Harbour of Refuge by Aliyah Burke Page B

colours of Enzo’s boat. Her heart seized a few times when the boat was launched airborne.
    “Why aren’t you down there watching?”
    She looked over to see Mila standing beside her. “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to be down there?”
    “I came to get you.”
    “I have to work, Mila. I can’t go.”
    “Nonsense. You have two employees here who are more than capable to run it for you.”
    She shook her head. “It’s not right for me to tell them they have to work and then head out to watch. I can watch fine from here. Besides, I’ll be there on the final day. That’s my day off.” She gestured to the door. “Go on, enjoy yourself.”
    “Are you sure?”
    “Positive. Go on.”
    Mila nudged her shoulder and grinned. “Don’t have to tell me twice. I’ll tell your boyfriend you say hi.”
    She rolled her eyes and waved Mila out the door. Her day was busy with tourists and others filtering in and out. Some purchasing and others not. Still, she continued to keep an eye on the flat screen up on the wall. When one boat popped up and flipped over, she froze, riveted to the screen. The others never slowed down, went around him and the rescue came shortly after.
    She missed the finish because of customers, but when she did get her next chance to look up, a large grin graced her face at the sight of Enzo and Luke standing there, surrounded by people with smiles and cheers.
    He’d done it. He’d won. In that moment, she wished she could have been down there with him. She gritted her teeth as four women joined them and slid their arms around him. Two around each of the guys. Blowing out her breath, she turned away from the image.
    Nearer to closing, she looked up when the door opened and saw that little boy had come back. The one from the other day, with the same intense, brooding look on his face.
    “Hello,” she said, peering behind him, expecting to see his mother.
    He gazed briefly at her with brown eyes before walking off farther into the store. She pursed her lips, went to the front, opened it and peeked out, checking up and down the street to see if she was near, or on her way.
    Not seeing her, Halyn went back in and found the boy standing by the oversized stuffed animals. A large white bear to be exact.
    “Can I help you find something?”
    She wasn’t all that worried, she had kids walk in here all the time, but considering the many people in the city for the race, she was slightly concerned.
    He didn’t even looked at her. So she tried again. “Where’s your mother?” There was always the possibility he didn’t speak English, given the accent his mother had spoken with. She glanced at him again before crossing her arms. “Let me know if you need anything.”
    He was there for about thirty minutes before his mother finally showed. The woman looked more pissed off than worried, and Halyn listened with a concerned ear to the flurry of words that went from her to him. The child never said a word, he didn’t even react to the yelling. He just continued to stare off at something only he could see.
    As before, the mother asked to use the bathroom and Halyn gave a nod. Back in the front restocking the items on the counter, she smiled as the door to the shop opened to admit Enzo. He looked tired but so good.
    “Hey, there,” she said, ignoring the determined thudding of her heart.
    “ Bellissima .” He strode to her and gave her a brief kiss on the lips.
    “Congrats on the win.”
    “Thanks. Are we still on for tonight?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Movement to her left had her turning to see the child walking into view. He still didn’t say anything but he went on to something else in the store. She shook her head then refocused on the man before her.
    “I can’t stay long—Ben wants to see Luke and myself about something else. I just wanted to swing in and say hi.” He leant down and robbed her of her breath with another kiss. “See you tonight, sweetheart.” He was gone before