She pulled into the driveway, and seeing Wes’s truck parked in front, she swallowed hard. He must be there to fix the cellar door. She hadn’t really seen him since their argument, and the idea of seeing him now had her chest tightening even more. Staying in Blue Moon Bay and not being with him was going to be torture. But she’d made her decision.

Checking her reflection in the rearview mirror, she climbed out of her car and slowly made her way to the front door. A deep breath and she entered.

The ominous sound of the buzz saw had her eyes widening as she entered the foyer. She frowned as she moved in farther and glanced up the stairway to the guest bedrooms.

Wes stood on the top step, dressed in his jeans and paint-splattered T-shirt, his utility belt on his waist as he used the saw to cut into the landing where she’d fallen through. What the hell was he doing? Destroying the place? Her heart raced as she hurried up the stairs toward him. “Wes!”

He continued to work, cutting a huge piece of wood out of the landing.

“Wes, what the hell are you doing?” She’d just decided to keep the inn and now she’d have to pay him to repair the landing again?

He finished cutting and turned off the saw. Removing his safety goggles, he turned to face her. “Hi,” he said, looking nervous.

He should be nervous. “Hi?” How about an explanation for destroying her newly renovated staircase?

“So, I heard a rumor that you’ve decided to keep the place,” he said, his thoughts on the subject undecipherable.

“So, naturally you decide to destroy it?” Her pulse raced. He looked so freaking good and despite the situation, she had to hold herself back from rushing toward him.

“I’m not destroying it. I needed to show you something,” he said, bending to lift the piece of wood from the landing. He turned it around and handed it to her.

With a slightly shaky hand, she took it. Then frowned as she flipped it over. He’d written something on the plank of wood.

“A lot of builders like to leave their mark somewhere in their builds and renovations. A little signature on the drywall…a family photo…”

Sarah squinted to read what he’d written.

The incomparable Sarah Lewis was here.

Her laugh was more of a half sob as she stared at it, feeling new tears well in her eyes.

Wes put the saw down and moved toward her. “So it’s true. You’re staying?”

She nodded. “Yes. I’ve decided this…place, Dove’s Nest, is too important to let go of,” she said, fighting to keep her emotions from overwhelming her.

The last few days had taken their toll, and as ready as she was to move forward with her plans, she was still as conflicted as ever.