“It matters to your mom.” Kate walked to the window and turned. “How am I supposed to help your parents when your mom hates me?”

“She doesn’t hate you. She doesn’t even know you.”

“She’ll never trust me now.”

He supposed Kate was right, but he’d been hoping his mom would come around. It wasn’t Kate’s fault, and it had been more than thirty years ago. “I’m sorry. I should’ve told you, but I was hoping she’d get to know you and realize you’re not to blame.”

“That was a long time ago. She ever heard of forgiveness? Seventy times seven, and all that?”

“I know, I know. Maybe having you around will help her face that. She knows better.”

That seemed to quench the fire in her eyes. “She probably thinks I’m just like my mom. Not only am I guilty by association, she’s probably worried I’ll betray you just like my mom did her. She’s worried I’ll hurt her son.”

Funny, he was worried about the same thing. But he hadn’t considered his mom might be worried for him. “Being a therapist must come in handy.”

Kate gave him a wry smile. “I have a feeling I’m going to need all the expertise I can get.”

Two days later, Lucas was remembering his conversation with Kate when a knock sounded on his shop door.

Ethan, his friend and his best salesperson, opened the door. Lucas turned off the sander.

“There’s a lady here who’s interested in a few custom pieces.” Ethan pushed up his wire glasses with his middle finger.

Lucas set the sander on the plywood table. “Be right there.”

He removed his goggles and brushed the sawdust from his skin and clothing before entering the showroom. He found Ethan and the customer by his collection of Shaker-style bedroom furniture. The woman had auburn hair that fell in waves past bare, slender shoulders.

“Miss Delaney, this is the owner, Lucas Wright. Lucas, this is Sydney Delaney. She recently purchased a home on Madaket Harbor.”

Lucas shook her hand. “Pleased to meet you. That’s a nice area.”

Though she was tall enough to intimidate most men, her movements were fluid. “I love your work.” Her fingers caressed the foot-board of a queen-sized sleigh bed made of maple and finished with a caramel stain.

“Thanks. Ethan said you’re interested in some custom work.”

Another couple entered the store, and Ethan excused himself.

“I love the Shaker style. It’s simple but elegant.”

It was Lucas’s favorite as well. There was something about the old-fashioned simplicity of the lines that drew attention to the beauty of the wood.

“I see a lot of things I like.” Sydney gave Lucas a coy look. “But I have some specific pieces in mind for the living room that would need to be custom-made.”