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seemed obvious. Scrape the barrel and find poor Esther a man.
    Shame dragged at her heart. Hal had done everything he could to show interest in her. He’d brought her a drink and sat beside her telling the mundane story of his life…though hers had been no better…while she wallowed in misery. Couldn’t people just accept that she wanted to be single?
    And why had she agreed to handle the Bay Breeze job? She could easily have told Ian it would be a month, maybe two, before she’d be free. As often as logic warned her to steer clear of him, her heart led her in the opposite direction. Asking for trouble, that’s what she was doing.
    Her father came to mind. If faith could move mountains, then faith could guide her. Years ago she’d felt God’s call to be on her own. God? Or had it been her own decision? No matter, she felt ready to let God be in control.
    An unexpected grin tugged at her lips. She’d try to let God be in control. She preferred to hold the reins.

Chapter Four
    E sther stared at the invitation before dropping it to her desk. Another of her sister’s ploys. Annoyance rifled through her. Why would she receive an invitation to the Bay Breeze Fourth of July celebration unless Rachel had manipulated it? Esther reconsidered. No. Not Rachel. Never. The perpetrator had to be Jeff.
    Running her index finger around the edge of the attractive card, Esther closed her eyes. Should she be angry or laugh at the charade? Hadn’t Rachel and Jeff realized their previous matchmaking attempt had failed miserably? Then again she couldn’t blame them.
    She flipped aside the white-and-gold card with her thumb and finger, dismissing the invitation that reminded her she was ruining Rachel’s life. She eyed her watch. No time for feeling bad about it now. Ian would be arriving any minute.
    She’d tried to anticipate his questions ahead oftime so their meeting could be brief. Brief? Loneliness washed over her. Lately she missed him. He hadn’t dropped by the library since she’d refused the Sunday boat trip a few weeks ago. Had she been foolish? What could be wrong with developing a friendship?
    Friendships were something Esther didn’t have. Sure, she had co-workers and acquaintances, but friends? They didn’t seem to fit into her life…or was it that she didn’t fit into theirs?
    She found Ian amiable and interesting—even attractive—but…a friendship could lead to more than she wanted. And being friends with a man who sailed? Why drag her fears out in public?
    But that was foolish. Ian had offered her every safety precaution—sailing close to the shore and docking at the first sight of a cloud. What danger would there have been? None…except for her jangling emotions when she saw him.
    The doorbell sounded and jerked Esther to attention. She drew in a lengthy breath, then rose and headed for the door. She could see Ian through the windowpane, his dark wavy hair tousled in the breeze.
    Ignoring her charging pulse, she swung open the door. “Come in.” Her arm directed the way. “Have a seat.”
    An uneasy look flashed across his face as he stepped past her and strode into her small office. Inside, he stood midfloor.
    “Please have a seat,” she repeated. “I’ll work at the desk so I can take notes.”
    He did as she asked and laid a notepad on the small table beside the armchair.
    Feeling uncomfortable herself, Esther stood a moment, questioning her behavior. Ian was a client, and she should treat him as kindly as anyone who came to the door for her services. She recaptured her graciousness. “Would you like some coffee? Or tea?”
    “Coffee sounds good,” Ian said, a hesitant look on his face. “Thanks.”
    She turned and strode through the doorway and across the landing to her compact kitchen. Earlier she’d anticipated his preference, and with the pot ready to go, Esther punched the button on the coffeemaker with satisfaction. While the coffee circulated through the brewer, she pulled cups from