I lifted Sunny’s hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “It feels nice. Really nice.”
We all laughed, and Gerry and Cindy caught me up on their life.
“About four years after you disappeared, we decided to close the camp,” Gerry mused. “We were getting on, kids didn’t want to be counselors anymore, and our numbers were dwindling.”
I nodded, already knowing what he was about to say.
“We put the land up for sale, with the stipulation we keep a small piece for our retirement.” He sighed. “It was a hard decision, but we knew it was our nest egg.”
He rested his arm on the chair. “Imagine my shock when we got an offer—a really good offer on the land—that allowed us to keep, in what was my opinion, the most valuable piece of the property. I was given a free lease that expires when both Cindy and I are gone.”
I took a sip of my coffee, not meeting his eyes.
“A further shock has been that the land has never been developed. A crew shows up twice a year, cuts back trees, makes sure it’s clean, even does the same work on my property, then leaves. No surveyors, no real estate people, no developers have ever been here.”
“Hmm,” I muttered. “Odd, I agree.”
No one would ever develop the land around them—I’d made sure of that. They had been good to me. Treated me well. It had been one of the first things I had bought when I put my plan into place. I was determined to look after them.
“It’s amazing,” Gerry mused. “Same thing seems to be happening in Mission Cove. Unexpected gifts of property. Houses being rebuilt and sold at a fraction of their value. Almost gifted, some say.”
Sunny looked between us, putting the pieces together.
Gerry rested his elbows on his knees. “What are you doing these days, Linc?"
I waved my hand. “This and that. Finance mostly.”
“Uh-huh. Any property investments?”
“I have my fingers in a lot of pies, Gerry,” I said smoothly.
“I bet you do,” he said with a smirk. “I bet you do.”
I let his remark pass.
Cindy and Sunny got up and took the tray inside. They were talking about recipes and a new cookie for the bakery for Sunny to try.
“She’s become a lovely woman,” he stated.
“Yes.”
“She part of your future, Linc? Or only for now?”
“My future,” I stated firmly.
“Good. She suffered greatly when you left.”
I snorted. “I didn’t do so well myself, Gerry.” I shut my eyes. “I was locked up, no way to contact anyone, and scared most of the time.”
“But you survived.”
“I survived,” I agreed.
He was quiet for a moment. “Are you living in your father’s house?”
I shuddered at the thought. “No. I’m having it destroyed.”
“Going to rebuild?”
“I haven’t decided,” I said honestly. “Maybe nothing.”
“That would be a waste.”
“As long as the monument to his stranglehold on Mission Cove is gone, I’m happy.”
He didn’t say anything for a moment, rubbing his bottom lip. “Maybe you need to think again, Linc.”
“What do you mean?”
“You are obviously rebuilding this town, Linc. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that all the improvements that have happened are in some way connected to your past.”
I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t looking for thanks or glory.
“I get you want to destroy the legacy of your father.”
I snorted. “Legacy isn’t the word I would use. Reign of destruction, more like it.”
“Fine. Then think, Linc. Destroying your father’s house—fine. But leaving the land empty? You’re missing an opportunity.”
I faced him fully. “An opportunity?”
He nodded. “Your father was all about keeping everyone down. Being king. He never reached out his hand to help people—he liked to keep them beneath him. You want to purge his memory? Then do something positive with the land.” He grinned evilly. “Something your father would hate.”
“Do you have an idea?”
He leaned forward. “I do.”We shook hands goodbye. “Don’t be a stranger,” Gerry said and waved his hand toward his house. “And I know, kid. I know this was you.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He clapped me on the shoulder. “Okay. Keep your secret. But I am forever in your debt. It broke my heart, thinking I would have to leave this place.”
“That will never happen,” I vowed, then snapped my mouth shut.
He winked. “It’s okay, kid. Your secret is safe. Remember what we talked about. Think hard.”
“I will.”
I slid into the car, and we headed for Mission Cove. I knew Sunny was already thinking of the list of items she had to take care of. My head was swimming with Gerry’s idea. It was simple but perfect.
“It was you who bought his land.” Sunny’s voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Yes.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Linc, you have so much good in you—even if you refuse to see it.”
“Gerry had an idea about the land that will be left when the house is gone.”