She’d thought Aiden might spend time with his girlfriend this morning, but he said nothing of Tiffany. Surely the woman hadn’t returned to Charleston so soon after that long drive. They hadn’t spent more than fifteen minutes together on the beach. As curious as Sophie was, she wouldn’t ask. It was none of her business.

Aiden moved boxes around, looking for the memoirs. This sorting project was going to take a while, but it would allow them to shelve the books quickly once the bookcases were in place.

A knock came on the back door and Pippa yipped ferociously.

“Wonder who that is,” Sophie said.

Aiden navigated the maze of boxes, picking up Pippa on his way to the door.

When he opened it, an unfamiliar man smiled in greeting. He looked to be in his late twenties, wore a ball cap, and sported a neat goatee. He was built like a workingman, and his rugged clothing bore out the notion.

“Brandon.” Aiden shook the man’s hand. “What are you doing here?”

“Just stopped by to see how the topcoat turned out for you. I saw the sign on the front door, so I’m guessing you got it down already. Who’s this little critter?”

“Pippa. She’s a little gun-shy. Come on in.” Aiden closed the door behind the man. “Sophie, this is Brandon. I ran into him yesterday in the stain aisle at the hardware store. Brandon, this is the owner of the new bookstore.”

“Pleasure, ma’am,” Brandon said as they shook hands. “Can’t tell you how happy I am to be getting a local bookstore.”

“Nice to meet you. What’s your reading pleasure?”

“Mainly biographies. Though I read up on history sometimes—the World Wars, mostly.”

“We’ll have an excellent selection of both. And if there are particular books you’re interested in, don’t hesitate to ask. We can always special order.”

He took in the office. “Looks like you’ve got enough books to keep me busy until the end of time.”

She laughed. “That’s my intention.”

Aiden shoved a box aside with his foot. “Brandon here saved me from buying the wrong topcoat.”

“Well, not so much wrong as inferior.”

“Are floors your business?” Sophie asked Brandon.

“Aw, no, I’m really just a handyman. I know a little bit about a lot of things.”

“I neglected to mention his last name’s Hooper,” Aiden said. “His dad owns the hardware store, and Brandon launched his own business.”

“I do odds and ends for people.”

Aiden gave the man a tolerant look. “He’s a contractor, a framer, and a licensed electrician besides. And apparently knows a good deal about refinishing floors too.”

“A handyman you are then,” Sophie said.