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“It’s good that you’re here for her.”

“With my grandpa gone and my dad being an only child, I’m all she has now. Well, not all—I mean my parents would’ve been here if they could. Mom planned to come and care for her, but she ended up getting sick. Just worked out that I was able to come and stay with her.”

“Only child too, I take it.”

“I am now.” A shadow passed over her eyes as her mouth took a downturn.

“Sorry.”

He needed to be careful. Conversations like this one tended to reveal more than a person anticipated. Getting comfortable and opening up led to friendships he couldn’t afford right now. He needed to focus on fixing the porch.

“Do you think Hetty will want the just this railing replaced, or should I consider removing all of it for a more open aesthetic?” He waved a hand over the whole porch.

Sadie stood and ran one of her hands down the vertical columns. “I’m sure she wants the railing. She likes to decorate it for the holidays.”

The wistfulness in her voice made him wonder if she wanted the porch restored for Hetty’s sake…or for her own?

Asher riffled through his canvas tool bag, grabbed the tape measure, and measured the opening on the side of the porch. He typed the measurements into a note on his phone, then went to the small wagon filled with tools and lumber he’d pulled so he could manage everything in one trip. He grabbed a chunk of treated 2 x 4 and returned to the porch.

She shielded her eyes and squinted as she watched. “What are you doing with that?”

“I’ll cut new railings to fit in place and make new balusters—these vertical pieces.” He pointed to the undamaged ones on the next section of railing. “But I need to see if this piece is thick enough or if I need to find another one. Maybe Hetty should consider changing out the whole railing from wood to vinyl. It would be much more durable for Michigan winters.”

Sadie shook her head. “Maybe in the future. She can’t afford it right now.”

“I’m sorry about the insurance problems.”

Sadie shrugged. “I’ll call and get it straightened out. Gran’s a little more emotional than usual due to her surgery and pain meds. It’s quite possible she misunderstood what the agent was telling her.”

Still, he didn’t like the idea of his friend having money problems. If he could, he’d replace the whole thing with weather-resistant vinyl at no cost to her, but he knew she wouldn’t go for that.

“Mind holding this for me?” He pointed to the end of the wood.

She did as directed. And without complaint.

“So, this music festival—what’s that all about?”

“Dani and Liam came up with the idea as an end-of-season celebration. Hopefully it will become a yearly thing, and it will draw people back to the island. She’s doing a talent show too. Have any talents you want to share?”

His hand slipped and he chipped the end of the wood. He bit back a word.

Not in a million years.

Reaching down, he grabbed the mallet off the ground. “Does tree removal work?”

She cracked another rare smile. “I don’t think that will score you the grand prize.”

“Which is?”

She sighed. “Five grand. Dani asked the local businesses to donate in exchange for more free advertising.”

He raised an eyebrow and whistled. “That’s a lot of bacon.”

Still holding on to the end of the lumber, Sadie shifted off her knees and sat on the porch. “Dani’s hoping it will encourage people to sign up.”

“What about you?” He shot a look at her. “Any talents you want to share?”

She shook her head. “I don’t do well in front of crowds.”