She so wanted to ask how he was with cantankerous doors.
He must have noticed her hesitation. “Come on. Tell me. You’ve got something else that needs to be fixed, don’t you?”
She gave him a sheepish grin. “There is this one balcony door…”
“Lead the way.”
She grabbed the toolbox and led him up the stairs to room ten, grateful for his willingness to help. She opened the door to the room and gestured to the balcony. “It’s just out there. The guest said it was sticking and not closing properly.”
He stepped out onto the balcony, examining the door. He ran his fingers along the frame, testing the hinges. “I think I see the problem. It just needs a little adjustment.”
He retrieved a screwdriver from the toolbox and set to work. She watched, impressed by his handiness. It was a pleasant surprise to discover this side of him.
Within minutes, he had the door gliding smoothly and closing securely. He turned to her with a satisfied smile. “There, that should do it. What’s next on your list?”
“Oh, you’ve done more than enough. I’m sure you have writing to get back to.”
“Have you ever been around a writer who is procrastinating? That’s what I’m doing now. Procrastinating. I’ve written myself into a corner. I find if I step back and do something non-writing related, the solution will usually come. So I’m at your service this afternoon.”
She hesitated, not wanting to impose, but the loose step on the front porch had been nagging at her. “Well, there is one more thing, if you don’t mind.”
He followed her downstairs and out to the front porch. She pointed out the wobbly step, and he crouched down to take a closer look. “Ah, I see. The board just needs to be secured. Do you have a hammer and some nails?”
She fetched the tools, and he quickly fixed the step. As he hammered the last nail in place, a guest emerged from the B&B, nodding approvingly at the repair.
As they headed back inside, she remembered one last issue that had been bothering her. “I hate to ask, but there’s a ceiling fan in the front room that’s been making an annoying noise. I don’t suppose you’d be willing to take a look?”
He chuckled. “Lead the way. I’m on a roll now.”
In the front room, Mark climbed up on a ladder and examined the fan. He tightened a few screws and gave the blades a gentle spin. The fan whirred to life, silent and smooth.
She clapped her hands in delight. “You’re a miracle worker! I can’t thank you enough for all your help today.”
He climbed down the ladder, wiping his hands on his jeans. “It’s my pleasure. I’m happy to lend a hand.”
She felt a sudden urge to repay his kindness. “Let me make you dinner tonight, as a thank you. It’s the least I can do after all you’ve done.”
He looked surprised, but a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “That’s very kind of you, but you don’t have to go to any trouble.”
She waved off his protest. “It’s no trouble at all. I love cooking, and it would be my pleasure to make dinner for you.”
He hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “In that case, I’d be delighted. Thank you, Darlene.”
She felt a flutter of excitement. The prospect of cooking dinner for Mark and sharing a meal together appealed to her greatly.
“Oh, and I did think of a way out of the spot I wrote myself into. I’m just going to pop upstairs and make some notes.”
“Okay, I’ll have dinner ready about six, if that works for you.”
She bustled into the kitchen, her mind already whirling with menu ideas. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d looked forward to making dinner for someone, but somehow, with Mark, it felt different. Special.
Chapter15
Felicity wandered into the kitchen about five-thirty and stared at Darlene. “Gran, what are you doing?”
Darlene blushed. “What does it look like? I’m making dinner.”
“Gran, I’m sorry. I thought I told you. I have plans to go out with Brent and his uncle, Jonah.”
