“As you wish.”He rose beside her and led the way to the spiral staircase down to the main room.
They filled their plates with a delicious looking variety of seafood and found a table by the window that had just been vacated. More people headed back upstairs and the crowd in the dining area thinned. Barry snagged them both another glass of wine and sat across from her.
He regaled her with stories of mishaps on the remodel at the hotel.“But I think I’m getting things turned around. Fixed some orders for supplies we need. Had them repaint the library room that we’re using for the history alcove. Someone got it in their minds that it was supposed to be orange…”He chuckled in deep, resonant tones.“That got changed. I thought Emily was going to faint when she came in and saw it painted orange this week. I don’t know who messed up the paint colors, but I didn’t catch it until they’d painted half the room. It’s a nice, soft, pale shade of green now, and Emily heartily approves.”
“She told me she’s been in there twice this week. Having such a grand time sorting through all the memorabilia.”
“Del has her boxing up any old accounting records that she comes across. He’s not ready to pitch those yet. She found the original handwritten register from when the hotel was first opened. She was thrilled with that find. And she found some old furniture in storage that we’re going to use to display some of the keepsakes that she finds. The furniture cases are a deep mahogany wood with the original glass in them. Quite a find.”
“I’m sure she’s thrilled with her new job.”
“But I guess it’s not a great time to leave you short-handed, is it? What with Olivia’s plans for expansion.”
“We’ll get along. Emily does love her history.”
“She sure seems too. Her eyes light up when she brings me some new thing that she’s found. Very enthusiastic.”
“That she is. She’s a bit of a whirlwind at all times. Hard worker. And…”Donna grinned.“As you can tell I’m an unbiased grandmother.”
“Totally unbiased, I can tell.”His eyes twinkled as the corners of his mouth twitched in a smile.
They finished dinner and headed back up top as the boat headed back toward the dock. They stood along the railing, watching the water slip past. She shivered slightly and pulled her wrap tighter around her shoulders.
“You’re cold.”
“A bit.”
He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close.“That better?”
“Uh-huh.”She managed to get that much out. It was better than better. It was…very nice. It was very pleasant standing wrapped in his arms. Her pulse picked up and she ignored it because, after all, he was just keeping her warm in the night breeze.
All too soon the boat docked and everyone slowly filed off the boat. Jesse thanked them for coming.“Come back soon.”
“I will. And I’ll tell the girls to come soon. They’ll love it. You’ve really made it lovely, Jesse.”
“Thanks, Donna. Means a lot to me. Always been a dream of mine, and when she came up for sale, I jumped on it.”
“You made the right decision. The Destiny is wonderful.”
She and Barry headed down the gangway and onto the long dock. They slowly strolled along until they got to the wharf, then turned to head back to their houses. He kept one arm around her shoulders as they walked. Probably to keep her warm still. Though, it wasn’t as chilly now that they were off the boat and out of the breeze. It was actually rather pleasant out. Not that she was going to turn down his arm around her.
They got to Sandpiper Court way too quickly as far as she was concerned. He walked her to her doorstep and they stood there in the darkness, the night air heavy around them.
“Thank you. I had a really nice time.”She dug for her key and unlocked the door.
“I had a great time, too, Donna.”His voice was low and he stood so close to her.
She could feel the electricity between them. A magnetic pull. A…something.
And just like that she panicked and swung the door open.“Thanks again.”She flipped on the inside light and light spilled out onto the porch.“Good night.”
A disappointed looked flitted across his face, but then he smiled.“Good night, Donna.”
She went inside, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it, her heart pounding. She’d been so sure he was getting ready to kiss her. He was, wasn’t he? And the whole is he or isn’t he question just put her in a tizzy. She was one silly woman, she chastised herself.
She pushed off the door and walked further inside, sorry she hadn’t just let him kiss her.Ifthat was what he’d been about to do…
Chapter 13
