Page 65 of Tide Over

“I still think it’s adorable you guys have a kitten,” she says with a smile.

I huff out a laugh, but then Heather eyes me curiously.

“The only reason I didn’t ask Theo is because his house is a death trap and he’s always working… and last time Mason was over there he almost fell through a hole in the floor.”

I let out a small laugh, shaking my head at the visual. “No holes now.”

Heather nods slowly, a smile spreading across her face. “Ok, then. I’ll drop them off in the morning.”

A warm feeling settles over me as I smile back at her.

Helping this family feels like the least I can do, after everything they’ve given me.

TWENTY-FIVE

The smellof freshly brewed coffee fills the kitchen as I lean against the counter, watching the sky slowly change colour over the ocean outside. A soft orange glow spills over the counters, bathing the room in warmth as steam billows from the coffee machine and curls into the stillness of the early morning. It should feel peaceful, but my mind won’t stop racing through the endless list of tasks waiting for me.

The kitchen counter I need to build for the MacNeils’, which I haven’t even started yet. And I wanted to have it finished and installed by the end of the week. Then there’s the set of kitchen chairs for Donna that need to be fixed and refinished, still sitting in my workshop, untouched. And Frank Gillis is building a new barn and I said I’d help with his stall doors. And shelves in the feed room…

Not to mention the work around my own house, which Liam has been doing most of.

I rub a hand over my face and blow out a breath. But the creaking stairs pull me from my thoughts, and I turn to see Liam step into the living room as he makes his way towards the kitchen. He’s wearing just his sweatpants hung low on his hips,and my gaze automatically drops to trace the lines of his abs and chest before lifting to meet his blue eyes.

“Morning,” I say, my voice quiet as I try to shake off the tension I’m feeling.

“Morning,” he replies, rubbing his eyes. Then he stops before me and his brows draw together. “You’re overthinking.”

A hollow laugh escapes me. “Yeah. I have too much to do.”

Liam observes me for a moment, then moves to the coffee machine. He hands me my now filled mug and sets another pod to brew. “Who’s nagging you?”

I furrow my brow as I stare at the back of his head. “No one.”

He glances over his shoulder with a confused expression. “No one’s been rushing you for their jobs?”

A sigh escapes me as I see where he’s going with this. “No…”

He nods thoughtfully, turning to face me as he crosses his arms and leans against the counter. “Hm. So, no one needs anything right now, and everyone understands your busy schedule…”

My eyes narrow as I stay quiet, not wanting him to win this one.

But he smirks, because he knows he already did. “And don’t you want to spend time with your niece and nephew today?”

“Of course I do,” I say, rubbing a hand over my face as guilt stirs with the realization I’ve only been seeing them for Sunday dinner at Mom’s. Which definitely isn’t enough.

Liam takes his coffee from the machine, watching me carefully. “It’s ok to slow down sometimes. You don’t always have to be working.”

I lean back against the island opposite him, the warmth of the coffee grounding me as I take a sip. And I know he’s right.

“Yeah,” I murmur, nodding slowly. “I know.”

We stand in the quiet stillness as the warmth of the sun filters through the windows and wraps us in its soft glow. Wesip our coffee in comfortable silence, and I slowly let go of everything that was on my mind earlier.

“Your mom said something yesterday…” Liam says softly, breaking the silence.

I look up to see him watching me carefully, the sun shining in his dark hair, making his blue eyes seem even brighter. While I was initially a bit surprised to hear he went to the store yesterday and spent the afternoon with Mom, it actually seems to have been good for him. Since I got home last night, I’ve noticed a quiet shift in him. A subtle lightness, like something deep inside has loosened or lifted… though I can’t quite put my finger on what that is.

“Yeah?” I ask.

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