This was nothing but a misunderstanding, she told herself. Coop was reading the situation wrong. Of course she had a life and she would be fine when he was gone. Why wouldn’t she be? She was more than capable of being on her own. He had to know that. He was free to go live his life—be his own person. She wanted that for him, of course, but just as important, she never wanted him to resent her the way she’d always resented her parents.

She would take a second and gather her thoughts, then return to the weight room. She would find out about his plans for the evening, then go home and... And... Well, she didn’t know what she was going to do, but it would be something fun and exciting. Because of course she had things to do. Not dating didn’t mean anything. Lots of people didn’t date. She was absolutely and totally fine and happy and living the dream. That was her. For sure.

Unity finished tightening the new faucet in place. She ran water, then checked under the sink to make sure there were no leaks. When she was confident everything was perfect, she collected her tools, put the old faucet in the box the new one had arrived in and wiped down the counter. Only then did she go get Mr. Sweetman who was in his recliner, watching TV.

“I’m all done,” she said loudly, so the eightysomething gentleman could hear her over Judge Judy.

Mr. Sweetman, as adorable as his name, looked up and smiled. “All done?”

“I am.”

He nodded and got to his feet, a slow process that was painful to watch. When Unity couldn’t bear the struggle anymore, she grabbed him by both forearms and pulled until he was standing.

She matched his slow pace to the kitchen, then showed him the new faucet.

“If you press this button, the water goes from a steady stream to a nice spray,” she told him. “You don’t have to make it go back to a steady stream. The next time you turn it on, it’s on the steady stream automatically.”

“Oh, that’s very nice.”

She demonstrated the hose feature, showing him how he could easily rinse out his sink. He watched carefully, then practiced using the faucet before turning to her.

“Technology’s a marvel. When I was growing up, we had to pump water out of a well and carry it into the house. We’ve come a long way.”

“We have. I’ll send you a bill in a day or so.”

He patted her arm. “You’re a good girl, Unity. Thanks for my new faucet.”

She gave him a wave and let herself out.

After stowing her tools, she slid onto her seat and called her answering machine back home to pick up messages, then started her truck and drove through Silver Pines. Phyllis, the head of the local pickleball league, had asked her to stop by after work.