She glanced at the French press coffeemaker he was using. “Isabel never made her coffee in one of those. She always used a regular drip machine.”
“This is mine. I brought it with me.”
“I see.” She eyed the gleaming stainless-steel vegetable steamer on the counter. “That’s not Isabel’s either.”
“No.”
Frowning, she walked to the pantry and opened the door. He knew what she saw inside. The supplies he had brought with him included several boxes of his favorite brand of dried pasta in a variety of shapes, a bottle of twelve-year-old balsamic vinegar, and a package of capers preserved in salt. There was also a supply of dried herbs and chiles and some French lentils.
Hannah closed the pantry door very firmly. “You’ve certainly made yourself right at home.”
“Why not? Half this place is mine now.”
“Lillian was right,” she said tightly. “I can’t imagine what Isabel was thinking when she made out her will.”
He poured boiling water into the pot. “You know damn well what she was thinking.”
“Romeo and Juliet.”
He set the kettle down. “With a more upbeat ending.”
“I am prepared to make you a fair-market offer for your share of Dreamscape.”
“Forget it.” He smiled slightly. “I’m not interested.”
She met his gaze across the width of the kitchen. There was steel in her eyes. “Do you intend to make me an offer for my half?”
He lounged against the counter. “Are you open to one?”
“No. I have plans for Dreamscape.”
“What a coincidence. So do I.”
She gave him a speculative look. “Looks like we have a problem.”
“Think so?”
“How long are you going to stay here in Eclipse Bay?”
He shrugged and turned back to finish the coffee. “As long as it takes.”
“You can afford to just drop everything and move back here to Eclipse Bay for an unspecified period of time?”
“Nothing holding me in San Diego.”
“That’s where you’ve been all these years?” Her tone was one of unwilling curiosity.
Just had to ask, he thought. As if she couldn’t help herself. Good sign. Maybe.
“For the most part,” he said easily.
He pressed the plunger down to trap the grounds in the bottom of the pot. Then he glanced at Hannah over his shoulder. She was watching him with an enigmatic expression.
“What about you?” he prodded softly. “How long do you intend to stay here in Eclipse Bay?”
Her brows rose. “For as long as it takes.”
“There are three floors. Plenty of bedrooms and baths. Take your pick.”
