Free Finding Haven by T.A. Foster Page B

happened. What can I do to keep you on?”
    “Mr. Owen, you’ve been really great to me over the years.”
    “That doesn’t sound like I have a chance to change your mind.” He sighed. “I hope
     we can come to an understanding, but if we can’t, I can count on you to work until
     I find a replacement?”
    “No, sir. I’m sorry, but this is my last day at the store. I start tomorrow.” There
     was an air of triumph in the announcement.
    “Trav, what are you talking about? Where are you going?”
    “I’m the new surfing instructor at Wave On.” He looked pleased with himself.
    “You know, Travis, why don’t you wait inside for me and I’ll be in to discuss your
     pay. I need to speak with Haven for a second.” The older gentleman urged the clerk
     to leave the conversation.
    Travis tossed a clipboard on the countertop and walked a few paces on the docks and
     into the store.
    The father turned. “Don’t stand there and tell me you’re not responsible for him leaving.”
    “Dad, this is complete news to me, but Travis has a right to change jobs if he wants
     to.”
    “Of course he does, but he has worked here for five years, and all of a sudden, he
     can’t stand it? How do you expect me to replace an employee like that? Do you have
     any idea what you’ve done? Any idea at all?”
    The tears were there welling in her eyes, even from fifteen feet away Evan could see
     them. He also saw her biting her bottom lip. She didn’t seem like the type that would
     cry, but the movie star wasn’t sure he had ever heard an exchange like this before.
    “I can try to talk to him again. I’ll ask him to stay.” She was trying to smooth the
     waters.
    “No. I think you’ve done enough. In the meantime, you can take over his Thursday shift
     and—”
    “But, that’s my one day off!”
    “Maybe after this you’ll learn to respect the boundaries at work.”
    “You can’t be serious.” Evan watched as the girl balled her fists on the counter.
     He didn’t know what was happening between the father and daughter, but it was messy.
     He didn’t like the hurt that was on her face. She was being bullied, and he felt a
     protective instinct kick in his belly. He wanted to help her.
    “You’ve left me without a clerk. It’s almost the end of June. Where am I going to
     find somebody now? All the students have jobs. No one is going to turn up at this
     point in the summer. Travis was the best employee I had. Five years, Haven. He was
     here five years.”
    “Dad, I’ll find someone. Calm down.” She pressed the ends of her palms into her cheekbones.
     Evan was impressed the tears didn’t fall.
    “You think it’s that easy? You think we can replace a worker like Travis?” He paused
     and shifted his gaze to a sailboat cruising past. “Fine. It’s your responsibility
     now. You find someone who is decent and you can have your Thursdays back.” Evan heard
     the deck boards creak under the man’s feet as he walked back into the store, muttering
     something under his breath.
    The coast was clear. Maybe he could rent that kayak now. That was all he wanted—take
     one of those blue boats out on the water and glide across the surface. He sucked in
     a deep breath and stepped one foot around the corner.
    And right then, everything changed. He knew he wouldn’t be renting a kayak today.

T HEY WERE just like the lyrics, always popping up at the most inconvenient time. Haven brushed
     the rolling tears off her cheeks, and searched the rental stand for something to wipe
     her eyes. The only thing in her apron pocket was a scrap of paper.
    “Dammit, where’s a tissue when I need it?” She pushed the reservation book to the
     side. Everything looked blurry.
    When she walked into work this morning, she knew Travis was acting fidgety. He got
     that way when he was nervous. After five years at the store, she couldn’t believe
     he would quit because of her, because of them. Sure, it was awkward and