Chapter 3 Renovation Chaos

Emily spent the first few days settling into the cottage and planning the renovation. She had big plans to modernize the kitchen, update the bathrooms, and add a fresh coat of paint throughout. But as she began the work, she quickly realized that it was going to be a much bigger job than she had anticipated.

The kitchen was a disaster, with outdated appliances and crumbling cabinets. The bathrooms were straight out of the 1950s, with pink tile and ancient fixtures. And the paint? Well, let's just say that the previous owners had a fondness for bold colors and patterns.

As Emily struggled to remove the old kitchen cabinets, she heard a knock at the door. It was Jack, holding a toolbox and wearing a dust mask.

"Need some help?" he asked, eyeing the chaos.

Emily hesitated for a moment, but then nodded gratefully. "I think I'm in over my head," she admitted.

Together, they worked tirelessly to gut the kitchen and bathrooms, haul away the debris, and prep the surfaces for new fixtures and paint. Emily was amazed at how easily Jack took charge, his expertise and confidence putting her at ease.

As the days turned into weeks, Emily found herself growing more and more comfortable around Jack. She learned that he was a talented artist, that he loved the ocean, and that he had a quick wit and a kind heart.

But despite their growing friendship, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that Jack was hiding something. She caught glimpses of a deeper pain in his eyes, a sense of sadness that he quickly masked with a smile.

What was he running from? And why did she feel so drawn to him?