Goodbye, Elliot. I don’t need you anymore.
“Nathan,” I say. “Please call me Nathan.”
“I love you, Nathan.”
Scott’s ending a call when he notices me walk into the hall. “You okay?”
“Can I get a ride to the docks to pick up my car?”
“Sure. And we’ll get your things. You can follow me back to the inn. I’ve got to talk to Crystal about something, too. It’s a long story—there’s a lot of shit going on.”
“I can’t just walk up to her and say hello.”
He nods. “I’ll talk to her first. Wait in your car until I come to get you. I’ll make sure she’s ready.”
“I’m not sure thatI’mready.”
When we reach the hospital parking lot, my nerves have gotten so bad that I have to sit down on the pavement.
Charging forward, it takes Scott a moment to notice I’m not with him.
“Hey…” He stops and turns back. “Breathe. She’s a good woman, and she loves you.”
I squeeze my eyes shut.
“There’s nothing to prove.” He reaches out his hand and pulls me up. “Whatever you need. We’re all here for you. No pressure.”
“My little girl. Natalie. Will she be there too?”
“No, not right now. She’s at Crystal’s house. The two of you can decide what’s best.”
I try to listen to Scott, but I’m not the confident man in the brochure.
“If you’re not sure what to say, just let her know. She’ll take it from there.”
When we get to the truck, he turns.
“You ready to do this?” he asks.
“I am.”
CHAPTER 10
The Widow
“This is outrageous.”
Garrett spreads the tips of his fingers on the dining room table and leans in, widening his eyes. His attempt at intimidation just comes off as smug.
When Natalie and I left the beach earlier, I got the call from the office. We have the green light to inform island stakeholders about the reef restrictions. And of course, they begin tomorrow. So now, no one affected has any time to prepare.
Scott’s running late.
I called him a little while ago to ask him to join us. Maddie already told him the news, so he’s prepared to give me backup. But he sounded a little off on the phone.
Most of the layered communication notices have already started, but I took it upon myself to deliver the news to Garrett and Finn in person. Too much is at stake for the Carter’s Drop project. This is the most politically sensitive impact, and if there’s any hope of preventing escalation from investors or politicians, I need to reason with them and convince them to have patience while we figure out what’s going on. I askedthem to meet me at the inn and left Natalie with our next-door neighbor.
After speaking with Garrett and Finn for the last fifteen minutes, it’s not going well. Garrett’s been doing most of the talking, and Finn has sat quietly listening.I could really use some help right now, Scott, I think to myself.
