Page 80 of Full Send

Being in my workshop, at least I can try to distract myself a bit. I need to get these blades etched in acid to show off the Damascus pattern and get them polished. Then I can mold their handles and finally finish them up.

Gloves on, I dip the nearly finished blades in the ferric acid. Leaving them there for a bit, I look over at Rex in the corner, happily oblivious and gnawing on a bone.

“You really got it made, dude.” I look at him, shaking my head in amusement, jealous of how little he has to worry. No, how heneverhas to worry. Just mindlessly going through life, playing ball, eating, chewing a bone, and going on late night and early morning drives with me for work.

My peace and quiet is interrupted by my phone buzzing in my pocket. I take my gloves off and answer the call without bothering to see who it is, immediately regretting my decision when I hear that all too familiar grouchy and deep voice.

“Hey shithead. Heard you finally stopped being a little bitch.” Clay’s voice booms through the phone.

I let out a deep frustrated sigh, palming my face. Of course it’s my brother.

“Oh for fuck’s sake, who told you? And like you’re one to talk. When was the last time you had agirlfriend?” I reply, not bothering to hide my irritation.

Clay lets out a low laugh. “Oh you know, just the Chapman family phone tree. Grandma called Grace, Grace texted Dad, and then he called me. And I’d have a girlfriend if Park City wasn’t crawling in stuck up vacationing ski bunnies. You’re lucky Ronniis cool as hell and is clearly insane enough to actually likeyou. But that’s not why I’m really calling.”

“I figured as much. What’s up?” I look back to my workbench, still wondering why he actually called, other than to annoy me.

“I heard you’re coming down to Park City next month with your newgirlfriend.Figured we should try to hang out.” Even over the phone, I can picture the smug look on his face.

“You know, you’re kind of an intolerable asshole sometimes. But since you’re my only brother, sure. Let’s get together with Grace and Dad,” I say, tapping my foot. “Sorry I haven’t called lately. I’ve been so busy here with work and Collin and Ronni in town.

“It’s all good, dude. Anyways, I gotta get back to work. Say hi to Ronni and Collin for me.”

“Will do. Say hi to Grace and Dad for me,” I say before hanging up the phone and putting my gloves back on.

Back to the task at hand, I pull the blades from the acid and rinse them off. Damn, they look amazing. The combo of old salvaged steel and new steel are making a crazy striped pattern of light and dark layers. The K-Tip blade shape is such a cool finishing touch.

After installing the handles and giving them a final quick polish, I take a moment to admire them. They’ve been a good distraction for the past month, but also somehow kept me focused on what I want.

I want her.

I’vealwayswanted her.

Looking at the knife in my hand, I think back to my conversation the other day with Giselle. I really have gotten better at making these. This one’s special. It’s by far the best I’ve done and I think it might be better than the ones I used to look at in magazines and shops, dreaming I could make one day. Maybe I should think more about prioritizing this business. Sure, it’dbe a juggling act with property management and plowing and still finding time to ski. Maybe I could do it without turning it into a joyless profession. Do it without sacrificing one of my few escapes.

Yes. That’s definitely something I should think about. Not today though. Today, I’m thinking about what I have with Ronnie and the night I have planned. It’s awesome seeing her let go more and just go with the flow.

We have a real connection with each other. I can feel it. We have a relationship, out in the open. I can feel that she wants me the same way. These last two weeks, I’ve felt the darkness and depression I’ve been so used to being replaced only with the drive to keep her in my life. I’ve loved her secretly for so long.

With the knives finally finished, I can think about the night ahead, the days ahead. Ronni will be in town four more nights, leaving Friday. I’m picking her up tonight after she has dinner with Collin and Lizzy, and she’s going to spend the night with me on my pretreat and plow run. I’m glad we’ve got a few more nights to sort some things out.

I’ve gotten so used to doing these rides alone, well with Rex really, that the idea of taking her out is weirdly exciting. It’s like I get to give her a real peek into a part of my life no one else gets to see. So many nights I’ve seen a fox, a moose, even the rare stray wolf, or seen the stars in a clear night sky and wanted to share it with someone, only to be reminded that I’m alone.

Part of me always thought it was crazy that I was so head over heels for her most of my life. For someone that I had no clue whether they felt the same way about me. Now, after diving in so deep with her, I feel like I love her even more. I always knew she cared about everyone in her life and that she was passionate about skiing, cooking, and her job. And none of that has changed over these last few years since I last saw her. But being so close now and with her so much, I see just how much she opensher heart up, how much she’s willing to do for others without anything in return.

I’d gladly spend the rest of my life being there for her, letting her have someone to lean on for a change. I’m determined to do anything I can to keep her in my life forever.

She’s the one for me.

She’s always been the one.

The only one.

Chapter 40

Veronica

PDA

---