Bayward Heart (Cascade Brides Series) by Blythe Bonnie

Author:Blythe, Bonnie [Blythe, Bonnie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-09-22T00:00:00+00:00

Hope went outside and sat on the top step of the staircase leading down to the sidewalk. Boat lights sparkled like many-hued stars on the water of the marina. It was beautiful—and yet also hid what could be seen in the daylight—the truth of those who struggled to survive from the ocean, regardless of their business. Everyone from boat builders to fishery staff revolved in a cycle between success and failure, season by season. The declining salmon industry had turned Prospect Bay from a thriving marina to just another spot along the coast littered with the remnants of rusted boats and abandoned dreams.

Ironically the local economy was experiencing something of an upswing—but not from the sea-faring side of the equation. Californians, seeking beautiful vistas, were buying up the ramshackle properties and building coastal villas. Along with that came the need for more restaurants, museums, art studios, musical venues, and shops. Maybe I would do better with a yarn shop here than with a boat.

Her poor business. She'd tried so hard. Wanted to have something to pass onto Kyle. Wanted to honor Kate's faith in her. What was going through Eric's mind right now as he perused her books? Mortification gave way to resignation. So what if he found out the business was barely keeping its head above water? He surely suspected it. Everyone in the marina knew it. The whole town knew it. Her church even sponsored an occasional excursion with the youth group just to help out.

So there was definitely no fooling Mr. Rolling In The Benjamins Charter Guy.

She rested her head on her arms and watched the rising moon glisten over the water. Eric's words about her future plans had stirred something inside her. If she resented anything, she resented that. She'd told herself she was content with her choices. And it had been enough.

Until now.

But she wasn't lying when she said she didn't know what she wanted. Or whom.

Her face heated. Even when he annoyed her, Eric made her heart beat faster. She shook her head. It was all so pointless. Dreams were for people who could afford them. That was something she'd learned long before she'd moved to the coast.

About an hour later, she heard the office door open. Eric lowered himself next to her on the step. She braced herself when she realized he was formulating a way to be kind. Maybe she could spare him the embarrassment. “When I first arrived in town, I got a job at the chowder house. That's where I met Kate.”

Eric looked at her, his eyes glinting in the darkness.

Hope looked back toward the marina. “She was a regular, so we became friends. In fact, later she told me she'd hoped I would do for her nephew. Kate didn't know Kyle was already involved with Dawn.”

“Is that why she hired you? For Kyle?”

“That and because of the cancer that was slowing her down. She didn't want to stop guiding the tours, so she turned over the office work to me.

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