Page 73 of The Summer of Us

“She’s become a lovely woman,” he stated.

“Yes.”

“She part of your future, Linc? Or only for now?”

“My future,” I stated firmly.

“Good. She suffered greatly when you left.”

I snorted. “I didn’t do so well myself, Gerry.” I shut my eyes. “I was locked up, no way to contact anyone, and scared most of the time.”

“But you survived.”

“I survived,” I agreed.

He was quiet for a moment. “Are you living in your father’s house?”

I shuddered at the thought. “No. I’m having it destroyed.”

“Going to rebuild?”

“I haven’t decided,” I said honestly. “Maybe nothing.”

“That would be a waste.”

“As long as the monument to his stranglehold on Mission Cove is gone, I’m happy.”

He didn’t say anything for a moment, rubbing his bottom lip. “Maybe you need to think again, Linc.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are obviously rebuilding this town, Linc. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that all the improvements that have happened are in some way connected to your past.”

I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t looking for thanks or glory.

“I get you want to destroy the legacy of your father.”

I snorted. “Legacy isn’t the word I would use. Reign of destruction, more like it.”

“Fine. Then think, Linc. Destroying your father’s house—fine. But leaving the land empty? You’re missing an opportunity.”

I faced him fully. “An opportunity?”

He nodded. “Your father was all about keeping everyone down. Being king. He never reached out his hand to help people—he liked to keep them beneath him. You want to purge his memory? Then do something positive with the land.” He grinned evilly. “Something your father would hate.”

“Do you have an idea?”

He leaned forward. “I do.”

* * *

We shook hands goodbye. “Don’t be a stranger,” Gerry said and waved his hand toward his house. “And I know, kid. I know this was you.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He clapped me on the shoulder. “Okay. Keep your secret. But I am forever in your debt. It broke my heart, thinking I would have to leave this place.”

“That will never happen,” I vowed, then snapped my mouth shut.