Out of Time

Chapter One It was hard work starting something from scratch, but Jessica was loving it. She had decided after her cousin moved to this sleepy town that she would join him and leave the pressures of the resort behind for a while. She was good at managing the family business and meeting everyone’s needs, but she was tired of it, and this seemed like a good place to relax. She might go back before it was all said and done, but in the meantime, this was her place. She’d bought a beautiful turn-of-the-century home with several rooms and tons of space and decided she would turn it into a bed and breakfast. It didn’t even really need to make money; she just needed something to do. After a month of living here and getting the renovation underway herself, the only negative was the constant presence of her cousin. He meant well, but if she wanted help, she could ask for it, or hire someone who would listen. When Alex showed up with his friends, they would politely muscle her out of the way and take over whatever she was doing. It made for good progress on getting things done, but she had a need to get it done herself. That’s all she wanted them to understand. Alex hadn’t been by yet today, but something told her it wouldn’t be long before he was. She worked harder at sanding the trim as she thought. Her goal was to take off the years of old paint layered on the wood and then finish it with a more natural stain. She’d been working on each room as she could, just spending hours sanding. After a while, she stood and stepped back, admiring her work. She was finished with the front room, which would be a parlor area for guests. She let her mind wander onto what the room would look like, the furniture, the fireplace, a rug, all the decorations—she could hardly wait. “Hey.” Jessica jumped at the sound of Alex’s voice behind her. “Hey.” “It looks good in here.” He walked around, taking in every inch of her work. “Did you do this all by hand?” “Of course.” “You know it would be much faster to use a sander. I can get started on the other rooms.” “No, thanks. I am going to do this myself.” Jessica put her hands on her hips and stared him down. “It would save so much time.” “I know.” She sighed. He really was only trying to help. “I want to do this. I want to do it my way and by myself. I will call for help if I need it, promise.” She put her hand on Alex’s arm and gave it a light squeeze. “I don’t understand you.” “You don’t have to.” “Fair enough.” He headed for the door. “Promise me you’ll call if you get in over your head?” “I will.” Sending him a smile, she watched as he left and then went back to her work. She hadn’t been long scraping paint away again when she heard the door again. “I promise I don’t need any help right now.” “Well, okay then, but you called me.” She dropped her tools and spun around, nearly running right into Will. “I’m sorry! I thought you were Alex again.” “He still dropping by?” “All the time.” “He’s protective.” “Overprotective you mean.” Jessica added an eye roll as she led Will to the kitchen where he could set up his computer. “You sure you want to talk websites and stuff already? You don’t look ready to open anytime soon.” “I’m not, but I want to have multiple things started so I can be ready at the same time, when I am ready to open.” She also knew Will could use the work with his time here turning out to be longer than anyone ever thought. “Let’s get started then.” Time passed as she and Will discussed what she wanted on her website. Despite going for an older style bed and breakfast, Jessica wanted a modern website with the ability to make reservations. Most of her customers likely would be locals getting away for the weekend without needing to go far, but she wanted it to be easy for whomever stayed here. Will took notes and made suggestions. He even showed her a few examples of what he thought she might like; all were right on point with what she wanted. Will added a list of photos to add; some might change in the end, but it was a good base list. “Once you’re there, I would recommend a photographer, and depending on how you feel, maybe an interior designer.” Will closed his laptop. “Oh, I can design.” “I’m sorry, I—“ “It’s a good suggestion, you didn’t know. I redesigned the resort after I moved high enough up to be allowed by my uncle to do it.” “That’s awesome! Maybe you could give me some tips on my sister’s house before she comes home.” Jessica would love to spend time with Will, but doubted she knew what his sister wanted. “Do you have any idea yet when she is coming home?” Will shook his head. “She called last weekend and said soon. She keeps saying that.” “I’m sorry.” Jessica reached across the table and laid one hand on his. She was genuinely sorry that his sister had been in rehab this long with no end in sight. “It’s okay. The kids and I have got a great routine so far. I even joined the PTA.” He ducked his head as he said it. “That’s awesome! I know they are happy to have you there and involved.” “Actually, I could use a hand if you know anything about baking.” “That’s more of Sam’s thing.” As a bakery owner, nothing was further from the truth. “One, I think Alex would kill me if I asked Sam for a favor. Two, I think that would be a little like cheating to have professional help me. I don’t know. I am at a loss.” Will put his hand on the back of his neck, as though easing tension. Jessica noticed he did this often. “I can bake okay, and I wouldn’t mind helping. When do you need something, and what is it you need?” “Just cupcakes for a bake sale. The kids have to help with it.” Poor guy looked so nervous that even if she didn’t already like the kids, she would agree. “I assumed as much. It’s no big deal just tell me when.” “Saturday. If you’re too busy though, please say so.” “Will, I already agreed. I really don’t mind.” She made a mental list of what she would need to get. “Do you want to do it here, or at your place?” It was known that Will was staying in the poorer side of town and hadn’t invited anyone over from their friend group. No one really saw Will outside the bakery, or outside the town in general. Jessica figured he would say at her place, but she wanted to throw it out there. She nearly choked when Will answered. “We can do it at my place, that way the kids don’t get in the way of your work here.” Jessica swallowed back her cough and smile at the same time. Truthfully, she was ready to giggle at the fact that Will had invited her over; it was a big step. She wanted more with him, but they both had a lot on their plates, so she hadn’t pressed to see if he was interested in more, but this seemed like maybe he was. “Sounds great!” She squeaked it out on accident, and Will looked at her funny. “I can bring everything when I come, just let me know when and the address.” “If you’d rather do it here—” “No!” She was making a mess of this. “Sorry, I was just surprised. I would be happy to come over.” Looking him directly in the eye, she tried to convey how serious she was. “Thanks for inviting me.” Will nodded and looked away. “How’s Friday afternoon?” “I literally have no plans, so whatever works for you and the kids.” “Okay, I can make dinner to thank you.” It felt strangely like he was asking her on a date, and she suddenly fought her own butterflies creeping up in her stomach. “Can’t wait.” “Thanks again.” “You’re welcome.” She smiled as he got up to go. “I’ll text you the address.” “Great.” She watched him go after that, feeling strange at the end of the conversation. Somehow things had gotten extremely awkward, and she couldn’t help but feel responsible, like she’d blown the magic of the moment away with her stupid comment. She blew out a breath and shrugged. She couldn’t fix it now, and it could only get better from here. She went back to scraping paint and making a list of everything she would need to make cupcakes. He was lucky it was one of the few things she could pull off. Truth be told though, she would have committed to helping, even if she didn’t know how.