Chapter 6 #2
“Gesundheit.” As he crested the landing, Shane tipped his head back so far to study the gear shaft near the ceiling that Caitlin was concerned he’d topple over.
“That is really something,” he marveled.
Then he crossed the room and gazed out the back window.
“Yep, I figured there’d be an awesome view from here. ”
Caitlin moved closer to take a look, too.
She peered over the slanted rooftops of the little cottages in the back yard, and beyond the shaggy brown scrub oaks, the scraggly, yellowing pitch pines, and the glossy, reddish-orange wild black cherry trees, to the water.
At this time of day, the sterling, sun-illumined bay glittered so radiantly it made her squint.
“It’s incredible. That’s why I’d like to replace this window with a much bigger one.”
“Why limit the window to just one wall? Why not two or three? Taking advantage of the octagonal structure would give you more of a panoramic view of the bay.”
“You’re right,” Caitlin agreed. “I just don’t want too many windows, so it feels like a fishbowl up here.”
“It wouldn’t.” Shane turned and pointed. “Not if we left the four walls on this side as they are, with just one small window, so you’d have privacy from people passing by on the main road.”
Caitlin loved that plan. They also discussed her ideas for flooring and lighting, as well as his suggestion to add a large picture window on the lower level, overlooking the rectangular green where the other cottages were located.
“Since you don’t plan to cover up the original wood, I’ll use an insulation technology that’s applied in coats, almost like painting, throughout the windmill. It’ll help a lot with thermal regulation. But what did you have in mind for a heating source?” he asked.
“I thought we could install an electric fireplace on each level for the cooler months. But I figured the windmill will be more like a three-season porch—it wouldn’t be used very often in the winter.”
“Hmm.” Shane rubbed his chin. “I agree that an electric fireplace seems like the most reasonable option for heating, although I realize electricity can be expensive. Is that why you don’t want to use the windmill in the winter?”
“It’s more that it would be inconvenient to go outside to access it, especially if there’s snow on the ground.
” Caitlin appreciated the way he asked about her preferences before making suggestions, and she was eager to hear his ideas, too.
The project already felt like a collaboration. “Do you have any input about that?”
He nodded, his eyes shining. “I noticed the windmill nearly abuts the end of your sunroom. If you opened up those adjacent walls, and connected the two buildings, you wouldn’t have to go outside to enter the windmill.
There’d be a nice sense of flow between the windmill and the house, and it would make the sunroom seem larger, too. ”
Caitlin was intrigued by this option. “I hadn’t really considered anything like that. I mean, I like the idea a lot, but whenever my aunt and I talked about remodeling the loft, I got the sense she wanted a private space for herself, so having direct access from the house wasn’t a priority.”
“I could put in a trap door of sorts in the loft that you could close for privacy, as well as a door between the windmill and the sunroom. That way, you could have the best of both worlds—continuity and seclusion. But I don’t want to push.
You can talk it over with your aunt and get back to me about it. ”
The notion of discussing the remodel with Lydia again made Caitlin unexpectedly sentimental. “Unfortunately, I can’t talk it over with her,” she said, a quaver in her voice. “My aunt recently passed away.”
When Shane leaned toward her, she caught a faint hint of woodsy aftershave. “Oh. I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you.” Caitlin cleared her throat and explained, “I inherited the property from her, and she requested that I convert the windmill loft into a sitting room. So we spoke a lot about her dream for the loft, but she didn’t really mention what she wanted done on the ground level.”
Shane’s forehead was furrowed in a thoughtful expression and he hesitantly replied, “Well, like I said, connecting the buildings would provide easier access and more continuity. But if it’s total seclusion that you want, then it makes sense to leave the windmill as a separate space.
I guess it all depends on what you find most appealing. ”
“Actually, it depends on what buyers find most appealing . I plan to sell the property after the remodel is completed.” Caitlin felt compelled to elaborate, “I live in Santa Fe, New Mexico, so it’s not practical for me to keep a summer place in Massachusetts.”
Shane nodded slowly, as if processing this information. “Okay, then, if your priority is increasing the market value of the house, I’d strongly advise connecting the buildings. Most buyers would want conjoined living spaces.”
“I think you’re right about that,” she agreed. “I just wish I had talked to you sooner. Now, I’ll have to redesign my floorplan.”
“You made a floorplan?” He raised an eyebrow, appearing impressed. “Are you a designer by profession?”
“Not even close,” admitted Caitlin. “I’m a capital campaign consultant, and a lot of my clients raise funding to build or renovate their facilities. So I’ve learned to read blueprints and floorplans in order to present them to donors.”
“That’s cool,” said Shane. His imperfect smile was perfectly charming. “Can you show me what you’d drawn up before I threw a monkey wrench in your plans with my suggestions?”
“Sure.” So they went downstairs, and after Caitlin had locked the door behind them, Shane followed her into the cottage.
Because it was only polite to offer her first invited guest a refreshment, she asked him if he wanted an apple cinnamon muffin.
“I can make coffee or hot chocolate to go with it.”
“Hot chocolate would hit the spot, thanks.” He took off his jacket and hung it on the back of his chair, making himself comfortable.
She found his confidence attractive. Like almost everything else about him so far.
“Are you staying on the island for the duration of the remodel, or will you be traveling back and forth?”
“I’m here for the duration.” Caitlin wondered if he was concerned that she’d be breathing down his neck while he worked, or if there was another reason he’d asked that question. “I’ve got some time off before my next campaign, so I figured it was the perfect time to tackle this project.”
“That’s great, I’m glad you’re sticking around.
” He grinned and nodded, but then he abruptly broke eye contact and reached to take a muffin from the basket in front of him.
“I-I mean I’m glad the timing works out for you to stay because it would be an awfully long haul if you were traveling back and forth between Santa Fe and Hope Haven…
Have you always lived in the Southwest?”
“No. I grew up in New Hampshire.” As she carefully unpeeled the paper liner from her muffin, Caitlin was pleased to notice he was devouring his. I guess that means it tastes all right.
“So did you get to vacation here at your aunt’s place every summer?”
“Not really. I only visited a few times when I was in high school.” Feeling jittery about the topic, and interested in learning more about Shane, she quickly redirected the conversation. “What about you? Where did you grow up?”
“Maine—near the Belgrade Lakes. Lived there most of my life. I just moved to Hope Haven a few years ago.”
“I’ve been to the Belgrades—they’re beautiful! Was it difficult to leave them behind?”
“It sure was, although I loved Dune Island the minute I set foot on it. I came here because my cousin’s husband was in poor health and he needed a hand with his business.
I was only going to stay for the season, but then he passed away, and two years later, I’m still here,” he explained.
“I’m teaching their only child, Sammy, the trade.
He’s just about to graduate from high school and he’s my apprentice.
I mostly work alone, but if you hire me for this project, I’ll need his help from time to time. ”
Uneasy, Caitlin twisted her mouth to one side. “He’s a teenager?”
“Yeah, but don’t worry, he’s only assisting me. I supervise everything he does—he’s not allowed to lift a hammer without my permission. And I triple check all his work.”
“I’m sure you do. It’s just that…” Caitlin didn’t want to offend him.
“I remember when I was that age, kids liked to talk about, you know, stuff they’re working on, or stuff they know and as I said, I want to keep this project quiet.
It’s important no one finds out I’m selling until I’m ready to put the cottage on the market. ”
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll tell him not to mention you or the remodel to anyone. He knows if he doesn’t do what I say, I’ll sic his mother on his case,” said Shane with a laugh. “He’ll never hear the end of it.”
Caitlin felt comfortable enough with him to ask, “Is this the same cousin who tries to set you up?”
“Yeah. That’s how I know she can be relentless.” He chuckled again. “But honestly, Sammy’s such a good kid. He never gives either of us any grief.”
Relieved, she smiled. “I look forward to meeting him.”
As they drank hot chocolate and finished eating their muffins, Caitlin showed Shane her drawings, and the photo galleries on her laptop. They also discussed a schedule, her budget, and his fee for labor.
Finally, he excused himself, saying he had an appointment in town. “I’ll come back tomorrow to take measurements so I can write up an estimate for the materials I’ll need to order. What time works for you?”
“I don’t have a car, so unless I go for a walk, I should be around the house most of the day. But in case I’m not, let me give you a spare key to the windmill. Feel free to stop by whenever it fits your schedule. We can always catch up by phone if we miss each other in person.”
Shane texted her so she’d have his cell phone number, in addition to his home phone.
“I’m really looking forward to this project,” he said, standing to leave.
As he stretched his arms to put on his jacket, his shirt rode up, exposing his toned abdomen and causing Caitlin’s face and neck to flush with warmth.
What’s going on with me anyway? she asked herself later as she cleared the dishes from the table.
It wasn’t like her to feel such a strong pull of attraction to someone at first sight, especially considering it had only been a matter of days since she’d dumped Jonathan.
Yet now she found herself wondering how Shane would’ve answered last night if she actually had been calling to ask if he was available for a date, instead of for a carpentry project.
Almost immediately, Caitlin censored the thought.
Asking a guy out isn’t my style, even if I weren’t employing him.
Besides, Shane might be attractive on the surface, but I don’t know anything about him.
And he knows even less about me—which is exactly how I want to keep it , she told herself.
I’m just glad that we’ve gotten the ball rolling on the remodel.
The sooner he gets started, the sooner he’ll finish, and the sooner I can put the cottage on the market.