Page 35 of Fallen Hearts

Unfortunately, I didn’t have to open the front door of the inn side of the building to see the cause.

“No,” I said, walking up the stairs. “No, no, no.”

I knew the renovation log by heart at this point. We hadn’t discussed new flooring, since the downstairs flooring was actually one of the newest additions. The bedrooms were another story altogether, but… what the hell?

“Parker,” I called over the noise. “What is going on?”

He looked up, protective eyewear intact, and turned off the very loud saw. “What’s that?”

“What is going on? What is that?”

He looked from me to the tile and back again.

“A grout saw?”

A grout saw. Fabulous. “Why are you using that on the flooring?”

He looked at me like I’d lost a marble. “Because this is how you replace tiles.”

Deep breaths. It looked like he’d just gotten started. There was no way this was a one-day job, and even if we rerouted guests into the parlor, they’d have to walk past this. Never mind the noise.

“Why,” I asked, trying to stay patient, “are you replacing the tile?”

“Because I can’t install the hardwood flooring without taking this out.”

I peered inside. No sign of him. Deep breaths. “Where is Mason?”

“Hardware store.”

Remembering this was a problem for Mason, and not the guy doing pro bono work on the inn, I remained calm. “And where is the hardware store?”

“Block off the square behind the Sugar Shack.”

Right, the candy store on the same block as my apartment. “Thanks.”

I got back up the hill and was two blocks away from the town square when I saw him. Mason was just heading into Casa Di Vino, across the street from O’Malley’s.

By the time I got there, he was already at the register. With a bag in the crook of his arm, Mason was just checking out.

“Pia?” he asked as I approached.

“We need to talk,” I said, glancing at the older gentleman checking him out. His friendly smile and bright eyes made it hard to look away.

“Hi,” I said.

“Buongiorno, signorina.”

I knew it. He was Italian.

“Buongiorno, signore?”

“Emilio,” he said, completely ignoring Mason.

“Pia,” I said. “Al tuo servizio.”

“No, sono da te, Signorina Pia.”

Mason cleared his throat.

---