Page 25 of One Sweet Day I Found You

Seven

What in the world was that? Courtney drove out of the parking lot. Why would Nick dangle the proverbial carrot in front of her and then yank it away?

She chewed at her lip, frowning, and turned onto the main road.

He could’ve just asked for her number. Why didn’t he? Or, news flash—he could’ve just sealed the deal and told her where and when, and she’d have been there.

Yes, she was interested. She had to admit it. The day had not started out that way, but things had changed over the course of a few hours. He actually seemed like a nice guy. It was a pleasant surprise meeting him again, really.

But she wasn’t usually one to make the first move, especially since he had just been the focus of her interview. It would be too weird or unprofessional or something. Right?

Hopefully she’d run into him again somewhere. She did know where to find him now, after all. She let out a huff and hoped the pleasant scenery would change her mood.

* * *

Back at the cottage,Courtney set her notebook and duffel bag on the table and hung the visor in the front closet.

She’d had enough of pretending to understand men. Maybe Nick should take a lesson from Kira and learn to be a little more direct.

Yet, she was intrigued. He wasn’t just easy on the eyes, he was also intelligent and easy to talk to. And he’d been a great listener.

When was the last time a guy asked her a bunch of questions and then sat and listened to the answers? Even though she’d been the one conducting the interview? She couldn’t recall.

Certainly, Austin had been too involved in his own little world to listen for very long when she spoke.

She realized she knew very little about Nick, though. It seemed she’d done most of the talking today. Except about the shop, during the interview.

Courtney opened the refrigerator. She’d found the market yesterday and picked up groceries. Turkey and provolone sounded good. She placed a couple pieces of bread on a plate and piled up the meat and cheese. Her thoughts drifted to her new colleague.

Kira. What a piece of work she was.

Courtney blew out a breath.

The day had not started well between them either, but it was entirely possible that all of that was already ancient history to Kira. She didn’t seem interested in making things difficult, nor in holding grudges. She might just be a tell-it-like-it-is kind of person. No “buts,” no fuss.

It would be easier to work with someone who got straight to the point, anyway.

Courtney cleaned up and sat down at the table with her sandwich, then propped open her laptop.

The sandwich hit the spot, but only a few paragraphs into her draft, her eyes began to droop. It had to be all the sunshine and paddling that morning, she thought with a yawn.

Courtney had locked the screen door and left the front door wide to allow in the afternoon breeze. She took the laptop and moved to the couch then pulled a blanket over herself. Ten minutes later, she was out.

About an hour went by before a knock came at the screen, and a gentle voice called out, “Anybody home?”

Courtney sat up, tossing her blanket over the back of the couch and shaking her head to wake up. “Hello?” she said, dazed. “I’ll be right there.”

A tiny woman in a pastel-green sweater peered through the screen. “Oh, goodness, did I wake you? I can come back another time, dear.”

“No, of course not.” Courtney went to open the door. “Just a catnap. Still adjusting to the time zone.”

The woman’s short white hair was neatly groomed, her rosy lipstick painted expertly across an upturned mouth.

“Oh, that’s right! You’ve just been to see the other side of the world, haven’t you? How exciting.”

“Yes! You must be Mrs. Brady. Would you like to come in?”

“Why, thank you. Yes. I’m so sorry to disturb you.” She held out one hand. “I’m Victoria Brady. I was just enjoying my front porch before dinner and thought I’d stop in and introduce myself properly. You’re Courtney Price, I presume?”

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