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"Come on," Miles said, offering her a small smile as he led her toward the cozy confines of her office. "Let's start planning our first move."
As they walked side by side down the hall, Ariel's heart swelled with gratitude and love for the man who had stood by her through thick and thin. In spite of their differences, she knew that they shared a deep connection, one that was anchored in love.
Now, with her true love by her side, she was going to start waging a little war.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Ariel Hawthorne's boots were back and crunching on the frost-laden cobblestone streets of Endless Harbor an hour later as she walked along the familiar thoroughfare. Her footsteps carried her past the library, the bell tower, and the rows of weathered clapboard houses. She was enacting the plan she and Miles had come up with—a little espionage to ferret out the rumors against her father.
She caught sight of Mrs. Jenkins' Candies, a cozy establishment tucked between a nautical antique shop and a charming pet food store. The store had been a fixture in Endless Harbor for decades, and Ariel remembered spending countless afternoons there as a young girl. With a pang of longing, she pushed open the door, feeling the warmth of the shop envelop her like a fond embrace.
"Good evening," Ariel said softly, her eyes adjusting to the dim interior lined with shelves of jars, all containing a rainbow of treats. At the counter, she found Mrs. Jenkins, her once-raven hair now a silvery gray. The older woman looked up from her steaming tea, her face lighting up with recognition.
"Ariel! My goodness, Ariel?" Mrs. Jenkins exclaimed, wiping her hands on her apron and stepping around the counter to pull Ariel into a tight hug. "I can't believe my eyes! I heard you were back in our humble harbor!"
"Hello, Mrs. Jenkins," Ariel replied, returning the embrace. "It's been far too long. I'm running Leeside now, actually. And I'm marrying Miles Clemens, the former marina manager."
"Ah, Miles! A fine man, indeed. Congratulations, dear," Mrs. Jenkins said with a warm smile. "Your father would've been so proud."
The mention of her father stirred a storm of emotions within Ariel. She hesitated before asking, "Mrs. Jenkins, you knew my father well, didn't you? Do you remember anything about the scandal that surrounded him before he disappeared?"
Mrs. Jenkins' expression clouded over as memories of the past resurfaced. "Oh, Ariel, it was such a dark time for your family. There were so many rumors flying around, but nobody truly knew what happened or what was real. Your father was always a good man, at least in my eyes."
Ariel felt a mixture of gratitude and frustration as she listened to Mrs. Jenkins' words. Her father's disappearance had left her with so many unanswered questions, and while she appreciated the kindness in the older woman's voice, it did little to quell the storm inside her.
"Mrs. Jenkins," Ariel began, her voice wavering slightly, "do you remember anything more specific about those rumors? Anything to do with my father's finances?"
The shop owner furrowed her brow as she searched her memory. "Well, it's been so long, dear," she said, her eyes distant. "But I do recall there being whispers of financial impropriety. Some folks thought your father was in deep trouble with money, but I can't quite remember the exact accusations."
Ariel bit her lip, her frustration mounting. She had hoped for something more concrete – a clue, a detail, anything that could lead her closer to the truth. But even after all these years, it seemed that the shadows surrounding her father's scandal remained impenetrable.
"Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins," Ariel said, her voice soft but resolute. "I appreciate you taking the time to talk with me."
"Of course, dear." The older woman's eyes were warm and sympathetic. "And if you ever come down this way again, stop in!."
Ariel nodded, her heart swelling with gratitude. It was a small comfort knowing that, despite the passage of time and the weight of unanswered questions, some things remained constant in town. Ariel ventured deeper into the heart of Endless Harbor. She held onto the belief that somewhere within its tangled web of secrets lay the key to unraveling the mystery that had haunted her family for years.
Ariel's breath formed small clouds as she approached the Endless Harbor Clerk’s Office, its stately brick façade standing firm against the gray winter skies. She pushed open the heavy wooden door and stepped inside, inhaling the familiar musty scent of aging paper and well-worn leather chairs.
"Ah, Miss Hawthorne," called a raspy voice from behind the towering stacks. "I had a feeling you'd find your way here sooner or later."
Ariel smiled as Mr. Trevante emerged from between the shelves, his slight frame dwarfed by the weight of knowledge that surrounded him. The elderly clerk had been a fixture in Endless Harbor for as long as Ariel could remember, his wispy white hair and wire-rimmed glasses practically synonymous with the office itself.
"Mr. Trevante," she greeted warmly. "It's been too long."
"Well, only since this spring, when you had to pull those original blueprints for Leeside. But still," he replied, peering at her through his glasses. "What brings you in?"
"Family matters," she admitted, hesitating for a moment before adding, "and a search for answers."
"Ah," Mr. Trevante nodded sagely. "The past has a way of catching up to us all, doesn't it? How can I assist you in your quest?"
Ariel took a deep breath, steadying herself for the questions she was about to ask. "I'm trying to piece together the truth about my father's disappearance. There were rumors of financial impropriety, but no one seems to remember the details. Would there be court records, or any record if he was charged?"
"Your father's situation was... complicated," Mr. Trevante said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. "I do recall the scandal, but I'm afraid my memory isn't what it used to be. The specifics elude me. I can check, but I’m pretty expert on what’s in here, and I have never seen your father’s name on any court document."
"Is there anything you can remember?" Ariel asked, her voice tinged with desperation. "Anything at all?"
"Let me think," he said, his eyes drifting toward the ceiling as he searched through the dusty archives of his memory. After several moments, he shook his head sadly. "I'm sorry, my dear. The passage of time has eroded the finer points of that period. I do remember that Lee and Richard didn’t get on. And Richard was newly mayor then. Pretty power-hungry. Started buying up land around that time."
