I hate being bad at things and this expensive equipment is testing my patience, along with Carter who’s watching me unhurriedly.
“I was never a fan of puzzles,” I confess, relieved when I find the manual at the bottom. “Don’t you have people to set this up? What if I break something?”
“Nonsense. We created it to be used by anyone, anywhere in the world.”
“Then I must be the dumbest person alive because I can’t manage it.”
The sharp edge of his glare dulls, and he moves to the chair next to me on the wraparound porch.
“You’re not concentrating. Your mind is elsewhere.”
Carter takes each piece and shows me how they work without needing the manual. The modulation of his voice, and the way he explains how they fit together so it makes sense is soothing. I could listen to him talk for hours.
“Do you have a ladder here?” he asks, once the dish is complete.
“No way! I don’t have any liability insurance for this place.”
“I won’t fall.” He sounds offended.
“When was the last time you climbed up a ladder?”
“Some time ago,” he lies through his teeth.
I don’t budge. The last thing I need is to scrape Carter off the ground. “I’ll do it.”
“Out of the question.”
“I won’t drop your precious—”
“It’s not that.” He avoids looking at me. “I’m being a gentleman.”
City boy manages to mount the eyesore on my roof without breaking his bones. I might have stolen a glimpse or two when his back and legs tensed as he worked. For safety reasons, of course.
“Now you’re connected with civilization,” he sounds off.
A layer of weariness softens his posture, but I don’t want him to bite my head off, so I don’t ask if he’s OK. “Let me get you something to drink,” I offer instead.
Back inside, the knots around my middle loosen as the heaviness from this morning is more bearable.
He’s at the island, spinning his water glass in place. Something is clearly on his mind.
“Have you been friends for long? With those women?” he asks, a hint of hesitation hidden in his casual tone.
Mr. Broody wants to talk about me of all things. This morning, he didn’t want my company, but I’m not going to call him out on it. I might as well tell him. This is a small town and people tend to talk about everybody’s business. He’ll surely be filled in by one of the town’s busybodies once they find out he’s staying at my cabin.
Let’s get it over with. His opinion about me can’t get any worse.
“Do you mind if I put on some tea before I tell you about this mess?”
I rarely drink alcohol and I need something to soothe the heartache and shame churning deep in my body. Carter doesn’t say anything the whole time I prepare the brew. But I can feel his gaze following me. Occasionally, I steal glances at the man resting his lean arms on the counter, long fingers intertwined.
I can’t remember the last time a man watched me so intently. It stirs old parts of myself I laid to rest a long time ago. When I realized Jared was not the type of partner to appreciate them.
The smell of chamomile and cinnamon dulls the restlessness.
I place the second cup in front of him, but he doesn’t reach for it, scanning the steamy mug, eyes traveling up my arms and resting with an expectant heaviness on my face.
“We work together. Amy and Jenna, you saw today—”
