Chapter 14 #3
Likewise, she was startled by how nostalgic she felt about leaving the cottage for a final time even though she’d been so reluctant to return to it in the first place.
But when those feelings popped up, she rationalized, I’m probably just being sentimental because the cottage is one of my last tangible reminders of Aunt Lydia and Uncle Albert.
Or maybe it’s that I’m subconsciously remembering how sad I used to feel about leaving Hope Haven when I was a teenager.
Regardless, the more she wished time would slow down, the faster the minutes flew by—especially during her morning coffee chats with Shane in the kitchen.
“Great news,” he announced one morning shortly after Tobias’s phone call. “Looks like I can finish up a few days early, so you’ll get to enjoy your last week at the cottage in peace and quiet.”
Caitlin caught herself thinking, What’s so great about that? I like your company. But she said, “No need to rush on my account.”
“I’m not—it’s just that everything’s coming together beautifully.” Shane beamed at her, and their eyes met. “I’m excited to show you the finished product.”
“I’m excited to see it.” Wondering if she was blushing, Caitlin tipped her cup and took a sip of coffee. “So, when will you fly out to spend Christmas with your parents?”
“Not until December 23, which is a busy time to travel, but it works out well because it gives me a chance to squeeze in a small, last-minute project for a new client before I leave,” he explained.
“It she’s pleased with the results, it may lead to a major gig, which would be great, since winter’s usually a downtime for business. ”
“I’m sure she’ll love your work so much she’ll hire you on the spot,” Caitlin said with a big smile.
She was truly happy for him, yet for the rest of the morning, she felt glum, and she didn’t know why. Am I disappointed because I have fewer mornings to chat with Shane than I expected? she asked herself. Or is it that I suddenly feel like I’m just another client, and he’s moving on?
She acknowledged that would have been illogical, since she was his client, and they did have a professional relationship.
But there was more to their connection than that.
Whether it was friendship, flirtation, or a little of both, Caitlin liked to think what they shared was special—and she was sorry it was almost over.
Maybe it doesn’t have to end. Maybe we could stay in touch , she thought. But what would be the point? She didn’t want a pen pal—she didn’t want another pal at all. But she didn’t want a romantic relationship with Shane, either… did she?
Almost as soon as she asked herself the question, she decided the answer didn’t matter.
Even if she wanted a romantic relationship with him, and even if they didn’t live 2,000 miles apart, she knew she couldn’t have one: because she hadn’t opened up to him about Nicole.
And she was afraid if she told him what happened, he’d judge her for it.
But if she didn’t tell him, they’d never have a very deep relationship anyway.
Enough moping and ruminating , she scolded herself. I came here to accomplish a specific goal. Now that the remodel is almost finished, I need to focus on researching real estate agencies so I can put the cottage on the market as soon as possible, just like I planned from the beginning.
“Are you ready for the grand unveiling?” asked Shane the following Tuesday afternoon.
Caitlin had just returned from walking to the market and she hadn’t had a chance to put away her perishable groceries, but Shane seemed so exuberant she immediately declared, “Absolutely!”
He grinned. “I know you wanted to be surprised by the final results, so close your eyes and I’ll take you to the sunroom.
That way, you’ll get the full effect of seeing the windmill as you enter it from inside.
” His hands were warm on Caitlin’s shoulders as he guided her through the living room, stopping when they reached the entrance to the sunroom. “Okay, on the count of three you can?—”
But she was too impatient to wait another second.
Her eyes flew open, and she exclaimed, “Wow, you were sure right about taking down that wall!” The sunroom appeared much bigger now, and the flow between it and the windmill was fantastic; the rooms seemed connected, yet separate, and the transition from one space to another felt seamless.
“I love being able to see all the other cottages on the green,” said Caitlin, entering the windmill and peering out the oversized picture window. “And I can’t believe how bright it is in here.”
“Yeah, the new window lets in a lot of natural light. Otherwise, the flooring might have seemed too dark.”
“It doesn’t, though, not at all. The reclaimed wood looks perfect, as if it’s always been here—except it’s so smooth,” she said, recalling that she never would’ve crossed the old floor without wearing shoes, for fear of snagging her socks or getting a splinter in her foot.
Caitlin kept circling the room, uttering how beautiful everything was until Shane told her she was making him dizzy.
“Let’s take a look at the loft,” he suggested. “I’ll go first to block your view until you’re at the top step, so you can be surprised.”
Holding on to the sturdy, polished wooden handrail, Caitlin followed him up the semi-spiral staircase, which curved gently as it followed the windmill’s rounded shape.
When she crested the top landing, Shane stepped out of her way and she was greeted by the sight of the gleaming walls and floor, and the warmth of the electric fireplace.
Even without furniture, the remodeled loft was stunning, but it was outshone by the sweeping view provided by the triple windows.
From this angle, the bay appeared to be a neat, navy-blue ribbon of water not more than two inches wide, while the sky was a boundless disarray of billowy white clouds. Astonished, Caitlin opened her mouth but she couldn’t say a word.
“What’s wrong?” asked Shane. “It didn’t turn out like you expected?”
“N-no,” she uttered. “It’s even better !”
Deep lines fanned out from the corner of his eyes when he smiled. “Phew! You had me worried. For a second I thought you were going to cry.”
“I still might,” she said. “But only tears of joy. My aunt Lydia would’ve… she would’ve…” Overcome by emotion and not trusting herself to speak, Caitlin could only gesture toward the windows.
Shane seemed to understand what she meant. “I wish she could be here to see it, but I’m happy you’re pleased with it, too.”
“I’m not just pleased, Shane. I love it.” Caitlin added something she never anticipated she’d feel. “I could stay up here all day.”
He laughed. “In that case, you’ll need something to sit on. I’ll carry up a couple of chairs if you want me to?”
“That would be great, especially since I want to invite Marion over to see the remodel,” she said. “How about the chairs from the sunroom?”
“Sure. It’ll be a tight squeeze up the staircase, but I’ll make it work.”
“You need a hand?” Caitlin asked, but she was planted in front of the windows and made no motion to move; she barely even blinked as she gazed at the view.
“Nope, I got it,” he answered, chuckling. “You stay where you are.”
He managed to angle the chairs through the narrow opening.
But instead of bringing up the long, heavy, glass-topped coffee table, he brought in a wooden storage crate from the shed, carried it up to the loft and flipped it over.
“It kinda spoils the atmosphere, but at least you’ll have a flat surface to put your cups on. ”
“That’s a great idea. Would you like tea and a peppermint mocha muffin?” she offered.
“Wish I could, but I told my cousin I’d pick her up from the ferry in about twenty minutes, so after I gather my tools and the tarps, I’ve got to run.”
“Aw, too bad,” said Caitlin. “I really hoped you’d get a chance to enjoy the view.”
He grinned. “I’ve been looking out that window for weeks.”
But that’s not the same as enjoying it with me , she thought. Without him there, the completion of the remodel suddenly seemed anticlimactic. “Oh, okay, I understand… but I was going to give you a speech about how much I appreciate your hard work—and Sammy’s, too. It was going to be epic.”
Shane chuckled. “No speech necessary. It was my pleasure.”
She knew he’d have to hurry to pick up Joyce, so she said, “Well, at least let me fold the tarps while you’re gathering your tools.”
So Shane went outside to load his truck, and a few minutes later, she brought him the tarps, which he stacked on the passenger seat. Then he shut the door and gazed back toward the cottage.
“Is something on your mind?” she asked, noticing the expression on his face. She hoped he’d say he’d enjoyed getting to know her, or that he was going to miss having her on the island, or something else that acknowledged the connection they’d shared.
To her disappointment, he answered, “I was just thinking about a riddle.” He paused and cleared his throat. “What has four arms but never embraces?”
“That’s easy. A windmill.”
“Good guess, but not the answer I had in mind.”
Playing along, she said, “Okay, I give up. What has four arms and never embraces?”
“You and I.”
Caitlin giggled at Shane’s cheesy, winsome way of asking for a hug. That is what he’s suggesting, isn’t it? She couldn’t be sure.
“So, um, do you think we should change that by embracing now?”
“Seems like an appropriate way for two friends to say goodbye, doesn’t it?” He spread his arms and when she stepped closer, he drew her to his chest.
I don’t want to just be friends and I don’t want to say goodbye, either , she admitted to herself. But then Shane released her and a moment later, he was gone.