Hold Me Now: Hope Harbor

by Harrison, Ann B

  Her current state of business wasn’t where she wanted it to be. Not quite. Something amazing like Arlo’s oysters would send her from the ordinary to super extraordinary suppliers in Seattle. She’d worked too hard to give in. Her expense account was going to have to deal with it.

  “Listen, I think I have an idea, but it’s going to mean I’ll be here another day or so. I’ll give you a call when I can, but can you water my houseplants please?”

  “Sure. Go get ‘em, girl. And don’t forget to push the ‘open public days’ you do. Your growers love that kind of promotion.”

  “Not sure if that’s the right way to go here, but I’ll mention it. Ciao.” Hilary hung up and stood, smoothing down the beige linen pants and the white shirt that Emily didn’t think was sexy enough to do business. Sucking in a stabilizing breathe, she headed out the bedroom door and down the stairs.

  “I should have taken it out yesterday with the roast chicken but David only brought it over last night.” The soft voice came from the kitchen, followed by Matt’s deeper reply.

  “I’ll give him a call. If he’s that desperate for honey, he can come and get it but don’t hold your breath.”

  Hilary skipped down the stairs and walked into the kitchen. “Hello. I hope I’m not interrupting. I wanted to see if I could make myself a cup of tea.” She smiled at the visitor who watched her with interest.

  “Of course you can. I’ll put the kettle on for you. There’s an array of teas on the counter there and cups too. Take your pick.” Matt walked over and filled the kettle for her.

  “Hello. I’m Gigi, Matt’s aunt. Are you staying long on the island?” She leaned on the kitchen island, watching Hilary with a smile on her face and light in her eyes.

  “I’m not sure, actually. And hello, my name is Hilary.” She held out her hand and shook. “I came to do a sales promotion but the person I’m looking for isn’t that keen to meet me.” She pulled out a stool and sat down, seeing she had a captive audience.

  “And why would that be, do you think?” Gigi pulled out a stool and sat next to her. The warmth coming from her smile gave Hilary an encouraging lift.

  She ignored the intake of breath from Matt. Not like he was helpful before so she had to take more steps. “I have no idea. It’s not like I’m going to fleece him of his livelihood or anything. I’m actually trying to help grow his business but it would seem he’s not interested in what I have to offer. Such a shame really.” She gave Gigi a smile.

  “I told you he doesn’t like to see people.” Matt brought her over a cup of tea and slid it across the counter. “Milk and sugar?”

  “No thanks, this is fine.” She jiggled the teabag.

  “Who doesn’t want to see her? Is she talking about your brother, Matt?”

  Hilary answered before Matt could. “Hope Island Shellfish Farm. I went there today and got asked to leave.”

  Gigi laughed and Matt failed to hide a smile behind his hand. “Oh dear. That would no doubt be Bryce. He can be a bit protective of Arlo.” She wiped a finger under her eye. “I’m sorry, Hilary. I don’t mean to laugh but we’ve all given up hope of Arlo being the sociable type after all these years.”

  “I didn’t go out there to marry him. I just wanted to talk to him about the business.” She shook her head, frustration creeping up her neck, but she held it in check. It wouldn’t help matters at all if she showed her impatience to his family. “It’s not rocket science. If you have someone wanting the best produce you can supply, and someone like me to tell the best restaurants about it, why wouldn’t you listen?”

  Gigi lifted a hand. “Matt, a peppermint tea please, darling. I want to hear all about what it is you do, Hilary.”

  Hilary proceeded to explain her business and blogging site. When she finished, Matt stood beside his aunt, listening too. It seemed as though he was no longer as anti-Hilary as before.

  “So, what you’re saying is that you can improve his sales without him actually having to go out and do any of the talking himself? You do all of that putting him in touch with buyers and he never has to leave the farm?”

  “That’s right. It’s what I do. I have the contacts in the restaurant industry and whenever I find something I think they might like, I play the go-between and then I blog about it. The restaurants get more business, and I get more followers and related income from the companies that advertise on my site, plus a commission on the sales. The supplier sells everything he can produce and we all make a decent living.”

  Gigi glanced at Matt, a silent message passing between them. He nodded. Gigi passed a large jar of honey over to Hilary. “I wonder if you would mind delivering this for me, dear? Perhaps around six-ish tonight would be nice. Arlo will be alone and probably sitting on the porch watching the ocean after a big days work. I’m sure you’ll be able to chat to him then.”

  “Good luck, sweetheart. You’re gonna need it.” Matt gave her a half smile.

  Gigi batted his arm. “Get away with you. He’s not that bad.”

  The smile she gave Hilary wasn’t convincing. What the heck had she got herself into?

  * * *

  Arlo swatted at a mosquito and reached for the rake he’d left out earlier when he’d been sidetracked by the oysters Bryce and Sam had pulled in. Plump juicy oysters that now sat in new floating totes to grow for the final couple of months before they were shipped over to the markets on the mainland. They needed a final chance to develop into the plump, juicy oysters famous in this area.

  Bear lifted his head, tilted it sideways. Someone was coming. Who on earth would be out here at this hour? Arlo put his hand on his dog’s collar and stepped up onto the grass and stood behind a stand of trees. A set of headlights shone down the driveway and a vehicle pulled up beside the picnic table.

  “Shh, Bear. Stay and be quiet.” Arlo watched as a young woman climbed out and looked around. Who was she and what did she want? She couldn’t be looking for shellfish this time of night, surely. She must be lost. If he stayed out of the way, maybe she’d leave.

  His visitor looked around and he ducked back in case she saw him but it didn’t seem as though she could. It was merely his nerves running away with him, as they did when people were around. She walked over and knocked on his door and his heart raced when he saw what she was wearing” a short black dress that hugged her hips and left her arms bare, leaving little to his overactive imagination. Her long legs made him blink as did the low cut bodice when she turned around.

  When she got no reply, she turned and banged on the door again.

  Bear wagged his tail and whined. He wanted to go and play and Arlo couldn’t blame him. He put his hand on the dog’s head, soothing him with his touch. If they stayed where they were, she would leave eventually. He couldn’t face talking to a stranger right now. Especially one dressed like that.

  He watched her for another few minutes as she waited for someone to answer the door. Her shoulders drooped and she plodded back to the car, climbed in, and drove away.

  An hour later, he called his brother Matt. “Who was it that came out to the farm, do you know?”

  A long suffering sigh came from his younger brother. “If you’d come out of hiding you’d know that yourself. Her name’s Hilary French and she’s staying here for a few days. Wants to do something with your business apparently. Told me she’d emailed you but guess what? She hadn’t heard back.” His brother’s impatience was evident over the line.

  “You know I don’t do visitors. Why’d you send her here?” If his brother was in on it, he was going to get the rough edge of Arlo’s mood.

  Matt clicked his tongue. “I didn’t exactly send her. She just happened to be here when Gigi dropped off some honey for you and she kind of offered to take it out there since she wanted to talk to you.” Matt sighed again, a sound Arlo was used to. “Brother, it’s time you relax and start to make friends. You’re not getting any younger, you know. She is pretty cute.”

  “I have all the friends I need. I
don’t need to do business with someone who’s only looking out for herself. I do fine as I am.” If Bryce couldn’t persuade him to talk to her, Matt didn’t stand a chance either.

  “That may be, but you could do better. You could actually go out of your way and grow the business. Why let it stagnate and not improve? It’s no further ahead now than when you bought it. Doesn’t make sense to me.”

  “I’m busy making more clam beds. That’s improvement right there.” How would Matt know anyway? He hardly ever left his big house, so intent on making everything look like Martha Stewart had waved her magic wand over it. The rest of the family never saw him unless it was something special, like a birthday.

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it, Arlo. You have plenty of potential to improve your sales if you’d only get off your butt and make the effort. Do a farmer’s market or start advertising. Update that awful website and let people know that you exist beyond the small shipment you send out once a week.”

  “Stop being so damned bossy. I’m happy how I am, and the business is doing fine.”

  “You could be so much better if you’d only take some advice. Won’t hurt you to talk to her.”

  “Go you, Mr. Perfect Homemaker.” The sarcasm was heavy tonight.

  “Stop being a dick, Arlo.”

  “I’m doing what I want with my life. Back off and leave me alone.”

  “All you’re doing is existing. You’re going to die a lonely old man the way you’re going. How long has it been since you had a girlfriend? Oh, that’s right, a steady girl would be a first for you, right?”

  Being the young man about town, Matt thought he knew everything, but he didn’t. Arlo’d had a girlfriend once, but the relationship became strained when she couldn’t convince him to go and mix with friends at a party. It had been too much for him, and he wasn’t keen to repeat that anguish filled night. It was more fun and less stress staying at home with Bear doing what he wanted.

  “Screw you, Matt. You can talk to me about girls when you get one of your own. You’re too busy fluffing up cushions and lighting scented candles to date anyway.” He slammed the phone down.

  Bear pushed his head onto Arlo’s knee and looked up at him with soulful eyes.

  “He’s being a pain in the butt. I don’t need a girlfriend. I have my life and I’m happy with everything as it is.”

  But even if everyone else believed his lies, he could only tell them to himself for so long.

  Chapter 4

  Arlo opened the front door and let Bear outside. The big dog barked but his owner didn’t take any notice. Bear’s early morning routine started with chasing seagulls from the pier before going for a quick dip if the water was warm enough. Then he’d come back and roll in the grass before demanding his share of bacon and eggs for breakfast as they sat outside enjoying the peace and quiet before the boys arrived for work.

  “So, you do exist.” The voice startled him, but there was nowhere to go. He looked into the eyes of the woman who’d come searching for him last night. Today she was dressed in more sensible pants with a loose fitting blouse. “I almost thought Matt was messing with me when I couldn’t find you yesterday, which is strange considering he claims you rarely leave the place. Then I thought to myself, you know what, Hilary? There’s more than one way to catch a fish. Patience is the big key, I think, and you have to be prepared to wait them out. Looks like I was right.” She held out her hand but stopped at the open doorway, not encroaching into the kitchen where he’d retreated to. “Mr. Hope, my name is Hilary French and I’m here to make your day so much better than you thought it was going to be.”

  “I don’t need any help. Thanks anyway.” He cracked the eggs into a bowl but didn’t invite her inside, nor did he shake her hand. Eventually she dropped it and tried again.

  “Can I call you Arlo?” When he only glanced at her, she smiled and took it as consent. “Last month I was out with a friend at a little hole-in-the-wall bar in Seattle and tried your oysters.” She licked her lips and rolled her eyes. “I must say, Arlo, they would have to be the best oysters I’ve ever tried.”

  “And you came out here to tell me that?” He turned the bacon over and grabbed a plate from the shelf. Toenails tapped out a pattern on the floor as Bear waltzed into the kitchen from his spot outside. He gave Hilary a soulful glance and sat in front of the stove, watching the pair of them, his wet coat leaving puddles on the flagstones.

  “Didn’t you get my emails or phone messages?”

  “Don’t know. I never check them.” He plated the bacon and turned his attention to the eggs.

  “How on earth do you run a business if you don’t check your emails? What if it was someone who wanted to buy your produce? Don’t you care if you lose customers?” She took a step forward and Bear turned to watch her.

  “I don’t deal with that side of it. Not that it’s any of your business.” He picked up the spatula, ready to save them from being overcooked. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, my breakfast is ready and I’m hungry.” He turned from her and slid the eggs out of the pan and onto the plate with Bear watching every move.

  “You’re kidding me, right? I came all the way from Seattle to see you to make you an offer. The least you can do is listen to me.” She backed away as he grabbed his cutlery and walked toward her. “You can eat and listen. Please, Arlo.”

  If it would get her to leave, did he really have any choice? “Fine, speak fast, then. I have a busy day ahead.” He sat down at the picnic table and started in on his breakfast.

  “I have a company that puts the best suppliers in contact with first class restaurants. I work out supply figures and prices comparable with current market prices, which have a fluctuation allowance built in every month to rise and fall with the season’s prices. You never have to try to sell your produce again. It all still goes through Seattle Markets but all sales are taken care of by a special agent who doesn’t sell it to anyone but the people who are in the group I represent. You are guaranteed there will be no price cuts, no returned stock so long as it meets market quality, and I go hunting for new customers and let them know what’s in season. I take care of everything for you and guarantee you get paid on time, every time.” She paused for a breath and he handed Bear a slice of bacon. He wished she would hurry up; the familiar tension was beginning to build between his shoulder blades.

  “I also blog about the produce and the restaurants that use it. I share recipes and photos, do tours, and publish a customer profile of your business at least once a year. I have thousands of followers and I know what I’m doing. You can’t get this kind of advertising anywhere else, that I can promise you.”

  “Why would I want that sort of thing anyway?” He put down his knife and fork and tossed the last piece of bacon to Bear, who snatched it with a snap of his jaw.

  “Because the world needs to see what you produce here. I’m a chef by trade and I have never seen anything like these oysters. What makes them so plump and juicy?”

  * * *

  She sat down at the table and hoped he wouldn’t notice. If she could get him talking about what he did to make his produce outstanding, she might have a better chance.

  “The water.” He looked out over the pier as if that explained it all. His eyes got a faraway look that softened his whole face. Hilary was almost lost for words at the change in him.

  “The water?” Focus, girl. You’re supposed to be talking him into signing with you, not mooning over his dark broody looks.

  He stared at her. “It’s the way the tide works. Takes out the water twice a day and replaces it with cool water full of algae, which feeds the shellfish. They get constant fresh water, and out here at the end of the island, it’s cleaner than anywhere else.”

  “Why is that?” She genuinely wanted to know. This man was passionate about his produce and that touched her heart as a foodie with all the right feels.

  “Because we don’t get much in the way of boat traffic due to of the reserve.
No contaminants in the water.”

  “It makes that much of a difference?” Simple logic. Who would have thought?

  “Yep.” He pushed his plate away. “When you tried them, how were they prepared?”

  “I chose natural. They came on a bed of ice with lemon wedges and sauce. The simpler the better, as far as I’m concerned.”

  He nodded in approval, a gentle smile curving his lips. “That’s good, then. My favorite way is with a dash of my aunt’s hot sauce. Nothing like a little bit of bite on the back of your tongue.”

  “Gigi, you mean?” How could she have been so stupid to forget the honey?

  “That’s right. You’ve already met her.” The look in his eyes changed. Shutters came down. Looked like family was out of bounds.

  “Yes. I’m staying at your brother’s guest house. She popped in yesterday to bring a jar of honey and I was supposed to bring yours with me today, but silly me, I forgot.” It would give her another excuse to come out and try to convince the man she could do more good for his business than he realized. She could get to know him more while she was here.

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll get someone to pick it up.” He gathered his plate and cutlery. “Thanks for dropping by, but our business here is done.”

  Hilary scrambled to her feet and followed him. “Aren’t you even going to discuss what I’ve offered you, Arlo? Believe me, it’s worth taking the time. My methods work and I can prove it to you.” She’d pull out her spreadsheets if he’d only give her a sign of encouragement.