Love Redone in Hidden Harbor (Island County Book 2) Read Free Page A

was from the brother of Anthony Hill. No way. No how.”
    “His name is Cole,” I reminded her.
    “Whatever. I’d never let a fur ball call the shots.”
    “Well, Pickles doesn’t call the shots. She simply prefers to live by herself at the shop so everything has worked out perfectly fine.” I glanced around the restaurant, which was hopping with customers now. As the ferries unloaded, this place tended to be the first stop for many.
    “In other news, I won a huge bid,” Nick informed us.
    “For what?” I asked, grateful he shifted the topic away from the Hill brothers. I didn’t think I could handle another second.
    “The Loxxy hotel down on the waterfront loved my designs, and when they start their remodel in the summer, my furniture will be in the lobby and the suites. Eventually, my furniture will cover every floor, every room. But there’s only one of me, and I’ve got to quickly find a way to scale up for this.”
    “Oh, my gosh. You’ve got to be kidding,” I squealed, nearly knocking over my beer as I threw my hands in the air. “That is the best news ever.”
    And it really was. Nick had worked so hard on his furniture business. He had good months and bad, good years and bad years, but he kept at it, and now his perseverance was finally paying off. He had the most beautiful and functional designs I’d ever laid eyes on and he so deserved this. It wasn’t easy making a go of things on the island. I glanced at Andrea to see her thoughts on the good news, and it looked like she was still daydreaming about meeting the lead singer of Crimson Strings.
    “Loxxy is our swankiest hotel. That’s where all the celebs stay. I should know.” Sophie winked. Working at the Loxxy in the housekeeping department was Sophie’s other job. Not to mention, she’d help me out here and there at the shop.
    “And I wanted to say thank you,” Nick said, grinning at Sophie.
    “For what?” she looked perplexed.
    “For putting in a good word.”
    “Don’t think I had a thing to do with this. I just clean rooms at the Loxxy. They don’t even listen to me when I tell them a repair needs to be made. But thanks for thinking I have that much pull.”
    Nick patted Sophie’s arm and Andrea stiffened. She needed to get a grip.
    “So this winter and spring I’ll be buried in work,” Nick continued.
    “Well, if you need any help, you can count on me,” I offered. “Not that I’m good with woodworking, but I can bring over plenty of mochas for you.”
    “Then he might get too fat.” Andrea finally came to life.
    A chill ran through my blood as my gaze fastened on Sophie’s. She seemed to be wondering the same thing as me. Why did Nick like this girl?
    “I don’t think Nick could put on pounds even if he tried,” Sophie said softly.
    “And even if he did, he’d be extra cute.” I smiled.
    “When I first met him he had a couple of extra pounds on him, and I can tell you there’s nothing cute about—”
    “Okay, I can’t. I just can’t any longer,” I interrupted, my gaze flashed to Nick’s before landing on Andrea’s. But before I had a chance to unload and do something I’d regret, Nick stood up and yawned loudly.
    “Our movie starts in twenty minutes. We need time to get over there.” He threw some cash on the table and held out his hand to Andrea. She hauled herself up and kissed Nick on the cheek, completely oblivious about what I’d intended to tell her.
    “It was nice to see you again,” Sophie said, grinning.
    I bit my tongue and smiled in pseudo agreement.
    “You too, girls.” She bent down and gave us each a hug and pranced out of the restaurant with Nick.
    “What in the world does he see in her?” Sophie asked.
    “I can’t for the life of me figure that out and believe me, I’ve tried.”
    “He is so good-looking and has the best heart. I honestly don’t get why he always picks the wrong ones.”
    “Maybe because the right ones have no interest.” I twisted my lips and