Page 10 of Love In Harbor Falls

“One could only hope.” I sighed.

My twin sister and I owned the Seaside Bar and Grille—the family business that was left to us ten years ago after our parents were killed in a boating accident. We were both twenty-four at the time, and Katherine was living in New York and had just graduated from Parsons School of Design with a degree in Interior Design. After the accident, she returned to Harbor Falls and never left again. On the other hand, I knew I’d be taking over the business someday, so I went to the University of South Carolina and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business finance. Harbor Falls was and always had been my home, and the thought of ever leaving never crossed my mind.

I did more than just run the Seaside Bar and Grille. I was also the town’s handyman. Whenever the residents needed something fixed, they always called on me. If you were to ask anyone about me, they would tell you that I was one of the nicest people they’d ever met and that my parents raised me well.

“Still thinking about Adalyn?” Katherine asked as she passed by the bar.

“Maybe a little.” I smiled.

* * *

Adalyn

I pulled into the driveway of my new home and closed my eyes for a moment, thanking God I had finally made it. It was a long drive and a long day, and I was happy to be home finally. Walking up the steps to the porch, I punched in the code to the lockbox, removed the house keys from it, and opened the door. Stepping inside, I hit the light switch in the foyer and stood there with a smile on my face. Even though the house was empty, it still felt like home. Walking into the kitchen, I turned on the lights. I loved how spacious it was and double the size of the penthouse kitchen. But what I loved most of all was the light and airy feel of the white cabinets, white tiled backsplash, and white granite countertops with veins of light and dark gray throughout.

A woman walked over as I stepped outside to grab some boxes from the car.

“Hi. You must be our new neighbor. I’m Annie Fricks from next door.”

“Nice to meet you, Annie. I’m Adalyn Richards.”

“Great to meet you. Here, let me help you.” Annie reached for a box.

“Thank you, but you don’t have to.”

“I know I don’t, but I want to. Is it just you here or you and your husband?”

“Just me.” I gave her a small smile as we set the boxes down in the living room.

“Oh. Well, welcome to the neighborhood. You’re going to love it here. May I ask what you do for a living?”

Annie Fricks seemed to be the Gladys Kravitz of the neighborhood. That much I could already tell.

“I’m an art curator.”

“Fascinating. So where do you work?”

“If my wife is being too nosey, tell her it’s none of her business,” a man spoke as he walked into the house carrying a box. “I hope you don’t mind. I figured I’d help out.”

“Adalyn, this is my husband, Jerry. Jerry, meet our new neighbor, Adalyn. She’s by herself.” I heard her whisper.

“Nice to meet you, Adalyn. Welcome to the neighborhood.”

“Thanks, Jerry. Nice to meet you, too.”

“Adalyn was just telling me she’s an art curator,” Annie told her husband.

“No kidding. My grandmother was one of those back in the day. Judging by your accent, I can tell you’re not from around here.”

“I’m not. I just moved here from New York.”

“Ah. A New Yorker. I almost said that.” A smile crossed his lips as he pointed his finger at me.

“So, where does an art curator get a job around here?” Annie asked.

“I’m actually opening up an art gallery in town, right where the secondhand store was.”

“Wow. That’s wonderful news. Harbor Falls needs its own gallery. We have to drive at least fifty miles if we want any artwork.” Annie grinned.

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