“Still there.”

“Perfect. See you tomorrow.”

“Can’t wait.”

The front doorbell rang just as she ended the call. When she opened it, she found Dalton standing on her doorstep. With wind-tousled dark hair, hands shoved in his pockets, and feet braced, he had the look of a nineteenth-century lightkeeper.

She pushed back her bangs, wondered quickly if this had to do with Dani. “Hey, what’s up?”

“I saw your car. Can we talk about the cottage?”

Instinctively, she assumed he’d run the numbers and decided the costs of new bathrooms, a kitchen, and plumbing were too high. She couldn’t blame him. The total amount had to be staggering. “Come on inside.”

His gaze swept the main room. “Wow.”

“Cleaned out and Ruth’s pictures hung.” She’d been staging the place just in case.

“I can see that.” He moved to a painting of the ocean and the wreck. “If you decide to sell any of these, let me know. I’ll buy any of them.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. “This is my offer on the house.”

She unfolded the paper and glanced at the bold handwriting. She’d searched comps and knew instantly his was more than a fair offer. “You still want to buy it?”

“Of course.”

“I thought . . . never mind. Great. Okay.”

“What does that mean?”

“Technically, I can’t accept anything on the house until February second, when I officially age up.”

“Am I in the ballpark?”

He’d knocked it out of the park. “Yes.”

“If you think you could get more money by going on the market, then do it.”

“I don’t want to see the cottage dismantled, sold for parts, and wiped off the land.”

“I’ve told you, I won’t.”

“I know.” She could feel Ruth standing close, nudging her arm. I gave you this place free and clear, but if you could save it . . .

She extended her hand. “Consider this my official unsanctioned acceptance of your offer. When I’m thirty next week, I’ll sign the papers.”

He wrapped calloused fingers around hers. “I’ll have the papers drawn up for your birthday.”

“Terrific.”

“How about I also take you out to dinner on your birthday? It’ll be a celebration, and we’ll make the sale official.”

“That sounds fun.”

“Great.”

“Oh, and I’m headed into Elizabeth City tomorrow to meet with Talley. She worked at the hotel for several summers and was a friend of Ruth’s.”

“I’ll be in Elizabeth City tomorrow to check on a load of supplies. You can tag along, and then we can see Talley.”

“That could tie you up for hours. That’s not necessary.”

“I’d like to meet her. And it would give me a break from the job.”

“If you don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Looking forward to it. What time do you want to leave?”