By Tuesday, Eliza felt confident that she and Kyle had succeeded in keeping their nighttime romps under the household radar. If Katherine was aware of anything sexual going on between her and Kyle, she’d have mentioned it by now. Or at least bestowed a couple of sly winks.

Life settled into a routine. Eliza was so busy she didn’t have time to worry about the fact she’d fallen in love with Kyle.

With the details for Ready, Set, Wed firmly in place, Eliza turned her attention to the next project—the upcoming fundraiser for the Giving Tree. Cherries members had been adamant about hosting the black-tie event at the community theater to celebrate its reopening.

When members had first expressed interest in hosting the red-carpet gala, Eliza had been skeptical. Good Hope wasn’t a black-tie community. But the others had argued, with Cherries President Lynn Chapin leading the charge, that it never hurt to mix things up.

Besides, they’d simply make it clear that suits and pretty dresses were also acceptable. They dismissed Eliza’s concerns that the theater renovation might not be completed on time. Although Lynn did follow Eliza’s suggestion and book Rakes Barn as a backup venue.

Eliza had initially planned to use the night of the red-carpet event to announce she would donate the money Good Hope was paying her to oversee the Ready, Set, Wed project to the Giving Tree.

She was glad now she hadn’t made the announcement. Eliza would need every penny she could get her hands on to eventually qualify for a home loan.

With a sigh, Eliza tried to concentrate on the written report presented at yesterday’s Cherries meeting, but her mind kept wandering. Her parents had let her know yesterday that they were coming to visit. She wondered how long they would be in town.

Eliza wasn’t sure why they were coming to Door County. Her father’s excuse about having business didn’t ring true. While he still had numerous ventures in the area, in the past if something needed to be handled personally, he’d simply sent her brother.

Never her. Eliza slapped her laptop closed. No. Never her.

She wished her father wasn’t coming. After what he’d done, Eliza didn’t want to see him. Would he expect to stay here, in the family home that was no longer hers?

The mere thought was ridiculous.

No doubt, he’d secured the finest suite at the Bayshore. That was just fine with her.

The front door creaked open, and Eliza wondered if Katherine would be interested in sharing some tea on the porch. Perhaps Eliza would sweeten the deal by mentioning the lemon and blueberry scones she’d picked up at Blooms Bake Shop this morning. “I’m in the parlor, Katherine.”

“It’s me.” Kyle appeared in the doorway. His expression gave nothing away, but there was something in his eyes that had Eliza rising to her feet.

He crossed the room and dropped down on the sofa.

Going with instinct, Eliza ignored the chair she preferred and sat beside him. She took his hand, a gesture she saw surprised him, but he didn’t pull away.

His breath came out in a whoosh. “Aren’t you going to ask me why I’m home so early?”

Feeling the tension in his hand, Eliza smiled and kept her voice easy. “Okay, I’ll bite. Why are you home so early?”

“Jeremy stopped by the job site.” His expression didn’t change, but his fingers tightened around her hand. “He got the results of the DNA test.”

“What did it show?” Eliza figured he wouldn’t have brought up the subject if he didn’t want her to ask.

“Because I sent in my mother’s DNA as well as my own, they were able to conclusively report that Jeremy and I are brothers.”

His voice gave no hint of turmoil, but Eliza wasn’t fooled. She tilted her head and kept her tone light. “Why send in your mother’s DNA? It’s not as if she’s Jeremy’s mother.”

When his shoulders relaxed, she knew keeping him talking had been the right move.

“Using my mother’s DNA allowed them to eliminate her portion of the DNA from my genetic profile.” She must have still appeared confused, because Kyle continued. “I don’t understand it fully myself, but supposedly it allows the lab to focus on the other parent’s contribution to the ‘genetic code.’”

Eliza put her other hand on top of their joined ones. “How do you feel about the results?”

“It’s good to know.”

That didn’t really answer her question, so Eliza probed deeper. “Does it bother you to know that Ed Rakes is your father?”

“Biological father.” Kyle emphasized the word, then appeared embarrassed. “Like I told Jeremy, that fact doesn’t change who I am. I wanted to know for sure. Now I know.”

Eliza didn’t believe it was that simple, but now didn’t feel like the time to press. His responses told her he wasn’t ready to share his feelings.

Not with her.

Not with himself.

Still, he could have gone anywhere. He’d come to her.

While he might not be able to verbalize exactly what he needed right now, Eliza had a good idea what would ease those lines between his brows.

Love welled up inside her. She leaned over and gently kissed his cheek, then whispered a suggestion in his ear.

He grinned and gestured to the sofa. “You propose to do that here?”

The light was back in his eyes, and Eliza could have cheered. She rose and stepped back when he reached for her. “Let’s take this upstairs. Katherine’s schedule is unpredictable.”

“I’m glad I came home.” Kyle surprised her then by tugging her into his arms. He cupped her face with his large hand. “I…I adore you.”

Then he scooped her up and carried her upstairs to bed.

* * *

“We should have stayed in bed,” Kyle grumbled, but it was only for form. Though he hadn’t done much gardening—okay, never—when Eliza asked for his help, she’d been naked. At that moment, she could have asked him anything and he’d have said yes.

“Katherine might arrive home any second. Plus, I really want to get my potatoes and onions in the ground.” Eliza lifted her face to the sun, closing her eyes.

Kyle was sorely tempted to drop his pitchfork and pull her against him. But he’d promised to help. That didn’t mean he couldn’t pause from digging in the earth to look and admire.

Had he ever known a more beautiful woman? And not just on the outside. Eliza’s beauty went far deeper. Each day, he saw something new. And he liked, loved, what he saw.

Like today, she’d pulled on a cotton shirt and a pair of worn jeans. “I didn’t know you even owned a pair of jeans.”

She turned, and those gorgeous gray eyes met his. A familiar electricity snapped in the air. He took a step forward.

“Digging in the dirt.” The amused masculine voice had Kyle stopping. “Going to make me a mud pie?”

Out of the corner of his eye, Kyle saw pleasure flash across Eliza’s face. She scrambled to her feet.

“If I make it, you have to eat it. Those are the rules.” Then she was sprinting across the dirt Kyle had just mixed with mulch to fling her arms around the stranger in the dark suit. “Ethan. You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

The tightness in Kyle’s shoulders eased. So this was her brother. Now that he had time to study, Kyle saw the resemblance. The same dark hair, gray eyes and lean build.

Ethan grasped his sister’s wrists before her dirty hands could settle on his suit. “It’s good to see you, too.”

“Sorry.” Eliza dropped her hands. She stepped back, as if embarrassed by the effusiveness of her greeting. “You startled me.”

Kyle moved to her side, wiped his hands on his jeans and extended one to Ethan. “I’m Kyle Kendrick. It’s good to meet you.”

With obvious reluctance, Ethan shook it. A muscle in his jaw jumped. “Ethan Shaw.”

“My little brother.”

A pained look crossed Ethan’s face, and Kyle hid a grin.

“You’re the one who bought the house.” Ethan’s eyes remained steady and cool.

“Not realizing I was stepping into a family feud.” For some reason, Ethan’s coolness didn’t bother Kyle. Perhaps because the guy reminded him so much of Eliza, he couldn’t help liking him.

Eliza surprised her brother by stepping to Kyle’s side.

“It’s not his fault,” she told Ethan, sounding as fierce as a mother lion defending her cub. “All this is Dad’s doing.”

And her grandmother’s, Kyle thought but didn’t say.

Ethan gave a curt nod. “When Dad called me to handle some business for him in Sturgeon Bay, I reminded him that Gram wanted the house to go to you.”

“I’m sure he didn’t care—” Eliza began.

“Wait,” Kyle interrupted. “You came to Door County to do business for your father?”

“That’s right.” Ethan’s gaze shifted, but Kyle was looking at Eliza.

“He didn’t ask you because he knows you’re angry about the house.”

“Even if we weren’t at odds, he wouldn’t have asked.” Eliza’s lips lifted in a tight smile. “I’m a woman, remember?”

Kyle’s gaze shot to Ethan. “You’re okay with this?”

Ethan’s hesitation told Kyle that he’d never given the matter much thought. Dark brows pulled together.

“No,” her brother said finally, rocking back on his Italian loafers. “I’m not okay with it.”

Ethan’s gaze settled on his sister. Despite the dirt, he reached out and took her hand, his voice gentle. “I never realized that by handling his interests in Door County, I was complicit.”

Eliza shook her head. “You weren’t. I—”

“I was,” Ethan insisted, then glanced at Kyle. “That stops today.”

* * *

Ethan stayed for several days before heading back to Chicago. The next two weeks passed quickly with Eliza finalizing details for tomorrow’s Ready, Set, Wed showcase. Lindsay and Dan had hung in there and they were now in the home stretch. Though not an event on par with the June wedding—which would be held in the winning community—the events of this weekend still provided entertainment.

A mannequin dressed in Lindsay’s wedding gown and wearing a wig with the beautiful vintage hairstyle had stood in Swoon’s window all week. The Chanel cake had held the position of honor in Blooms Bake Shop.

But it was the film crew that had drawn the most interest. The filming that had taken place in January of director Xander Tillman’s new movie had whetted the appetite of Good Hope citizens. Everyone loved watching film crews in action.

Eliza strolled the business district feeling like a celebrity. She couldn’t go two steps without someone stopping to wish her—and Good Hope—well in the competition.

She ran into Ami outside Muddy Boots, where the eldest Bloom sister stood in front of the plate-glass window surveying the crowd inside. “Even if we don’t win, this week has been amazing. The café and bakery has done more business this week than the rest of the month.”

Eliza glanced inside Muddy Boots. Locals and tourists filled the tables and mingled with the Wedding Channel crew.

“There was quite a crowd when they filmed my interview at the bakery yesterday.” Ami’s eyes twinkled. “The sidewalk outside was packed.”

“Did you feel prepared?” As the day was sunny, it felt good to linger on the sidewalk.

“Thanks to you.”

“I’m glad our strategy session helped.” Earlier in the week, Eliza had met with Ami, Piper, Fin and Marigold. When her contact mentioned the crew “might” want to interview the vendors, Eliza made certain everyone was prepared. “This is Good Hope’s big opportunity. I want as much press as possible for our businesses.”

Ami’s gaze turned curious. “I heard you arranged for them to meet with Anita.”

“The woman may be a pain in the ass, but she is Lindsay’s mother. And Crumb and Cake is a prominent Good Hope business.” It had pained her to set up the interview, but Eliza had seen little choice. “I hope she played nice.”

Eliza watched a group of tourists enter Blooms Bake Shop. “Who’s manning the counter?”

“Hadley.” Ami frowned. “She’s so pretty and personable. I thought she’d want in on the interview yesterday but she made herself scarce.”

“I have no doubt you handled it quite well on your own.”

“Thanks, that’s nice of you to say.” Ami hesitated, then took a moment to brush a piece of lint from her suede jacket. “I know we’ve had our troubles in the past, and I don’t want to beat this into the ground.”

Eliza stiffened.

“I’m glad we’re friends again.” Ami reached over and squeezed Eliza’s hand. “I’m especially happy you and my sisters are friends. It’ll make get-togethers and kids’ playdates more comfortable for all of us.”

Kids’ playdates? Eliza wanted to dismiss the thought, but it kept circling. What did it say that she could so easily picture a little girl—or boy—with Kyle’s blue eyes and her straight, dark hair?

“And Kyle, well, he fits right in.”

Kyle.

Where did he fit into her life? Eliza wondered. Did he fit at all? She set that aside for now. She had other, more time-sensitive worries on her plate.

“Have you seen Lindsay today?” Eliza took note of the time. Her friend worked Fridays at the Enchanted Florist and usually took her lunch at eleven. “She hasn’t returned my calls or texts.”

“I haven’t seen her since Monday.” Ami caught her bottom lip between her teeth. “When I stopped over at the Greasy Wrench with some homemade bread for Owen, she was there.”

The tightness in Eliza’s chest became a stranglehold. Still, when she spoke, her voice was calm. “Do you know if she met with the crew yesterday? I assumed they’d call if she canceled the initial interview.”

Ami inclined her head. “Why would she cancel?”

Eliza’s gaze remained fixed on Ami’s face.

“Yeah, okay, she has been acting strange.” Ami blew out a breath. “But I happen to know she did meet with them. The person who interviewed me mentioned that she’d just left Lindsay.”

The tight band around Eliza’s chest loosened, finally allowing her to take a deep breath.

“Are you worried she’ll back out?” Ami kept her voice low, as if concerned someone walking by might overhear.

“Should I be?”

“I don’t know, Eliza.” Ami’s gaze grew troubled. “I really don’t know.”