Free Finding Haven by T.A. Foster Page A

trying to charm
     her with his usual finesse, but Shug was one woman who wouldn’t take the bait.
    “They rent them out there at Owen’s General Store. Behind the store, there’s a stand
     on the docks.” The gardenia feature must be fascinating, although Evan knew they couldn’t
     grow anything at the campground. There wasn’t any soil, only sand.
    “Thanks, Shug. I appreciate it.” He turned for the screen door.
    “How’s that book of yours coming along?”
    “Book?” Evan froze. “Oh yeah, it’s going. Taking me a little longer to write than
     I expected.”
    “Good thing you’re here for the whole summer, I guess.” Shug placed the magazine on
     the desk.
    Evan couldn’t help but think she saw right through him and his flimsy cover, but if
     she did, she didn’t mention it.
    “Tell Harry I said hello.” Evan knew he was down on the beach surf fishing. He was
     out every day with a pole and a chair.
    “Will do.” She picked the magazine up.
    Evan closed the door behind him and strolled to his Jeep. He had left it running in
     front of the office. It was a small campground, and other than Charlotte, he thought
     most people stayed only a night or two before moving on. It made sense Shug would
     know his habits.
    He felt a little guilty about the drinking. The last thing he wanted was to be known
     as the campground drunk. His mother would not be happy with him. He turned onto the
     road that led to the village and vowed to cut back on the beer. Five o’clock was an
     acceptable cocktail hour—no more beer for breakfast. He leaned over, cranked up a
     song on the radio, and let the wind blow through his hair.
    He hadn’t returned to the general store since his first morning on the island. The
     grocery store had more produce, and despite the beer runs, he did like to have fresh
     fruit. He only wished the bananas weren’t so spotted. As he pulled into an open parking
     space, he noticed the docks behind the store for the first time. Just as Shug described,
     there was a wooden stand with Rentals written in blue. It looked like the store carried
     kayaks, canoes, snorkel sets, and fishing gear.
    Evan hopped on the boardwalk and strolled to the boat slips where the rental stand
     sat.
    As he walked closer, he overheard parts of a disagreement. He kept his hands in his
     pockets and hung back close to the corner of the store. Whoever was talking needed
     a minute to figure things out.
    “Trav, you can’t be serious. You are quitting?”
    “Yeah, why is that so unbelievable? You think you know me so well. Didn’t see that
     one coming, did you?” He smirked.
    Evan recognized the clerk who had helped him with the beer. That guy had seemed a
     lot nicer in the store, and there was the girl who wrote notes on the register paper.
     He had forgotten how pretty she looked. Right now, she looked mad.
    “Don’t be such an ass. There is no reason to quit.” Her hands were on her hips.
    “I don’t want to work here anymore. I don’t want to see you at the store everyday.
     I’m tired of covering for you, and I got another job.”
    “Another job?” Her voice was shrill. Evan watched as the guy walked from behind the
     counter, out onto the pier. He was starting to think this wasn’t the best time to
     rent a kayak. Maybe another day.
    “Yeah, Haven. Another job.”
    “Don’t leave like this,” she pleaded.
    “What’s this, son?” A deeper voice emerged in the discussion. “You’re leaving?”
    Evan peeked around the corner. The two store clerks had been joined by a man probably
     in his fifties. This was getting more awkward.
    “Mr. Owen, sorry for you to hear this way, but I’ve taken another position.” Travis’s
     voice might have cracked.
    The man glared at the pair. “Let me guess, this has something to do with Haven.”
    “Dad, that’s not fair. I had no idea Travis was leaving.”
    Evan watched as the man turned his back on the girl. “Travis, I’m sorry for whatever
     has