by Aurora Rey
“Are you alone?” she asked. Her tone was incredulous.
Nora smiled. “I am.”
“Don’t move. I’m going to make some tea and I’ll join you.” Graham started toward the kitchen, then turned back. “Do you need a fresh cup?”
“I’m good, thanks. I just sat down.”
Graham returned a few minutes later with a steaming mug. She’d swapped her shoes for slippers, but she took even those off to curl her feet under her. “I love it when there’s no one here.”
Nora chuckled. “I can’t say I agree entirely, but I know what you mean.”
“Does it make you sad when everything slows down? Or do you like the break?”
“A little of both.” Nora thought about the cold, dark days ahead. “It’s nice for the first few weeks. And I usually have people over the holidays. It’s mostly January that feels a bit grim.”
Graham nodded soberly. “Yeah.”
“What about you? Are you looking forward to getting back to your life in Maryland?”
Graham sighed.
“Is that a no?”
“How would you feel if I stayed the rest of fall?” Graham set down her tea and looked at Nora with anticipation.
“What do you mean?”
Graham shrugged. “Since I’m not doing classes this term, I’m in no hurry to get back to school. I don’t want to take up one of your rooms, but I’d love to stay. I could help out.”
Nora sighed. Under most circumstances, she’d be thrilled to keep Graham around for a couple of months. With her busy season winding down, they’d actually get to spend quality time together. But something told Nora that time with her favorite aunt wasn’t Graham’s primary motivation. “Is that the only reason you’re looking to stick around?”
“I love spending time with you. And even now, P-town has way more charm than Baltimore.”
Nora nodded. “Does it have anything to do with that girl you brought home the other night? Will?”
Graham sat up straight. “I invited her for dinner. You make it sound like more than it was. We’re friends.”
The speed and vehemence of the reply made Nora think there was perhaps more to it than Graham wanted to share. But harping on it wouldn’t help. And truth be told, Nora didn’t really want to know. She got a funny vibe from Will and would be happy if Graham’s interest in her didn’t go any further than friendship. “All right. You don’t need to convince me.”
“Does that mean I can stay?”
Nora smiled. Graham had been born while she was still in college. And while they’d always been close, Nora most treasured the last few years when Graham could stay with her for long stretches of time. It felt like her chance to play the role of older sister, rather than the younger one she’d been in reality. “Of course you can stay. You are welcome here anytime.”
Graham beamed and threw her arms around Nora and squeezed. When she pulled away, though, her face was serious. “I can pay rent, you know. I feel bad that I’m taking up space you could be using.”
The room she’d given Graham was technically a bedroom she could use for guests, but it was small and she never booked it as a standalone reservation. It had been easy enough to take it offline when Graham arrived for the summer. With the high season over, she doubted she’d have need for it even if it was available. “You’ll do no such thing. You’re family.”
“Well then, you’ll have to let me pitch in around here.”
Nora nodded. She had a few winter projects in mind, on top of her usual deep cleaning, and having an extra pair of hands would make them go more quickly. “I think that could be arranged.”
“Thank you.” Graham beamed. “Oh, I’m so excited. We’re going to have fun.”
“I’m going to remind you that you said that when we’re waxing floors.”
* * *
Will looked at her phone and smiled. Graham had been moping about the end of her fieldwork for the better part of a week, but suddenly seemed to be in better spirits, including orchestrating a happy hour to celebrate the final sail of the season. Since they weren’t on the same schedule, Will promised she’d be there.
Although Will had another week of work lined up, she had her own touch of melancholy over the end of whale watching season. When she’d applied for the job shortly after arriving in Provincetown, she never would have expected it would turn into something she loved so much. Nor could she have predicted the friends she’d make. Graham was her closest friend by a long shot, but she’d hung out with half a dozen other members of the crew at one point or another.
Part of that fun, free-spirited vibe stemmed from the fact that the crew was young and mostly unattached. And if a few of her previous jobs had that, Kai never let her join in. She still couldn’t believe just how isolated she’d let herself become. Will sighed. One more reason to appreciate her freedom.
By the time she got to Nor’East, the Dolphin Fleet crew had taken over nearly half of the outdoor seating area. She stopped at the bar to grab a beer, then went out to join them. Graham spotted her almost immediately and came over, a huge smile on her face. “Guess who’s sticking around until Christmas?”
Will didn’t figure it was a trick question. “Yeah?”
“Aunt Nora insisted she didn’t mind and I found someone to sublet my room.”
“Really? That’s awesome.” Graham had hinted at wanting to stick around, but Will didn’t think she was serious.
“One of my roommate’s friends broke up with her girlfriend, so she needed something quick.”
“Sounds like a win-win.” Will smiled. The idea of Graham sticking around for a couple of months made the impending slow season less daunting.
“I’ll work on my thesis, we can hang out. It’s going to be great.”
Hanging out with Graham would be great. So would having more occasion to see Nora. Will didn’t say as much to Graham, but the prospect of spending more time at the inn and in Nora’s company made Will’s stomach leap with anticipation.
“I’m going to help her with some projects. Maybe I’ll rope you in.” Graham took a sip of her beer. Her eyes lit up. “Hey, that’s actually a great idea. Do you have work lined up for the rest of the fall?”
She had a couple of leads, but nothing solid yet. “I’m working on it.”
“Maybe Aunt Nora will hire you. I think she wants to paint and redecorate some of the rooms and she does a crazy deep clean when there aren’t any guests.”
Will nodded. Part of her wanted to jump at the chance. Part of her hesitated. She didn’t want Nora to think she couldn’t support herself. Then again, she was pretty good at around-the-house sort of projects. It might be a way to impress Nora. Not to mention spend a lot of time with her. “Well, if she’s looking for someone, I’d definitely be interested.”
“I’ll mention it to her. It would be so much fun to work together.”
Will wondered what Nora was like when she wasn’t in full-on hostess mode. Low-key and relaxed? Or did she maintain that controlled poise that Will found both sexy and a little intimidating? She realized how badly she wanted to find out. “I have some relevant experience from when I worked at a home improvement store.”
Graham gave her a quizzical look. “When did you do that?”
“A few years ago. I started as a cashier, but ended up rotating through most of the departments. I learned a ton. I can paint, build basic stuff. I stay away from plumbing and electric.”
Graham shrugged. “That seems reasonable.”
Will grinned. “And safer.”
“I’m pretty sure it’s painting and stuff she has in mind. I’d love the company. And I’m sure she’d pay you. I just don’t know how much.”
Would working for Nora help Will’s cause or hurt it? If she never saw Nora, she didn’t even have a cause to worry about. And, even if she didn’t want to admit it, she could use the cash. She’d saved up enough to mostly make rent, but she’d need to bring in some money if she planned to eat all w
inter. “I’m sure she’s reasonable and fair. So, yes. Please include me if she’s open to it.”
Happy hour concluded with lots of hugs and well-wishes, hopes to meet again the following year. After, Will walked to the store to get things to make dinner for herself and Emerson. She’d seen so much less of Emerson since she’d practically moved in with Darcy and Liam. And now that they were about to close on a house in Wellfleet, Emerson made a point of scheduling time to hang out. Will appreciated the gesture as well as the promise of sister time. Both of her roommates were working late, so she had the apartment to herself. She changed into sweats, put on some music, and got to work.
A couple of hours later, Emerson sat cross-legged on the sofa, shoveling pasta into her mouth. “This is really good.”
“Thanks.” Since moving to Provincetown, Will had been spending more time in the kitchen. She’d come to find cooking both relaxing and adventurous. Not having to worry about Kai, who shunned both messes and carbs, made a huge difference. Her roommates had even taken to giving her money for groceries in exchange for dinner a couple nights a week. Tonight’s concoction was Bolognese and, for her first attempt, she was pleased.
“So you’re done with the Dolphin Fleet?”
Will nodded. “They’re closed for the season. I’ll stay on a couple of weeks more to help with the winterizing, but I’ll need to find something to tide me over until spring.”
“Alex might have something at the café. All her seasonal staff is long gone. I think she usually has just Darcy and Jeff for the winter, but she might take someone else on part time.”
“I’ll stop by tomorrow and talk with her. Thanks.”
“And you know I can float you a little if you need it.”
Will shook her head. “No way. You put me up when I came to town and now you have a house and a family to take care of.”
“Speaking of the house, I think there might be some projects there. I’m not sure if it’s stuff we can do or if I’ll have to hire a contractor, but I’d love your thoughts.”
Will had seen the house before Emerson and Darcy put in an offer. She hadn’t looked closely, but she had a feeling it was more cosmetic work than anything structural. “I bet we could do a lot of it ourselves. When do you close?”
“Next week. We’re both a little terrified, although I’m not sure if it’s buying a house or the prospect of moving.”
“The house is great and the moving will be a snap. You’ve got me to help and we don’t even have to deal with appliances.”
“Right.” Emerson offered a nod of determination, then smiled. “You always know what to say to make me feel better.”
Will leaned over and nudged Emerson’s shoulder with her own. “The feeling is mutual, Em.”
When Emerson left, Will indulged in an extra long shower. She put on clean pajamas and climbed into bed. She wondered if Graham would convince Nora to hire her for the projects at the inn. Based on what she saw her one time at Failte, everything looked perfect and professionally maintained. Still. She probably had more experience than Graham.
As it had a hundred other times since they met, the image of Nora filled her mind. The way her hair curled around her shoulders and the cool, reserved way she looked at Will. It made absolutely no sense to pursue Nora romantically, if for no other reason than she seemed utterly disinterested. Will sighed. She had such a penchant for wanting what she couldn’t have. And now Nora—beautiful, elegant, reserved Nora—sat squarely at the top of that list.
Chapter Four
“So, I’ve been thinking,” Graham said over breakfast.
“Why does that worry me?” Nora was kidding. Mostly. Graham folded her arms and pouted. Or, more accurately, she pretended to pout. Nora knew better than to think she’d throw an actual tantrum. “Kidding. What have you been thinking?”
“I can clean with the best of them. And although I haven’t except for once when I was fifteen, I can probably paint a room.”
“Okay. Haven’t we already discussed this?”
“Yes. I’ve been thinking how great it would be to do more.”
“More what?”
“More whatever. Painting, building stuff.”
Nora studied her niece. Clearly, the girl had something on her mind. But she’d be damned if she knew what it was. “Building stuff?”
“You know my friend Will? The one I brought over the night you did that rehearsal dinner.”
Oh, she knew. “I remember her.”
“Well, she’s pretty handy and she doesn’t have a lot planned for the off season and I thought it would be cool if you hired her and we could get so much more done.”
Nora blinked a few times, trying to process Graham’s train of thought. Red flags flashed. “Is this your idea? Or hers?”
Graham sat up straight. “Oh, it’s totally mine. I thought it would be fun to do stuff with her now that we aren’t working together. And then I thought she might not have a job lined up for winter, which she doesn’t. And it turns out she worked at a home improvement store and knows how to do all sorts of things. Not plumbing. Or electric, she said. But more than me.”
Nora pressed a finger to her temple. She had so many problems with Graham’s proposition, she didn’t even know where to start. “You didn’t promise her anything, did you?”
Graham shook her head. “No. I was thinking out loud and mentioned it. She said that if it turned out you did want some things done, she’d be interested. We left it at that.”
At least that was an appropriate response. That meant Will likely wasn’t trying to insinuate herself into a job. Or other places, like Graham’s bed. Nora sighed. “I don’t know.”
“You’ve talked about painting all the upstairs guest rooms. If I had help, we could do that and more. She knows what she’s doing.”
Nora wasn’t opposed to hiring someone to help with the work, especially someone trying to make a go of living in town year-round. She might not be crazy about Will and Graham spending lots of time together, but if Will knew what she was doing, Nora would be happy to have her services. And if it meant spending more time with Will herself, well, she’d just have to keep a professional distance. “Okay.”
“Okay, you’ll hire her?”
“Okay, I’ll talk to her.”
“Excellent.” Without waiting for another word, Graham picked up her phone. “I’ll text her right now.”
Nora sipped her coffee and wondered how quickly she would regret this. Maybe Will knew less than Graham implied and she could get out of it. Almost as quickly as Graham stopped typing, her phone chirped. “Did she answer you already?”
Graham nodded. “She’s free this afternoon or tomorrow morning, whichever is more convenient for you.”
She could interpret Will’s promptness a dozen different ways. Not ready to give her the benefit of the doubt, Nora filed the detail away. “I’ve got a doctor’s appointment tomorrow, so this afternoon would be better.” Graham started typing again, so she added quickly, “Only if she really is free.”
* * *
By the time Will stood in her front hall a few hours later, Nora had thought through the projects she’d like done and planned out the questions she intended to ask. Hopefully, she’d figure out quickly enough whether Will could actually do the work. And what her intentions were.
“Thank you so much for the opportunity to talk with you.” Will extended her hand. Nora shook it. She seemed nervous, but in a good way. The way that meant she was treating this like a job interview. She’d dressed nicely, too. Nora told herself she appreciated that Will took the conversation seriously. It had nothing to do with the fact that Will, in gray pants and nicely pressed oxford, could drive Nora to distraction.
“Thank you for making the time to do it on such short notice. Shall we sit?” She gestured toward the dining room.
“That would be great.” Will walked in ahead of her, took a seat, and sat up straight with her hands folded neatly on the table.
Nora realized she was frowning and plastered a smile on her face. “Graham tells me you have some DIY experience?”
“More training than experience, to be honest, but the training was good. I worked at both a small hardware store and a larger home improvement center. I learned basic carpentry and hand tools, painting, and wood finishing.”
Nora nodded. “Impressive.”
“I didn’t want to be presumptuous, but I did bring a copy of my résumé.” Will leaned over and pulled a sheet of paper out of her messenger bag.
Nora accepted it and skimmed the contents. On one hand, it was a smattering of experience that told her Will seemed to lack professional focus or ambition. On the other, there were no gaps and she spent an average of three to five years in each position she held. And she seemed to possess the skills Graham had promised. “Not at all. You seem to have picked up a lot over the course of your jobs.”
Will swallowed and told herself to relax. “I like to learn new things. I never could bear the idea of a desk job, but I wanted more than basic retail.”
Nora made a face and Will instantly regretted saying what she said. But then her features softened and the expression that remained was kind. “I could definitely use another pair of hands. The pay will be fair, but it won’t include benefits.”
Will nodded. Being around Nora every day would be benefit enough. Getting to use her hands, and getting paid, felt almost too good to be true. “I don’t know anything about plumbing or electric, but I’m willing to do just about anything else.”
“Painting mostly. Moving furniture and doing a deep clean. The hours won’t be regular, I’m afraid. We’ll have to schedule everything around my guests. It does mean, at least, you won’t have to work weekends.”