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flat-screen built-in television on the wall, to the gleaming dark hardwood floors and what looked like handmade furniture, time, love and appreciation had gone into every detail.
    â€œLike it?” Nick asked, coming up behind her.
    She turned to face him. “It’s gorgeous. You built the whole thing?” Nick, like his father before him, was not only a construction worker and builder, but he owned land in and around Serendipity.
    â€œI gutted the house that was here, designed and built it from scratch,” he said, no small amount of pride in his voice. “It took years because I had to pull crew from other jobs when I had the chance.”
    â€œAnd the furniture?” She couldn’t help but notice the intricate carving on the wooden chair and table legs.
    â€œBeen working on all of it in my spare time. Also took years,” he said gruffly, as if the admission came from somewhere deep.
    â€œWow. I’m . . . in awe. Truly.”
    â€œThere’s more.” He hadn’t dropped her hand and he tugged lightly now, pulling her forward, to the back end of the cabin toward what she knew in her gut was the master bedroom.
    So not a good idea. “Umm . . . Nick—”
    â€œHumor me,” he insisted and led into the room.
    She walked around, admitting to herself that the huge bedroom was as special as he was. A large sleigh bed, also intricately carved, sat in the center of the room surrounded by lighter wood but no less beautiful nightstands and matching furniture strategically placed around the room. Another big screen television sat on the wall and surround-sound speakers were mounted nearby. She looked up to find a beamed ceiling with skylights directly over the bed so there’d be a view of the stars each night.
    â€œThere’s a remote that closes the ceiling and shuts out the light.”
    â€œStunning,” she said, her awe only growing for his talent, foresight and the depth this man had inside him.
    He came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. It felt good. He felt good, all warm and solid, his woodsy smell arousing every one of her senses.
    He cuddled her against him like she belonged there, and warning bells went off in her brain. “Why did you bring me here?” she asked, her breath coming in uneven spurts.
    â€œIsn’t that obvious?”
    He settled his chin on her shoulder and kissed her neck.
    A delicious shiver rippled through her. “I’m beginning to see that you’re a detail-oriented kind of guy.”
    â€œMmm-hmm.” The sound vibrated against her skin. “I leave nothing to chance. Especially when I want something. And Kate, I want
you
.”
    She sighed and forced herself to turn around and meet his gaze. This had the unfortunate effect of aligning their bodies and proving his words to her in full and thick detail. Her body weakened, melted, and a rush of moisture dampened her underwear.
    How was she supposed to think straight let alone keep her distance when he acted so sweet? “Nick—”
    â€œDon’t say a word.” He brushed her hair off her shoulder. “We’re going to eat dinner and enjoy each other’s company. Give me that, at least.”
    She sighed. “Do I have a choice? You had Faith kidnap me, remember?” Which, now that she was over the shock, she had to admit was kind of sexy.
    His cheeks highlighted with color. “You always have a choice. If you don’t want to be here I can’t make you stay.” For the first time she sensed maybe this wasn’t any easier for him than it was for her.
    â€œWhen is Faith coming back for me?” Kate asked, not answering him directly, at least not yet. But he was getting to her—from the effort he’d put into getting her here, to the sincerity in his tone and the fact that she really wanted to be here. Kate was a goner.
    â€œShe’s not. But I’ll take you home if