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Sadie’s eyes narrowed as her arms slid back around her waist. “What do you mean?”

Shaking his head, Asher ran a hand over his face. “Don’t look at me so suspiciously. I’m talking about my crafty side.”

“Like with sequins and a glue gun?”

“More like wood stain and elbow grease.”

“I’m listening.”

“Come with me, and I’ll show you.”

As they walked back, Sadie picked up her pace to match Asher’s long-legged stride.

At the ranch, Asher slid open one of the large barn doors, then flicked on a light. He stepped aside and waved a hand, ushering her into the building.

Rays of the sinking sun shot through dusty windows, illuminating dust motes floating in the air.

Asher moved in front of her and gestured for her to follow him. He moved deeper into the building until he came to something large and bulky in the corner. He tugged on the faded blue tarp and revealed an antique touring carriage.

“This was my grandfather’s carriage.” Asher stepped back and flicked a switch.

Rows of utility work lights brightened the room and cast a glow over the gleaming carriage.

Sadie moved closer and ran a hand over the carriage’s glossy black side panels.

Between helping with the stage construction, repairing Gran’s porch, doing repairs at the bakery, and maintaining the ranch, he still found time to refurbish his grandparents’ carriage. Was there anything he couldn’t do?

She turned to Asher. “This is simply beautiful. It’s more than that—it’s incredible. You brought your grandfather’s carriage back to life. He’d be so proud.”

Asher lifted a shoulder. “I don’t know about that.”

“You’re being modest.”

“We used to visit the island when I was a kid. After my grandma passed away, my grandfather declined rapidly. He had dementia. But on a particularly lucid day, I remember him telling the story of how he bought this beat-up carriage and restored it to start a company so he could impress my grandma’s father enough to give his daughter’s hand in marriage. He spent most of his life building up the touring company. Now I want to resurrect it to give my aunt and uncle a reason to stay on island.”

“That’s really sweet. I love how you want to continue your grandfather’s legacy.”

“We’ll see.”

“Maybe it’s somethingyoucould do—restart the company and create your own legacy for your future family to carry forward.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t see myself getting married.”

“Did you have a bad experience too?”

“Something like that.” Asher pulled the tarp back over the carriage. “Tomorrow, I’m hitching Gus and Ginger to the carriage and driving around the ranch to see how well they handle it. You’re welcome to join me, if you’d like.”

More alone time with Asher?

She wanted to say yes, but she needed to check on Gran. Besides, spending time with him was risky. Did she have enough strength to shield herself against his growing charm?

Ignoring the nagging tug in her head, Sadie found herself nodding. And prayed she didn’t regret it.

Asher was used to pretending to be someone he was not. So playing the role of carriage driver should be a piece of cake.

With Sadie narrating, no one would be paying attention to him anyway.

And that was how he liked it.