Page 11 of Whispers of the Elderoak

“Much cuter than my last employer.” He briefly glanced at her.

He was definitely flirting with her.

“My grandpa? I should hope so.” She raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her nerves.

Why was she so nervous around him? She didn’t tend to get nervous around men. Usually they annoyed her, but there was something different about Henry.

They finished the back porch and Henry stood. “So, you used to do archery?” he questioned.

“Huh?” She looked at him, confused as she leaned against the newly repaired railing.

He gestured to her hoodie displaying the logo of her college archery team.

Glancing down, she replied, “Oh, right. I was on the team in college. I was actually really good.”

She was more than good; she was excellent at it. Archery became a way to manage her stress throughout college, a way to escape from the all-nighters and relentless studying she often imposed on herself. Though she had never been very athletic and hated team sports, archery gave her something to focus on, something to provide confidence. She missed it.

“So, you can’t hammer a nail straight but you’re good with a bow and arrow?” He shook his head.

“I never said it made sense.” She laughed. “Sometimes I’m clumsy but for some reason archery came easily for me. No idea why.”

He leaned forward and reached around her.

She straightened. “What are you doing?”

Continuing to lean, he extended his arm and grabbed something off the railing behind her, stopping a few inches from her face. “I’m grabbing my tool,” he said as he retrieved it and stepped back.

“Oh,” she squeaked, face flushing yet again.

Had he done that on purpose just to get closer to her? It sure felt like it. Butterflies erupted in her stomach as she realized she wanted him to get close to her again.

He smirked. “Show me where you want the pet door installed.”

Pushing herself off the railing, she led him to the back door. “Here, please.”

“I’m going to have to keep the door open while I install this. Is that okay?” He grabbed his toolbox and carried it to the door.

“Yeah,” she responded. “I have some work I need to do in the office. Holler if you need anything.”

He nodded and she left the backdoor open as she went inside. Entering the office, she found the bobcat, who she had dubbed Luna, asleep on the rug near the desk. She shut the doors, embarrassed Henry might see her and judge her for keeping a wild animal in her house, and sat at the desk. Fortunately, he never asked what the pet door was for and she didn’t mention Luna.

After ten minutes of staring at the binder full of information, unable to concentrate due to her stupid brain thinking about when Henry reached for the hammer and what his lips would feel like on hers, she picked up her phone and texted Eleanor.

So I think I’m crushing on the handy-man.

Of course you are. Like I said, he’s hot.

He called me cute.

Seriously?

Yea… I feel like a teenage girl. This is so dumb. I’m a 32-year-old grown ass woman. Why am I getting all giddy? I’ve known him for like two and a half days.

Is he there now?

Yea. He’s installing the pet door for that cat I told you about.

Awww. That’s sweet. Next time he comes over, you should answer the door naked.

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