Page 26 of Hearts on the Line (The Maverick Key #1)
Maddie
I step out of my cottage into the cool early morning air and make my way toward the Inn, a notebook tucked under my arm. Dressed in an old T-shirt and cargo shorts, I expect the usual Monday morning dive team meeting.
Instead, I stop dead when I reach the dining room.
It’s empty.
Where is everyone? It’s Monday, and no one told me the meeting was canceled. Then I hear the voices outside the front door—excited chatter. Odd. Cautiously, I push the door open and gasp.
The front porch and grounds are alive with energy and cheerful chaos, far from the usual focused work and dive planning.
Familiar faces buzz about, everyone wearing mismatched work clothes, their fervor contagious.
Scott stands in the center of the porch.
A tool belt slung low on his hips, with sawdust covering his snug blue T-shirt.
Liam holds a mop, getting ready to go back inside.
Jamie waves a paintbrush, and Margaret has a measuring tape clipped to her pocket.
Even Ms. Connor is ready for action, her apron layered over an old shirt and faded jeans.
They’ve been at this for a while already.
“What’s going on?”
Scott turns toward me. He brushes some of the sawdust from his shirt. “Good morning, sweetheart.” His expression is playful, mischievous. “No dive meeting today. We’re giving this place some love.”
I blink, trying to process. “Huh?”
“We’re renovating,” Scott declares, gesturing toward the inn. “Painting, fixing, sprucing up—whatever it needs. The Driftwood Inn deserves some TLC.”
“You’re kidding.” It’s clear he isn’t.
“Nope,” Jamie chimes in, attempting another twirl of his paintbrush and nearly dropping it. “Scott’s idea, but we all jumped on board. This place is a local treasure, like Carter’s Drop—except, you know, above the water.”
Ms. Connor steps forward. “I’ve made extra coffee and cinnamon rolls.” She hands me one. “We’re fueled up and ready to go, honey.”
“You’re all completely insane. And you’re wonderful. I love you.” Emotion swells in my chest as I take them all in. “Thank you.”
Ms. Connor claps her hands, her tone brisk but amused. “Enough talking. Eat your bun, and then let’s get back to work.”
The day unfolds in a whirlwind of sweat and friendship.
Scott tackles the porch railing, his hammer swinging in steady blows.
Liam scrubs the weathered siding with an exaggerated effort, cracking jokes.
Jamie and Margaret team up to paint the faded trim, the bright white transforming the inn’s exterior into a fresh and inviting facade.
Ms. Connor and I work in the garden, where we plant a riot of hibiscus and marigolds bursting with color under the afternoon sun and new herbs for the kitchen.
Midmorning, Hannah arrives with arms full of iced tea and bags of sandwiches. She surveys our work, her eyes twinkling. “I leave for a couple of hours, and suddenly, this place looks like it’s being filmed for HGTV…” she teases, setting the refreshments on the porch table.
Scott glances up from his work. “I’ve got a hammer over here waiting for you, Hannah.”
“I’m on it. Just let me get this passed out.” She serves refreshments before jumping in to help Scott with the porch.
The hours fly by, the initial chaos turning into steady progress. By late afternoon, the Driftwood Inn has been completely transformed.
Standing back to admire our work in the garden, I brush a streak of dirt from my cheek and sigh contentedly. Scott appears beside me, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand.
“Looks good.” He gestures toward the flowers.
I turn to him. “You’ve all done so much. I don’t even know how to thank you.”
Scott shrugs. “Seeing you smile is thanks enough.”
We all gather back on the porch, cold drinks in hand. Jamie leans back in his rocking chair. “Not bad for a hard day’s work.”
“We’ve practically rebuilt the place,” Margaret says.
“I think this calls for a celebration dinner tomorrow,” Ms. Connor announces. “My treat.”
We all cheer. A lump rises in my throat as I take in my makeshift family, my heart full. We chat and relax for another hour or so before everyone begins turning in for the night.
Scott lingers, helping me tidy up.
I sit on the ground, stacking paint cans into a neat pile. Crouching down with me, he reaches for some stray trash near my hand. When his fingers brush against mine, warmth spreads through me, rising to a steady burn of anticipation.
“You know.” His voice is low, his breath warm against the skin on my neck. “This place isn’t the only thing getting a fresh start.”
I pause, heart thudding. “What do you mean?”
His gaze searches mine, and for a moment, the air is heavier, charged.
“You.” He rakes his fingers through his hair. “And me. Us, maybe?” He exhales. “Yeah. Us.”
Fire rushes to my cheeks. “I like the sound of that.”
He scoots closer, his touch slow and careful as his hands find my arms. “I’m glad you’re here… so much.”
He leans in—this time with no hesitation or caution. His lips claim mine, eager and insistent, pouring himself into the kiss. I grip his shirt, his warmth pressing against me, his desire undeniable. When his hips shift forward, he groans.
When we pull apart, his eyes search mine, and I laugh.
“What?” he asks, his voice rough, an eyebrow raised.
“Your face.” I’ve covered Scott’s face with dirt. “I think we both need a hot shower, stat.”
“Is that an invitation?”
Heat floods my face. “Umm.”
“Just kidding.” He’s lying. The hardness pressing into my stomach gives him away. “I could use a shower, though. Do you mind?” He clears his throat, standing and helping me up. He rubs my back and kisses the top of my head.
“Follow me,” I tease, clasping his hands and pulling him to the cottage.
When we get inside, I pull out some night clothes for me and an old T-shirt and sweats from Nathan’s dresser for Scott.
I think they may be stretchy enough to fit him.
Scott’s eyes scan the room, and he sits on a chair by the table.
The air is thick with anticipation. I think we both know what’s about to happen and while exciting, it’s scares me.
“You first, sweetheart.” He motions to the bathroom. “I’ll wait,” he says hoarsely.
I wash quickly, making sure I’m ready for my close-up. Scott’s reading a dive magazine when I get back. He looks up and his gaze turns heated as he looks me up and down.
“Reminds me of our swim.”
“Your turn.” He gets up and lingers near me for a moment, stopping himself from touching.
“Don’t want to get you dirty.” He winks. “Yet.”
I watch him close the door behind him. Then I hear the shower.
Changing quickly, I tuck into the blankets and try to look sexy as I lay my head on the soft pillow and stretch out.
I think of Scott in the shower, the hot steam pouring around him.
Then I think of our kisses and the fun day we just had…
then I think of asking him to teach me to cave dive.
Dang it. Oh no. I meant to ask him today.
I’ll have to do it tomorrow… then I think of what’s about to happen tonight…
and what will happen tomorrow… and how sleepy I am… and…