Page 53 of Tell It To The Waves

I take the ride slow, winding down the two-way road that connects the town with off-the-beaten-path homes. The Williams estate is all the way at the end of town; the road ends at their property.

I park my bike in front of their house and make my way inside. “Todd?” I call his name, but get no reply, so I beeline it for the office.

Knowing exactly where the file is in the cabinet, I pull it open and search, but come up empty. My eyes scan the room before inching the filing cabinet closed. Hurriedly, I go to the desk, searching on top, but there is nothing. Pulling the drawer in the desk out, files meet my eyes. Flipping through them, I stop when I see the name August Cove. Throwing it on the desk, I flip through the papers, stopping when I see an email informing the recipients, Todd and Kate Williams, that the pipe has been damaged. Standing up straighter, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I keep reading, trying to make sure I’m reading it correctly. And after two passes through, I know I have. They fucked with her cottage.

Closing the file, I shuffle through the rest of the files, finally finding the one titled Driftwood Marina. Breathing deeply, I close the gap between the desk and the printer, lift the lid, place the paper down, and copy. It feels like it takes forever. I decide to copy August’s too, just in case.

Placing the folders back where I found them. I make my way back to the filing cabinet, letting my finger touch each tab as I read off every name. There are about eight different stores with folders. I stop when I see Seaside Manor. I yank my phone out of my back pocket, recording the file as I move each piece of paper to show what is on there. Shoving it back in, I power walk out of the office.

“Hey, Bo,” Todd’s voice calls to me down the hall.

Briefly closing my eyes, I stop in my tracks, planting on a fake smile. “I was trying to find you,” I tell him.

“Oh yeah. What for?” He doesn’t sound convinced.

“Wanted to let you know I’ll have 250,000 for you tomorrow.”

His lips draw down. “And what’s that for?”

I let out a laugh. “Oh, come on. Let’s not play stupid, because I know you’re not.”

The look on his face is priceless, not believing I just spoke to him like that. I smile. “Well, I’ll see you around.” I leave him standing there, exiting the house and jumping on my bike, papers still rolled up in hand.

Stopping in front of the guest house, I don’t waste time; I find my bag and throw in what’s important, along with my laptop and chargers. Pushing the papers inside, I don’t give the place a second glance before I’m shutting the door behind me, on my bike once again, driving to what feels like freedom for the first time since I got with Molly.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

I stand in my living room, mouth agape, truly not understanding what Bohdi told me. I can buy the store. He’s letting me buy the store. Tears fill my eyes from excitement and fear. Fear of failing, but excitement of finally doing what I wanted to do.

My hands shake as I push Baylee’s contact. Waiting with bated breath for her to answer. It’s early, but it’s fine.

“Hello?” Her sleepy voice answers.

“You don’t have to say anything right now, but I needed to tell someone, and you’re my someone. Bohdi just showed up at the cottage and said I could buy the storefront. Bay, he said I can buy it!” I scream.

I can hear sheets ruffling with her movement, knowing she’s sitting up in her bed now. “Back up. What the hell. How’d that happen?”

“I don’t know; he literally showed up on my doorstep this morning.”

“When do you meet him?”

Sighing, “Tomorrow morning. I have to run to the city and get the money. Bay, I’m scared he’ll change his mind.”

“Listen, come get me and I’ll ride with you to go get it. No thinking negatively. Only good thoughts. Thoughts on howyou’re going to decorate it, what your signature dessert will be. Oh! And the name of it!” She pierces my ears on that last sentence. Her sleepy voice no longer.

I jump up and down like a maniac. “I’m going to throw something on really quick and I’ll come get you. Bay, I’m really doing this.” A tear slides down my cheek.

“You’re really doing this.” I can hear the smile in her voice.

In minutes I have my clothes thrown on and am jogging out the door. My body is flowing with excitement. It’s a weird feeling. I haven't felt this way in so long.

The town is still asleep when I drive through it, stopping in front of Baylee’s. Texting her to let her know I’m here, I only wait a few minutes, and here she comes. Red hair swishing side to side as she walks to the car.

Falling into my passenger seat, she says, “I need coffee.”

No hello or good morning. I laugh. “I second that.”

Hitting Sippy’s, I get us two iced coffees and blueberry muffins.