“It is sad, but it’s already happening, and it isn’t going to get any better. That will happen whether I develop there or not. If I don’t build there, someone will.”
“It wouldn’t bother you that you’d be part of the problem, part of their demise?”
“I don’t see it that way at all. Their numbers are dwindling already, and I haven’t even begun construction. Why? Because others are building. Who knows, the horses might find a new habitat on their own. They’ve survived centuries already. How do you know the strong ones won’t survive this?”
“What about people? People like me don’t want to be forced into squared off sections of the beach. We want the whole experience, and we won’t get that in the shadows of the high-rises.”
The waitress returned and set their plates in front of them. Jake thanked her and then looked back at Faith.
“One of the challenges I face in my job is trying to convince people of what they want. You’re not seeing the big picture here. You’re thinking about a few fond memories you have personally and not the forward movement of the area. People do this all the time, and I have to prove to them that I know what I’m talking about. There are more people who want the high-rises than want the porch swing on that little cottage.”
“I disagree.”
“Well, you’re not making the decisions about it. I am. And I’m tired of trying to make everyone else happy.” He looked down at his plate and didn’t look back up. Slowly, he cut his tacos with his knife and fork, every slice controlled and even. While he showed no outward signs of being rattled, she had to wonder, given how defensive he seemed, if she’d shaken him up.
They ate quietly, the music mixing with the gentle tapping of the ripples from Sound against the pier. The day was gorgeous, the sky electric blue with no clouds, the sun beating down on them but the breeze of the water keeping the heat away. Faith had finished her coconut drink, and she was finding liquid courage in the silence.
“What if you fell in love with someone again?” she asked, and he looked up at her. “What if you found someone you loved enough to be with for the rest of your life, and she hated what you were doing? What if she hated your developments and she had ideas for something better? What would you do?”
She could see his jaw clench as he tried to keep composure. Then, very quietly, he said, “I had that very issue in my first marriage, but I wasn’t moving fast enough, developing big enough resorts—nothing was good enough. I willneverlet that happen again. If I meet someone, and I fall in love again, she will have to accept me for who I am, even if we disagree.” He eyed the balled up napkin by her plate. “All done?” He flagged the waitress for the check.
“Wanna take a ride on the new boat?” Jake asked, coming up behind Faith. From the sound of his voice, he’d cooled down. Faith had been on the beach ever since Jake had brought her home. He’d been quiet the whole ride, and all she could think about was how her little plan to show him something fun had backfired. She turned around and faced him. Perhaps building the boat after dropping her off had helped with his mood.
She made eye contact, hoping that he couldn’t see in her eyes what she was thinking. She wanted to talk more about what they’d started at lunch, but she knew he had his guard up and it wouldn’t end well. “Sure,” she said with a smile. His expression told her that he’d noticed her thoughts. She was terrible at keeping them from showing on her face.
He looked at her a moment, thoughtful. It was as if he were contemplating something.
“How’s Casey?” he asked.
Surprised by the change in conversation, and a little disappointed that it had turned away from the two of them, she said, “She’s fine.”
“She told me about her divorce.”
“Oh.”
“I can definitely relate,” he said with a sad smile. “It’s very hard.”
Faith didn’t say anything. She didn’t have any experience with divorce or marriage.
“I hope she’ll be okay,” he said.
“Me too,” she said. “She’s got all of us to help her through it.”
He nodded. “She’s a lucky lady. She has a great family to support her.”
Jake was right. Casey was very lucky. And so was Faith. Faith was glad that Jake had pointed out the importance of family; she felt exactly the same way. She wound her hand around his arm. “Let’s go see this boat.”
EIGHTEEN
“Careful, Nan,” Faith said as Jake helped her step onto the boat. It rocked slightly in the residual waves left from another boat after it had taken off from the dock. Faith held her breath until Nan was safely seated. She couldn’t imagine Nan would actually go through with taking a boat ride, but Jake had mentioned a special place he’d like to take everyone, and when he’d described it, Nan had sworn that John had taken her there when they were young. Instantly, she’d wanted to see it. She’d even brave a boat ride for it.
Jake got everyone suited up in life vests. Faith felt a flutter as she watched how gentle he was with Nan as he belted her in, and then turned to do the same for Isabella. He was so good with people. She thought back to the day she’d first seen him. So often, a first impression of someone isn’t always the right one, but with him, it had been right on the mark. She attributed that fact to his openness.
Once Jake had finished belting Isabella and everyone had their vests on, Faith sat down next to Nan. As she settled in, Jake getting situated at the wheel, she finally took a moment to look around the boat. It was sleek with white upholstery and wood grain and silver accents. The wheel was silver, the knobs glimmering against the sunlight. Jake started the engine, the motor purring as he turned the wheel.
“What work have you done on this boat, Jake?” Faith called over the sound of the motor and the water as he drove the boat out to sea.
“I built a large part of the bow,” he said, keeping his head facing forward as he steered around a few other boats. “I also helped build parts of the hull. It’s a good feeling when I actually get to drive the boats I build.”
