Read Online Finding Love in Forgotten Cove (Island County Series Book 1) by Karice Bolton - Free Book Online

friends sitting and drinking wine while enjoying the stormy nights.”
    The way he described it was absolutely magical and completely unaffordable.
    “I don’t doubt your vision, but you know I don’t have the budget for anything like that.”
    Mason nodded and continued. “If the deck was doubled in size to provide an outdoor living space, it would add so much.”
    “I’m sure it would, but it’s not realistic.”
    “The kitchen has great bones. If we knock out the wall between the dining room and kitchen, we can create a large granite island, the views would be seen from every room.”
    “That’s a nice dream of yours, but I don’t see a way to do all that in the time allotted and certainly not within the budget, which brings me back to what’s expected of me.”
    There was no doubt this house possessed a charm that made anyone who stepped inside want to help pull that out of it. My parents were spellbound with the very notion, but reality soon sets in with a project of this magnitude.
    “A dream is just a spectacular plan waiting to be executed,” Mason said, smiling.
    A completely unattainable poetic contractor, only in my world would that serve as a problem.
    “Well, I think that is a beautiful sentiment, but—”
    “It’s reality,” Mason interrupted. “I don’t know what’s gotten you so cynical, but I’d love to be the one to break that habit. It’s a nasty one.”
    A cynic! Had I turned into one of those cynical people who exhausted others by merely existing? Was that what replaced the person Bethany described earlier? I gulped back the horror and shook my head.
    “I never used to be,” I answered.
    “Life can do a number on even the happiest of souls.”
    I had been a happy soul, but I’m not sure where she went. I got the urge to ask him if he’d seen The Last of the Mohicans , but I managed to keep my lips sealed about that topic and, instead, switched it back to the house. I didn’t need to bring my childish and somewhat misguided romantic expectations about some movie decades old into his realm.
    “So what is it that you want?” I asked.
    “Quite a few things,” he answered. His eyes flashed to my lips and a wave of pure longing swept through me, especially since his gaze stayed there for a few seconds longer than I expected.
    “I’m listening,” I almost whispered.
    “I’m expecting your company during the entire renovation,” he stated. His voice was matter of fact and I couldn’t gauge where he was coming from. Mason gestured to the couch and I took a seat.
    “Do you ask that of your other clients?” I asked. “Constant companionship?”
    “Not a one.”
    “Well, considering there aren’t any labor costs, I’d be more than happy to help however I can. I already expected to lend a hand and be here through the renovation.”
    Mason nodded. “I’ll be working mostly nights and weekends on this project since I have a day job.” He smiled. “But maybe a home cooked meal now and then could be added to the must-haves?” he laughed, but I detected a hint of seriousness behind his request.
    “I can handle that. I have to eat anyway.”
    “Drive-thrus get a little tiring at midnight and with the ferry ride back, I’m guessing that’s when I’d be eating.”
    Judging by the looks of him, he never went to a drive-thru, but I’d humor him.
    “Of course. I hadn’t even thought of what time you’d be working here. Count on dinner anytime. But how do you know you’ll like my cooking?”
    “I like living on the edge.”
    My body relaxed as his requests sank in. So far the list seemed reasonable, and the realization of how much time he’d be spending here was enthralling.
    Mason was quiet for a few seconds, parting his lips and then shutting them before finally continuing with his list of unexpected demands.
    “I see the potential in this place for any prospective buyer. This will be a great investment for whoever is lucky enough to buy it.”
    I nodded.
    “And