Page 83 of Billionaire's Coastal Haven

“He’s not pie.We’renot pie,” I stammer.

Emberley smirks. “Kels loves her food metaphors. Don’t try to stop her.”

I bury my face in my hands. “You are crazy.”

Emberly rubs my back. “Your dad will come around when he sees how happy you are.”

Kelsey makes gagging noises. “Can we please not talk about sex and her dad in the same conversation? I was enjoying my whipped cream analogies over here.”

“Dad won’t ever give me his blessing.” I sink lower in my chair. I want my dad’s blessing, but I don’t need his approval. “He’s stuck in the past and doesn’t want to move on. I can’t force him to let go of his grief any more than he can force me to give up Landon. Dad wants me to fill the void my mom left, but that’s not my job. It never should have been in the first place.”

Em adds her arms around Kelsey and me. “He needs counseling.”

“He won’t go. Just like he won’t give up butter and bacon.”

Silence settles over us. My mind wanders through memories of my relationship with my dad. He and I need to talk about his expectations of me, why he can’t let me live my life without him telling me who to be and how to act.

I tried to be the kind of woman who’s comfortable standing behind someone else, but that’s not where I belong. I have too many ideas and opinions not to share them.

Dad needs to realize I’m my own person.

Kelsey nibbles on the end of a curl. “I noticed you didn’t tell Landon you love him when he left.”

I cover my mouth with my hand. “Oh, no. I didn’t. He said it then Dad had his episode and then…he must think I don’t love him.”

“Dinner. Tonight. Stop and grab a pie on your way home.” Kelsey wiggles her eyebrows.

Laughter bursts from my chest. “I’ll never look at apple pie the same way.”

“You’re welcome.”

Chapter 22

Landon

Rainwater Bay is built on community and legacy, but those traits have become anchors, shackles instead of the inspiration they should be.

Renovating the Reeves estate will put an end to the stagnation. Rainwater Bay needs a thriving, diversified economy to become everything it is destined to be. That’s the best way to give Zoe the freedom she needs to be true to herself. If the town can take care of itself, her anchor will be gone as well.

Maybe whatever is on the other side of the medieval door is the answer. Collin and Archer are in their truck behind me. After we talk to Lucky, I’ll ask them what they know about the secret stairs.

A maroon sedan is parked outside the house. As I climb from my vehicle, Lucky swings open her door. “Mr. Prince.” She waves. “Good to see you again.” Her head drops toward her shoulder, and she looks past me. “You brought friends?”

“It is their family’s estate.”

She claps her hands. “That makes this easier.”

We join her by the front steps. “You said this was urgent.”

“Doesn’t make sense for you to continue working when the plans have changed.” She wiggles her fingers toward the house.

I shake my head. “We’re not stopping construction. Mayor Winslow can’t prevent me from completing the renovation.”

She taps the tip of her nose. “Right you are. We’re expanding.”

“Excuse me?” Collin asks. “Care to clarify?”

“You overruled the cabins along the cliff.” She flutters her fingers toward the overlook. “That was smart because using the land behind the house is a much better idea.”