Page 54 of The Other Half

“So, I work. A lot. Poppy and I are getting by in our little cabin. And I’ve started SUPing and really love it. It’s therapeutic for me.”

“SUPing? Is that a new drug?” He growled.

Laughing, I was shaking my head even though he couldn’t see it. “No, Grandpa. It’s stand-up paddle boarding. I go out on the lake on a big board and paddle around. It’s good exercise, relaxing, and it’s given me so much time to think. I love it.”

“Oh, good.” He blew out a breath. “Sounded more like the latest designer drug.”

“No more drugs, Grandpa. I don’t need them anymore. Door County has changed me. I mean, I still struggle with the guilt, and I miss my parents all the time, but I can move forward now. I feel lighter.”

“I don’t know how many times we have to tell you that it wasn’t your fault, Cassie. You have no reason to feel guilty. They wouldn’t want that weight on you.”

I was nodding, but again he couldn’t see me. “I know. I’m working on it, Grandpa. I just wanted you to know I was doing great and I think you’d be proud of me. They’d be proud of me.”

“I am proud of you, Cassandra. So proud. Proud enough I put the sale of the company on hold until we can figure out if this is the right path for you.”

“You really were selling it?” Part of me thought it was just a threat.

“Yes. Edward Garvey was going to purchase it with the promise to keep all the jobs and continue running the company like your father and I had all these years.”

Garvey. He’d been the Chief Business Officer of Davenport Industries for the past thirty years. Even though my father and grandfather respected and trusted him, there was always something about him that raised my hackles. I didn’t trust him and the thought of him taking over the company if I failed only deepened my resolve to climb out of this hole I’d dug myself into.

“Don’t sell to him, Grandpa. I’ve got this. When I get back, I will show you I can do this. I can run our company and make sure it stays in the family.”

“I hope so. Let’s give it some more time and then we’ll see.”

“I love you, Grandpa. I’ll call you later.”

“I love you, too, Cassandra.”

We hung up, and I pressed my head back against the rest. Part of me wanted to stay here in Door County forever and give up the dream of running Davenport Industries. The other wanted to take up the helm my family had forged for me and do the job I’d dreamed of since I was a child. The one I’d worked so hard to prepare myself for and threw away in the wake of my parent’s passing.

With the weight of my decision settled on my shoulders, I drove home to play with Poppy and go for a paddle on Kangaroo Lake.

“You missed!” Josie taunted when the bimini ring I’d tossed swung left and missed the hook on the bull’s nose.

“Damn it!” I laughed, stepping out of the way.

“My turn!” Lucy took my place.

“I’m going to check on Jo and Jamie and make sure they don’t need me.” With the Fourth of July crowds, the town had been packed all day. And apparently the Blue Ox was the bar all the locals flocked to on Fourth of July night to watch the fireworks happening over Lake Michigan at dusk.

“You guys sure you’re okay?” I called over the bar to where Jo and our co-worker, Jamie, were hard at work.

“We’re good, Cassie!”

“You sure? I don’t mind jumping back!”

“Three people is too tight back here. We’re good with two,” Jamie said as he slid up beside me, handing a bottle of beer to the guy on my left. “Not to mention the money is amazing tonight.”

Grumbling, I nodded my head. I’d actually wanted this shift, but since Jo and Jamie had seniority over me, they got first dibs. Watching the bills flying over the bar had me itching to get back there.

“Just go across the street to the Beachfront Inn and watch the fireworks. You can cozy up on their beach and get a front-row view of the fireworks at Anclam Park. They’ll be starting soon!” Jo called before diving back into the beer cooler.

“Okay. Don’t say I didn’t offer.” I shrugged.

I kept scanning the bar looking for Jake, but he hadn’t shown. Maybe our armistice today had just been for show and he still intended to avoid me like the plague. Sadness settled over me thinking about him avoiding his friends and his bar on my account.

“You guys watching the fireworks?” I asked when I got back to Josie and Lucy.