“That’s great, I’m glad you’re sticking around.” He grinned and nodded, but then he abruptly broke eye contact and reached to take a muffin from the basket in front of him. “I-I mean I’m glad the timing works out for you to stay because it would be an awfully long haul if you were traveling back and forth between Santa Fe and Hope Haven… Have you always lived in the Southwest?”
“No. I grew up in New Hampshire.” As she carefully unpeeled the paper liner from her muffin, Caitlin was pleased to notice he was devouring his.I guess that means it tastes all right.
“So did you get to vacation here at your aunt’s place every summer?”
“Not really. I only visited a few times when I was in high school.” Feeling jittery about the topic, and interested in learning more about Shane, she quickly redirected the conversation. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”
“Maine—near the Belgrade Lakes. Lived there most of my life. I just moved to Hope Haven a few years ago.”
“I’ve been to the Belgrades—they’re beautiful! Was it difficult to leave them behind?”
“It sure was, although I loved Dune Island the minute I set foot on it. I came here because my cousin’s husband was in poorhealth and he needed a hand with his business. I was only going to stay for the season, but then he passed away, and two years later, I’m still here,” he explained. “I’m teaching their only child, Sammy, the trade. He’s just about to graduate from high school and he’s my apprentice. I mostly work alone, but if you hire me for this project, I’ll need his help from time to time.”
Uneasy, Caitlin twisted her mouth to one side. “He’s a teenager?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry, he’s only assisting me. I supervise everything he does—he’s not allowed to lift a hammer without my permission. And I triple check all his work.”
“I’m sure you do. It’s just that…” Caitlin didn’t want to offend him. “I remember when I was that age, kids liked to talk about, you know, stuff they’re working on, or stuff they know and as I said, I want to keep this project quiet. It’s important no one finds out I’m selling until I’m ready to put the cottage on the market.”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll tell him not to mention you or the remodel to anyone. He knows if he doesn’t do what I say, I’ll sic his mother on his case,” said Shane with a laugh. “He’ll never hear the end of it.”
Caitlin felt comfortable enough with him to ask, “Is this the same cousin who tries to set you up?”
“Yeah. That’s how I know she can be relentless.” He chuckled again. “But honestly, Sammy’s such a good kid. He never gives either of us any grief.”
Relieved, she smiled. “I look forward to meeting him.”
As they drank hot chocolate and finished eating their muffins, Caitlin showed Shane her drawings, and the photo galleries on her laptop. They also discussed a schedule, her budget, and his fee for labor.
Finally, he excused himself, saying he had an appointment in town. “I’ll come back tomorrow to take measurements so I canwrite up an estimate for the materials I’ll need to order. What time works for you?”
“I don’t have a car, so unless I go for a walk, I should be around the house most of the day. But in case I’m not, let me give you a spare key to the windmill. Feel free to stop by whenever it fits your schedule. We can always catch up by phone if we miss each other in person.”
Shane texted her so she’d have his cell phone number, in addition to his home phone. “I’m really looking forward to this project,” he said, standing to leave. As he stretched his arms to put on his jacket, his shirt rode up, exposing his toned abdomen and causing Caitlin’s face and neck to flush with warmth.
What’s going on with me anyway?she asked herself later as she cleared the dishes from the table. It wasn’t like her to feel such a strong pull of attraction to someone at first sight, especially considering it had only been a matter of days since she’d dumped Jonathan. Yet now she found herself wondering how Shane would’ve answered last night if she actuallyhadbeen calling to ask if he was available for a date, instead of for a carpentry project.
Almost immediately, Caitlin censored the thought.Asking a guy out isn’t my style, even if I weren’t employing him. Besides, Shane might be attractive on the surface, but I don’t know anything about him. And he knows even less about me—which is exactly how I want to keep it, she told herself.I’m just glad that we’ve gotten the ball rolling on the remodel. The sooner he gets started, the sooner he’ll finish, and the sooner I can put the cottage on the market.
SEVEN
“I noticed Shane’s truck parked at your house yesterday,” said Marion the following morning. Caitlin had brought her half a dozen apple cinnamon muffins, and while Pepper gnawed on a rope toy, the two women sat on the sofa, enjoying the treat. “What did you think of him?”
“He seems to really know what he’s doing,” said Caitlin. “I like it that he gave me a few suggestions, but he’s not too pushy.”
“Yes, he’s a very talented craftsman. But what I meant was what do you think ofhim? He’s very kind, smart, and quite the looker, isn’t he?”
“Well, I only just met him but he seems to be all those things, yes,” she admitted.
“He’s single, just like you are. Maybe the two of you could go out sometime.”
Caitlin chuckled at her boldness. “I’m not interested in him in that way.”
“No? Why not?” Marion seemed offended, as if Caitlin had indicated something was wrong with him. “You said there wasn’t anyone special in your life.”
“It’s nothing personal. It just wouldn’t be appropriate, since he’s going to be working for me,” she explained. “And I’m sureShane wouldn’t consider it professional to get involved with a client, either.”
“Ack, you kids these days are too worried about what’sprofessionalorappropriate. It takes the fun out of being young and single,” said Marion.
