“Not at all. If you ever want to talk more, I’m a pretty decent listener.” She eyed up his work. “Can I help you with that?”

“How are you at sanding?”

“I know how to move sandpaper back and forth.”

“Good you’re hired.” He smiled at her, hoping to lighten the mood. “But not until tomorrow evening. This needs time to dry. And then we’ll start over there.” He pointed to the other side of the room that had already been prepped.

Hannah took the moment to look around the big room. Her beautiful face creased with worry lines. “There’s so much to do.”

“Stop worrying. It’ll get there. And it’s going to look great when it’s finished. Tonight I’ll do a little research for estate sales in the area. If I find one, we could go Saturday morning if you’re available.”

She worried her bottom lip as though considering the offer. Then her eyes widened as though she’d thought of something. “The wedding shower is Saturday.”

He wasn’t willing to give up yet, because they didn’t have time to waste if she was going to open before Easter. “What time?”

“Not until the evening.”

“The sales are in the morning. We could be back in plenty of time.”

“Aren’t you visiting your aunt that day?”

“We’ll just make it one big trip. Shopping. Visiting. And some lunch in there somewhere. How does that sound?”

“As long as we’re home by four, count me in.”

“It’s a date.” The words slipped out before he could stop them.

Had he meant to say those exact words? No. Definitely not. Still he couldn’t help wondering, did he secretly want to date Hannah? He’d just had a bad breakup. Did he want to go down that road again?

“I better get going.” Hannah’s voice drew him from his thoughts. Her face was flushed as her gaze avoided his. “Will you be all right here? I mean, um, do you need anything?”

“I’m good. Thanks.”

And with that she was gone. There wasn’t so much as a goodbye.

And now the bakery seemed so empty without her presence. Not that he wanted her company or anything. Still, it was nice not to be alone. He’d spent a lot of his off hours alone in New York. Not because it was his choice, but rather because it worked out that way. But here in Bluestar Island, everything was different.

Peaches stared at the door that Hannah had just walked out.

“Seems I’m not the only one she’s made an impression on.”

Peaches barked in agreement.

Chapter Thirteen

Had she made a date with Ethan?

Surely not. It was just work. Friends being friendly.

At noon on Tuesday, Hannah sat in a quiet corner of The Lighthouse Café, trying to digest this information. In front of her was her laptop, and next to it was an uneaten lobster roll, her favorite.

The computer screen was open to a website selling small kid’s toys, the kind you win at carnivals. The toys needed to fit the festival’s budget and be small enough to fit inside plastic eggs. So far Hannah had picked out miniature animals, bouncy balls, and candy.