“Of course you can. You can consider it partial payment for the website. You’d have to pay a lot to have Cooper stay in a kennel, right?”
Mike’s gaze flicked from Jane to Cooper. “I don’t know. It seems like an imposition.”
Jane stepped over to Cooper and patted his head. “No imposition at all. In fact, it will be a joy to have him here.”
Mike still looked uncertain, but Jane could see that he liked the idea of having Cooper at Tides a lot more than putting him in a kennel. Who wouldn’t?
“Okay. Well, if you put it that way, I guess I can’t refuse.”
“It’s a deal, then.” Jane stuck out her hand, and they shook. Letting the handshake linger a little bit longer than necessary, she looked up. Their eyes met.
“Ahem!”
Jane dropped Mike’s hand and looked over to see Andie standing in the doorway.
“Oh, Andie. This is Mike Henderson. He’s making the website for Tides. Mike, my sister, Andie.”
The two of them shook hands, and Jane thought she saw an amused smirk on her sister’s face. Why would her sister be amused at Mike making a website?
Jane gestured toward the dog. “And this is Cooper. He’s going to be staying here.”
Andie’s brows shot up. “Oh? That’s great. I love dogs.”
Andie held up an old glass hummingbird feeder. “I was just coming to make some nectar for the hummingbird feeder. I thought I might spruce up the gardens.”
“That’s a great idea. They could use it.” Apparently, Andie wasn’t rushing back to New York. Sprucing up the gardens would take a few days at least. Jane felt cautiously encouraged about her sister’s involvement in Tides.
“Okay. Well, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow morning, then. I’ll show you the website example and collect Cooper to go visit Gramps.” Mike nodded at both the girls and left through the back door.
Andie tried to keep the smirk off her face as she watched Mike leave. She and Jane hadn’t been that close in recent years, but she was pretty sure her sister hadn’t even thought about dating since Brad died. But the attraction between Jane and Mike was obvious. At least it was to Andie. Jane, on the other hand, seemed oblivious. Mike, not so much. Well, good for them. Just because Andie wasn’t doing well in the relationship department didn’t mean she wasn’t happy for others who were. Besides, Mike seemed nice, and he was kind of cute.
She pulled the jar of sugar out of the cabinet and started measuring for the nectar. “So, you’re revamping the website?”
“Bringing it up to more modern times,” Jane said. “The old website is so outdated. People want to be able to book rooms online these days. Plus, if we have weddings, we need information about them on the site and a form for people to fill out online.”
Andie squatted down so her eyes were at counter level, making sure she’d put the right amount of sugar in the measuring cup. “That sounds like a smart idea.”
Woof!
Cooper was standing at the door, staring down the beach after Mike. He wagged his tail, looking from Jane to the door.
“Sorry, buddy, you’re going to be staying here. You’ll see Mike later.” Jane patted her leg, and the dog cast one last look out the door then sat beside her, staring up at Jane adoringly.
“I think he’s getting attached to you.” Andie thought Jane might be getting attached too.
“He’s a good boy.” Jane massaged his neck. “Oh darn. We’re going to need dog food and bowls and supplies.”
“I think I saw some bowls when I was looking for the bird feeder in storage,” Andie said. “I can grab those and pick up some other supplies on the way home from visiting Mom at Tall Pines.” Andie leaned against the counter and looked at her sister slyly. “Unless you want an excuse to call Mike.”
Jane looked genuinely confused. “Of course I don’t want an excuse to call him. Why would I?”
Andie gave her a look, and Jane blushed.
“That’s silly. He’s just making my website, and besides, he’s too young for me.” Jane glanced out the door, where they could still see Mike walking down the beach.
“He’s not that young. I know his family,” Sally piped in from where she was still working on the hinge. “Aren’t you about forty-eight?”
“Yes,” Jane said.
