Page 70 of Dandelion Sighs

It had been a good day, and he was promising an even better night. “See what I mean? You should plan more.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Jasper

A few days later, Jensen came over to give us an idea of what we could do to spruce up the space. The house had been well cared for, and it’d been upgraded when Sheridan’s parents had moved after she graduated, but it could use some sales appeal.

Jensen was still inside, and I was outside, finishing painting the west wall before the sun crept all the way over the house and made it too hot and miserable to work. Then I would do the other side.

He appeared around the corner, tucking a pencil behind his ear. “Hey, Jasper. Thanks for recommending me.”

“No problem.” I set the spray gun down. “I owe you for this.”

He waved it off. “I’d have married Poppy anyway, but the Dukes have sent so much work my way that I’ll owe you all forever.”

“It’s what we do.” I lifted my chin toward the house. “I owe her for giving me work.”

He appraised my wall. “You do a good job. I peeked at that firepit. Ever thought about striking out on your own?”

“For what?”

“Handyman. Contractor. Whatever. I get asked to do a lot more than cabinets. I could always send some queries your way.”

If I hung my own shingle, I could grow some roots in Coal Haven. Stay a while. I’d have a plan—like what Sheridan wanted. I’d be a business owner. Wasn’t that what women wanted? A partner they could lean on, one who’d support them in more ways than a few orgasms and some faucet replacements could.

I didn’t care about other women. Would that be what Sheridan wanted? A guy who kept losing his job through no fault of his own and then waited around until another career landed in his lap?

Yeah, I was a real prize.

“I’ll think about it.” But not now. Sheridan needed my help. “What’s the verdict?”

“In there?” He crossed his arms like he had to adjust to my sudden change in subject. “I talked to Sheridan about it all. I think changing the hardware will be the best upgrade. The walnut finish isn’t completely out of style, and there’s a lot of storage. The kitchen isn’t the draw here. Having a kitchen is the draw, and she’s got that. So I took some pictures. I have some handles that can easily replace what’s on there, look more stylish, and will cover any fading from where the old ones were. If she okays them, I’ll get them ready and drop them off.”

Nice and affordable. “I can pick those up and put them on.”

He nodded. “Appreciate it. I can do it, but if you’re able to, then I can get started on a new build in Crocus Valley.” He scratched behind his neck. “I think this rental is really good.”

“It’s a good idea,” I agreed, proud of Sheridan and the way she kept pushing forward.

“It’s locally owned and part of the resort.”

“REG is locally owned.”

His lips thinned. “Are they? None of them live here. They’re from here, or they vacationed at Bishop’s Bay, but this is a playground to them. Sheridan knows the bay and the communities around it are home.”

“They want to buy up all of this.” I purposely indicated the lake cabin I would soon lose.

He shook his head. “It’s a shame. I hope Linda can resist their offer. I get it, but at the same time, damn.”

“It’s hard to hope my aunt refuses a giant influx of cash, but if she doesn’t, Sheridan loses her livelihood.” Likewise, I hated hoping Sheridan refused a boatload of money. She could take the funds and go anywhere, and she wouldn’t have to invite me. Would she want to?

“It’ll suck for all of us.” He shrugged. “Guess you could still get married and block REG.”

I ground my teeth together. I’d fucked that up. The hole in my heart that cracked wider each time I thought about missing my chance to marry Sheridan wasn’t sad for the resort. It was upset about me missing my shot.

“They’ve been sniffing around here too. I think they want to buy the cabin and the resort.”

His expression turned grim. “Figures. I’m sure they’re nice people, and they mean well, but fuck, I don’t want a party lake. One of my first dates with Poppy was on that beach. Us and Auggie.”