Page 184 of At First Catch

“Waterfront property doesn’t stay unwanted simply because the current owner is sentimental about it.”

My jaw tightens.

“Is that supposed to be a threat?”

Richard smiles.

“It’s supposed to be market reality.”

But the devilish look in his eyes says he knows I’m cornered. And God help me, maybe I am.

My phone buzzes again.

I finally glance down.

Hadley

You eat yet?

A laugh almost breaks out of me. It catches somewhere in my chest instead. Always caring for me first. Even while I’m emotionally drowning myself in silence.

Me

Not yet. You?

Hadley

Bailey made me eat soup.

I picture her at the bookstore, probably standing near the front windows staring toward the marina through the rain-streaked glass.

Worrying. Because of me.

Richard’s voice pulls me back.

“We’ve also included an emergency infrastructure advance in this revision. It could be available within seventy-two hours.”

My attention snaps up.

Seventy-two hours.

Enough to repair the west dock.

Enough to reinforce the slips.

Enough to breathe.

The temptation hits ugly and immediate. Fear makes compromise sound reasonable.

Thunder cracks overhead, and the restaurant lights flicker once. Twice. Then die.

The entire room plunges into darkness before emergency lighting glows red along the walls.

Someone curses near the door.

My phone lights in my hand.

Not Hadley this time, but Miguel.