Navy Christmas. Geri Krotow

or not done to the house. Carpentry, woodworking, cabinetry—they’re my hobbies. I know this place as well as Dottie did. It’d be my pleasure to help you get it in tip-top shape.”

      “Is that a Navy expression?”

      He looked at her questioningly. “What—tip-top? Yes, I suppose so. Look, I realize you don’t know me, not yet. But I’m the one person who could give you a hand bringing this house back to its full potential.”

      For the first time since she’d inherited the place, Serena felt a strong surge of possessiveness. This was her home. Hers and Pepé’s.

      “I’ve gone over it pretty thoroughly the past several months. I’ve got an extended list of what I’ll update and when.” She crossed her arms. What was it about this man that brought out her defensiveness?

      “No doubt you’ve made a great start, Serena. But an old place like this has secrets that are hard to find. For example, have you uncovered the buried treasure yet?”

      His eyes twinkled. Serena clenched her hands as she heard Pepé’s feet stomp on the floor inside. He appeared at the open front door.

      “There’s a buried treasure in our house?” Pepé’s eyes were wide and Serena wished to heaven and back he didn’t have that enthusiastic grin on his face.

      Jonas nodded. “When I was a boy I found a special place to hide my treasures from my three brothers. Maybe you’ve found your own nook for your favorite toys?”

      Pepé shook his head. “No, not yet. But I love my room!”

      Now Pepé had twinkles in his eyes. Serena wanted to scream but instead pasted on a killer smile for Jonas. He was on her turf.

      “Mind if I take a look inside?”

      “Of course not.” She paused. Aside from his brothers and the contractors, Jonas was the first man she’d allowed in their home.

      But it wasn’t as though he was a man in that sense—she wasn’t going to start anything with him. He was a sailor from the base and he was practically family. The drug-related burglaries on the island were definitely making her paranoid.

      Would her fear of living out on this remote property ever completely vanish?

      Jonas had even passed Ronald’s appraisal.

      It’d be easier if he hadn’t. Then she could chalk up her body’s response to him as nerves and not the blatant sexual attraction she knew it was.

      She saw in his eyes what she’d felt in her heart too many times to count. Self-assurance with a hint of sadness.

      Why was she being so tough on him? Jonas was no more responsible for her inheriting the house than she was. They were both surprised by Dottie’s decision, and affected by it. One more happily than the other.

      “I’m sorry, Jonas. This isn’t easy for you, is it? You didn’t get a chance to say a proper goodbye to Dottie. It all must seem surreal to you. Do you want to have some time alone in the house?”

      “I appreciate it but I don’t need to be alone, Serena.”

      That she understood.