Page 18 of The Cherry Blossom Boathouse

“Yep,” Luke said. “Tides, currents, storms. All of it knocks it around, strips the bark, wears down the edges. Turns something rough into something smooth.”

“Will it be strong enough to be used for bookshelves?”

Luke tapped the wood against his palm. “This stuff is stronger than it looks. The water pulls out the softer parts, leaves the denser grain behind. It’s lighter, tougher. Doesn’t rot as easy.” He ran a thumb over the driftwood in his hands, the way the grain twisted like an old map. “It’s like you said. Every piece has a story. You can see the way the water shaped it, the places it’s been. No two are the same.”

When he glanced up, Sophie was watching him with an expression that made him feel like she was figuring him out piece by piece.

He cleared his throat. “So, you gonna help me collect some, or are you just here to ask questions?”

Sophie grinned. “Oh, I’m definitely here to ask questions.”

Over the next hour, they worked as Sophie kept her promise, asking him all sorts of questions about the place as they collected the best pieces, piling them near the boat. Sophie was efficient, determined, hauling wood like she’d done it a hundred times before. She was stronger than she looked, that was for damn sure. He’d expected her to struggle, to slow down, maybe make some flippant comment about manual labor not being in her skill set. But she just rolled up her sleeves and got on with it. No fuss. No whining.

After a while, Sophie stretched her arms over her head, arching her back slightly as she let out a satisfied sigh. “I’m starving. I didn’t have time for breakfast.”

“Well, that wasn’t clever.”

She shot him one of her sassy looks. “Actually, I am clever.” She strode over to the huge impractical bag she’d brought with her and unzipped it, pulling out a neatly packed container. “I brought sandwiches for an island brunch.”

Luke blinked. “You brought—”

“Chicken and avocado,” she continued, unwrapping one. “All purchased from town yesterday afternoon. And before you say anything, I also packed a turkey and cheese one, because I had a feeling you’d be the kind of man who doesn’t trust avocado.”

“I trust avocado just fine.”

Sophie arched an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Sure.”

She held out the sandwich like it was some kind of challenge. He took it, more to prove a point than anything else, and sank his teeth into it. And damn it. It was good. Really good. He chewed, watching her pop open a flask and pour herself a cup of something steaming. “Is that coffee?”

She hummed in satisfaction, taking a sip. “Obviously.”

Luke peered at the book she’d set beside her on the log. “You brought a book?”

“Always,” Sophie replied, giving him a “why on earth wouldn’t I?” look. “As my mum always used to say, never leave home without one. Or a brolly.” Sophie paused, peering up at the blue skies. “Though the brolly thing isn’t so important now that I’m not dealing with London weather every five minutes.”

Luke reached over and picked up the book, studying the cover with obvious confusion. “You’re reading a book about…hockey?”

Sophie rolled her eyes. “It’s so much more than just hockey!” Her eyes lit up as she talked about what was clearly her favorite topic. “The hockey players just happen to be the romantic leads who—”

Luke shook his head, already putting the book back down. “I get the picture.”

“You’re not even going to let me explain the plot?”

“Think I got the gist.” He couldn’t help but smile. This girl was really quite…something. She made good sandwiches, too. Claire would’ve expected him to handle the food. Would’ve let herself get hungry, then made it his fault somehow. But Sophie took care of it herself.

Something hit him then. Maybe nobody had ever really done the taking care for her. Maybe she’d gotten used to hauling her own weight through life. That thought settled heavy inside, like waterlogged wood.

He took another bite, chewing slowly, measuring her.

“Something wrong?” she asked, tilting her head.

“Nope.”

Except something was wrong. Because this whole situation felt easy. Too easy. And that was dangerous.

“I bet you came here as a kid,” she said.