“I agree,” he said. “But for a project of this scope,ifthe hospital signs with our agency, they’d want to interview consultants and decide for themselves who’d be the best fit. I can put you at the top of the list, if you’re sure you’re up for it?”
“I’m sure,” confirmed Caitlin, figuring she could do an online interview or else fly back for an in-person if that’s what they preferred.
“Great. I expect to hear from them in a few weeks and I’ll be in touch when I do.”
Buoyed by the hope of a more challenging campaign that aligned with her interests, Caitlin threw herself into researching the hospital, potential grants, and prospective major donors, in preparation for her upcoming interview. When she needed a break, she’d read, visit Marion, or take a walk into town to enjoy the fall foliage.
Although not as overtly spectacular as what she’d witnessed growing up in New Hampshire, the autumn hues in Hope Haven were still undeniably beautiful—and one of the most strikingtrees she’d seen was the red maple directly in front of the cottage. During the late afternoons, Caitlin frequently nestled on the sofa in the sunroom and stared at its fiery leaves, which reminded her of watching the sunset.
In the evenings, Caitlin sometimes called one of her friends from Santa Fe, or else she read for hours, or took a long, hot soak in the bath, which felt like a luxury at first. Yet despite telling Marion that she preferred to be alone and needed her own space, Caitlin quickly discovered the amount of solitude she had on Dune Island felt like too much of a good thing.
By morning time, she’d feel desperate to talk to someone in person, instead of just on the phone. So she began a habit of stopping by the windmill to ask if Shane wanted coffee, which he usually did. He’d show her the progress he was making, and explain what he intended to do next. But their conversations always moved on to other topics.
It was during these exchanges that he mentioned what he liked and didn’t like about the book he was reading for his book club. And she shared how excited her nephews and niece had been when she’d shown them the windmill during a video call. Caitlin also learned about Shane’s newfound passion for kiteboarding, and she told him about her work at the food bank.
Even though their conversations weren’t deeply personal, Caitlin usually walked away feeling as if she’d gleaned another small insight into Shane’s personality, and she’d given him a glimpse of hers, too. She appreciated that he seemed to respect her need for privacy—he never even asked what was inside the bag he’d discovered—and because of that, she found it easier to let down her guard and enjoy being in his presence. Of course, it didn’t hurt that he was incredibly handsome and strong… but his looks weren’t all that had caught her attention; she was also drawn to his warmth, humor, and thoughtfulness.
She didn’t realize how much she looked forward to their little chats until the first time he brought Sammy to work with him. Although Caitlin instantly liked the polite, slightly gawky teenager, she regretted that her small talk with Shane was suddenly reduced to a couple of bland comments about the weather. Then, he got right down to business.
“Sammy’s going to be helping me out a lot this week, and into next week, too. His classes have been canceled because a water main busted in the school’s cafeteria,” he explained. “Usually, he’s only available in the afternoons or on the weekends, so this timing works out perfectly, since I just received delivery of the rest of the materials I need to start the framework, which is a two-person job.”
“By ‘framework,’ do you mean putting in the windows?” Caitlin asked.
“Yes, if we have time. But first we’ll work on restructuring the wall and roof between the windmill and the sunroom,” he clarified. “So we’ll need to move the furniture out of the way. We’d also better shut the interior door between the sunroom and the living room, otherwise, it might get drafty in there. Not to mention, loud.”
“No problem, I’ll be wearing earbuds and listening to music,” said Caitlin agreeably.
But she wasn’t quite prepared for justhowloud the demolition would be, nor how jarring. No matter how high the volume of her music, or which room she was in, she could hear every sledgehammer blow. The noise and reverberations set her teeth on edge and made her head throb, so she’d escape it by taking two long walks in the morning. After lunch, she’d go to the library in Benjamin’s Manor, which was larger than the tiny one in Lucinda’s Hamlet, to do her research for a couple hours.
However, being in the public setting made her anxious. Because there were few visitors on the island at this time of year,she was concerned that a librarian or a patron would recognize she wasn’t a resident, and that they’d try to strike up a friendly conversation about what had brought her to Hope Haven. Although not as distracting as the noise at the cottage, Caitlin’s anxiety kept her from being as productive as she’d hoped to be, and on Friday afternoon, she decided that instead of going to the library, she’d visit Marion.
I haven’t seen her and Pepper out walking in a couple days. I wonder if the weather is too chilly for them, she thought as she rang her neighbor’s doorbell.
It seemed to take an unusually long time for Marion to open the door, and when she did, she was dressed in a bathrobe, her skin was pale, and it appeared she hadn’t combed her hair.
“Are you all right?” Caitlin asked over Pepper’s boisterous barking.
“I’m afraid I’ve had better days,” she began to say. But when Pepper hopped up and pawed Caitlin’s leg, Marion snapped in an uncharacteristically stern voice, “Pepper, stop that! Get down!”
The scolded animal immediately stopped barking, turned, and slunk down the hall. Marion opened the door wider to let Caitlin in. As she led her to the living room, her neighbor apologized for her pet’s behavior. “Sorry about that. He’s been misbehaving all morning—not that I blame him. He’s a creature of habit and I’ve completely disrupted his schedule.”
“Why, what happened?”
“I had dental work for an infected tooth a few days ago, and I’m on pain relievers which make me a little dizzy. I haven’t felt quite up to taking a walk, so poor little Pepper’s been cooped up inside, too. And let’s just say when he doesn’t get exercise, it affects both our temperaments.”
Caitlin immediately empathized, “I’m so sorry you’ve been under the weather. I’d be happy to take Pepper for a walk if you want me to.”
“You would?”
“Absolutely. I wish you would’ve asked me sooner.”
“I considered it, but I didn’t want to impose, especially since you mentioned that you need your space.”
“It’s not an imposition at all,” insisted Caitlin, feeling bad that she’d come across as unapproachable to Marion. “When I said I need my space, I mostly meant in the context of a romantic relationship. I’m not the type of person who has to be around her significant other 24/7, that’s all. But I love visiting with you, and I hope in the future you won’t hesitate to call me for any reason, and especially if there’s something you need. Okay?”
“Okay—and the same goes for you calling on me whenever I can be helpful, too,” she said, and Caitlin agreed.
A jangle of Pepper’s leash was all it took to lure him from wherever he’d gone to sulk. He trotted back into the living room, wagging his tail.
