Page 4 of Searching for Love

“God, no, not everything. I can do the basics. Hammer, paint.” He shrugged. “For the plumbing and electric, I’ve hired Parker Clark and his crew. They’re looking the building over from foundation to roof and starting work later this week.”

Avery nodded. She knew Parker well. She babysat the man’s kids—twins Ethan and Ellie and their baby brother, Liam—often enough. He had the best handyperson business in town. “Wise choice. Well, if you need any help…” She let her offer drop.

What was she doing? Her schedule was full as it was. She worked as a dispatcher at the fire station one day a week, the Boys and Girls Club two days a week, not to mention filling in at Baked, Sara’s Nook, The Brew-Ha-Ha, and the Golden Oar restaurant, and even sometimes down at city hall. Then there were all her friends that she babysat for whenever they called.

When did she have time to help a hunky guy, her dream guy, paint and work on his new building?

Then he smiled at her, and she knew that she would make the time.

“Thanks, I might take you up on that offer. If only I had your phone number?” He sighed for show. “We exchanged social media info, but I neglected to get your actual digits.”

“If you have your phone, I can put my contact info in it,” she offered.

He shook his head. “My phone is back there with my things.” Then his smile grew and she felt her heart skip a beat. “Tell me your number.”

Her eyebrows shot up in question. “Okay.” She leaned on her knees and rattled off the seven digits.

He narrowed his eyes and then to her surprise, with a voice that sent waves of goose bumps over her skin, sang her number back to her in a rhythm that she doubted she would ever get out of her head.

“How did you do that?” she asked in awe.

He leaned back on his elbows and shrugged. “My grandfather was in a famous mariachi band.”

“Oh?” She leaned back next to him as he talked about how his grandfather traveled the world, playing the guitar with his four best friends until they were in their late sixties.

“The only reason they stopped was because two of the band members died. It sort of broke my grandfather. He stopped playing and stuck closer to home after that.” He shrugged and then sighed as he leaned forward. “I’m named after him. Lucas Manuel.” He smiled. “I also got his nose.” He touched his nose.

“I got my mother’s nose and hair.” She touched her now dry red hair, which no doubt was in tangles thanks to her swim. She should have braided it earlier.

“What about your blue eyes?” He leaned a little closer, and she felt her heart race as she met his dark chocolate brown eyes.

“Yes, those too.” She leaned a little closer until they were a breath away from one another.

“The freckles?” he asked. She nodded. His eyes moved down to her lips, and she held her breath.

Just then a spray of sand flew over the pair of them as her brother came crashing onto the beach inches from their feet, a football in his hands. He laughed while he kept one eye locked on Lucas.

Avery knew the look Wyatt was giving the man. A “keep your lips off my sister” kind of look.

Avery’s eyes narrowed as she shot him warning looks.

“Do you play?” Wyatt asked Lucas as he dusted the sand off himself.

Lucas shot her a look.

“My brother.” She threw her hands up. “Wyatt.”

Lucas nodded. “We’ve met. I’ll play if Avery does.” He stood up suddenly and held out his hand for her.

“Avery,” Wyatt groaned and tossed the ball to Lucas. Then her brother perked up and added quickly. “Fine, but she’s on our team.”