CHAPTER ONE
Luke knelton Mrs. Chen’s wraparound porch, examining the rotted section of railing he’d promised his mom he’d take a look at since he didn’t have to work until later today. A plate appeared beside him with a thick, overstuffed sandwich and two slices of homemade banana bread. “You’re too skinny, Luke. Eat while you work.”
He grinned at Mrs. Chen. She was a sweet old lady whose favorite cure for boredom was feeding anyone who set foot on her property. “If I eat all that, I won’t fit through the doorframes at my next job. Believe it or not, I do eat, even on days my own mother isn’t hounding me.”
They’d been having this same conversation since shortly after Mr. Chen passed away two years ago. Luke would show up at his mom’s not-so-subtle request, and after some halfhearted protest about not needing anyone to take care of her, Mrs. Chen disappeared while Luke got to work, returning shortly after with a plate of treats and a cup of tea.
At least they were outside today so he could pour the tea into the bushes while she wasn’t looking. He didn’t have the heartto tell her he couldn’t stand drinking something that tasted like flowers, weeds, and dirt. Most days, he choked it down and chugged his soda to get the taste out of his mouth as soon as she was out of sight.
“Good. Then you’ll stay here long enough to fix everything. A drawer in the kitchen sticks and the faucet in the upstairs bathroom drip, drip, drips all night long.” She nudged the plate closer with one slipper-clad foot. “Did your mother tell you my nephew is visiting next week? He’s a doctor in Boston.”
Of course he was. While she and Mr. Chen never had children of their own, it seemed she had an endless supply of nephews, all of whom lived halfway across the country working prestigious jobs. Luke questioned whether it was a coincidence that one of them was either visiting or had recently called her every time his mom sent him over here to fix something.
The two women were meddlers of the highest order, determined to help Luke find a good boy to settle down with. No amount of arguing with them or turning down their matchmaking attempts could make them see relationships weren’t something Luke wanted for himself. One-night stands were much more his speed. Get in, get off, get out. The faster, the better for the latter.
“A doctor? Fancy.” Luke pulled a pencil and measuring tape from his tool belt, marking and measuring the section needing to be replaced. “But you know me, Mrs. Chen. I’m married to my work.”
She clicked her tongue. “Work doesn’t keep you warm at night.”
“That’s what electric blankets are for.” He winked, reaching for his saw. The familiar weight settled in his hands as he lined up to make the first cut. “Besides, what would my mom say if I fellmadly in love with your nephew and ran off to Boston to live the life of a kept man? She’d never forgive either of us.”
Mrs. Chen huffed, but Luke caught her smile as she retreated to her rocking chair. This had become their routine—her matchmaking, his deflection, both of them pretending they weren’t enjoying the game.
She sipped her tea as Luke got to work. He jogged down the steps and across the lawn to his truck. An older man waved as he passed by with his ancient golden retriever. A woman he’d gone to school with stepped into the road to avoid them as she finished her morning jog. Luke returned their greetings with easy smiles, letting the rhythm of work and community wash over him. Even if hewaslooking for a partner, he couldn’t imagine living anywhere other than Maple Hill. He much preferred the quaintness of small-town life over the chaos of a big city.
His phone buzzed. Probably Keaton, his boss at Anderson Homeworks, with updates about next week’s renovation project. He’d check it later—right now, the railing demanded his attention. Mrs. Chen didn’t know it yet, but he also had the materials to replace the boards he’d noticed were going soft. She’d fuss at him, but before long, someone would step right through the porch floor.
He took a moment to run his hand over the planks in the bed of his truck. His dad always said you had to listen to the wood, let it guide your hands. One of many lessons Luke had absorbed in the workshop while watching his father turn raw lumber into something beautiful and lasting.
“Your father must be so proud,” Mrs. Chen said softly as if reading his thoughts. “Such a good boy, always helping everyone.”
Something caught in Luke’s throat. He focused on securing the new section of railing, letting the steady tap of his hammer fill the silence. “He is proud. He taught me everything I know.”
“About fixing things, yes.” She rose, gathering the now-empty plate. “But being kind? That you learned yourself.”
Luke ducked his head, checking his level with unnecessary attention. Mrs. Chen had a way of seeing past his carefully maintained surface, poking around the quiet spots he preferred to keep hidden. “Structure’s important,” he said finally. “Can’t have the railing breaking under your hand.”
She patted his shoulder as she passed. “Some things are worth being a little wobbly for.”
They weren’t talking about her front porch, and they both knew it. Mrs. Chen liked talking in riddles, and Luke humored her as often as possible.
He worked through the morning, replacing the rotted sections and reinforcing the weak spots. What started out as repairing the railing and a few boards turned into a massive project, one he’d have to come back and finish after a run to the lumberyard. Around eleven, his phone buzzed again—this time with a text from his older sister Megan about stopping by the bakery. He groaned, knowing she’d likely lecture him for missing family dinner last weekend.
Standing back, Luke admired his progress. Mrs. Chen emerged for a final inspection, running her hand along the smooth wood.“I’ll come back when it’s a bit warmer out to seal everything for you. That’ll keep it protected and looking nice.”
“Perfect, as always.” She pressed an envelope into his hand—payment, despite his protests. “And take these.” A container of cookies appeared from behind her back. “Growing boys need food.”
“I’m thirty years old, Mrs. Chen. I think I’m done growing.”
“Never too old to grow.” She fixed him with a knowing look. “In all ways.”
Luke tucked the container under his arm, gathering his tools with practiced efficiency. “Tell your nephew I’m sorry we won’t get to meet.”
“Next time,” she said, serene and certain. “Someone special will come along, you’ll see. Then maybe you’ll fix your heart instead of houses.”
He laughed, but something in her words followed him down the porch steps, settling between his shoulders like sawdust that couldn’t be brushed away. The morning had warmed, the spring sun casting shadows across carefully manicured lawns and familiar streets. Despite having lived here his entire life, he was always impressed by the beauty of Maple Hill with its carefully maintained historic districts and newer sections built to fit in.
The last thing he wanted to do was visit his sister, who’d no doubt have heard about the latest attempt to set him up with someone. She wasn’t as relentless as their mom and her friends, but Megan made no secret about wanting to see him find someone to spend time with.
