Driftwood Lane (Nantucket #4)(38)

Well, her finances were none of his concern. And if he’d received her message, why was he here?

She clasped her hands around her knee. “What brings you here today?”

He took his time responding. Stretched his legs out. Leaned into the sofa like he was settling in for the winter.

She looked away, over to the fireplace. The damaged, no-good fireplace. Yet another item on a long list of things wrong with the house.

When she had a buyer, inspection was going to be a nightmare.

“Had an idea, a solution to your problem.”

Meridith cocked her head. “Do tell.”

“You have a lot of things needing fixed. The place isn’t up to code.”

“No secret there.”

“The boiler could go out at any time, and you won’t find parts for it.”

“You said something about a solution.”

He crossed his ankle over his knee. His foot looked huge in the boots. Size twelve? Thirteen? Virtual barges. No wonder she couldn’t help but step on them when they danced.

“Thought maybe we could trade.”

Meridith knew what she needed from Jake, but what did he need from her? The only skill she had was in the health safety industry, and he had no use for that, did he?

Her fingers clutched the collar of her shirt together. “What— what kind of trade?”

One of his eyebrows lifted. And that smirk.

“Nantucket isn’t cheap, as you’ve no doubt discovered. My rent is eating a hole in my pocket, and I was thinking if that were eliminated, it would help me out.”

“Your rent . . .” She wasn’t connecting the dots.

“You run a B-and-B.”

A trade. Oh.

“See, I was thinking if I moved in here—”

“Moved in here?”

“Temporarily.” He spoke slowly, as if to a child. “In exchange for my labor.”

“I have children here. I can’t have a man moving in—”

“I’m not your live-in boyfriend. Just think of me as a long-term tourist.” He grinned. “Who works on your house by day.”

She shook her head. She didn’t like this. It was difficult enough having him here during daytime hours. How would it be to have him around twenty-four/seven? She shuddered. “I don’t think so.”

“It’s the perfect solution.”

For whom?

“You get the work done with very little out-of-pocket expense.”

“But even if you’re working in trade, there’ll still be costs.” Some that had nothing to do with a bill from Marine Home Center. “There’s not enough cash flow right now for extras.”

“You paid for the new furnace when I ordered it. It arrived on Saturday, and it’ll cost next to nothing for me to get it running. Just time. And one tiny little bedroom.”

Jake sleeping down the hall . . . it wasn’t something she wanted to contemplate. And what would Stephen say?

“I don’t know. It doesn’t seem proper. I’m engaged.”

“You think Lover—your fiance’s going to object?”

Stephen wasn’t controlling or possessive. Not at all.

“It’s a B-and-B. You have male guests here all the time, how’s this any different?”

Because the other male guests didn’t look at her like Jake did. Because other male guests didn’t make her feel bothered and agitated.

“Wait, what about your employer? Comfort Heating and Plumbing wouldn’t make a dime if you traded out your services.”

“Owner’s a friend. Already cleared it with him. At least let me stay long enough to install the furnace, run the ductwork. You’ve already paid for it—what are you going to do, install it yourself?”

She shot him a look. She was as good with tools as she was on the dance floor. Still, he didn’t have to be sarcastic.

“How long would it take?”

“A week. Two at most. And fixing the wiring problems will be cheap. You don’t want the fire hazard, I’m sure.”

How could she say no? The wiring was a safety concern, and she couldn’t waste the money she’d paid for the furnace. It would save her a lot of trouble come sale time.

“How long will the new fuse service take?”

“Several days to a week.”

“Isn’t that a lot of hassle, to move your things for less than a month?”

“Don’t have much. Apartment is furnished.”

“Won’t your landlord rent out your place if you leave?”

“He’ll save it. He’s a friend.”

Everyone was a friend. She wanted to say If he’s such a friend, why is he charging you so much, but she kept it to herself.

“What are we supposed to do without heat while you’re working on it?”

“Got any space heaters? Forecast is warmer than usual, but it’ll get chilly at night.”

She’d seen several space heaters in the basement. She could put one in each bedroom.

“I have guests coming in a little over a week.”

“I’ll do my best to get it done by then.”

There were still a couple more issues to settle. “When we do have guests—”