“I pretty much am. Here’s the TV, and here’s the wall.” I pointed above the fireplace.
“I’m just going to get my ladder from the truck.”
I stood there pleasantly surprised as the fluttering in my belly acted up again. He returned, set the ladder up, and took out his tape measure.
“So, you’ve met Annie.” He grinned as he took down some measurements.
“Yeah. She’s been really nice. She brought me a housewarming basket earlier. Would you like a muffin?”
“Maybe when I’m done.” He smiled. “In case you haven’t noticed, Annie is the town gossip, so I’d be careful what you tell her if you don’t want the whole town to know.”
“I kind of got that impression last night.” I laughed. “So, you work in a bar and are the town handyman?”
“I don’t just work at the bar. I own the Seaside Bar and Grille.”
“Oh. I didn’t know that.”
“My sister Katherine and I took it over when our parents were killed in a boating accident several years ago.”
“I’m sorry, Colin. I had no idea.”
“Thanks.” A warm smile crossed his lips.
“Can I get you something to drink? I just made a pitcher of lemonade. Or I have a bottle of wine that Annie put in the housewarming basket.”
“I may just take you up on that when I’m finished.”
I finished putting the last of the groceries away while Colin worked on getting the TV hung. I couldn’t help but steal small glances at him now and again. He was such a handsome man. Especially the way his biceps bulged as he lifted the TV and put it on the wall. After securing the TV, he put the batteries in the remote and turned it on.
“You’re all set.”
“Thank you.” A smile crossed my lips as I handed him a glass of lemonade. “How much do I owe you?”
“Nothing.”
“Come on, Colin. Let me pay you something. You already paid for my dinner last night. I am not letting you walk out of here without payment.”
There was a knock at the door, and then it slowly opened.
“Hello, hello.” Annie’s voice filtered in.
“That’s the second time she’s done that today,” I whispered.
“I think it’s best you keep your doors locked.” Colin chuckled.
“Hey, Annie.” I smiled to hide the irritation I felt.
“Hi, Adalyn. Hey there, Colin. Thank you for coming over and helping our Adalyn out. I brought you a homemade chicken pot pie.” She held up the white ceramic pie plate.
“Wow, Annie. First muffins and now chicken pot pie. I think I’m going to like living next to you.” I smirked as I took the dish from her and set it on the counter.
“I knew how busy you were today trying to get settled, and you probably wouldn’t feel like cooking dinner, so I just made an extra one for you.”
“You’re too sweet. Thank you.”
“So, Colin, did Adalyn tell you she’s opening up an art gallery where Carson’s Secondhand store was?”
“No. She didn’t.” Colin’s brow raised as he glanced at me.