Shane made a face. “Aw, man, that’s rough.”
“Not as rough as going to stay with a coworker and discovering she’d started seeing my boyfriend behind my back,” Caitlin blurted out.
The situation suddenly seemed more amusing than maddening to her, but Shane sounded appalled when he said, “You’ve got to be kidding.”
“I know, it sounds like a bad joke, right?” she replied with a breezy laugh. “Unfortunately, it wasn’t. But it’s okay—I’m over it and I’ve got a dry place to stay now.”
“I’ll make doubly sure of that,” he said, shifting the stack of tarps in his arms. “I’m covering the openings in the walls with these until I install the windows. If it’s okay with you, I’ll put one over the door from the living room to the sunroom, to seal it off, nice and tight. Which means you can’t use the sunroom for a while, but at least it won’t let cold air into the house. After what you’ve been through, I want to keep you toasty warm.”
The innuendo of his words was probably unintentional, but Caitlin was already growing toasty warm at the thought of his arms around her. She tried to ignore how she was feeling, and casually replied, “Sounds good, thanks. I’ll try not to open that door by accident.”
“Hmm, maybe I shouldn’t use a translucent tarp. Otherwise, if you forget it’s there and try to step through it, you’ll be like a bird flying into a glass window.” Shane did an imitation that was a little morbid but just goofy enough to make them both laugh.
“You joke, but I could see myself doing that—especially in the morning before I’ve had coffee,” she admitted.
“In that case, I’ll definitely use a blue tarp,” he said. “I’m not going to let you get hurt on my watch, Caitlin.”
Maybe it was the timbre of his voice or the way he held her gaze, but Shane’s promise made her feel a little heady. “Thanks. My body and I appreciate that very much.”
She’d been trying to make a joke, suggesting her body would appreciate not getting hurt if she inadvertently stumbled into the tarp. But it came out all wrong and there was no way to explain herself without sounding even more inane, so she abruptly strode toward the house, calling over her shoulder, “See you tomorrow.”
It wasn’t until she went inside that Caitlin realized tomorrow was Saturday, so she wouldn’t see Shane after all. “Real smooth, Hines,” she muttered, giggling about the undeniable effect he had on her.
I can think of half a dozen reasons why we can’t get involved, so I should probably stop flirting with him, she begrudgingly acknowledged to herself.But on the other hand, what’s the harm, since I know it isn’t going anywhere anyway?
That evening, Caitlin enjoyed a thick, succulent cod fillet and scrumptious roasted acorn squash, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower florets for dinner. Then, with a new appreciation for her peace and quiet, she took a bubble bath before stretching out in bed to finish the eighth book she’d read since arriving on Dune Island. But she was drowsy from her vigorous outdoor exercise, so she set aside her e-reader and snuggled beneath the covers.
Closing her eyes, Caitlin reflected on her excursion with Pepper. Walking along the beach again reminded her of seeing an ex for the first time after a very painful breakup: it was uncomfortable, but it was also empowering. She still couldn’timagine ever going all the way to the marsh, but she felt as if she’d overcome a major hurdle just by taking the short jaunt from the beach at Seashell Drive to the staircase near the cottages.
Now that I’ve faced it once, going back tomorrow won’t be as difficult, she reflected with a sleepy yawn. In fact, she felt like everything was a little more manageable now.I’ve got a promising career opportunity, a new friendship with my neighbor, a hunky, capable carpenter handling the remodel, and a homey place to stay.
Dune Island was the last place she would have chosen to visit, but all things considered, Caitlin supposed her time there was going better than she’d expected.
“This is so delicious it almost makes me glad I can only eat soft foods for now,” Marion raved about the homemade mac ’n’ cheese Caitlin had brought to her house so they could have lunch together before she took Pepper for a walk. “What’s your secret for making it so creamy?”
“It’s all in the cheese—gruyere, fontina, and cheddar. The combo is extra melty,” she answered. “I’m very glad you like it.”
As they ate, Caitlin told Marion about the progress Shane and Sammy were making in the windmill. She also mentioned how excited she was about the potential hospital campaign. “It’s not a sure thing yet, but I’m trying to prepare as well as I can for the interview.”
“They’d be lucky to have someone as smart and dedicated as you working with them,” remarked Marion. “Did I mention that I’m on the fundraising committee for Hope Haven’s community center?”
“No, you didn’t, but good for you!”
“Well, the money we raise is small potatoes compared to the campaigns you conduct, but we all try to do our part—and we have a lot of fun doing it. We’ve got a big event coming up at the end of the month, a Halloween costume party. It’s being held at the cranberry farm in Rockfield, and there will be a hay bale maze, dancing, and refreshments, of course. You should come.”
“Thanks, but I, um, I…” hemmed Caitlin. “I don’t really know anyone on the island.”
“That’s the point of socializing—to meet new people,” she exclaimed. “Besides, you knowme.And you know Shane. He’ll be there, if I can convince him to go.”
Oh, no, is this a setup?It was one thing for Caitlin to drink coffee and chat with Shane at the cottage, but it was quite another for her to meet up with him at a party.The whole reason I feel so free to joke around and flirt with Shane is because I know it won’t go any further. But it’s clear Marion is trying to push us together, and I don’t want to do anything that would make it seem like I’m agreeing to date him.
But since she knew her neighbor wouldn’t take no for an answer, she gave her amaybeinstead. “I’ll think about it,” Caitlin said, even though she’d already made up her mind.
Marion looked disappointed, but she let the topic drop. They finished their meal and then Caitlin set out with Pepper for another walk. Just as she’d expected, she felt much more relaxed when the energetic animal bounded toward the beach stairs at the end of Seashell Drive, and this afternoon she raised her eyes to take in the scenery.
Although the beachgrass was a subtler shade of green than its chartreuse summer hue, and the bay’s cerulean blue was also subdued in the autumn light, the seascape struck Caitlin as beautiful as ever, just in a quieter way.
As she glimpsed the water, gentle memories came floating back. She recalled riding in Albert’s skiff to the bait and tackleshop at the nearby harbor in Benjamin’s Manor. The way her aunt always squealed when her toes touched the water, no matter how warm it was. Roasting marshmallows over an open fire or playing volleyball with the guests. Sloshing through the tidal pools toward the horizon…
