Behind the wheel, he started the engine. “My stop should only take a half hour at most,” he said. “Just confirming the order.”

She smoothed her hand over the register resting on her lap. “Terrific. Where’s Sailor?”

“Spending the day with Bert. He’s getting old and not as fond of the day trips anymore.”

He backed out of the driveway and made his way along the coastal road, and soon they’d cut over to the main highway and were crossing the bridge to the mainland. She gazed out the window, watching the waters of the Currituck Sound roll under the Wright Memorial Bridge.

“I hear you sold out,” she said.

“Record time.”

“Impressive.”

“I never argue with good timing in the market.”

Gulls flew overhead. “Agreed.”

He drove onto the mainland past the restaurants, furniture stores, and gas stations. “Have you even gotten back to the mainland since you returned?”

“No reason to.” The lie slipped off her tongue too easily. She didn’t like hiding anything from him, but Dani had sworn she wanted to tell her brother in her own way. “Do you only build on the Outer Banks?”

“Yes. I’m lucky. Dad had the business up and running by the time I got out of the service. We’ve had a couple of tough dips, but for the most part, business is good.”

“And you never wanted to live anywhere else?”

“I lived lots of other places in the service. And traveling was fun for a while. But this place is in my blood. What about you? How does it all look since you got back?”

“Slower than New York. Busier than it used to be. It’s growing on me.”

He grinned. “Be careful; you sound like someone who might stay.”

When he hinted that she would move back, she didn’t feel as riled as when Dani and Matthew pressed the issue. “I told Matthew I wouldn’t work with him. His numbers looked good, but I just don’t see it.”

The corners of his mouth twitched. “There’s plenty of opportunities down here if you want one.”

“Very true.”

“Any idea what you’ll do next?”

“A few.”

He didn’t press, and they fell into an easy silence as he made his way along Highway 158. When the signs for Elizabeth City appeared, he veered to the left. Twenty minutes later, he parked at the lumber-supply company’s lot. “Might as well come inside. They always have good coffee.”

“I’ll never say no to that.”

She followed him to the front door, paused awkwardly when he opened it for her. “Thanks.”

Inside they were greeted by the scent of freshly milled wood, a ringing phone, and the rumble of male voices. “Coffee’s over there. Be right back.”

“Sure.”