Page 42 of At First Catch

He gestures toward the docks. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

The marina wakes around us as we walk.

Morning sunlight glitters across the water while workers move steadily through repair projects near the western slips. Someone has started repainting sections of railing near the fuel dock. The old bait shop windows are propped open now, letting in warm salt air mixed with coffee and sawdust.

Everything still needs work, but now there’s movement everywhere.

Hope.

“You’ve done all this in less than twenty-four hours?” I ask.

Nolan glances around like he’s seeing the place for the first time.

“Looks impressive if you don’t inspect it too closely.”

“Should I?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Why?”

“I’ve built an entire business model around optimism.”

He glances toward the docks. “People wanted to help.”

He shakes his head almost to himself.

“I’m still getting used to that.”

That melts something inside me unexpectedly, because he sounds genuinely surprised by it.

Mrs. Donnelly walks past carrying two coffees. She hands one to a carpenter I’ve never met. Doesn’t ask if he wants it. Just smiles and keeps walking.

Twenty feet later, Walter flags down another volunteer to help unload lumber.

Nobody keeps score around here. They just show up. I guess they always have.

A worker waves as we pass.

“Morning, boss.”

Nolan visibly winces at the word, and I bite back a smile.

“You hate that.”

“It’s weird.”

“You own the marina.”

“I’m aware.”

“You’re literally their boss.”

“Still doesn’t sit right after selling my business.”

The breeze pushes harder across the docks, lifting the edge of my shirt while sunlight flashes across the bay in bright fractured ribbons. Nolan walks beside me for several moments, close enough that I can feel warmth radiating from him every time our arms almost brush.

“You really love this place already,” I say.