If anything, her careful distance had only intensified his attraction, sharpening every brief interaction into something almost painfully acute. He caught himself watching the way herhair fell across her shoulders as she bent to help Charlotte with her shoes, or how her eyes lit up when his niece made her laugh.
Noah finished dressing and checked his reflection in the bathroom mirror. The man looking back at him appeared casual and composed in his navy sweater and jeans. No one would guess his insides were tangled in knots.
“Uncle Noah!” Charlotte’s voice carried up the stairs. “Miss Laney says it’s time to go!”
He caught his smile in the mirror. It was Saturday, Miss Wright’s day off, but he’d asked her to join him and Charlotte at the Founder’s Day Festival. As the only person representing the Ayletts in town, Noah needed to be there. He had a few responsibilities today, and he didn’t want to risk losing sight of Charlotte when he was distracted.
Plus, he craved Miss Wright’s company, a fact he wasn’t planning to examine right now. He’d use any excuse to spend time with her.
He grabbed his wallet and headed downstairs, where he found Charlotte bouncing on her toes by the front door. She wore her favorite purple dress with matching tights, her blond curls tied back with a matching ribbon.
Not only had her rash healed, she seemed to have filled out overnight. Unlike the too-small, too-thin waif who’d come to live with him, she looked like a healthy, happy four-year-old should.
Miss Wright had done that. Noah had played a part, but it was the nanny’s careful attention that had helped Charlotte blossom into the vibrant, joyful child she was becoming.
“You look beautiful, Charlie-Bear.”
“See my new boots?” She stuck one out, as if he might miss the pink cowboy boots.
“They’re so pretty.” His comment earned him a bright smile.
Miss Wright emerged a moment later, a small purse slung across her body, her dark-blond hair swept back in a lowponytail. She’d chosen a cream sweater and dark jeans and looked nothing like the slightly disheveled, smoke-scented woman who’d shown up on his doorstep a few months before.
This woman was effortlessly elegant, and Noah’s traitorous heart swelled at the sight of her.
“Ready?” Her tone was pleasant but distant, the same careful politeness she’d maintained for two weeks.
“Let’s go.” He opened the door, gesturing for the ladies to precede him outside.
He and Miss Wright started down the sidewalk, Charlotte walking between them, holding each of their hands. She looked up at him. “Can I get face painting?”
“If Miss Wright doesn’t mind. Remember, I have to do some boring stuff for a little while.”
The November air carried the scent of wood smoke and fallen leaves. They turned the corner, heading for the park.
Downtown Driftwood had been transformed. White tents lined Main Street, and the sugary aroma of kettle corn drifted on the breeze. Families strolled between booths that displayed everything from handmade quilts to apple-cider donuts.
“Face painting sounds like fun.” Miss Wright’s words were overly bright, as if trying to speak over the tension.
Unlike the silence between him and the nanny, the noise of the festival increased as they closed the distance. Old friends calling out greetings, children laughing as they chased each other among booths. The local high school band was warming up near the bandstand.
This whole thing was about celebrating the heroism of Elijah Aylett, Noah’s great-great-grandfather, who had spotted a ship capsizing during a storm and single-handedly rescued everyone aboard.
Generations later, the event had evolved into an excuse for the town to gather before the holidays. It was one of the fewDriftwood traditions Noah genuinely enjoyed—except for his own part in it.
“Noah Aylett!” Mayor Collins approached, hand extended, as they neared the bandstand on the edge of the park. “Right on time.”
Noah shook his hand. “Mayor. Nice turnout.”
“Best we’ve had in years.” The mayor’s gaze shifted to Miss Wright and Charlotte. “And who might these lovely ladies be?”
“This is my niece, Charlotte, and her nanny, Delaney Wright.” Noah had asked Jasper if he minded the town learning that Charlotte was his niece. He’d replied with his typical casual attitude. “Go ahead and tell. It’s not like they think I’m a saint.”
True enough, and Noah was glad to squelch at least one baseless rumor.
The mayor bent down to Charlotte’s level. “Well, hello there, Miss Charlotte. Are you enjoying the festival?”
Charlotte ducked behind Miss Wright’s legs, peering out with wide eyes.
