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More like she missed her parents. Simple as that.

Noise from the women’s restroom reminded her she wasn’t alone in the store.

Asher.

Working steadily down the to-do list they’d constructed together. Even though he seemed to be busy at the ranch and helping with driving people around the island, he’d made time to help with repairs at the bakery and figured they could have everything done within the next two weeks.

She didn’t get him. Hadn’t from the moment they met.

Even though they’d spent plenty of time together in the last week or so, she knew very little about him. He was good with his hands, just as Dani and Gran claimed. And he had an aversion to being in the public eye. And talking about himself.

Something about him still tugged at her, and it bugged her that she couldn’t figure it out. She needed to let it go. None of her business.

Or would learning more about him create even more of a tangle of her emotions?

Chapter Seven

Asher Quinn was getting under her skin. And that wasn’t a good thing.

Sadie would deny it if asked, but she was actually a little disappointed to step out onto the front porch and find the railing securely in place and repainted.

Not only that, but Asher had scraped and repainted the remaining railing that lined the other side of the porch so that everything matched.

The permanent smile that spread across Gran’s face had been worth it.

The man deserved more than lemonade and treats from Gran’s kitchen, but that’s all she could afford.

“Looks like Gran owes you more cookies.” Sadie set a tray on the small wicker table with a plate of Gran’s sliced chocolate chip banana bread and a small ramekin of whipped honey butter she used to sell in the bakery.

Scents of sugar and chocolate rose from the warm bread and tickled Sadie’s nose, making her mouth water. She lifted the plate and handed it to Asher.

Asher lifted the corner of his faded T-shirt, giving her a glance at his trim waist, and wiped his face. Then he reached for the plate. “Thanks.”

He took a slice and bit off a corner. Asher patted his flat stomach. “Not sure I can afford to keep working for her if she’s paying me with baked goods.”

“Right. Like you have anything to worry about.” Sadie cringed the moment the words escaped her mouth. Heat fanned across her cheeks. Could she blame her fire-engine cheeks on the sun?

Probably not.

Chalk it up to another awkward encounter in the life of Sadie Hudson.

She set the plate on the tray, then brushed her hands together and faced him as if she hadn’t just complimented his muscular physique. “Thanks again. The railing looks great. I know Gran?—”

The front door opened, cutting off Sadie’s words. The leg of Gran’s walker appeared, then she made her way onto the porch, one clunking step at a time.

Sadie hurried over and held the door.

Gran clutched a white envelope in her hand as she made her way across the porch to where Asher stood in the grass next to a nearly empty can of white paint and a used paintbrush. She held the envelope out to him. “It’s not much, and you certainly deserve more, but this is a little something to say thank you.”

Asher held up his hand. “Hetty, no. I didn’t do this for the money.”

“I know you didn’t. And that’s why I wish I could pay more.”

Raising both hands this time, Asher shook his head as he took a step back. “I’m not taking your money.”

“Young man, you saved me hours of trying to find someone who would repair my porch railing. Not only that, but you madeit look good as new. When I sit out here, I can enjoy it without stressing about who I could get to repaint it. Take the money. Please.”

Asher’s shoulders sagged as he stepped forward and took the envelope. He tapped it against his other palm. “I’m not keeping this. Some way, I’m going to sneak it back to you.”