He typically made the drive as it was sometimes faster during the tourist season, but knowing her answer… “Ferry.We can go over some refinishing tricks on the ride if you like.”
“That would be great.”
The smile she gave him shifted his attention to her lips once more before he forced himself to look away.Hadley had made it clear she wasn’t looking for more than friendship.She didn’t consider herself ready.And yet…something about that kiss told him she was more ready than she thought, just too afraid to take the next step.
Which meant either she really wasn’t ready…or she knew her family wouldn’t deem him suitable for more.He knew why.Because even though he was a successful business owner and good man, he would never be someone her mother would accept as an equal.He’d googled her ex last night and read up on the man.Looked at photos of Hadley’s life on his arm at various hospital events where black tie and big checks were the norm.
He could flirt all he wanted, but how could a contractor and carpenter compare to a wealthy plastic surgeon?Would he only be a flirtation on the rebound as Hadley started her new life?
Hershey’sexuberant response to Hadley’s return left Hadley laughing and feeling loved.The dog repeatedly jumped high into the air, her big doggie smile in place, before finally calming down enough to simply rub against Hadley’s legs to be close.
Hadley left her purchases on the floor by the door and knelt to cuddle the lovable dog.“I missed you, too,” she said, kissing Hershey’s fuzzy head.“Were you a good girl?Hmm?”
She took a look around the kitchen, where she’d contained Hershey, but didn’t notice any messes or destruction.“Did you sleep while I was gone?”
Hadley had brought down Hershey’s bed and some toys and set up the gates blocking off the kitchen before she’d left, and even though the large dog could probably take them down with a simple bump, she hadn’t.“Oh, youhavebeen a good girl, haven’t you?That deserves a cookie.”
She got Hershey a treat from the cabinet and the dog immediately sat on her haunches.“Good girl.Easy,” she said, having felt the brush of sharp teeth a time or two in the past in Hershey’s excitement for the snack.“Good girl, Hershey,” she said again when the dog carefully took the bone from Hadley’s fingers.
While Hershey munched, Hadley moved through the house to the powder room, her thoughts on the man next door and the time they’d spent together in Southport.
Running into Bryson had been a gut-clenching surprise but a pleasant one.She felt awkward after their kissing encounter, even though she wasn’t sure why.She had instigated the kiss, after all.And she didn’t regret it.Bryson was the first—the only—man she’d kissed since her divorce and as such, it had been a good one.
Finding out Bryson actually owned the house next door had been another surprise, but his words as to why he hadn’t told her tugged at her heartstrings in more ways than one.Seeing how her mother treated him, Hadley didn’t doubt Bryson walked a fine line at times when it came to his profession versus the majority of people he found himself working for.She could see where some would treat him differently despite the fact his name was on the business.
It had been nice to wander the stores and sit across the table from him.To share a meal and have someone’s full attention.
He didn’t keep his phone on the table or constantly check it.He kept the conversation going whenever it lagged, asking about Hershey or the kids and her plans for the house.
The sun had sparkled in the dusting of gray at his temples, and Bryson’s tanned good looks had drawn her in.She’d always found salt and pepper attractive on a man, and despite his work clothes of cargo shorts and a logo-ed company shirt, Bryson was no exception.
He looked strong and masculine, inreallygood shape for a man his age, which she’d learned was forty-nine as of August second.
Hadley let Hershey out to play in the newly fenced yard and made her way to the shed discussed at some length over lunch.
Nan had used it to store beach chairs and umbrellas, flowerpots, and the like, so it was a bit cluttered, but if she got rid of some junk and organized it, there should be more than enough space to make it a paint room.
The plastic could be attached to the beams above her head to keep it from damaging anything stored on the other side, and she could easily envision using the area as a workstation.
While Hershey ran off her energy and piddled, Hadley began sorting through the shed’s contents.
Hershey kept a close watch on Hadley, returning every little bit to sniff and make sure Hadley was where she’d left her.
Hadley worked in silence, enjoying the sounds of the ocean in the distance and the squawk of seagulls outside paired with the jingling of Hershey’s tags as she ran.
Hadley knew she had more than enough rooms to paint inside the house to keep her busy, but now that she had the bathroom and living room finished, she really wanted to try her hand at a piece of furniture.
Who knows—maybe if she got good enough, she could sell some of the pieces like in that shop in Southport?Could that actually be a business idea?And if so, would it be enough to keep her afloat if she were very, very careful?Was that possible if she marketed to the high-end crowd, whether locals or visitors?
The thought intrigued her.Enough to speed up her organizing efforts and make her give herself a little more room than originally planned.She wasn’t talking about simply smearing a coat of paint on old furniture and calling it done.No, she wanted to create art.
She’d watched videos that
made turning the old brown furniture into an absolute art form.They used glazes and shading and multiple colors of paint to highlight the elegant carvings and details that were simply painted over in the other videos.
But that level of turning a piece of wood into a showpiece?That was something she really hoped to achieve.Something she could envision being lucrative if done right and well.
On the ferry ride to Southport, she’d gone over the numbers in the car.The spousal support she received from Kyle wouldalmostcover the taxes on the property, but it left nothing to live on.If she could find an income stream that would cover the basics, she could make ends meet and save the money from Nan for emergencies.Living at the beach, there were lots of free things to do on any given day, but there was still the matter of health insurance and utilities on top of the property taxes and maintenance.Was it going to be a struggle in vain?Would she limp along for a few years but have to sell in the end because she simply couldn’t maintain the upkeep?