“Maybe, but it was a flawed plan. What we didn’t know was that her best friend was a smart little girl who knew how to look up information. When Enid came to visit Harlow, she knew the risks. Somehow they got talking about it, and Harlow discovered the truth.”
He winced. “That couldn’t have gone well.”
“It didn’t. We felt awful, Enid was devastated, and I’d never seen Harlow that mad. She felt we’d betrayed her. It took her a long time to get over that, and she still has a thing about lies of omission.”
“Understandable. How much do you beat yourself up over that?”
“I’ve let it go.”
He looked at her. “It’s just me and the seagulls. You can tell us the truth.”
He thought she might resent the implication that she was lying, but instead she sighed. “You’re right. I blame myself, and I wonder about the emotional scars left behind. The cancer was tough enough. What if we made it worse?”
“You did what you thought was right. You had the best of intentions.”
“The road to hell and all that?”
He shrugged. “When you knew better, you did better.”
“You’re quoting Maya Angelou to me?”
“I’m a man of many depths.”
She laughed. “You are and I like that.”
seventeen
HARLOW STARED AT her phone, fighting a sinking feeling. Austin had texted with the news she’d been dreading.
Dad just blew me off again. I’m done. I quit. I’m going to go see Mom.
I’m sorry he’s being a jerk. Can I help?
I’m fine. Just pissed. BTW, so is he, so watch your back. Love you.
Love you, too. Drive safe and let me know you get there okay.
Now you sound like Mom.
She smiled. There are worse things.
She got out of her car and walked to the apartment she shared with Kip. When she’d left her dad, he’d been in a decent mood. She would guess now all that had changed. While she understood her brother’s frustration, she was sorry to see him go. They would be shorthanded for the rest of the summer, and that was going to be a problem for everyone.
Finding good employees was always a challenge. Working on a charter boat meant a lot of grunt work. The pay was good, and you got to spend your day on the water, but there were also things like customers getting drunk or seasick. Weather could be an issue, and all employees needed a working knowledge of boating. Plus having to pass a drug test.
A month into the summer, nearly everyone who wanted a job had a job. Finding a replacement for Austin would take some effort.
She unlocked the front door and stepped inside. The faint scent of roses lingered in the air-conditioned air. The big bouquet—waiting for her when she’d come back two nights ago—sat on the dining room table. Harlow fingered the soft petals.
Kip was trying. After he’d apologized (again) for not telling her about Tracey and for walking out after that dinner with his parents, they’d agreed to give each other time to process, then have a big meeting next week, when they both had the day off.
She wasn’t looking forward to that, but knew it was important. She and Kip had to be honest with each other. No more secrets. She could deal with the truth, but first she had to know what it was.
Her phone buzzed. She glanced down.
Your brother quit. Just up and quit. I need to redo the schedule. Can you get back here?
She only hesitated a second before texting back, On my way.
She spent the drive trying to solve the problem. Only as she pulled into the marina did an unexpected solution occur to her.
She reached for her phone.
Can you call me right this second? It’s not an emergency but it’s important.
Seconds later her phone rang.
“What’s up?” Enid asked.
“Did I interrupt you at work?”
“Nope. I’m just leaving the boutique, and I’m on my way home. For once I’m off tonight. I’m going to throw myself on the sofa and not move until morning. So, what’s important but not an emergency?”
“You like boats.”
“You mean in general? Sure. I always have fun when we go out.”
“You’ve helped with the big charters before. You don’t get seasick.”
“No. Plus I look adorable in crop pants and a striped T-shirt. What does that have to do with anything?”
Harlow explained that Austin had quit and they were shorthanded at work. “I haven’t talked to my dad, but I know he’ll be interested in hiring you. I’m pretty sure it pays more than the boutique, plus there are usually tips we all split, and you’d be done in time for your night job. Want me to mention you?”
“I’d love that. I can crew. More money would be fantastic. I’ll clean up the puke. I don’t care.”
Her enthusiasm made Harlow wish for the money to pay for her friend’s medical school. “I’ll talk to him right now. I’ll call you when we’re done. Give me half an hour.”
Harlow hurried inside. The second she walked into the main office, she could hear her dad.
“Dammit all to hell. How could he do this?”
Something hit the wall. Harlow heard the thunk but not the sound of something breaking, which was good. At least he hadn’t tossed a lamp or a glass.
She braced herself for her father’s mood and walked into his office. He spun to face her.
“What is he thinking? You have to talk some sense into him. I can’t believe he did this to me. Just up and left with no warning. He knows better. If he thinks he’s going to come back and work here sometime in the future, he can forget it. He’s irresponsible and still a kid. Going to visit his mommy? What is he? Five?”
Harlow waited out the rant, knowing her father wouldn’t listen until he wound down a little. As Cord continued to pace and rage, his face red, his body language tense, she remembered her parents fighting when she’d been a kid.
Her mother had always kept her voice low, but her dad’s voice would steadily rise until he was yelling loud enough to shake walls. Sometimes he’d throw things, scaring Harlow and Austin. They would huddle together in her room. If it got really bad, they hid in her closet.
When the house got quiet, their mom would pull them close and tell them everything was fine.
“I know it’s tough when your dad gets mad,” she would say. “But it’s only noise, and noise can’t hurt you.”