Page 26 of So Bad It Must Be Good

He cleared his throat, which thankfully the thunder rumbled over. “I’ve got some stock that’s unpainted,” he said, walking over to the cabinet that held the pieces he’d finished but hadn’t painted or glossed yet. “You can pick something from there, or if you have an idea I might be able to make something in time.”

She studied him for a second, tugging on one flaming strand of hair. “Why?”

“Why what?”

“Why would you make something for me?”

“This is a hobby, but I do make money off of it. Which means, I make things for people when they request it.”

“Oh. Right.” She blinked, but then stepped forward to peer into the cabinet.

“I do a lot of kitchen materials. Spoons, trays, and the like. Then the animals of course. The decorative spoons are my biggest seller right now with the whole lovespoon thing.”

“Lovespoon thing?” she asked.

Liam felt a little stupid for bringing it up, but hell, it was his biggest seller. He walked over to where he kept his little tags and handed her one.

She took the tag and read it thoughtfully, her mouth slowly curving as she did. “A lovespoon is a traditional craft that was historically given to a young woman by her suitor. As it lost its practical use, people began to hang their lovespoons on the wall as a treasured decorative item. Perfect for wedding and anniversary gifts, or to decorate your kitchen with a spoonful of love.” She looked up at him, her eyes laughing. “Liam Patrick, that is downright romantic.”

No matter that a little curl of embarrassment seemed to flush his face hot, he couldn’t stop himself from smiling back. “Romance sells, Kayla.”

She gave a little wondering laugh. “Mercenary romance. Well, I can’t say I disapprove. Can I see one?”

“Hmm.” He looked around his workshop. “You know, I don’t think I have any finished. I’ve got one in progress.” That he’d put aside to make her bear. Which was not something he needed to tell her.

He went over to his lineup of in-progress works and picked up the spoon. “I’ve only got the spoon part done, but I’ve kind of outlined what I want to do with the top,” he said, handing it to her.

She took the heavy piece of wood that only had the spoon carved out. She ran her colorfully painted fingertips over the lines he’d sketched out.

“My mom had one that was a family heirloom, so I studied up on them when I was a kid. The different symbols mean different things. A lot of them have these little keyholes to represent home and security. Then there’s . . .” He stopped himself. “You don’t want to hear me yammer on about this.”

Her blue eyes met his gaze and she smiled. “Of course I do. It’s so fascinating. What’s the bell for?”

“Marriage.”

She continued to ask him questions about the lovespoons, and eventually she convinced him to show her his website where he had pictures of past works. She exclaimed over everything like it was a revelation, and Liam didn’t know what exactly to do with that.

Dad had always called his woodworking a nice hobby, but as it was mainly decorative, he’d had no interest. And though Liam had been inspired to go into this hobby by his mother’s love for that old lovespoon that had been in her family for generations, she’d never cared much for a hobby that wasn’t about helping people. Aiden, of course, had either ignored his interest or teased him relentlessly for it.

Liam had impressed a few women with his handy skills, but most hadn’t taken an actual interest in how he worked. Kayla asked a million questions, and when she picked a little bird to give her cousin, she’d even asked questions about the type of paint he used.

He’d gotten her set up with the paints and brushes she’d need and surreptitiously watched as she studied the bird from all angles before she chose which color to use first.

A boom of thunder, a bolt of lightning, and then they were plunged into total darkness.

“Well, shit,” Liam muttered, digging his phone out of his pocket and flipping on the flashlight feature. Kayla had done the same and crossed over to the little window that looked over his backyard.

Lightning flashed and the rain came down in hard sheets. Liam stepped next to her and winced a little at the potential damage. A flooded yard and basement. His roof was in good repair, but old, and his gutters hadn’t been cleaned yet this spring.

Crap.

He glanced at Kayla who was staring at the window, her eyes a little wide. Maybe she didn’t care for the dark.

“I have flashlights and candles in the house, but not much out here. We could make a run for it if you want.”

She shrugged. “I don’t mind waiting it out. Always kind of fascinating to watch what nature can do.” She smiled, then glanced up at him. “This was fun even if I didn’t get to start painting.”

“You really think it’s fun?” he asked. It wasn’t that he didn’t believe her. It was just he’d never met anyone who’d taken such a keen interest in this thing he loved to do.

“Of course. You’re not so bad to hang out with,” she said, a teasing curve to her mouth, which was just barely illuminated by their phones and the occasional flash of lightning.

She was always pretty as a picture, but there was something almost fairy-ish about her in the odd flickering light. Her red hair seemed redder; her blue eyes seemed to glow. He was tempted to reach out and touch a freckle, just to see if it would fall away like glitter.

A flash of lightning and an almost simultaneous crack of thunder had him jumping back and Kayla squeaking in surprise.

They both laughed a little breathlessly, but Liam didn’t go back to his previous spot next to her at the window. This was all a little too tempting, and regardless of temptation, of actually liking Kayla, Aiden had made his intentions clear, and Liam didn’t need any other awkward, bitter thing between him and his brother.

“I better make sure everything’s unplugged so the electricity doesn’t get overloaded when it comes back on.”

“Oh, I’ll help,” she offered cheerfully. A friendly gesture, and nothing else. An interest in woodworking was not an interest in him, and he’d do well to remember it.

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