He shut off the engine and climbed out of the cab. “Ruth wanted to save everything.”

“If all this gave Ruth comfort, then it’s worth the trouble. Don’t suppose you know anyone who wants ten sets of white stoneware dishes?” She’d found the stacks on the dresser in Ruth’s bedroom.

“The thrift store at Milepost 5. They’ll take whatever you got.”

“I was hoping they were still in business.”

“Offer still stands. If you need help, call me.”

“You’ve already been a big help. I was kidding myself when I bought the garbage bags and a dozen moving boxes. A serious case of denial.”

“I’ve never had a job that went completely to plan. Always a glitch.”

The dog peered out the cab window and barked.

“Your partner in crime?” she asked.

“Sailor’s getting old, but he won’t hear of me leaving him at home. He’s my official shadow.”

Ivy climbed up on the truck running board and petted Sailor. He nudged her hand until she was scratching him directly between the ears. “Dani came by this morning. Brought a couple of nice bottles of wine.”

“Moss never grows under my sister’s feet.”

Ivy drew in a breath as she climbed down. “It was always hard to stay mad at her.”

He shrugged. “She can be charming.”

“Yeah.”

“For what it’s worth, if not for Bella, she would erase her entire history with Matthew.”

“I wish I could rewrite a little history. But it’s written in stone.”

Three larger flatbed trucks carrying land excavators arrived at the barren site next to the cottage. The traffic noises from New York had found her.

“You really did pick the best spot,” Ivy said. “Ruth said her father fell in love with this location the first time he saw it.”

“A visionary.”

“Ruth said that many times.” The rumble of trucks grew louder. Home sweet home. “How long will you be in the construction phase?”

“The heavy equipment will be around a week or so. Then the noise should be more manageable. We’re aiming to be under roof in a month. Cottages could be ready by midseason this year. Keep your fingers crossed we don’t get a lot of rain and the construction materials arrive on time.”

Whereas Matthew could be cocky, Dalton had a quiet confidence. She doubted even a hurricane would stop him from having those cottages ready.

“You’ve got your work cut out for you,” she said.

“We both do. I do want to bid on Ruth’s place,” he said.

“When’s the last time you were inside?” she asked.

“December after the storm. Though I was just moving in boxes and items from the hotel.”

“You didn’t get a great look at the place.”

“No.”

“I thought you just wanted the land.”

“Maybe I want the house.”

“Okay, but I’ll warn you it’s going to require a big influx of cash to drag it into this century.”

“Do you have time to give me a tour now?”

“It’s still a bit of an obstacle course in there, but I’ve cleared a few more navigable paths.”