A Love Lost to the Years novel · Chapter 10 of 24

Chapter 10: Harbor Row

The lease was still in his head at noon, with its date eight days before the wedding.

His wife owned the roof over his head, and Sheldon was the only man who could tell him why.

Sheldon Lowry held Saturday brunch at the Harbor Room every other week, and he liked an audience.

Kenneth found him at the long window table at noon, with three investors and a bottle of something pale in an ice bucket.

He walked in wearing his work boots and a flannel shirt with sawdust on the cuffs.

The hostess started to speak, and he kept walking.

"Mr. Nordlund," Sheldon said, and rose with a smile that cost him some effort.

"What a lovely surprise. Gentlemen, madam, this is the man who made the speech last night."

"It was a good speech," said one of the men.

"It was a short one," Kenneth said. "I'm here to make another."

He put the transmittal sheet on the white tablecloth, on top of the bread basket.

"Harbor Row Condominiums," he read aloud. "Managing member: G. Lowry."

He looked up.

"You told my wife you sold her father's mill to a developer and kept the fee."

The table went quiet.

"You didn't sell it. You bought it. You were the developer."

"That's a great deal of conclusion from a clerical sheet."

"I drew the plans for it," Kenneth said. "You stood over my table in that camel overcoat and told me not to get curious."

One of the investors set down her glass.

Sheldon laughed, quite warmly, and sat.

"Mr. Nordlund. Kenneth. You're upset. You've had a rough week, and I do sympathize. Perhaps we should talk somewhere private."

"I'd like to do it here."

"Why?"

"Because last night you did it in front of four hundred people. I thought you'd be comfortable."

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