“I was thinking we could re-stain the deck tomorrow,” Ford finally said. They’d been sitting in silence for a few minutes and his eyes had raked the faded wood enough that it bothered him.If Patty were still here, it would be on the to-do list for sure.
“I thought it was supposed to rain,” Cadence said.
“Hold on.” Ford held up his phone, displaying a weather app. “Chance of sunshine tomorrow one hundred percent.”
As if she didn’t believe him, Cadence checked her own phone. And even Rilee’s. “What happened to all the rain this week?”
“It’s the magic of the Fireweed Festival,” Rilee said. “It’s supposed to bring good luck.”
“And sunshine?” Cadence asked.
Ford dropped a wink. “I’d say sunshine qualifies as good luck.”
“Then I guess we’re re-staining a deck tomorrow.”
* * *
One task at a time, they’d spent the past two days breathing life back into the Sunset Ridge Lodge. The old log structure hadn’t exactly screamed neglect, but it soaked up every ounce of love given to it, accenting all its charms like an enhancement to a photo.
Ford felt proud of all they’d accomplished in so short a window. He had to put off a handful of requests from people in town for his services to do it, but he hoped the payoff would be worth it in the end.
“What do you think?” he asked Cadence as they stood at the edge of the driveway and peered toward the lodge. It sat proudly in invitation at the top of the hill, its logs gleaming in the golden rays of the sun, and the window front reflecting the clear blue sky and the mountains in the distance. It practically begged to have its doors reopened to visitors. Could she see the vision the way he did?
“I think the photos will be amazing. If your gal is as good as you say she is.”
Ford turned away to hide his disgruntled sigh. “The best.”
“Maybe we could run downtown and get something set up?” Cadence bumped him with her shoulder when he didn’t answer right away. “I’ll buy dinner. I want to try this place you keep talking about. Is it Warren’s Sea Shack?”
“Yes, it is. And I’m not a man known to turn down a free meal when offered.” He tried to keep his voice lighthearted, but dang it, sometimes Cadence Whitmore was frustrating. They’d spent two solid days staining, painting, planting, and polishing the lodge. How could she not see the diamond they’d uncovered in the process?
“I’ll grab my keys,” said Cadence.
“Why don’t we walk?” Ford suggested, knowing if they drove they’d catch Tanya still in her office. What harm would postponing photos one more day do? “Enjoy the nice weather.”
“Sure.”
Ford whistled for Riggs, grabbing his leash out of his truck. The shepherd leapt off the deck where he’d been dozing in the sunlight and rocketed toward them. “Warren’s has a dog-friendly patio, and Riggs would never forgive us if we left him behind when he could get a free crab leg.”
“Well then, we definitely can’t leave him behind.” In casual moments like these, when Cadence flashed him that easy, beautiful smile, Ford wondered what life would be like if they . . .No. He shook the thought away. “Lead the way.”
Despite his best attempts to shove down any developing feelings, he yearned to reach for her hand as they walked toward the main downtown strip. They’d worked so easily together, shared the same visions on improvements, and laughed so much Ford’s abs were still a little sore.
More than the college tuition money he needed, Ford feared that if Cadence decided to go through with selling the lodge, he’d missher.
“Does Kansas have a view like this?” Ford waved his hand toward the bay with the mountain backdrop. Even after living here all these years, the scene always made him think he was looking at a photograph in a travel magazine.
“Not exactly.”
They strolled in silence, Riggs pacing in zig-zags in front of them. He loved walks, but he loved being off the leash more. Too bad Ford couldn’t trust him not to dart into traffic if he saw a rabbit or suspicious-looking flower planter.
“You’ve really lived hereallyour life?” Cadence asked when they reached the bottom of the steep hill.
He was certain she’d already asked that, but he didn’t mind. “Yes.”
“You never wanted to leave? Go anywhere else?”
Ford had done a good job of keeping his eyes straight ahead on the dog and their path, but they fell on Cadence now, sweeping over the soft curves of her face. He wasn’t sure what she was getting at, and he couldn’t read much in her thoughtful expression. Only that the wheels were turning in some unknown direction. “It’s home. I left for college, but I wasn’t far away. Just Anchorage. And I came back most weekends. I guess I’ve never wanted to be anywhere else.”
