Shane raced back to the Thompsons’ house, managing to steal a few sideways glances at Andie as he drove. She’d seemed younger, less uptight during lunch. She’d been more like the Andie he remembered from their youth, but now her face was tight and her shoulders raised with tension and anxiety at potentially being late for the inspector.
Shane was a little worried too. He wanted the job to be as complete as possible before the inspector looked at it.
“Do you know who the inspector is?” Hopefully it was Bob or Dick. Shane had worked with them before, and they were good guys.
“No. Is there more than one?” Andie looked surprised.
“Yeah. Most of them are retired and just work part time, so they have a few.” Shane turned into the road a little too fast, and Andie had to grab the armrest to keep from sliding. “Sorry. I have a few things I want to button up on the stairs before the inspector starts poking around. Can you bring him over there last? I want to clean it up so I can show him the intended fixes.”
“Sure. No problem.” Andie flashed him a shy smile even as she pulled on the door handle, ready to jump out as soon as he parked. “Thanks for lunch.”
“My pleasure.” Shane pulled to a stop, and Andie jumped out and jogged toward the house.
He thought about their conversation as he watched her go. He’d felt the tug of that deep connection they used to have. Not as strong as back then, but maybe it could get there. Had she felt it too?
The logical part of his mind warned him not to pursue it. She’d hurt him before, and who knew if she’d really stay in town. She had said that she missed some things about the city. Andie was ambitious, and there wasn’t much for a person with big ambitions in this town. Maybe she’d decide Lobster Bay wasn’t for her after all.
But even as the logical part of his mind sent out the warning, his heart was already planting a seed of hope that somehow he and Andie could find their way back to what they’d once had.
Andie rushed around the front rooms of the Thompson house, picking up this and moving that. She didn’t want it to look cluttered or disorganized for the inspector. She wasn’t sure why because it wasn’t like he was inspecting the interior of the house. He was only interested in the areas where the public would be allowed—the tented area outside and the porch. Maybe she just needed to work off some nervous energy.
She was straightening a display of coin silver spoons that sat on a coffee table in the living room when she heard a car pull up.
“That must be the inspector.” Emily parted the blue velvet drapes and glanced out the window. “Oh no.”
“What?”
Andie joined her, her heart sinking when she saw Damien Carruthers squeeze out of a black Volkswagen Beetle. “He’s the inspector?”
“I don’t like him.”
“Who does? Crap. Well, hopefully he won’t be here long. I’ll deal with him.”
Andie’s offer earned a small smile from Emily. “Thanks. I’m going to walk to the mailbox out by the road and get the mail.”
“Chicken,” Andie teased.
Emily laughed. “He’s nasty. Don’t worry, I owe you one.”
She might have to spend a few unpleasant minutes with Damien Carruthers, but at least she’d found common ground with Emily and perhaps even the start of a new friendship.