Just One Look (Castleton Hearts)

The thing about not having a job was that you had a lot of time on your hands. Since I didn’t like to hang around during the construction like I was being a supervisor, I had to find things to do with my hours.

Most of my time was spent exploring Castleton as well as looking at things for the cottage. Sheets, pillows, art. There weren’t a whole lot of options for things like curtains in Castleton, so I scrolled online, making lists of what I liked and not caring about the price.

It was better than caffeine, and I had to stop myself from getting carried away. Mom didn’t help when she sent me pictures of the handbag that she’d gotten on a recent trip to New York City with Dad. They’d also seen their first Broadway show. Mom was coming to terms with Memma hoarding her wealth like a dragon. At least a little bit. Being able to finally book a trip to Paris, her dream city, helped.

My mornings were spent at Sweet’s Sweets Bakery, eating chocolate croissants and drinking iced tea, even though it was still a little chilly out. Summer was coming, but Spring hadn’t entirely loosened her grip on the coast yet.

Before lunch I often walked the beach, picking up interesting stones and looking for beach glass.

Lunch was either the Pine State Bar and Grille, or The Castleton Cafe, and then I’d browse the library and take advantage of their internet.

Dinner was the Grille, or Paige and Esme’s, and then it was back to the cottage for the night with my battery candles and sometimes a cookie or a brownie from Sweet’s.

Today, however, I had to run another errand. I had to get estimates for the furniture and formally make an order with Theo. I could have called, but I wanted to make absolutely sure I communicated what I wanted and had her write it down in person. I didn’t want to take any chances that things wouldn’t be right. Not with custom furniture.

This time, when I went into the showroom, a golden retriever ran up to me, tail wagging.

“Oh hello,” I said, leaning down to pet the dog, who grinned up at me with that doofy dog smile. “What’s your name?”

The dog had a tag with a name on it that read SCOUT.

“Are you Theo’s?” I asked the dog, who just licked my hand.

I stood up and went out the back to the workshop. This time, I didn’t hear machinery.

“Hello?” I called out. This was just like the last time, but I hoped Theo would be in a better mood. I’d stopped at Sweet’s and gotten three donuts and an iced coffee with cream and sugar packets so she could customize it how she liked it.

I knocked on the door of the workshop with my elbow. There was a KEEP OUT sign, but I didn’t let that stop me.

The door opened after a bit more banging and I was hit with the scent of varnish.

Theo wore a mask and took it off as she stepped outside. I caught a glimpse of a bed frame she was working on before the door shut.

“Hi,” I said, losing my words for the second time in her presence. “I was hoping I could place a custom order today.”

I’d practiced those words so many times so I wouldn’t forget them when she inevitably glared at me, like she was doing right now.

“Your dog is really sweet,” I said. Theo looked down at Scout, and her expression softened just a touch.

“He is. It’s easy to be sweet when you only have one braincell,” she said, but the words were fond. Scout was a loved dog with a shiny, well-groomed coat.

He sat on the ground and looked up at Theo, as if he was waiting for something.

“He’s also spoiled rotten,” Theo admitted, her ears going pink as she fished a treat out of her pocket before she proceeded to make Scout obey a set of commands before tossing the treat into the air for him to catch.

“Bravo,” I said. “I’d clap, but my hands are full.”

Theo looked at the bag and the iced coffee and then up at my face.

“I, um, thought you could use a pick-me-up,” I said, shoving the iced coffee into her hands. “I have donuts too, and cream and sugar if you wanted it. I wasn’t sure how you liked your coffee.” I could hear myself babbling on and on, but I couldn’t help it.

Theo opened her mouth to say something and then stuck the straw and sucked some of the coffee before telling me, “I take it black.”

A shiver went down my spine as she swallowed and I watched her throat work. Why were throats so sexy? Or maybe it was just that Theo’s throat was particularly sexy.

“Did you bring me coffee to try and get a discount?” Theo asked after another sip.