“From who?”
“You mean, from whom?”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Fine, from whom?”
Dani pulled out her phone, showed Kate a spreadsheet. “Three wedding inquiries for next summer, a corporate retreat, two family reunions. Word's getting out about the renovations.”
Kate stared at the screen. Dani had created comprehensive packages, pricing, menus. Professional work.
“You did all this?”
“I'm good at this stuff, Katie. I just never had the confidence before.” Dani sat down, excitement dimming slightly. “But if you don't want...”
“No, it's... it's really good.”
“Really?”
“Really.”
Tom wandered in, looking haggard. “Coffee?”
“Full pot,” Kate said, noticing the shadows under his eyes. “You okay?”
“Fine. Just couldn't sleep. Reviewing contracts.”
But Kate saw him check his phone repeatedly, saw the wedding ring he kept twisting. Something was wrong, but Tom was Fort Knox when it came to personal information.
Ben's truck pulled up outside. Kate's stomach did that flutter she was trying to ignore.
“Contractor's here early,” Tom observed.
“He's always early,” Dani said with a knowing smile.
Kate escaped to the porch before Dani could elaborate. Ben was unloading lumber, his breath clouding in the cold morning air.
“You don't have to start at six-thirty,” Kate called.
“Couldn't sleep. Figured I'd be useful.” He looked up at her, concern flickering across his face. “You okay? You look...”
“Tired. I know.”
“I was going to say worried.”
“That too.”
He climbed the porch steps, stopped a foot away.
“Pop?”
“He's... adjusting.”
“And you?”
“I'm fine.”
“Kate.”
Just her name, but the way he said it made her throat tight. Like he could see through the automatic response to whatever was really happening inside her.
