Audrey sniffed and wiped her eyes with the backs of her hands. “I’m trying, Mom, really I am. Some days I can go without thinking of him and then it hits me. I don’t miss Dylan as much as I used to, and I feel guilty for that. But I’m getting better, I promise.”
“Thanks for the advice, brat. Since I can’t think of anything better to do, guess I’ll take it and see how it all goes. Wish me luck.”
“Luck. Tomorrow night the girls are meeting at the pub for drinks and dinner. Why not pop in and see what happens?”
“Maybe. I might go over to the house and see if she wants to know anything about the zoning board regulations. I’d hate to have to turn down her application when it comes in.”
Chapter 15
Riley woke determined to sort out his romance problems foremost in his mind. His idea of keeping out of Sassie’s way obviously hadn’t triggered a response from her, and it was making him crazy waiting to see if it ever would.
He’d lain awake long into the night thinking about what his sister had said, and it made sense, so it was going to be Audrey’s way. He couldn’t wait to see Sassie again. After joining his mother and sister for breakfast, he tidied his old room and headed into town to his office at the board.
He’d finished the apartments and signed the paperwork with the Realtor office to list them for sale. The correspondence sitting in his tray was the next job on his list. Knuckling down, Riley managed to knock it all out before he downloaded a copy of the rules and regulations regarding applying for a permit for a bed and breakfast. It seemed like the best excuse to visit her.
He drove over to her house, the tightness in his chest getting stronger the closer he got. Normally, he was the one acting blasé when women were trying to get a relationship going with him. A real turn for the books, and one that made his mother and sister very happy.
A beat-up truck was reverse parked in her driveway, and he groaned. Lulu was here. Should he drive off and come back later, or should he go in as if nothing were amiss? Sassie appeared from the back garden with Lulu by her side and spied him, making escape impossible. He waved and got out of the vehicle, making sure to take the paperwork with him.
“Hi, Lulu, Sassie. How’s it going?” He stood with his hands on his hips and watched the woman he lusted after come toward him.
Sassie smiled. “Grand, R.P., just grand. Lulu delivered the seat I bought for the garden last week. Isn’t it a pretty thing sitting down under the cherry trees?”
There, where they had first made love, was the rustic bench seat. Flowers still dripped from the tree, scattering pretty pink petals on the grass and now on the bench. It looked as though it had been there for years, and he nodded. “I like it. Nice job, Lulu. You have a knack for making furniture that looks as though it’s part of the landscape.”
“Thanks.” She nodded at Sassie on the way to her truck. “See you around.”
“Thanks for delivering my seat. I appreciate it.” Sassie waved as the truck headed back to the road. She turned to Riley. “Well now, you’ve been a bit of a stranger, haven’t you?”
“I had some things to clear up. How have you been?” He tried not to look like the lovesick fool he was.
Sassie tucked her curls behind her ear and smiled at him. “Busy but fine. Come in and see what I’ve done.” She reached for his hand and gripped it, sending warmth through his body. Riley let himself be led inside. The kitchen had been painted and the cabinets were all in place. The bench tops were fitted and the old stove shone.
“I would swear that old thing was ready for the dump.”
“Ah, but you said that about the house, too, if I remember correctly.” She grinned and he melted. “What do you think of the floor?”
The timber had been sanded and glowed with layers of clear polish. He knew they were beautiful boards when he first saw them, and he was right. The dark honey tones lifted the whole look of the kitchen. Her color choices were spot on. The golden hues went beautifully with the stark black and white fittings and wall color. A few dashes of color in the furnishings would really make this kitchen a stunner. The ginger cat meowed and rubbed against his legs. Riley leaned down and ran his hand down her soft fur. “I can’t believe what an incredible job you’ve done here. I love it, Sassie.” She’d managed all of this without anything from him.
For once, he was up against someone who didn’t need him.
* * *
His words made her glow inside. The renovation was all that had kept her going when he didn’t come around. Had she said something wrong, done something he didn’t like? The deal they’d struck for a no-ties relationship seemed to be working just fine until something inside him had obviously snapped. Yet he was here today, and that threw her into a tailspin she did her best to not let show.
“I’ve been going over your quote for the bathrooms. I accept if you can do the job sooner rather than later. I want to go to the board and see if they’ll give me a permit to open as soon as possible.”
“That’s one of the reasons I came over. I did promise to show you what you needed to do to pass the inspection, so I printed off the legal requirements. If you want, I can go over it with you now.”
She wanted to keep him here with her for as long as possible, so why not? It would save her from trying to figure it all out for
