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they’re still standing. One strong wind and they’ll come tumblin’ down.”
    â€œYou think I don’t know that?”
    She followed him back outside. Ignoring her, he ran his hands over the columns. Examining them up close, he realized they were worse than he’d suspected. “These posts are rotten clear through. They need to be replaced.”
    Charlotte, teas in hand, stepped outside. “Here you go. You ought to offer the boy a seat, Jenni Beth.” She nodded at the swing. “Either of you want a cookie?”
    â€œCookies? We’re not ten anymore!” Jenni Beth closed her eyes. Shaking her head, she apologized. “I’m sorry, Charlotte. That was rude. I—”
    â€œIt’s okay. Something’s goin’ on between the two of you, so I’m goin’ to take myself off to a safe zone before things start flyin’.”
    Neither said anything as she disappeared into the house.
    â€œI miss him, too, Jenni Beth. Wes was my best friend.”
    Her chin came up. The defiance drained from her. “I know. I’m sorry. Again. It’s just—”
    â€œI’m steppin’ on your toes.”
    â€œNo.” She shook her head slowly. “It’s not that. Not really.” Her gaze traveled over the porch, the columns, the windows that were all but falling out. On a half-sob, she said, “Look at this place.”
    He did exactly that, taking in the decay, the overgrown gardens.
    â€œWill the money you asked for cover materials and labor?”
    Bright spots of red colored her cheeks. “No. Not if I hope to have any start-up money.”
    â€œCan I help?”
    â€œI don’t mean to sound rude—”
    She stopped when he snorted. “Whether you believe it or not, I really don’t. I know I can’t do this alone. But why are you making it so easy for me?” Her voice held suspicion.
    â€œYou don’t trust me, do you?”
    When she remained quiet, he had his answer.
    â€œShow me around.”
    â€œNow?” she asked.
    â€œYeah. Now. I’m here.”
    Her body language made it clear she wanted to refuse.
    â€œCome on,” he urged. “I’m not takin’ inventory, sizin’ up stock for my store.”
    â€œYou sure about that?”
    He tamped down the pain. “Positive. What can it hurt, sugar? Give me some idea of the size of this project you’re bitin’ off.”
    She plunked her glass down on a small white wicker table. “Fine.”
    Ooo-whee . The lady still hadn’t learned to control that temper. He set his glass beside hers and caught the door inches before it slapped shut in his face. Zeke, the old Lab, squeezed past him and plopped down in the hallway. A smart man would hop back in his pickup and head down the highway.
    Well, he’d never claimed to be a Rhodes Scholar.

Chapter 6
    It had been a long time since Cole had been past the first floor in this old house. A long time since he’d had a sleepover here, years since it had been a second home. He and Wes had grown up as close as brothers.
    He stopped beside Wes’s portrait, his hand on the oak banister. The picture had been taken the year his friend had graduated from college—full of life and ready to take on the world.
    Now it hung, a sacred memorial in an ornate gilt frame. Damn!
    â€œI miss this guy.”
    â€œMe too.”
    A moment of shared loss passed between them, their differences forgotten.
    â€œDo you remember what you were doing when you found out we’d lost him?” Her voice was a whisper.
    Cole nodded. “Like it was yesterday. I was loadin’ a customer’s pickup with some green and white tile. My cell rang. When I saw your dad’s number on the screen, I knew. Felt like the bottom had dropped out of my world.”
    She nodded. “I was at a trendy little restaurant in Savannah drinking a cosmopolitan. Discussing wedding plans