Rather than make me ask the right questions, Sam said, “Come with me. I want to show you something that will explain everything.”

I nodded and numbly followed him as he went outside.

“I had the crews work on the part that I knew you cared about the most because I want you to be able to see my vision,” Sam informed me.

I wondered what he meant by ‘his vision.’ I would love to get a peek inside his brilliant mind, but I was afraid of what I might find there. Was I going to be extremely disappointed by what he sees as the perfect solution for the gridlock of opinions we have over the future of Harbor Shores? Would he just try to bully me into seeing his way or the highway? Only one way to find out, I decided as we walked together.

It was already fairly dark, but the cool breeze on my face and the dampness on my skin told me we were very near the lake. The air smelled like the beach, as well. The aroma was difficult to describe––kind of fresh and clean, but with a slight tinge of fish and suntan lotion thrown in. It was a familiar smell that I loved dearly. I wondered briefly if that scent would change to gasoline and asphalt when Sam opened his planned marina-pier-condo-parking lot mecca.

The sounds of our footsteps echoed on the wooden planks of the brand new boardwalk. I was surprised to see how much progress had been made on it. I had been purposely avoiding the town’s shore for a while so that I didn’t have to face the alterations that Sam’s company was making. The entire lakefront could have completely changed over the past few weeks, and I wouldn’t have had any clue. Court and Seth had stopped mentioning any of the project’s progress to me because they knew it upset me.

It seemed like we walked a really long time, and I wondered where he was taking me. Finally, we came to a stop. Sam leaned over to kiss my forehead. “I hope you like it, Sweetheart,” he whispered near my ear as he opened a tall construction gate.

Me too. You have no idea how much I hope you have come up with a miracle solution that will make this all okay. My mind screamed the words, but my lips remained closed because I just didn’t see how it could be possible. I was filled with anticipation, wanting to see what he was so excited to show me.