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“To establish friendly communication.”
He returned the smile. “A simple ‘hello’ would’ve been good enough.”
“Yeah, I’m going to keep that in mind for the future. Or at least limit my goodwill gifts to substances that can’t double as accidental weapons.”
“Especially not ones that are likely to backfire.”
She chuckled, and her laugh was elegant and musical. Exactly like you’d expect it to be, he mused. The soft chuckle filled him with a powerful desire to hear what she’d sound like lost in a full-throated, head-thrown-back belly laugh, and he came to an immediate decision—making her laugh that hard one day was going to be his new goal.
Right after learning her damn name.
“So, I’m at a disadvantage here,” he said, leaning against the counter and resting his palms on the smooth surface.
“Really? You’re not the walking wounded. I think you’d definitely have the edge in hand-to-hand combat.”
“But who would I be fighting? That’s the question.” She turned quizzical eyes on him, and he continued. “Okay, let’s try this again. I’m Troy. Troy Valentine.”
He put his hand out with a wink as he said it, and her eyes flashed understanding. “Oh! Got it. I’m Alison. Alison Bartholomew. It’s very nice to meet you.”
She reached over and grasped his hand with her good one, creating an awkward shake that made them both smile.
“It’s very nice to meet you, Alison Bartholomew.”
“Likewise.”
“So, what brings you to Valentine Bay?”
“The search for a little peace and quiet. Which actually, come to think of it, brings me to the reason for my visit this morning.”
“Which was?”
“Here’s the thing… I was told the house next door would be unoccupied for the next couple of months while I was here.”
Troy’s eyebrow shot up, and he couldn’t hide his interested smile. “You’re here for a couple of months?”
A pretty rose color dusted her cheeks. “Yes. Like I said, just looking for a little peace and quiet. But that’s tough with the cacophony I woke up to this morning. Is there an ETA on when the work will be done?”
He shook his head. Sincere regret filled his voice when he said, “No time soon, unfortunately. I’m the only man on the job, so it’s going to be months still.”
Her brows drew together. “I’ve never heard of a one-man construction team. Maybe I should speak to the owner.”
He spread his arms wide. “You already are, ma’am.”
She tilted her head to one side. “Really?”
“Scout’s honor.” He punctuated the promise by holding two of his fingers up in the classic scouting vow symbol.
“Oh.”
“That’s not the reaction I usually get.”
She smiled in spite of herself. “Okay, I’ll bite. What kind of reaction do you usually get?”
He clasped his hands together in front of his chest and lifted his voice in a mock falsetto as he cast his eyes to the sky and threw himself into the impression. “Oh, Troy. You’re far too young and handsome to own a big ol’ piece of property like that! And fixing it up all by yourself? With the mornings you’ve managed to get away from your other jobsites? You must be the strongest, smartest, most determined man I’ve ever met!”
Only partway through their first conversation, and Troy had already managed to achieve his goal. She threw her head back and surrendered herself to a deep laugh. The pure pride that coursed through him at the accomplishment rivaled what he felt when he’d hit a homerun back in his pro ball days.
“Okay, fine,” she conceded when she could finally speak again, “I’ll amend my statement. Just put me on record as having said all of that.”
He gestured with his chin, pointing at the streaming water. “How’s your hand?”
She pulled it out, looking at it as if she was surprised at its sudden appearance. “Oh, wow. It doesn’t hurt at all anymore. I think the cold water must’ve done the trick.”
“That’s great. So, look, I’ll make you a deal. Construction is a noisy business, there’s no way around that. And six a.m. to noon every day and all day on weekends—that’s the only time I have to work on my baby. I invested my life savings in her, and she’s gotta be ready before the tourist season kicks into high gear or I’m screwed. But I’m totally sympathetic to your situation. If I wanted quiet and isolation, the whir of buzzsaws is the last thing I’d want waking me up in the morning. So, I’ll do my very best to keep the noisiest stuff until, say, after nine a.m. How does that strike you?”
“That’d be great. I appreciate it. Oh, and Troy?”
“Hmm?”
“You can go ahead and keep that coffee cup. We’ll call it a housewarming gift.”
