“I hope you’re right. If I ever do get married, I want it to last,” Jess said wistfully. “I want to have what you and Bree have found with Trace and Jake, what Kevin has with Shanna and Connor has with Heather.”
“You’re a gorgeous, smart, exciting, unpredictable woman, and I mean that in the best way. You’ll find everything you deserve. I promise you that.” Abby grinned. “And if you don’t find it on your own, you know Dad will stick his nose into it sooner or later.”
“Heaven forbid!” Jess said with feeling. She stood up, then cast one last look toward the steps up from the beach. Still no sign of Will and Susie, but she didn’t feel quite so crazed about it. “Thanks, Abby. As always, you’ve grounded me. I think I’ll head back to the inn.”
“If you need any help with the bills, let me know,” Abby said casually.
Jess bristled. “Between the accountant and me, everything’s under control,” she said.
“It was just an offer,” Abby chided. “Just a reminder that I’m here if you need me.”
Jess sighed. “I know. Sorry. Actually, though, I think I’m going to do something physical. I need to burn off some energy. I bought a bunch of boxes the other day, so I thought I’d pack up some of the stuff in the attic and get it ready to give away. When I can free up some money, I’d like to get that area converted into another guestroom and bath, maybe even make it a honeymoon suite. There’s a glorious view from up there.”
She waited for Abby to scold her about spending money she didn’t have, but surprisingly, her sister, the family financial wizard, nodded.
“Sounds like a smart idea,” Abby said approvingly. “Why don’t you have Dad take a look and give you an estimate?”
Jess stared at her. “Seriously?”
Abby held up a cautioning hand. “It depends on the numbers, but yes, it’s worth checking out. We’ll see if we can figure out a way to make it happen.”
Jess threw her arms around her sister and gave her a fierce hug. “Thanks, Abby.”
“Don’t thank me. You’re the one who’s made the inn into a business worth expanding.”
Jess felt herself standing a little taller at the praise. “I have, haven’t I?”
All thoughts of Will forgotten for the moment, she headed back to the inn with her step considerably lighter than it had been just a half-hour earlier.
Jess had changed into old shorts and a tanktop before heading up to the dusty attic. Over the past few years, she’d spent a few scattered hours up here, getting lost in some of the old books she’d found in the trunks that had been stored here for years before she’d bought the place. Today, though, she was determined to stay focused.
Armed with boxes and garbage bags, she intended to sort things into three batches—items to be given away, those she might be able to use in the inn, and trash that wasn’t worth keeping. Unfortunately, all of it came with a heavy layer of dust, so she spent almost as much time sneezing and wiping things off as she did making decisions.
She’d been at it for an hour when she heard footsteps approaching. When Will appeared at the top of the stairs, a grin broke across his face.
“You’re quite a picture,” he commented.
“Thanks,” she said wryly. “You might want to reconsider coming up here in your good clothes.”
“Everything I’m wearing is washable,” he said of his neatly pressed chinos and the dress shirt with its sleeves rolled up. Still, he stood hesitantly. “Want some help? Abby mentioned you were over here trying to sort through all this stuff.” He glanced at the trash bags she’d already filled. “I could at least haul those downstairs for you.”
“That would be fantastic,” she said gratefully, “if you’re sure you don’t mind.”
“I wouldn’t have come if I didn’t want to help. Let me run those down. Do you want them in your Dumpster out back or where?”
“The Dumpster’s great. Trash pickup’s tomorrow.”
He picked up the four bags she’d filled so far and took them as if they weighed next to nothing. When he came back, he brought bottles of water from the fridge she kept in her office. He handed one to her.
“I thought you might be thirsty,” he said,
“You’re a godsend,” she told him, taking a long swallow, aware that his gaze seemed to be glued to her chest, which was glistening with perspiration. Her tank top seemed to be clinging to her curves. “Um, Will…” Her voice hitched as she tried to snag his attention.
He blinked and stared at her, this time at her face. “Sorry,” he said, an actual blush climbing into his cheeks. “What would you like me to do now?”
Throw me down on this floor and make love to me. The outrageous thought popped into her head, bringing a flood of heat into her own cheeks.
“Trunk,” she said, gesturing across the attic. “Over there.” As far from her as it was possible to get.
His lips quirked. “You want me to sort through the things in the trunk,” he said.
“Yes.”
“How will I know what’s worth keeping?”
She drew in a breath and tried to steady her nerves and her voice. “You’ll know. If you have any questions, just ask.” She gave him a hopeful look. “Unless you’d rather go. You don’t have to help.”
“I’ve never known anyone so eager to turn down a willing volunteer,” he said, as he opened the trunk and began to sort through it. “Why is that, Jess? Do I make you nervous all of a sudden?”
“You scare me to death,” she blurted before she could censor herself. She immediately groaned. “I can’t believe I said that.”
Will laughed. “In my business, honesty’s considered a good thing. So, why do I scare you?”
She frowned at him. “There you go again, getting all shrinklike on me. Do you really want to dissect
