“Texas is a little far for me to use you as my handyman.”

“A little.”

“While you’ve been busy in here, I’ve been working in the kitchen. Hungry?”

They ate sitting at the kitchen island. As always, Sarah had outdone herself.

“Your guests are in for a treat.”

Though she was much quieter than her usual chatty self, she still smiled. “I hope so. Getting great reviews from these first few guests will be key to my success.”

“Hamilton House will be a success.” Of that, he had no doubt. Sarah was a woman who could accomplish anything she set her mind to and do it with a smile on her face.

“Because?”

Thinking how much he was going to miss talking to her, he grinned. “You won’t allow anything else.”

“I hope you’re right, because there are so many things beyond my control.” She stood to clear their dishes while Bodie wiped off the island.

“You’ll be fine.”

She closed the dishwasher, faced him. “So, what’s next? We’ll get Aunt Jean’s furniture from my dad’s and get the suites set up tomorrow evening?”

He nodded. “Anything else you want me to take care of?”

“The upstairs rooms need pretty much the same work as you did for the suites downstairs.”

He knew what she was leading up to. Part of him wanted to say he’d help her with the upstairs rooms, personally ensure that Hamilton House was ready for her to fill every space the way she dreamed.

But he’d done what he’d come to do. More than he’d come to do.

Staying longer only delayed the inevitable.

Still, he couldn’t bring himself to say no, just studied her a moment more, then sighed. “Show me what you want done, Sarah, and we’ll see.”

“Yes, Maybelle,” Sarah said into the phone as she poured a glass of juice early the following morning. “I’ll be at church within the hour and will handle the extra meal deliveries today since Ruby and Charlie won’t be there.”

Charlie was going to be fine, but Ruby insisted he take it easy for a few days. Sarah didn’t blame her.

She chatted with Maybelle for a few minutes longer. Mostly, she listened to Maybelle inform her what a huge success everyone said their booth had been.

She glanced at her watch. “Oh, sorry, Maybelle. It’s later than I’d thought. I’ve got to run. Love you and see you in a few.”

She hung up the phone, then rushed to finish getting ready. When she was, it surprised her that Bodie wasn’t there. He must have gotten hung up at Lou’s. Or maybe he was making arrangements for help to move the furniture back into the suites.

No problem. He knew where the spare key was hidden to let himself in.