And then he gave her a rough quote.

She didn’t react at first. The number hit the top end of her revised budget, but it was within the bounds. So that was good. But on the bad side, it didn’t allow for any incidentals. And she’d been doing this long enough to know that construction/renovations came with incidentals.

“Hannah, stop stressing.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Those were just numbers I made up. Give me a little time to get you some real numbers.”

She nodded her agreement.

Just then the front door opened. Brilliant sunlight shone into the room, making Hannah momentarily squint.

“Hannah?” Her mother closed the door. Worry lines etched her eyes. “Is everything okay?”

Both Hannah and Ethan got to their feet. “Everything’s fine, Mom.” And then remembering Ethan, she said, “Mom, you remember Birdie’s nephew, Ethan?”

“Sure, I do.” Her mother smiled. “It’s good to see you again.”

“It’s good to see you too.” And then he turned to Hannah. “I should be going. I have a lot to do. I’ll get back to you shortly.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“I hope we’ll be seeing more of you,” her mother said. Before Ethan was even out the door, her mother turned to her with a glimmer in her eyes. “Isn’t he a cutie?”

“Mom!” Heat rushed to Hannah’s face. She was certain Ethan had heard her mother as she’d done nothing to lower her tone. The door closed with a soft thud. Hannah frowned at her mother. “Why did you say that?”

Her mother arched a brow. “You mean you don’t think he’s cute?”

She wasn’t going to answer that question. She didn’t like to lie and if she did agree with her mother, it would just further her mother’s cause. It was best just to change the subject. “Ethan is only in town to care for his aunt.”

“I see. And how is Birdie doing?”

“Good from what I hear. She’s anxious to get home.”

“I can imagine. Still it was so nice of her nephew to drop everything to come help her. And word around town is that he’s available—”

“Mom!”

Her mother waved off Hannah’s shock at the flagrant attempt at matchmaking. “Okay. But you have to admit that it’s been a while since you dated.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“Yes, you have. But maybe you should give him a chance. After all, he’s a hero.” Her mother beamed. “Your hero. Saving your life has to count for something.”

“You act like he saved me from the jaws of a shark.” She didn’t want to encourage her mother where Ethan was concerned. “And you seem to forget that he’s a firefighter.”

Her mother grew quiet for a moment. “He’s not your father. What happened to him…well, you can’t think it’s going to happen to someone else you love.”

“I don’t love Ethan. I hardly even know him. But with his occupation, he takes the same risks as Dad—risks that I just can’t take.”