Tame the Day

I like renovation jobs. Usually. My current one, however, was pitched to me as merely needing a touch up.

Lies.

The sag of the porch roof tells me this project is going to require more than a few cans of paint. I’m not sure I have the energy for it because I also work at my family’s wildlife rehabilitation center, Hartley’s Nest, in Greenridge, Vermont. I’m the general build-this, fix-that guy there too, however, that job is a labor of love.

But this old colonial house renovation? It’s for some Californian who bought it, sight unseen, and I don’t have to take this job.

Yet, I do for several reasons:

1. My best friend is marrying my sister and will be having a baby soon. He won’t have time to hang out with me much anymore, and I’ll have hours to fill.

2. I’ve never walked away from a poor, old house that just needed some love.

3. The fussy homeowner doubts my construction skills. Proving her wrong will be a fun challenge.

I expect to roll up my sleeves and stay busy on this project. What I don’t expect is Ashley York, also known as The Fussy Homeowner. She has me breaking all my rules about commitment and relationships and love. I want to tame all my days with her by my side, but she’s holding back. Ashley is going to be a tough nut to crack.

But I am an expert nutcracker.

Wait. That didn’t sound right. Whatever. I’m happy to help her cross things off her Vermont bingo card, like see a moose, hike a mountain, and have pure Vermont maple syrup.

I’m also happy to help her fall in love with me.

Tame the Day is an overcoming-trauma, small-town, contemporary romance between a handyman and homeowner.