Page 27 of Finding Love

There were elegant oil paintings hanging on all the walls, including one of a mermaid that hung above a huge stone fireplace near the back of the dining room. The entire back wall was made of glass and overlooked the dark stormy water. With the storm raging outside, it was quite a show.

“Hey, Harper,” Brook said with a smile. “Table for two.”

“Sure thing,” Harper said, and they followed her through the crowded dining room to sit by the fireplace.

After she gave them menus and they each ordered drinks, Brook leaned on the table and asked, “When will you be heading to Seattle and for how long?” Her eyes met his.

He thought about it a moment and took a sip of his iced tea.

“It really depends on if you’ll come with us.”

She glanced around the dining room and then turned to watch the storm out the window. The rain was still coming down sideways as lightning filled the sky.

“I can leave at any time,” she said, turning back to him. “Do you have a place in Seattle?”

He thought about his father’s house. He’d have to contact Benjamin to have the place opened up and ready for their arrival. Still, he nodded. “Yeah, that’s all taken care of.”

“Okay.” She nodded. “I’ll call my folks tonight. We can leave in the morning if you want.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. “Are you sure? You’ve only known me a few days.”

She chuckled. “You’re James Gallant.” She rolled her eyes. “I should, by all accounts, steer clear of you. But since saving you from drowning…” He chuckled, and she lifted her chin slightly before continuing. “I feel like everything I’ve ever heard about you is wrong.”

He hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath, but hearing those last words, he relaxed. “Yeah?”

She smiled. “Yeah. I’d like to get the chance to know the real you. A trip to Seattle might just be the ticket.”

“Yeah?” He was stuck in a freaking loop but didn’t care. She was giving him a chance. He felt like he could fly.

“Yeah,” she nodded as she squeezed his hand.

They ordered their food and, while they waited, they talked about the trip to Seattle.

He felt it only fair that he warn her what was waiting for him.

“I’ve been gone for a year,” he started.

“Okay.” She tilted her head slightly. “You said your parents are gone?”

“My father died a few years ago, leaving me in control of his business.” He felt his stomach roll. He wished he’d ordered a beer instead of an iced tea. He took a sip of the cool drink and tried to settle his stomach by eating another slice of the warm bread that had been set on their table.

Brook’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t remember what it was your father actually did.”

“Investments. Of sorts,” he answered.

“Are you going to tell me exactly what that means?” She leaned on the table.

He shrugged. “Have you seen Shark Tank?”

“The show?” Her eyebrows shot up. When he nodded, she nodded in return. “Sure. So, what? You invest money into other people’s businesses?”

“Exactly.” He relaxed, knowing there was a lot more to it than that.

“Okay, what about your mother?”

He shrugged. “Disappeared shortly after my second birthday.”

Brook frowned. “You don’t know if she’s alive still?”