Worth Fighting For (Hope Harbor Book 4)

by Ann B. Harrison

  Being one street back from the beach didn’t seem to detract from the foot traffic either. Even after midday people still strolled up and down the street. Both tourists or residents filled the sidewalks as they went about their daily chores.

  But Mia wasn’t in the market for more work. She didn’t need another shop to add to the mix. According to her uncle, she needed less work. And look how she was dealing with that. A prickle of annoyance poked the back of her neck and she walked faster, intent on finding a bookshop and not giving too much brain time to worrying about something she couldn’t change no matter how much she wanted to. She’d been the one to set the direction for the way the business was growing. Imagining it as a smaller enterprise where she had more freedom was a waste of time.

  Tempting as it was to stop in every shop she passed if only to kill time, she refused to be drawn in until she came across what she was looking for: a book exchange. Outside the door, a table was laden with books for sale at half price, according to the hand drawn sign stuck on the window above them. She stepped inside and was immediately enveloped in the smell of old books. A fleeting memory washed over her of sitting on the floor in a bookshop flicking through picture books while her mother chose something for herself. She tried to catch hold of the sensation but it drifted away as quick as it’d come, leaving a hollow space in her gut.

  “Hello, love. Welcome to Books by the Beach.” The male voice seemed to come from behind a counter piled with books. Mia waited to see who popped out from behind the stacks but didn’t see anyone.

  She peered over the counter. “Hello?”

  “What can I get for you?”

  Mia squealed as a man touched her shoulder from behind. She jumped and spun around, holding her hand to her chest.

  “Sorry, dear. Didn’t mean to scare you. Thought you heard me.” A man with thick glasses and wild gray hair gave her a gentle smile. He was dressed in corduroy trousers, a plaid shirt, and a knitted vest that reminded her of her grandfather. This man had the look of a person she’d expected to greet her at the B&B.

  She tried to calm her breathing. She really was wound up. She couldn’t believe she was so nervous. No wonder her uncle was keen for her to take a holiday. “Sorry. I thought you were behind the desk. I wasn’t expecting you to come up behind me like that.”

  He ran a hand over his gray stubble and smiled kindly. “No harm done, eh? Now what can I help you with? If you just want to wander around and find something yourself, feel free. If you want help, I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.”

  Mia glanced around the shop and noticed doors leading to other rooms between the stacks of books. The store was a like a maze. “Thank you. To be honest, I have no idea what I want. I haven’t read a book in years and since I’m here for a month I think I need to try. All I know is that I want to sit on the porch and get lost in a story.” Not that she could see that happening but she wouldn’t know unless she tried.

  “Name’s Harry.” He held out his hand and Mia shook it. His firm grip belied his age. She’d placed him at retirement age but this man’s shake held the same strength as her uncle’s, who was barely in his fifties.

  “And I’m Mia. Lovely to meet you.”

  “Right. What do you like? Maybe we can find you some new authors to fall in love with.”

  “Well, I’d like a story I can get caught up in, something that has substance, if you know what I mean. A book to hold my attention.”

  “Yep, so fiction then. Historical or modern?”

  “Maybe both. Is that possible?”

  “Certainly is. How about something that spans two timelines? Historical and modern. Got plenty to choose from.” He put a hand on her arm and guided her to a shelf bursting with paperbacks. “Choose any of these.”

  “I don’t know where to start.” There were so many books jammed into the shelf she’d have a hard time deciding.

  He laughed. “Well, pick a couple and if you don’t like them, you can bring them back and swap them for a small fee. Likewise if you do read them and want more—same fee applies.”

  If only she could sort out her life as easily as that! Being able to go back to work and switch things around so the board didn’t demand she take a break would be a wonderful thing. She wouldn’t be trapped on an island, desperate to swap the silence for the bustle of Seattle where she could breathe and function. Right now, it felt as though she was stuck in a time capsule with no way home. No amount of pretty buildings and relaxing coffees overlooking the ocean could make up for what she was missing out on.

  How on earth was she going to cope with it for the next four weeks without losing her mind?

  Chapter 5

  From the window in the attic, Matt watched Mia walk up the road with a bag slung over her arm. He’d been repacking years worth of family knick-knacks so he could tackle the next stage of his renovation project. Why he’d insisted on keeping everything was beyond him, but he couldn’t bear to see his father throw it all out when he’d renovated the family home. Matt had insisted that some of it would be useful when he decorated the house. Most of it was little things that reminded him of his childhood but had hardly touched in years, such as school reports, paintings he and his siblings had done as children, old family photos, and toys his father couldn’t bear to throw out when they grew up. No wonder the rest of the family didn’t want any of the stuff. Most of it was ready for the trash.

  The front door opened and closed and he gave up trying to act busy when all he wanted to do was go down and see Mia. He dusted himself off and headed down the stairs. “Hey. How was your walk? You managed to kill a few hours.”

  “I did. I’m surprised actually. I didn’t think there would be so much to see.”

  “Excellent. Find anything useful in town?”

  She lifted her smiling face to him. “Yes and I had a lovely time, thanks. Found chocolate and a fabulous old bookshop. Harry helped me find some books so I can settle down on the front porch and get lost in someone else’s life.”

  “Old Harry. He’s a mine of information. What did you get?”

  Mia pulled open the bag and showed him.

  “Ah, I have some from that author in the front living room if you love it and want more. Help yourself.” He moved past her into the kitchen and Mia followed. “Do you want some iced tea? I’m taking a break from cleaning the attic and could use a cold drink.”

  “Sure, if it’s no problem. I don’t want to make work for you.” She followed him into the kitchen, put down her bag and took a seat at the island.

  “You’re a guest here. I’m supposed to look after you.” He took a jug from the fridge and moved toward her.

  “Yes, but bed and breakfast isn’t all day, every day. At least that’s my impression of the style of accommodation you offer.” Anyone would think she hated the kind of attention he offered. He did it for anyone that came and stayed at his house. Was it him she didn’t like? Matt couldn’t tell.

  “Humor me, please.” Matt took two tall glasses from the hutch and filled them. “I suggest you go and get a comfy chair outside and I’ll bring out a tray.”

  She looked like she was going to protest but without saying a word, Mia gave in. Matt watched her walk away, wondering how he was going to get through to her that this was how he treated everyone who came through his door.

  He took a tray from the cupboard under the counter and a pretty plate from the hutch. From the shelf above the kitchen counter, Matt pulled down a container and selected a few oatmeal and raisin cookies and added them to the plate. This was only a small part of what he did for his guests—all of them. Not just the ones with legs that never ended and gorgeous hair that glowed different shades of blonde depending on when the sun hit it. Hopefully she would take it as such and stop protesting so much.

  Mia was stretched out on one of the cane lounges with her feet up when Matt walked out onto the front porch. He put the tray down on a small table close by and pulled up a stool for himself.
She glanced at the cookies and raised an eyebrow before she took one. Matt watched her bite into it, waiting for her reaction. She closed her eyes and moaned in delight.

  “Good?”

  Mia turned to him. “Are you kidding? These are so good. And I’m betting you made them, right?”

  Matt shrugged. “Yeah.”

  “You’re perfect for this job.”

  “I like to think so.” He took a cookie for himself and took a bite, chewing while he watched the waves roll into the small bay around from the wharf.

  “You’re very lucky you figured out your calling when you did. So many people go through life never knowing where their talents lie. They go from job to job wondering why they’re never content.”

  Matt jammed the rest of the cookie into his mouth before he asked her the obvious question. “Do you still like doing what you do?”

  * * *

  A moment of panic hit her. What a silly thing to ask. Mia breathed low and even, wondering how to answer him. Did she still enjoy what she did? Or was it more that she was used to it and didn’t know anything else?

  “I guess so. It’s all I’ve ever done.” She reached for her glass of tea to cover her confusion. He’d thrown her off with his question.

  “Might be a good time to decide if you want a change then. What a perfect opportunity to try something new.”

  She stared at him, shocked. “Why would I want to change? I didn’t even want this holiday.”

  “I understand that, and believe me, I don’t want you to close the company because I love your products. I was just thinking about how much fun it is to try new things and wondered if you’d be up for it. Maybe explore a different side of the business.”

  “Like what?”

  “I don’t know. It was merely a thought spoken out loud. A holiday can give you time to think.”

  “I didn’t want a holiday.” And she didn’t have time to think about doing anything else. Her current job took all of her energy.

  “But you’ll feel better for it, I’m sure. Rejuvenated and raring to go when you get back.”

  Would she feel rejuvenated or would she be stressed because she’d have so much work to catch up on? Her lips thinned as she thought.

  “Sorry if I spoke out of turn.” Matt looked so contrite that Mia regretted her outburst.

  “No, I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bite your head off when you were being so nice to me. I’m not usually so bitchy. This has been a bit hard to take, to be honest.” She chewed on her bottom lip, her books forgotten.

  He stared at her for a moment and Mia started to feel embarrassed.

  “I’ll make you a deal. You relax today. Read one of your books, look out over the ocean and unwind, and tomorrow I’ll take you out and show you some of the island. We can even drop in and see my brother’s fish farm and pick up something fresh for dinner.” He grimaced. “That’s if you want to, of course. No pressure.”

  “I think I’d love that. Thank you so much for thinking of it. I doubt I’ll be able to park myself out here every day for a month.” She gave an exaggerated shudder. “Maybe every other day, but I don’t like to push my luck by thinking it’s going to work with me doing nothing every day.”

  Matt laughed and she stared at his face. She hadn’t noticed that his eyes were dark brown or that he had reddish tints in his beard that caught the sun. Nor that his hair was pulled back with a leather strip. Or that his words were often punctuated with his hands. His fingernails were squarer than any she’d noticed before too.

  But to be honest, she hadn’t taken much notice of any man of late. What did that say about her other than she was working far too hard and didn’t have the time to date. The more she thought about it, the more she knew Ryan was right.

  “Right. I’ll get back to the attic and you relax and enjoy the sea air. If you need anything at all, give me a shout.” Matt stood and left her alone on the porch.

  She chose a novel from her bag and settled down on the lounger, determined to lose herself in the story. Mia opened the book and smiled at the first sentence. What is it about the ocean that makes me feel I can do anything I want, even run away, leaving all my problems behind me?

  Someone touched her shoulder and Mia brushed the hand away. The person touched her again and she opened her eyes, blinked and looked around. Matt crouched next to her lounger. What the heck? She’d dozed off. She shuffled back up into sitting position and wiped her mouth, hoping she hadn’t been drooling.

  “You fell asleep. Might be a good move to come inside. It’s getting cooler now.”

  The light breeze fluttered over her bare arms. She brushed her hands over her face and stared out over the garden. Mia was surprised and a bit embarrassed to have fallen asleep in the middle of the afternoon.

  “The sea air often does that to people.”

  “Really?” She spun around and put her feet on the floor, tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Wow.”

  “I’m finished up in the attic for today. How about you get comfortable in the front room by the fire and I’ll bring you a drink or you can help yourself from the bar.”

  “Thanks.” She couldn’t get over the fact she’d fallen asleep. She hadn’t taken a nap since she was about three years old. Why now? And why did she feel comfortable enough to let down her defenses here, where she hadn’t even wanted to be? It was nice of Matt to blame the ocean air but she could finally admit to herself that she’d been overdoing things. Never taking the time to have a breather had taken its toll. The question was what could she do about it?

  Matt left her alone and she sunk back into the cushions of the porch lounger, her hand over her face. Eventually she pulled herself together and gathered her book. She’d only managed to get into chapter one before she’d drifted off. What a surprise.

  “I’ll be back in a minute. If there’s anything I can help you with, let me know.” She hurried into her room and strode to the bathroom. A brief glimpse in the mirror did little to make her feel better: hair disheveled, eyes puffy, and what her mom used to call “sleepy cheeks.” Cute on a five-year-old, not so much on a woman approaching thirty.

  She ran a quick brush over her hair and splashed cold water on her face before going back downstairs.

  Matt stood in front of the fire with a glass of golden liquid in his hands. “What can I get you?”

  “I’ll have whatever you’re having, thanks.”

  He poured her a drink and handed it to her, and they clinked glasses. “Cheers.”

  “Cheers.”

  “I spoke to my brother Arlo this afternoon. They’d love to see us tomorrow.”

  “It’s very kind of you, Matt. I can’t wait to meet them.”

  “You’ll like Hilary too. Might even know of her actually. She used to own a restaurant in Seattle and now blogs about great food available in the area. Hilary also has her own supply company. That’s how she met and fell in love with Arlo. She wanted his oysters for her procurement company and wasn’t about to take no for an answer.”

  “Really? And they fell in love and she moved here? That’s a big change.”

  “True, but love does that to you, apparently.” As Matt raised his glass to his lips, he gave her a smile that made her insides tremble. “I’d better go and check on dinner. Excuse me a moment.”

  Love. Mia had no idea what that was. She’d dated off and on, but most people were either scared off by her dedication to her job or frustrated that she didn’t have more time for them. She found it easier not to bother. The way she was going, that wasn’t likely to change any time soon.

  Chapter 6

  The following morning, she met other members of the Hope family. “Mia, this is Hilary. Hilary, meet Mia. She’s staying at my place for a few weeks.”

  Hilary grabbed her in a tight hug, shocking Mia. She’d never been touchy-feely, but she suspected that might be tested in the next few weeks with Matt’s family being so prone to hugging.

  “Welcome. It’s so nice
to meet you.” Hilary glanced between her and Matt. “So. You’re staying with Matt for how long, did you say?”

  “Four weeks and then I’ll go back to work.” She wasn’t sure if there was anything in Hilary’s expression or not but she didn’t want to go there.

  Matt interrupted them, putting a hand on Mia’s shoulder. “I’ll go and find Arlo, have a chat to the boys. You ladies’ll be okay without me?”

  Hilary laughed and pushed him away. “Of course we will. I’ve been dying to meet Mia ever since you called.”

  He turned to Mia. “Don’t let her talk you into anything. Her powers of persuasion are legendary on this island and she’s only been here a year or so.”

  Hilary laughed and pushed him again. “Get out of here.”

  Matt headed toward the pier where Mia could see a large golden dog pacing up and down.

  “Such a nice guy.” Hilary folded her arms and smiled.

  Mia cringed. She knew that look. “He’s very nice to show me around, but before you get any ideas, don’t. Please.”

  “You’re no fun. Come on, let’s go make coffee and find a nice sunny spot. Storms are forecast for the next few days, so I want to make the most of this pleasant weather.”

  Mia followed her into the rustic-looking building. Inside it was an eclectic mix of modern and homemade that made her want to sort things out and choose one style. “This is charming.”

  Hilary snorted. “Like heck it is. Charming is a nice way of saying it’s a disaster with little to pull it together. This place is a mess, but I lack a good eye for design like you have. I honestly don’t know where to begin.”

  Mia tried to hide the twitch of her lips but Hilary saw her and they both ended up laughing. “Sorry. I don’t mean to be rude, but it is in need of some help.”