Whispers of the Heart Read Free

without exchange of thoughts or plans or—
    A loud rapping sounded like sudden thunder. Autumn jumped and whirled, her heart beating rapidly. It came again, and she realized someone was at her door. The builder had bookshelves still to install; it must be he. Taking a deep breath, she went to answer it.
    Someone besides the carpenter stood there. She remembered him, of course. How could she not? The man who’d looked at this space when she first came to see it. His tall, solid body suggested he might be good model material, she recalled thinking that day. She’d watched from lowered lids as he’d sauntered into the open room, speculation in his interested ginger-brown eyes as his gaze went from Spring to her.
    That ginger-brown gaze had remained on her for a very long time, sending her a little buzz along with it. She’d felt herself respond in spite of herself.
    Although a bit disconcerted at the time, Autumn wasn’t really uncomfortable. She merely thought him puzzling. Interesting. Usually men found her sister the more attractive of the two.
    Autumn didn’t date much. Rarely alone. Not at all, recently.
    His gaze still shone like crystallized ginger.
    Her breath caught in her throat, and she found her toes curling under. She should have put on her shoes!
    Uncle William used to scold Spring and her fortheir penchant to throw off their footwear at every chance, with a caution of “you are not flower children” hanging over their heads.
    Now she could only think of how childish she must appear as Brent’s gaze swept over her.
    â€œYes?” she said.
    â€œHello, I’m Brent Hyatt, remember?” he answered with a confident, inviting smile. A wide smile that dominated and charmed, although his features weren’t classically handsome. “We met a few weeks back when we both looked at this place at the same time.”
    â€œYes, I remember.”
    â€œWell, I wanted to welcome you to the neighborhood.” He proffered a handwoven basket filled with kiwis, strawberries and spring daffodils. “I’ve watched the plumbers and carpenters come and go from across the street. I’ve just moved into my new offices myself, you know. I’m not all settled yet, either, but I thought if you need someone to give you a hand with anything…”
    â€œThat’s very kind of you,” she said, taking the basket “but I think all the heavy work is done.”
    â€œOkay. Well, here’s my new business card, just in case. Please feel free to give me a call if there’s anything I can do for you. I usually hang around until six or thereabouts on most business days.”
    â€œThank you.”
    â€œThere’s some nice places to eat down the block. Would you like to come out for a cup of coffee or a soda?”
    â€œThank you again, but…no…I have so much to do.”
    â€œAll right. Maybe another time more convenient.”
    His ready smile tilted, giving his features that unusual charm. Autumn thought her heart tilted just a bit along with it. Perhaps she should accept. Genuine friendship was a precious commodity, according to Uncle William.
    He turned as the elevator hummed downward. Now he’d have to wait for it to return.
    â€œRemember, I’m right across the street. Hyatt Architectural Services.”
    â€œYes, I’ll remember.” She lifted his card, waving it to let him know she’d keep it.
    â€œI’m even around some Saturdays,” he said as the elevator returned and the doors opened.
    Two men, one slight of build and one huge, husky, blond giant stepped off, each carrying a tool chest. Behind them, a dolly held a stack of lumber, precut and stained.
    â€œHello, Josh. Sam.” Brent greeted them as old acquaintances. “What are you two doing up here in the old center of town?”
    â€œHiya, Brent,” the husky giant spoke. “Well, you know how it is. We go where the work is. Heard