Bella stopped the cart with a small lurch. “I thought you might like to see them create a sandy beach on the Puget Sound.”
He gripped the grab bar and pulled himself out of the cart. His energy was better before he’d gone to court—it seemed the excursion had set him back in his recovery. Or, perhaps lying around for days at a time wasn’t doing him any good.
Bella set the brake and joined him on his side of the cart. They watched in silence as the trucks lumbered down the packed dirt, did a three-point turn, dumped their load, and then made their way back up to the gate.
“I’d forgotten about this.” He rubbed his hand over his chin, careful not to tug on the grafted skin. For the past few days as he’d lain in bed, he’d lamented the things he’d lost, but right now, he didn’t want to think about all that. Today he gained something. The three residents along this stretch would have their own private beach. There was a fourth lot that he’d transformed into a communal area. Any homeowner in The Cove could spend the day frolicking on the imported white sand or lying about in a lounge chair. There was a cabana with changing rooms, showers, and a small bar staffed eight hours a day. All upkeep paid for with monthly HOA fees.
“Are you sure you don’t want to rent the beach for weddings?” Bella clasped her hands behind her back. “The sunsets will be spectacular.”
He shook his head. “The Cove is meant to be a showpiece, but most of all, it’s meant to be a haven for the homeowners.” He turned and surveyed the area, not able to see much from this lower elevation. From his castle, he could oversee the whole development. “I expect grand parties, the likes of which Seattle has never seen before.”
Bella nodded. “You should throw the first one, set the example.” Her lips parted slightly. “A ball. You have that incredible ballroom.” Her hands covered her mouth and her eyes danced. “A welcome ball. Most of the homes will be done in two months. I’m sure Mrs. Poole would have a wonderful time planning the menu, and Edward would relish the chance to have the chandeliers dusted.”
His stomach dropped. His life of isolation slipped away with her every word. “No.”
Her lips clamped together. She pressed them harder, as if her argument was trying to force its way out and she was holding it back. He admired her determination. She flipped towards the water, and the wind plastered a piece of hair across her cheek. Adam fought the urge to tuck it behind her ear. She was a grown woman; if she wanted her hair moved, she could do it herself.
“The lighthouse looks good,” he commented.
They both turned to take in the huge structure on the small peninsula that served as the first beach lot. The outside was painted white with a traditional red stripe and the glass lantern room at the top, complete with a working lamp. Behind the three-story, round portion of the design sprawled a large mansion. The trick with the design was to balance the lighthouse section with the accompanying structure so that one didn’t overwhelm the other. “Did you know that in order to have a working lighthouse, your father had to arrange purchase of several properties on the other shoreline?” This was the first time they’d spoken of Martin since he’d had surgery. It suddenly hit Adam how much the older man had accomplished over the last two years.
“Why’s that?”
“Because of the light pollution.” He rolled his eyes. “It seemed people didn’t like having a spotlight hit their bedroom window every five minutes.”
Bella giggled. “I can understand their concern.”
He smiled, feeling his damaged cheek wrinkle in places it hadn’t before.
But Bella didn’t seem to notice. She was watching the dump trucks with the sand. “Do you know I’ve never built a sandcastle?”
He shook his head. “That’s a travesty.”
She lifted a shoulder. “I was a rather studious child, getting lost in books.”
“What type?”
“Mysteries mostly.” She laughed. “I’d read a Nancy Drew and always feel that the story ended too soon. So I’d …” She laughed at herself. “I’d set up a pretend courtroom, my dad would be the judge, and I’d argue my case to send the bad guy to jail.”
Adam warmed at the image. “And did you win?”
“Every time.” Her eyes sparkled like the sunlight off the imported sand. And then the light faded away, replaced by troubled waters. “Facing the wolves wasn’t at all like my make-believe courtroom. I’m sorry I almost lost.”
Adam was touched by her sincere apology, and he was struck by the knowledge that she had given him her best. Her best may have not been good enough that day, but she had it in her to take on the wolves. “I’m sorry I said those things about your father and that I’ve left you to manage all this on your own.”
“You’ve not been well.”
“I’ve not been myself.”But perhaps that isn’t such a bad thing.
Bella shrugged. “I didn’t know you before, so I’ve no comparison.”
Her words were a lightning bolt to his heart. Bella was a fresh start, one he could grab on to with both hands if he wished.
He wished. “Come on.” This time he climbed into the driver’s seat and turned the key.
Bella scrambled to get in. “Where are we going?”
“To do something you should have done ages ago.” Instead of driving back to the house, he took a right and headed to the airstrip. There were several hangars, and he made his way to the one with his family crest painted on the side. The staff saw him coming and sprang into action. It wasn’t unusual for him to need air transport at a moment’s notice. He parked the golf cart near the entrance and walked towards the plane, which was almost ready for takeoff. His crew was efficient and could have the plane in the air within seven minutes of his surprise arrival.
