Page 20 of The Summer I Stayed
My gaze flickers between her hand and her green eyes. It’s just a whisper of contact, but it’s enough to send my heart hammering against my chest. She quickly withdraws, her cheeks slightly flushed.
“Of course,” I manage to say.
She nods before heading inside, leaving me alone to process whatever that was. What was that? Sure, she’s nice, but I…
And the moment we had earlier when she asked for my opinion on the paint samples. Was that…something?
I shake my head in an attempt to get rid of these strange feelings. I refocus on the dining table, the sander smoothly running across the wood. Maybe it’s the heat or the afternoon sun playing tricks on me. Or maybe it’s just because I’ve been single for a long time and she’s the first woman I’ve spent a lot of time with. That’s got to be it.
I know she told me not to look at her blog, but…I have to look at it.
I’m lying here in bed after an extremely long day of work—between Maggie’s house and a few local projects—and all I can think about is Maggie. It’s been days since she asked for my help, and yet, I keep coming back to that moment and our lunch by the lake.
Her laugh, her teasing smile, it’s all sticking to my thoughts like a song I didn’t mean to like, but now, I can’t stop humming.
So I grab my laptop, type in the URL that Gemma and Edna have both been taunting me with all week, and there it is. Cozy Charm by Maggie.
It’s bright and inviting, just like her. As I read through her posts, it feels like her voice is in the room with me. Her energy and enthusiasm pour out with each word, making me smile as if she were here, sharing these stories in person. Even though I’ve been alongside her through this renovation, I’m enjoying seeing it through her eyes. Therooms take shape through photos, and snippets describe what’s coming next.
I work backwards to find the first post about the lake house. And when I do, I find myself in the post too. It’s the photo she snapped of me on the roof replacing the tiles. The sun is shining so bright, you can barely tell it’s me. I scroll down to see this one has a lot of comments.
@CraftyCassie: What a view! (and I’m not talking about the lake)
@DIYJen: Hot handyman alert!
I slam my computer shut. Strangers ogling me on the internet? That’s new and…a tad unnerving. I wonder if that’s why she didn’t want me to see it.
I chuckle. I don’t really care about anyone else, but I do want to know what Maggie thinks of me.
And there’s no denying it now—I’m drawn to Maggie Wilkes. Not just because she’s attractive, that’s a given. She’s gorgeous. It’s her passion to turn a house into a home, the way she laughs at my dry humor, her determination to learn. The way she keeps treats in her pockets for Maverick. The way she only had to ask me onceto do that photo booth and I said yes, even though Gemma asked me last week and I turned her down. I really don’t have time to build the photo booth, but I couldn’t tell Maggie no.
I rub my hands over my face. This isn’t good. I can’t let myself fall for her or get involved. She’s only here temporarily, just passing through while she fixes the house. What if she doesn’t plan on staying?
And yet…I still find myself drawn to her in a way I haven’t in years. Or possibly ever. Not even Gabby from high school. This feels different. This feels like it’s more.
The next day, I decide to tackle the day head-on. Set all thoughts of Maggie aside while I focus on the hardware store.
But as luck would have it, I can’t escape for long.
I’ve barely been at the store for an hour, engrossed in unloading and sorting through new supplies, when Tom walks in.
“Morning.” Tom gives a casual salute.
I give him a noncommittal grunt, but Tom continues.
“Is it about Maggie?”
My heart skips a beat at the mention of her name. “What about Maggie?”
Tom’s grin widens. “You seem to be in a bit of a mood this morning, well, more than usual, and I was wondering if the new girl in town has anything to do with it?”
“Who says I’m in a mood? You just walked in.”
Tom laughs. “You’re as easy to read as a children’s book. Your face gave you away.”
I roll my eyes and continue sorting through supplies, trying to ignore him.
He squints his eyes at me. “You like her, don’t you?”
