Page 66 of Keeping it Local

Me: Please do NOT drive down. I’ll see you when I’m back in Randall. Take care.

He left me on read after that. Good.

Mary chuckled as the door dinged overhead when she entered. “I know I get frustrated with Ted sometimes, but he’s a good man. I hope the new owners keep him on with the maintenance.”

“Yeah, he’s a nice guy.”

She kept a goofy grin on her face as she looked out the window, watching Ted head back to the marina.

“Ahem.” I cleared my throat, smiling at her. “Anything you want to tell me?”

Mary’s gaze darted back in my direction, and her cheeks pinked up. “Nope.”

“So, there’s nothing happening with a local handyman I should know about?” I raised my eyebrows at her.

“Oh, jeez. Nothing you need to worry about.” She waved me off, still wearing a wide smile.

“Okay, but in case something changes… I approve.” I nudged her.

I would miss Mary. She had grown to be a mentor to me over the summer—someone I didn’t realize I even needed. My mom and I were close, but Mary was a completely different type of person. I looked up to her in a different sense, and I knew even if I called her next year to ask her advice, she’d give it. She was just that way.

“Okay, good to know.” She shook her head, pushing me aside to take a look at the bookings for the weekend. We were so busy at this shop with the festival going on that she had brought in some of the boats at the other rental shop in Lexington since everything had booked solid weeks ago. “How’s everything going with your parents? You haven’t talked much about them recently.”

“My dad fell a few days ago and earlier this summer.” I hung my head. “He’s okay, but we need to figure something out. I just need to get back. My assumption is that I’ll be taking over the operations sooner than I expected. He’s not going to like taking a step back, but my guess is that’s what needs to happen.”

“Oh my goodness, Beth. I’m so sorry.” She paused. “It’s rough—dealing with decline like that. Your mom must be anxious for you to get home.”

I nodded.

“I know you were planning to stay until next week, but if you need to leave early, I can manage with Ted and the other part-time floaters. Just let me know.”

“Thanks, I appreciate that. I should be fine though. It’s not urgent that I get home today or anything, but there’ll have to be some tough conversations when I eventually get there.” I picked up my coffee, taking a sip. “Besides, I would hate to leave before the festival. After spending all that time building up the donations for the auction.”

“Oh, yeah, you’ve never been to Starlight Night! I forgot about that. I’m sure you and Johnny will enjoy the evening together.”

“I’m sure we will.” My stomach felt like it was going to jump up to my chest.

“Well, I know you have to get back to your parents.” She stopped typing again, looking at me over her shoulder. “If anything changes though, I want you to know that you still have a home here in Port St. Clair. I’d love nothing more than to keep it local, with you.”

All of a sudden, my vision blurred as my eyes filled with tears. I wasn’t an emotional person. I was my father’s daughter in that way, but the back of my throat felt thick as Mary stepped up to me.

Her warm arms wrapped around me, pulling me in. “Oh, honey. It’s okay to be upset.”

I shook my head, not saying anything but letting the warm tears run down my cheeks as they dampened her shirt. She rubbed my back and let me silently cry. I couldn’t believe I was letting this happen. I never cried. I never let my guard down like this. My chest was tight as I heaved against her, and Mary didn’t let go.

After a few minutes, I stood back up, wiping my face, feeling my cheeks heated against my fingertips. “Thank you.”

“You’re going to be okay, honey. Even if you don’t believe it now, I know you will be.”

The door dinged, and I excused myself to the back before the customers could see my blotchy, red face. I weaved my way to the bathroom and looked in the mirror. One last tear fell before I wiped it away then splashed some cold water on my face before drying it with a paper towel.

I just wished things didn’t have to be this way.

Chapter 24

Johnny

“You almost ready to head out?” I yelled through the kitchen to Beth.