Chapter 16 - The Spring Thaw
The bitter cold of winter finally broke in late March, replaced by the warm, earthy scent of melting snow, budding dogwood trees, and rushing streams feeding into Lake Briar.
With the arrival of spring came the grand opening weekend of the Briar Lake Marina and Lakeside Bistro.
Richard Henderson had spared no expense in advertising the launch, inviting local civic leaders, regional boating enthusiasts, and sustainable tourism developers to celebrate the completion of the project.
On a bright, breezy Saturday morning, the parking lot of the new marina was packed with vehicles. The bistro patio was filled with patrons sipping fresh coffee, laughing, and enjoying the panoramic views of the water.
I stood on the newly constructed cedar boardwalk, wearing a classic cream blazer and dark sunglasses, watching the vibrant energy of the successful enterprise.
Richard walked up beside me, holding a clipboard and smiling broadly.
"Well, Ruth, I’d say our soft opening exceeded every expectation," Richard remarked, gesturing to the crowded bistro patio. "We’re fully booked for weekend reservations through the entire summer."
"You did good work, Richard," I acknowledged, turning to face him. "The architecture respects the shoreline, and the community loves it."
"We couldn't have done it without your strict oversight," Richard laughed. "By the way, I noticed a familiar face lingering near the entrance parking lot about an hour ago."
I frowned slightly, following Richard's gaze toward the access road.
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Standing near the edge of the property line, dressed in clean, simple clothes and holding a small cardboard box, was Daniel. He wasn't trying to force his way in; he was just standing quietly, watching the celebration from a respectful distance.
"Excuse me for a moment, Richard," I said quietly.
