Page 31 of Halstead House

Jonathan’s eyes crinkled up. “That might be part of it.”

“I’m from Rhode Island.”

“What brought you here?”

I took a bite of sandwich, deliberately making it impossible to answer while I considered what to say. While I wasn’t in the business of rudeness, I certainly wouldn’t be sharing my entire life story. At last I swallowed and dared to meet his eyes again. “Vacation, actually. Which ended up in a job offer I just couldn’t pass up.”

Jonathan nodded slowly. “So now you’re on permanent vacation?”

“It feels that way most days. Not today.”

He grinned. “The events here are always a big deal. I appreciate the extra work they give me. They’re good people.”

He took a large bite of his own sandwich and allowed silence to fall. I couldn’t hear the waves over my heartbeat. I was both terrified and excited to be having a normal conversation, with a man I didn’t know, that wasn’t work-related. Okay, it kind of was work related, but still.

“Have you lived on the island your whole life, then?” I pushed out through numb lips.

“Pretty much. Don’t remember anywhere else, at least. It’s a good place to put down roots,” Jonathan replied.

“What kind of work do you do here?” I swallowed.

My hands were feeling a little fidgety as I continued to work outside my comfort zone and practice some of the things I’d been learning from life with Ana and Marshall. Like how to talk to people.

“I’m a contractor. I do a steady business. It’s a benefit of living on an island with so many historic buildings. Between the salt, sun, and sea they’re always needing repair.”

“So you just help out Marshall here and there?”

Jonathan nodded. “It works for both of us. The extra money doesn’t hurt, and the Halsteads don’t have to keep on a full staff.”

I nodded and pushed a stray hair behind my ear. My food was almost gone. Lunch was almost over. I’d been chatting with a man for more than five minutes. Sure, it wasn’t earth-shattering conversation. It was small talk. Still, I thought Ana would be proud. Heck, I was proud of myself.

“You always this nervous talking to new people?” Jonathan broke in to my thoughts.

Oh, well, maybe I wasn’t pulling it off. I looked toward him to find him looking steadily at me, his blue eyes kind and interested, maybe a little teasing.

My face heated while a soft smile tugged at my mouth. “Yes.”

“I don’t see why, you’re doing just fine. It’s almost like you’ve talked to people before and have some experience,” he joked.

My smile grew. “That might be the most glowing report I’ve ever received.”

His smile did the same, and dang it, he was actually really attractive when it filled his face. I gulped and raced right back to terrified, tucking my sheep’s skin around me protectively. The silence fell again.

“Why, Grace.” Ana’s laughing voice preceded her by a split second. “First you wear jeans, then you start cavorting with strange men. Praise heaven, I knew this day would come. Makes me darn proud to have been part of the transformation.”

I pulled a face at her teasing. “Hi, Ana.”

“She peels back another layer every day.” Ana plopped down on the bench next to me. “How you doing, Jonathan?”

Jonathan smiled up at her, although it felt slightly less genuine than the smiles he’d been giving me all day. “I’m good, you?”

“Oh, you know, busy as always. I was pretty surprised to see Grace sitting out here having what looked to be an actual conversation.” Ana nudged my side playfully. “And with the catch of Lavender Island. I’m impressed.”

“I have normal conversations every day,” I replied with a shake of my head.

“I’m no great prize, Ana,” Jonathan replied lightly.

“Grace, your heart isn’t safe with Jonathan, here. Please tell me you haven’t given it to him already?” Ana said.

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