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She withdrew her hand, and he immediately missed her touch. “I won’t be able to help you this morning, but I’ll speak to Harvey and see if he can start a little early so I can help you this afternoon and into the evening. Will that work?”
He nodded. “I’ll see you later.” He started for the door and then turned back. “I hope you have some work clothes to change into. I’d hate to see you mess up that pretty outfit.” And then feeling daring, maybe because of the way his heart was still tap-dancing in his chest, he said, “It looks really good on you.”
Pink stained her cheeks, but she smiled. It was one of those smiles that lit up her entire face. At last, he was the recipient of her glorious smiles. His work was done here.
Realizing he’d said more than enough, he opened the door and proceeded to enter the lobby. It wasn’t until he was inside with the door shut that he stopped and wondered what in the world had gotten into him.
It was all going to work out.
Sara kept telling herself that throughout the day. She’d spoken to Harvey about coming in a little early to give her time to work on the lobby refresh, and he’d agreed. It was a good start.
Although, she knew there were so many unknowns with the deal she’d struck with Kent. Even with her help, would they complete the lobby in time for the wedding? She hoped so. It was the only way she could prove to Josie she was capable of greater responsibility.
So that morning, she’d worked nonstop on the daily reports and the mail. She’d checked in with the staff, making sure that everything was running smoothly. And finally at lunchtime, she’d rushed home to pick up some shorts and a T-shirt.
When three o’clock rolled around, Harvey showed up at the inn as agreed. He looked a bit dressed up for work, and Sara became suspicious.
“Hi, Harvey. Thanks so much for agreeing to help out.” As she took in his pressed shirt with a yellow carnation in his pocket right above his gold nametag, she just had to ask, “Is there something special going on today?”
“What?” He sent her a confused look. When she gestured to the flower, he yanked it out of his pocket. “I had a lunch date. It was a blind date with someone visiting the island. The flower was so she would recognize me.”
Harvey was a widower, and Sara was so happy to see him getting on with his life. “That’s great! I hope it went well.”
He shook his head. “It didn’t. The woman was too busy telling me about her favorite soap opera for us to have any sort of meaningful conversation.”
“I’m so sorry, but the right woman is out there. You just have to keep looking.” But she noticed he looked a bit off. Maybe he was tired, and then she felt guilty for asking him to take on some of her work. “Hey, Harvey, if coming in early is too much, I can figure out something else.”
He once more shook his head. “It’s not a problem. With Melinda being so busy with her bookshop and stuff, I like to keep busy. So, I don’t mind at all.”
Melinda was his daughter and Sara’s good friend who owned the Seaside Bookshop. Sara had known Melinda most of her life. They’d helped each other through the good times and the bad—as they’d both lost their mothers.
Sara smiled. “Thank you so much. If you need anything, just come get me.”
“I will, but this appears to be a quiet afternoon.”
“It is. Thanks again.” And then she was off.
She changed clothes and headed to the lobby. She was surprised by the progress Kent had made. He had the old carpeting rolled up. The remaining furniture had been moved to one side of the room.
“Wow. You got a lot done.”
Kent straightened and looked around. “This project has certainly grown from what I initially thought I’d be doing.”
“And it’s going to look great when it’s completed.”
His eyes widened. “Do you really think so?”
“I do. Why do you look so surprised?”
“Because you were so against this project.”
“It… It wasn’t the project.” She paused as though to gather her thoughts. “It was the timing of everything. But I guess there would never be a good time. Now where do you want me?”
He’d given it a lot of thought, and he had a plan in mind. “How are you at painting?”
“Painting?” Surprise rang out in her voice. “I thought we were laying flooring.”
“We will, but I think we should prime the walls and get them painted first so there’s no chance of messing up the new floor.”
