“I’d be happy to come and take a look at the space. You could show me what you have in mind.”

She cocked her head and smiled slowly.

Lucas realized she’d read too much into his words. He crossed his arms, making sure his left hand showed. “I’ll need to take measurements; then I can give you an estimate, and we’ll go from there. How does tomorrow at ten a.m. sound?”

“Perfect.” She gave him her address and phone number, then hitched her tiny purse on her shoulder. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.”

He walked her to the door, but she stopped on the threshold.

“Oh, I hate to be a bother, but I’m looking for a fudge shop I’ve heard about. Aunt something . . . I have a terrible sweet tooth.” Her smile flirted.

“Aunt Leah’s Fudge—down on Straight Wharf.” He followed her out the door and pointed east. “If you follow Main Street, you’ll find yourself on the wharf. It’s on the left. You can’t miss it.”

His brother entered his line of vision, walking up Main Street, his stride slow and loose.

“Hey, Lucas.”

Lucas was about to introduce Sydney, but Brody stepped around him and opened the door. “Kate upstairs?”

The question caught Lucas off guard. “Sure.” He wondered what Brody wanted with Kate.

Lucas watched his brother until Sydney placed a hand on his arm.

The sound of feet thudding up the wood steps of her office pulled Kate’s attention from the letter. A glance at her watch told her it was too early for Lucas. They’d begun eating lunch together on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Strictly for appearances’ sake.

Sun-blond curls appeared first, followed by the lean frame of her new brother-in-law. He wore a pair of bright orange and blue Hawaiian-print trunks and a white T-shirt.

“Brody.” Kate folded the “Dear Dr. Kate” letter and set it on the desk next to the other letters she’d waded through. “This is a pleasant surprise.”

He stopped at the top of the stairs and stuffed his hands in his pockets, a move that reminded her of Lucas. “I should’ve called.”

“No, come in. Have a seat. I’m just reading through some letters.”

Brody surveyed her desk. “That’s a lot of letters.” He glanced around the room—what used to be the lobby of her practice. She’d moved her desk to the front so she could take advantage of the natural daylight that streamed though the windows.

“I haven’t been up here since Lucas renovated,” Brody said.

Kate appraised the room with fresh eyes. The shiny wood floor, the soothing green walls that set off the maple color of the wood trim. She’d found an area rug in shades of green, navy, and beige that tied the colors of the room together.