“She knows him. You heard what he said. After all the talk about keeping things private, she went and told that idiot, who just happens to appear in our bay—drunk, no less. She promised, Bryce, and she let me down.”
“I think you jumped the gun a bit though. I mean, you two got on so well. You started coming to work with a grin on your face.”
Arlo tried not to make eye contact. It was easier to deny the truth of what Bryce had said that way.
“Maybe it was a mistake, what happened. Maybe she didn’t tell him. He could’ve figured it out for himself. There’re people out there who will do that, you know. Hilary did say it was possible.”
“He said he followed her directions.” He missed her already, but the facts were obvious. She’d let him down. “Why are you defending her? You didn’t even like her to begin with.”
Bryce shrugged. “It wasn’t that I didn’t like her. I was just doing what I always do, protecting you. Maybe I did it too much over the years, and now this is the price I have to pay for that.” Bryce turned away, his shoulders tense. He spun back around. “Look. I’ve never seen you this happy before, ever. Hilary’s good for you. Even you can’t deny that. So something went wrong, but that’s life, Arlo. You have to learn to roll with it just like everyone else does. We all have days that suck big time for whatever reason and we deal.”
“What’re you saying?”
“I think you might’ve made a mistake. They didn’t cause much damage. Nothing a couple of hours of work won’t fix. Thing is, can you fix you and Hilary?”
“What makes you think I want to?”
He snorted. “Man, you should see your face. Like the world has ended or something. The problem, as I see it, Arlo, is this. You spend all your time out here without people around you because of something that you had no control over, and you’ve become insulated to the extreme. I mean, if you’d carried on like the rest of your family when your mom died and grieved, you’d be better equipped to deal with life’s problems.”
“I like being alone. It has nothing to do with my mother.” Liar, liar.
“Sure. Tell yourself whatever you want, buddy, but we both know better. The biggest mistake we all made was letting you get away with it for so long.” Bryce pulled his gloves from his back pocket and slapped them on the table before folding his arms and staring Arlo down. That usually meant he wasn’t finished. “I get that it was a hard thing to deal with, but that was years ago. People move on, the work through it, and make a life for themselves. It’s like you never did until Hilary came along. She changed you—and for the better, I might add.”
He missed her already. “I should’ve given her the chance to explain, shouldn’t I?”
“You think?” Bryce shook his head in disgust. “Man, you ripped her up good. I don’t know how you’re going to fix that one, buddy, but if you don’t try, you’ll regret it until the day you die. Take that from a man who’s let a good thing go before.”
“Who?” This was new. What had he been missing while he wallowed in his own life of solitude?
“Not saying, because it’s too late now. She’s moved on. But it’s not too late for you if you can get your act together and get her to forgive you.”
“I don’t know how to do that.”
“Well, figure it out.” Bryce walked away leaving Arlo to his own thoughts.
He kept to himself the rest of the day, his mind going from one scenario to another until he couldn’t put a cohesive thought together. As he lay in bed that night, he wanted to reach for his cell and call her, much like he had most nights. But that was before she’d let him down and he’d made a mess of things. How was he going to get past that? Would he be able to forgive her? And would she even give him the time of day to try and beg for forgiveness?
He doubted it. Deep down, Arlo knew he’d overstepped the boundaries and messed up.
Chapter 20
“You can’t keep moping around like this. It’s been two weeks, and you’ve hardly cracked a single smile or washed a plate.” Emily pushed Hilary’s feet off the coffee table and surveyed the messy apartment. “You’re turning into a slob, Hil.”
“I don’t care.” She lay her head back on the couch and closed her eyes. Adulting was too hard when your heart had been broken in two and your credibility doubted by the very person you loved.
Emily dropped down onto the couch beside her and sighed. “You know, I think you’ve both overreacted. If you really cared about each other, you’d figure it out, fight for it.”
“Arlo won’t fight for me because he’s scared.”
“And that’s stopping you? Where the heck is the Hilary I know?”
Hilary opened one eye and glared daggers at her bestie. Surely she hadn’t been speaking to Bradley? No, that’s impossible. They didn’t know each other and were worlds apart. But was it a coincidence they’d both said the same thing? Maybe it was just true.
“Seriously, think about it. Arlo’s never had a real relationship before, and you’ve been too scared to trust anyone since Lester ripped you off. But for you not to go in guns blazing and give Lester a piece of your mind for what he did to you, is nuts. I don’t get why you won’t stand up for yourself.”
“I phoned him when I got home. He refused to take my call.”
“And?”
“And what? He wouldn’t speak to me—
“I’m sensing a but in there. Spill the beans, girl.”
Emily could read her like a book. Not always a good thing. “He called me back when he got wind of Archie being thrown in jail and his boat being confiscated.”
“That was ages ago and you didn’t tell me. I’m not impressed by being kept in the dark. Talk.”
Hilary told her word for word what Lester had said and her reply.
“What are you going to do?” Emily stared at her, a frown on her forehead.
She groaned and threw the pillow she was hugging onto the floor in a fit of temper. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Walk in and read him the riot act. Why did he send Archie there anyway? What did he hope to gain, apart from pissing everyone off?”
Hilary sat up, sniffed, and brushed her unruly hair from her face. “He’s pissed because I wouldn’t put him on my list for Arlo’s oysters apparently.”
Emily’s mouth dropped open. “What the heck! He stole your restaurant and wants you to supply him? You never told me that. Where does that guy get the nerve?”
“That’s what I think, but I could be wrong. He should be shut down for that kind of underhanded behavior. It’s childish and plain mean. Arlo didn’t do anything to him to deserve that kind of treatment because he had nothing to do with what happened between Lester and me. It was purely done out of spite.”
A smile curved Emily’s lips. “Two can play at that game.”
“What do you mean? Please tell me you’re not thinking of anything that includes breaking the law.”
She shook her head, her blonde curls bouncing around her face. “Nope. But if you were to drop a few hints that he was underhandedly trying to sabotage your business—again—how do you think that would go down in the industry?”
“It could cause me more grief than I want. I wouldn’t put it past him to call me out and sic his lawyers onto me. He’s nasty enough.” She chewed on a broken nail and promised herself a manicure when she could be bothered to rise from the couch. “Besides, two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“I know but it would feel good to get one up on him.”
“I’ve asked my brother to look at my contract. See if there’s anything in there that I can chase Lester for.”
Emily held up her hand for a high five. “About time you looked into that. But, I’m talking about now. What can you do to ruffle his feathers now?”
Hilary perked up. Get one up on him. “Of course, that’s it. We need to do a huge promotion for Arlo’s oysters. The chefs are onboard; now we need the customers to know what’s coming. There’s no better revenge t
han success, my old nan used to say.”
“Now you’re sounding like the Hilary I know. Before you go off on a tangent, have you tried talking to Arlo yet?”
The one thing that was making her miserable. “No. I’ve tried calling, but it keeps going straight to voicemail.”
“You have a contract for supply though, right? That’s still a legal contract.”
A grin lifted her lips. “Yes, I do. The first shipment is due next week. I might have to send him an email and hope that Bryce passes it on to him. It’s the only option I have besides going to the island and I doubt I’d be welcome after that stunt Archie pulled.”
“So, do you think he’d renege on the contract?” Emily tapped her finger on her lips. “It’d be terrible to do a full on promotional deal and not have the produce arrive.”
“I don’t think so, but I sent it to Elliot to look over anyway with some other stuff he wanted to check for me.” Hilary jumped up. “I’ll email Bryce and make sure everything is still on track. I’m going to put together a special night to showcase his produce and it’s going to be amazing, much bigger than I thought of doing before. Just watch me.” Ideas starting rolling through her mind. She grabbed her laptop and plonked herself back down on the couch, her mind spinning at the rate of knots. It’d been a while since she’d had the opportunity to promote such wonderful produce. “Now, who should I get to run this evening?”
“You need someone really special. How about George? You and he go way back and he adores you anyway. Perfect spot on the wharf and his restaurant is always crazy busy. Especially now that the Taste of Seattle food festival is just around the corner.”
“True. And he did ask if I could help him out with something special for that a few weeks ago. I’ll have to ask if he still has time to get it organized. Let me email Bryce first and then I’ll call George. In the meantime, I have some advertising to organize.”
“In that case, I’ll leave you to it. Good luck with Arlo. I was kinda hoping to meet him before you move to Hope Island.”
“That may never happen now.”
Emily blew her a kiss. “You’ll sort it out. I’m positive.” She walked out, leaving Hilary to compose her email to confirm they still had a supply contract and outline her plan for the launch of the oysters.
* * *
“I had an email from Hilary earlier.”
Arlo shrugged and kept his eyes down on his lunch. It’d been three weeks and four days since she’d gone but he couldn’t get her out of his mind. “So?”
“So, she wanted to tell us about the launch she’s doing for the oysters. It looks like it’s going to be pretty special.”
“And?”
“She asked how you were.”
“Leave me out of it, all right?”
“Whatever, dude.” Bryce drained his coffee and got up to clear away his lunch. “You’re the one missing out, not me.”
Bear started barking and raced toward the driveway. “We expecting anyone?”
“Not that I know of. Must be for you. You can start dealing with your own stuff for now. I’m going back to work.” Bryce threw his scraps in the trash can and walked away as Bradley got out of his car. His little dog bounded out behind him and ran around in circles while Bear stood ready to chase him, his tail in the air. Bradley spoke to the dogs. “Off you go. Have a run together.”
He slammed the car door and wandered over to the table. “Arlo. How are you? I hoped I’d catch you today. Your father said you’re starting to harvest.” He gripped Arlo’s hand and pulled him into a hug.
“We are. Looks like you caught us at the right time.” Arlo grinned at him. It was the same every year. His godfather knew exactly when they were harvesting and arrived pretending he didn’t know. A small price to pay for someone who they treated as family. Also the perfect timing for Arlo, who’d intended to ask for help.
Bradley rubbed his hands. “Excellent! I love being the first to get a taste. Puts me right for the season.”
“Come and have a seat, tell me what you’ve been up to. I haven’t seen you for ages.”
Bradley perched on the picnic seat and gazed over at the view. “I’ll never tire of this sight. You’re a lucky man, Arlo.”
And hopefully about to get luckier. “I like to think so. Can I offer you coffee or a cold drink?”
“Sure, coffee would be lovely, thanks.”
Arlo headed inside. Why did he feel there was more to this than just Bradley wanting a plate of oysters? Probably because his father had already spoken to Arlo about Hilary and how they left things. Like everyone else, Atticus had liked her and what she was offering to do for the business. Even the arrival of the boat and the minor damage it had done hadn’t fazed his father. Nor had the idea that Hilary had been responsible for the boat’s owner finding them. Like Bryce, Arlo’s father thought he’d been too hard on Hilary.
The thought of everyone ganging up on him didn’t sit well in Arlo’s mind. Of course he understood what they were trying to do. They wanted him to go and bring her back, apologize and make things right with her.
He’d been a recluse for as long as he could remember. As much as he wanted a relationship eventually—and he’d fallen hard for Hilary—Arlo wasn’t sure he was as confident as the family thought he was. Leaving the island where he was comfortable with everyone he knew scared the crap out of him, and he couldn’t expect her to be happy there and never leave. Her business was in the city, her family too. Not everyone was thrilled to lock themselves away like he was. It gave him nightmares wondering how he’d react if he got lost or found himself in a situation that challenged his rather solitary lifestyle. There were too many people in Seattle from memory. It was something he didn’t want to repeat if he could help it.
If he took that stance, he’d likely never see Hilary again. But until he could convince himself he could brave the experience, he wasn’t prepared to call and ask for what he so desperately wanted—another chance.
His father hadn’t pulled any punches either. “It’s time you thought of your future with someone else in it, Arlo. You need to consider Hilary’s feelings if she’s the one you love. I don’t think she was entirely to blame, and you need to clear things up with her. Don’t let it drag on so long that it becomes impossible.” He’d patted Arlo on the shoulder. “Maybe I’ve been a little bit overprotective of you since your mom died. I don’t know. I just did what I thought was right, perhaps it was all a big mistake on my part.”
He’d hated to see the doubt in his father’s eyes, but more than that, he’d hated to acknowledge his father was right. He had been overprotective of him. Everyone had. Arlo had taken advantage of that, letting them all sort out any problems he didn’t want to face because it was easier than touching on anything that might be even remotely uncomfortable. Did that make him a wimp or anything less than a man? In his own mind it did, and that was something else he had to face too.
“I know, Dad. I’ve taken advantage of it when things were too hard to deal with, when I should’ve tried harder.” He’d given his father a smile. “If anyone was going to be the one with issues, it should’ve been you. You had Mom longer than any of us. She was your wife, the one you wanted to be with forever.”
“Time doesn’t mean a thing, Arlo. It’s what’s in the heart that matters, and we all have her there.” He’d cleared his throat. “But I had you kids to look after. I wasn’t the only one who was hurting.”
“Yeah. Thank goodness for Gigi.” His surrogate mother and one of his best champions.
“My sister is an amazing woman. I’ll never be able to thank her enough for giving up her life to play second mom to you kids. It’s a brave woman who takes on twin newborns as well as three toddlers.”
“Dad, did you ever think of looking for love again?”
His father had wiped a hand over his moustache before answering. “Nobody’s come close to your mom, Arlo. Maybe if the right woman comes along, who knows what will happen. But enough abou
t that. It’s you we’re talking about. Have you tried calling her?”
Arlo had shaken his head. “I want to face her in person. I know calling would be the thing to do but I figure if I’m going to make a good impression, I need to do it face to face. It’ll have more meaning.”
“That’s your decision, son, but if it was me, I’d give her a hint that you still care.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
Arlo smiled to himself as he picked over the conversation from last night while he made coffee for Bradley. As soon as his father had left, he’d ordered a big bunch of flowers to be delivered to Hilary’s apartment. On the card, he’d asked for a scattering of love hearts, no name. Hopefully that would give her an idea he was thinking of her and trying to make amends.
He walked outside. “Bradley, before you start in on me, I want to discuss something with you.” Arlo put the coffee down on the table and took a seat. “This whole emotional issue I have, it’s gone on long enough. I want your help to get over it so I can lead a normal life. Will you help me?”
Chapter 21
Hilary ticked off the boxes of mushrooms as they were loaded onto the truck, knowing by that night someone would be eating the most delectable pasta showcasing the woodland morsels. Her mouth watered at the idea while recipes flickered through her mind. It was a natural process for someone who loved to cook as much as she did. Pity she rarely had time these days, but it didn’t stop her dreaming about it.
The agent who ran the purchasing side of the business strode over with a clipboard in his hand and handed it to her. He made sure the produce that came in was first class and funneled to the correct restaurant, taking a lot of pressure off Hilary. Ralph ran a tight ship and she had total trust in his ability to give their customers what they wanted. “Here you go, Hilary. Saves me sending them in.”
She glanced at the invoices and pulled them free from the clipboard. “Thanks, Ralph. We did well today, despite everyone trying to muscle in on our goods. Seems word has finally gotten out that we have the best produce around and everyone wants a bite of the cherry.”
Hold Me Now: Hope Harbor Page 14