“How in the world does Spencer do it on a coach’s salary?”

“I’m sure he got a great deal. He and Cooper share a son and it was important to everyone that Austin live close to them both. You said not to worry about the money. I know it’s a lot, but for what you want...”

“I know. I want my mother to be comfortable and near beauty. And near me, and my shop is walking distance. But I need that loft finished as soon as possible—how complicated is that?”

“Well, there are only floors and paint needed up there, no cupboards or countertops, so that should be quick. But you’re going to have to add light fixtures. Light fixtures are simple if it doesn’t take you six weeks to decide what you want. Even I know how to install light fixtures.”

“Is that fireplace ready?”

“Except for the glass and ceramic logs—accessories. But you won’t be cold for...”

“Just thinking about what has to be done to make it ready.”

“Take a little time to think about it, Grace. But don’t think long if you want to get started. You won’t be able to close on it for about thirty days if all goes well, but this is Cooper’s property and, given your circumstances, he’s willing to start the interior work and even let you in before closing. He didn’t ask for a contract for that, but I will. I want him protected in case you change your mind or...” She blinked and made a face. “Or in case something unexpected happens and you don’t need the house anymore.”

“In case she dies before I get her here? Well, that’s not going to happen—she’s in pretty good shape for the shape she’s in. And we have to move ahead before she gets worse. Where do I have to go to make selections?”

“You want it?”

“Let’s do it. Will twenty percent down for a cash sale convince Cooper to take a chance on me?”

“I believe so,” Ray Anne said, smiling. “Even better, it’ll convince him he made the right choice giving me the listings.” She laughed merrily. “I can get this in shape for you, kiddo. You won’t believe how good I am at that. If Ginger can watch the shop, I can take you to a couple of places. You should choose countertops, appliances and flooring first. Cupboards and banisters should be next. I can bring you catalogs for fixtures, blinds, shades and shutters, ceramic logs and paint. Given the openness here, you’re going to want to match your cabinetry with floors and banisters.” She stuck out her hand. “Let’s shake on it and go over to Cooper’s bar and sign papers.”

* * *

Grace had to call Ginger and ask her if she felt confident enough to manage the shop another day and, bless her, she was good with that. She then spent four hours with Ray Anne, first signing the contracts for the house and then heading to Bandon and North Bend to make decorating selections. She didn’t screw around pondering her choices, but Ray Anne enthusiastically endorsed every one.

About two hours into the project, Grace suddenly felt very faint and woozy with a touch of nausea. “Oh, damn, I forgot to eat,” she said to her Realtor.

“I have an energy drink in my purse,” Ray Anne offered.

“Oh, so that’s what keeps you going,” she joked, but a bit weakly. She used to live on those! But with a bun in the oven, she wasn’t sure what was safe. “Pull into the next grocery or deli. All I need is a half sandwich or something and I’ll be fine.” But it reminded her that she had other important business at hand.

She was just getting back to the flower shop a little after three when she finally texted Troy. Am I going to see you tonight?

He texted back that he was working at Cooper’s from four till whenever and if she wanted him to, he could stop by afterward.

If I want you to?

It was usually hard to keep him away.

Please, she responded. I really have to talk to you about a couple of things.

From that point until nine-thirty she wondered what she was going to say. How she was going to say it. When he finally arrived and used his own key to get in, she leaped to her feet and ran to him, throwing her arms around him. Even twenty-four hours away from him was too much.

But he didn’t embrace her as wildly. His hands rested on her hips. This was where Troy usually wondered how fast he could get into her. Counter, table, floor, wall? And yet there was a sudden distance she couldn’t understand.

“Why are you different?” she asked.

“Different how?”

“I don’t know,” she said. “There’s something different. You’re not clutching me. You’re not trying to get under my clothes. It’s like you don’t want to be here!”

“No, no, I want to be here. Gracie, we should talk about a few things.”

“Yes,” she said, drawing him into her little space. “Yes, we have to talk. You first. What’s bothering you?”

They sat on the couch together. He held her hands. He gazed into her eyes—all the gestures of impending bad news. “Grace, I’m not proud of this, okay. I have to be honest with you. The money. Your money. It was ten times greater than I imagined. A hundred times greater. It kind of blew me away. Intimidated me. Filled me with doubts.”

“Doubts?”

“About us, Gracie. I don’t feel like we have as much in common as I thought we did. It worries me a little. I’m wondering...what do we do if we find out we don’t fit? If we’re just too different?”

She was stunned. “Are you breaking up with me?” she asked.

“No. No, of course not. I’m just a little...I’m worried about us. I need time to figure out how we go forward together. I don’t have anything, Grace. You’re as rich as the Gettys. I don’t want to live off you. You can’t live off me. We have to figure this out.”

“Oh, for pity’s sake,” she said. “Do I look like I’m rich?” she said, throwing an arm wide, indicating her little loft. “I have an idea—how about if I earn a living, you earn a living and neither of us lives off the other?”

“And that fortune you’re sitting on?”

“I’ll do exactly as I promised my mother—I’ll take care of it. Troy, I’m not going to live in a big cold stone manor house with a full-time staff. I do need more space than this someday, but...I bought my mother a house today. On the beach. One of Cooper’s new houses. Something that would be perfect for her—the warm sun on the deck, the sound of the ocean. I think it could be comforting for her, much more so than the big house in the city. And I—”