“Is something wrong?” Hannah’s voice drew him from his thoughts.

“No.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket. “It was just my captain confirming my return-to-work date.”

Her eyes filled with worry. “Do you have to leave already?”

He shook his head. “I still have time.”

She smiled. “That’s good. I mean so you have longer to enjoy Bluestar. Between you and me, spring is the best time on the island.”

“Why is that?”

She fidgeted with a spoon. “For one, I like to refer to it as the calm before the frenzy.” The smile reached her eyes and made them twinkle. “It’s the time before the vacationers descend upon the island and life moves at warp speed.”

“And what are the other reasons?” He didn’t know why he’d asked. That wasn’t true. He was itching to know more about this woman.

“You mean besides the fact that it’s no longer freezing cold outside, that the days are longer, and the tulips fill the town with a rainbow of colors?”

The vision she painted made him smile. “Yes, other than that.”

“It means if I figure out how to fix the bakery, I’ll be in business for myself, doing what I love every day.” Her face had become animated as she spoke of the bakery. Just as quickly the magic faded and a sadness reflected in her eyes.

He knew she was worried, and he wanted to make her smile once more. “Don’t worry. It’s all going to work out.”

“I wish I was as certain as you.” She finished off her coffee. “By the way, I called the numbers you gave me.”

“Really?” He subdued his rising excitement. “What did they have to say?”

“That you’re amazingly talented and I’d be a fool not to hire you.”

Something told him she’d embellished those comments just a bit. “And what do you think?”

Hannah hesitated as though weighing her options. Maybe she already had friends who’d stepped up to help her out. Everyone in Bluestar seemed to like her and he could see why. Maybe he was out of luck. Maybe—

“It’s a deal.”

Her words caught him off guard. She’d been so hesitant that he was certain she was going to turn him down. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. But it sounds like you’ve changed your mind.”

“No.” He shook his head. “Not at all.” He was looking forward to getting started. “When will they be finished with the restoration work?”

“They’re finished with the front room. I talked to them and you can start working on that room while they finish up in the kitchen.”

“Then I’ll plan on getting to work tomorrow. Have you decided on all of the details?” When she didn’t answer, he added, “You know, the paint colors? The flooring?”

“I have most of it figured out.”

He nodded in understanding. “Are you available tomorrow morning?” Then realizing how that might sound, he said, “To go over the plans for the bakery.”

“And the plans for Spring Fling?” When he nodded, she said, “We could meet at the bakery.”