Page 75 of The Pilot

He walked back through the trees, stopping at Fort Bad Assery. It was looking a little forlorn, now that it was winter. And because Kash hadn’t been there in months. He had no need to get away from Victor’s place anymore. No need to escape a household full of tension. No need to be alone, because he didn’t have to face the disappointment of a grandfather who felt he should be into more “manly” hobbies.

Kash was flourishing, and Linc was proud of that. He had no doubt the boy would grow into his frame way sooner than he had. Linc was bullied throughout high school because he’d been such a late bloomer, but Kash was already growing. Filling out. Like he said, Donny and Ginger would graduate and move on, and hopefully his high school years would be easier as a result.

Linc stared at the ground, his hands in his pockets. He wished things with Rogers had gone differently. For Harper. Though, he didn’t have to tell her that her dad wasn’t thrilled with them being together. She already knew.

Talking to Victor one-on-one hadn’t even put a dent in the man’s resentment and disapproval of their relationship, as he’d hoped. It wouldn’t stop them from being together, but it would stress out Harper and Kash. Which Linc hated.

Sighing, he headed for the house. He hadn’t told Harper why he wanted to come to Lobster Cove today, and he wasn’t looking forward to letting her know about the outcome of his talk with her dad. But he wouldn’t keep it from her. He wanted her to promise to tell him if Victor got too vocal about his displeasure when she and Kash visited. Or if he started trying to turn Kash against him.

Time would tell how this played out, but Linc was determined that nothing and no one was going to come between him and Harper. He’d make sure she and her son knew they were loved and appreciated every day of their lives. Because the truth was, he was one lucky son of a bitch. Harper loved him for some reason he couldn’t fathom. He was moody, had some mental baggage from what happened to him, and would probably have medical issues with his injured shoulder in the future. His house needed a shit ton of work, and his family was big, loud, and had no problem sticking their noses in each other’s business.

But she’d never find another man who would love her like he did. He needed Harper way more than she needed him. And he vowed to never let her regret loving him. From this moment on, she was his number one focus.

With renewed determination to make sure the woman he loved never went one day without hearing the words from his lips, Linc made his way back to the house.

“Are you okay?” Harper asked, when she and Linc were driving to his place. He’d been . . . off . . . since he’d returned to the house. He’d shared a donut with them, then asked if she was ready to head out. After hugs all around, they left, and now she was wondering what had put him in such a pensive mood. He wasn’t upset, not really. But whatever he’d done while he was at Lobster Cove seemed to have unsettled him.

“Yeah. I went to talk to your dad,” Linc said without preamble.

“Oh. Okay.”

“I told him that we were getting married.”

Harper wasn’t sure how to feel about that. She got tingles every time she thought about marrying Linc, but she wasn’t quite ready to take that step. She supposed she was still worried he’d change his mind. That he’d wonder what the hell he was doing, tying himself to a woman who worked at Walmart, had no college degree, and had an almost-teenage son with his own share of drama.

“No comment?” Linc asked, glancing over at her.

Harper could see the worry in his eyes.

“I’m guessing it didn’t go well.”

“It didn’t go as well as I’d hoped,” Linc admitted.

“And that’s who the beer was for?” Harper asked. She’d noticed the six-pack he’d put in the car, but figured he was bringing it to Chad or something.

“Yup.”

“That was a nice gesture.”

Linc shrugged.

Her boyfriend was considerate. Even knowing her dad wouldn’t especially appreciate the gesture, he’d gone out of his way to buy it and bring it anyway.

“What’d he say?”

“He’s convinced the Young family wants his land.”

Harper rolled her eyes. “I don’t know why he thinks that. He’s always been obsessed with Lobster Cove. Even when I was young.”

“Why?”

“I think some of it is jealousy. He saw how well you guys were doing with the rentals and the other businesses, and I think it upset him that the things he’d attempted weren’t nearly as successful. It just kind of became a habit from then on to dislike everything about Lobster Cove. He’s not a bad guy,” she felt obligated to say.

“I know he’s not,” Linc said without hesitation, which Harper appreciated. “If he was, he wouldn’t have helped find Marit and wouldn’t have gotten involved when he saw Britt and my mom being kidnapped. I just . . .”

It was interesting, seeing Linc at a loss for words. He was usually so self-confident. Harper didn’t hate this side of him. It made him seem more vulnerable.

“I just don’t want him turning you or Kash against me,” Linc finished in a rush.