“Sometimes it’s best to let things go that aren’t going to come back. I’m going to put the snacks out in the dining room.” With a backward glance at her brother, who now seemed perfectly comfortable with Danny, Mandy retreated to her chore. She laid out the lemonade and cookies, then stocked the sideboard with ice, glasses, plates, and napkins. When she couldn’t find anything else to keep her away from the kitchen—and Danny—she went back in. The room was empty.

Movement drew her gaze to the window. In the backyard, Danny was starting up the mower. She went out onto the porch, determined to tell Danny his help with the grass wasn’t necessary. But it wasn’t Danny pushing the mower across the yard. Bill gave her an excited wave as he cut a fresh swath in the grass.

Mandy’s heart swelled at her brother’s simple joy. Who would have thought he would enjoy yard work? Her eyes flickered to Danny. Still watching Bill, Danny walked across the yard and joined her on the porch.

“Do you think it’s safe for him to do that?”

“I’ll keep an eye on him,” Danny said, “but it’s not that complicated. I gave him the safety spiel.”

Doubt and fear lingered in Mandy’s belly. “He could hurt himself.”

“He could. But he could also accomplish something and feel good about himself,” Danny pointed out. “Everyone needs to be useful, Mandy.”

Her brother turned the mower and started a new row. Jed was nice to Bill, but he never let him help with chores. Single-minded with work, Jed wanted to get things done. Letting Bill help often meant the work took twice as long.

“It’s going to take him a long time to finish,” she pointed out.

“That’s all right. I don’t have anything else to do.” Sadness darkened Danny’s eyes as he tracked Bill’s progress. “And I like the smell of cut grass.”

Mandy backed away and reached for the doorknob. “You’ll watch him until he’s finished?”

“Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.”

In the kitchen, Mandy leaned on the closed door. What was she going to do about Danny’s persistent presence?

Jed crossed the inn’s lawn, stifling the urge to run away from the sight of Mandy and Danny talking. His gaze strayed to the metallic purple muscle car. He hated to admit it, but the car was a damned nice ride.

Just as Danny Sullivan was a damned nice guy.

Jed opened the door to his truck. Honey jumped into the cab. She settled on the passenger seat with her head on her paws and heaved a depressed sigh. Even his favorite dog didn’t like him best. Honey’s bond with Bill grew stronger every day. That was what he wanted, wasn’t it?