Hank and Josie loaded up the breakfast tray together.

"Do you mind taking this in?" Hank asked as he pulled his tea from the tray. Josie looked up at him, her face once again clouded with confusion. "This may sound silly, but I like milk in my tea."

Josie let out a laugh. "And you can't have milk in the sitting room?"

Hank leaned his head to the side. "Clara has this notion that tea should only have lemon in the morning. Something about digestion." Hank shook his head at the unnecessary thought. "Anyway, I like milk in my tea, but when it's just Clara and me," he paused, trying to choose his words. With a sigh, he finished, "it's just not worth the discussion."

"But couldn't you put the milk in now? She would never know."

"You would think, but somehow she always does."

Josie chuckled at his defeat, "enjoy your milk." She lifted to her toes to give him a peck on the cheek.

The sentiment lingered with Hank as he watched Josie glide down the hallway. He hadn't had the intimacy of a passing kiss in as long as he could remember. Perhaps in school with Wendy, they had stumbled to the phase, but Hank argued he was just a child then. Now, as he swirled milk into his tea, turning it the color of sea fog, he focused on the subtle affection for a moment before he turned to gaze out the kitchen window. His mind pulled to the day's tasks, adding the need to go to the hardware store for a new pane of glass to his mental list. The volley of conversation and trill of laughter from the sitting room toyed with his focus as he thought of cleaning the gutters, coiling the hose, and cutting back the gardens. He would need more scrap bags. He downed the last of his tea and set it in the sink before joining Clara and Josie in the sitting room. Without interrupting the conversation, he settled into his usual chair.

"Clara, I would like to ask you a favor, but please let me know if I am imposing too much." Josie's tone had turned serious; Hank stiffened in his seat. "If you wouldn't mind, I would like to stay longer. I would be happy to earn my keep with cooking and cleaning."

Clara feigned a thought for a moment. "Josie, you know I have enjoyed every moment of your stay and loved your company. Henry, what are your thoughts?"

Hank could feel Josie's gaze move to him, but his eyes lingered on his mother. She gave him a mischievous smile, telling him she was baiting him into revealing his feelings. "Well, I suppose we could use some extra hands for cleaning, and I think mom has grown tired of my limited cooking skills."

A smile spread across Clara's face that Josie would be staying. "How long were you thinking of staying with us?" Clara's attention was back on Josie, to Hank's relief.

"Oh, a few weeks at least, if you don't mind. Of course, if I become a bother, you all can just let me know, and I will move right along," Josie gave a gracious smile.

"Well, then it's settled." Clara nestled further into her seat with a satisfied smile before turning her attention back to Hank. Wordlessly, she grimaced her disapproval of his tactical answer.

Hank knew Clara would be ecstatic to learn of the blossoming romance between him and Josie, but there was so much unknown between their pasts. He didn't want to build anything up for fear that the newest twist may rip them apart. It was too late for him, Hank thought as he let his regard fall to Josie. He realized then there was a silent lull in the conversation.

"I broke a pane of glass in one of the storm windows, so I'm off to the hardware store," he pulled himself up.

"Oh, could you stop at the market and pick up a roasting chicken? I can cook it today, and we can eat it all week." Josie's mind was already adrift in recipes.

"Of course," Hank stood and drifted towards Josie, intent on a tender kiss to the crown of her head when he caught himself. The abrupt course change caused him to clear his throat loudly. "I won't be gone long," he awkwardly added as he escaped the room.

Hank's mind coasted back to winterizing needs as he drove into town. He stopped at the market first and remained distracted by his to-do list when he heard his name. He looked up to see Callum and Evie headed his way, both with arms full of groceries.

"Hey," he greeted with a genuine smile as he took Evie's bags from her.

"Twice in one week," Evie noted with a wink.

"Yeah, I haven't been very economical with my errands lately." It was unlike Hank. Typically, he would plan his trips to avoid having to shop again for a couple of weeks.

"I'm glad we ran into you," Callum started as they walked casually to the car. "I have a friend that has an old Ford pickup. It's a beast of a thing, but he loves it. It's been giving him a bit of trouble lately. You have the time to take a look?"

"Of course. I just finished up my last job. Have him bring it by the shop Monday, and I would be happy to give it a look."

"Just finished your last job; does that mean Josie is on her way?" Evie eyed him for a response. She was always one to read his pauses more than hear his words.

"No, she is staying around for a couple more weeks; she has a bit more business in town." Hank gave Evie a sincere smile to confirm her suspicions.

"Lovely; she seems like a sweet girl," Evie approved.

"Offer still stands for dinner any time," Hank reminded them. "Clara would love to see you both."

"Of course," Callum absently spoke as he loaded the groceries into the truck.

"We'll come soon. Perhaps in a week or so, once your house guest is settled." Evie gave a tender smile as she brushed a curtain of erratic hair from Hank's face. The tender gesture gave Hank pause to how much he missed his conversations with Evie. "You can call anytime," Evie added, as she leaned in for a hug.

Hank's mind lingered on Evie as he entered the grocery store. Her ease reminded him of Josie; everything was reminding him of Josie. He looped through the store to the meat section and plucked up one of the defrosted chickens. As he was passing the flowers, he noticed a small potted rosemary plant. He always remembered Evie having one on the kitchen windowsill. He picked it up as the scent pulled him back to his childhood. Evie's hands would often smell of rosemary. He smiled as he recalled she would always say rosemary was more soothing than lavender to a cook. He carried it along to the checkout.

Hank set the plant in his cup holder before heading to the hardware store. As he pulled in, his eyes fell to the general store next door. His mind still on Josie, he added another stop to his errands. The general store was small and cluttered with random items in no order. He paced up and down the aisles, looking for his goal. Finally, he found a simple pair of brown slippers between toilet plungers and magnets shaped like forest animals. They were fleece inside with a stiff sole on the bottom. He checked out and tossed them in his truck before heading to the hardware store.

Just as he was tugging open the door, he heard his name again. He turned to see Peter pacing his way from his car.

"Hank, I thought that was you," Peter greeted as he paced closer to Hank.

"Hey, Peter," Hank could feel his heart race as Peter neared. He had thought of him so much but still did not know what to say or, better, what to ask.

"Running errands?" Peter began innocently enough.

"Yeah," Hank lifted his bandaged hand, "broke one of the storm window panes this morning."

"Ah," Peter murmured. "How is Clara?"

"Ok, has a touch of a cold," Hank lied, fearing Peter would try for an invitation to visit. "Going around. Didn't you say Mr. Webb had something?"

"Oh yeah, that time of year."

The small talk felt taxing. "What has you out this morning?" Hank tried to volley to the conversation as best as he could.

"Oh, same. Elise needed more stamps. She writes to her sister almost daily." Peter and Hank nodded in unison. "Is your houseguest still with you?"

Hank could see through Peter's attempt to sound casual. "No, left this morning." Hank was uncertain why he lied, but he didn't want him to know that Josie was still in town, much like not wanting Peter to visit.

"Ah, she seemed like a lovely girl," Peter's voice came more relaxed now.

"Yeah. Funny, I felt like I knew her even though we had just met." Hank assessed Peter's response, but Peter kept a stoic expression.

"Well, I should get going; Elise will be furious if she misses today's post."

"Good to see you," Hank gave a slight bow to his head.

"Always. I'll ring you later this week about coming over for dinner. And give my best to Clara. I would love to stop by for a visit when she is feeling better."

"Of course," Hank said as he backed away to the store. The trill of the bell above the door was his cue to turn out on his heel and escape into the rows of nuts and bolts.