town handyman.” He grinned.

“Come in. Thanks for coming.”

“Wow. It looks like you’re already settled in,” he said.

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