Her eyelids fluttered open and she stirred, wincing at the movement. She looked down at her foot, still propped on a pillow.

“I fell asleep?” She sat up carefully, tossing aside the blanket Aiden had dropped over her earlier. “What time is it?”

“Going on six. I have a sandwich for you in the kitchen. You must be hungry.”

“Aiden, we have to get going. I’ve wasted almost an entire day.”

“You have time to eat. I promise, I’ll paint all night if you want me to, but you need to keep up your strength.”

Her chin jutted out. “I’ll eat on the way there.”

He gave her a long look, imagining the way it might go—her hobbling around on one foot, roller in hand. “Promise me you’ll let me do the work. You need to keep that ankle elevated.”

“It hardly even hurts now.”

“Because you’ve got prescription pain meds in your system, and you’ve had it elevated for an hour. I guarantee that’s going to change if you start trying to walk on it. I’ve had a sprain or two, you know. I remember what it feels like.”

The look in her eyes softened. Was she remembering the way she’d hovered over him his senior year when he’d fallen while rock climbing? She came to his house and waited on him, hand and foot. But he hadn’t been hurting so bad that he resisted the chance to pull her onto the sofa and nuzzle her neck every chance he got.

She broke eye contact as she scooted to the edge of the seat. “We’ll see how it goes.”

*  *  *

It was late when Aiden finally pulled up to the deserted boardwalk shops. Sophie had canceled her rental car, and Aiden had been kind enough to meet the tow company when they picked up her Tahoe. He’d also gone to the store and bought some cheap tennis shoes and paint clothes to augment his meager wardrobe.

Outside the window the moon hung over the harbor, providing the only light. Sophie was relieved that the dying oak tree on the street side of her shop had stayed upright through the hurricane. Even now its hulking shadow seemed threatening. She’d intended to have it taken down before now, but funds had been tight. She shouldn’t take the chance, though. She had a few thousand dollars to spare; she’d get someone to take care of it this week.

Sophie surveyed the dark shops with sinking spirits. “The electricity is definitely out.”

“We planned for that. It’s not ideal, but I can at least get everything taped off tonight. You can hold the flashlight for me.”

This was ridiculous. How many obstacles were there going to be? How would she get the shop ready in time, even with Aiden’s help?

“Don’t worry.” He helped her from the car. “We’ve got this.”