Page 52 of Just the Beginning

‘You’re assuming even if I could find the time that my paintings would be any good.’

‘You won’t know until you try.’ Anya patted her leg. ‘Maybewe can pool resources like we did earlier with the children one evening and then we could work on a few ideas.’

Rick shoved aside the thought that this would give him even less time alone with Anya, not liking the selfish hunger that came with it. Anya was her own person and she could choose to spend time with whoever she wanted. He liked that she was making friends, that she was seeking to help someone else even when her own circumstances were far from secure. It would take ages for her and Chloe to get anywhere with just a website; what they needed were other outlets. When the answer hit him, he was amazed he hadn’t thought of it before. Excited, he turned to Chloe. ‘You should speak to Kerry Wilson at the Curiosity Cave!’

Chloe frowned. ‘Why would I do that?’

He leaned forward, eager to share his idea. ‘Because she sells the sort of stuff you’re talking about putting on your website. If you sold through her as well, you’d get more business.’

‘And less money. We’d have to pay her commission, plus the fee she charges for simply displaying things in her shop.’

Deflated, Rick sank back in his seat. ‘You’ve already thought of it.’

‘No, but I’ve done my research. I’m not an idiot, Rick, I’ve checked out the competition already.’ Chloe took a large swig of her drink, clearly annoyed.

‘I didn’t mean to suggest that you were, I was just trying to help.’

Chloe set her glass down on the table a little harder than necessary. ‘Have you ever tried not helping?’

Rick felt like he’d been slapped. ‘I’m sorry.’

Freya and Leo ran up to show off their colouring in, giving Rick a welcome excuse to slip away from the table. He couldn’tjust duck out of the evening, but he needed a bit of space, so he wandered across the grass, trying to figure out what he’d done wrong. His meandering led him over to the pair of sheds.

‘Do you want to see the workshop?’

Startled, he turned to see Anya watching him with a sympathetic expression on her face. ‘I don’t think Chloe will want me poking around in there, somehow.’

‘Come on, Rick, don’t be like that.’ Brushing past him, Anya pushed opened the door to the shed and beckoned him inside.

The smell of freshly cut wood filled the air and he spotted a small pile of shavings that had been swept into the corner. A long bench lined one side of the shed, two short-backed stools tucked under it. Anya’s sewing machine sat in front of one stool, with several boxes of pencils, pens and tools in front of the other. The wall opposite was covered floor to ceiling with shelves. Clear plastic boxes lined several of the shelves, neatly printed labels describing their contents. ‘Wow, it looks really great. I can’t believe how much you’ve got done today.’

Anya’s soft hand slipped into his. ‘Hey, I’m sure Chloe didn’t mean to upset you.’

He looked down at her. ‘I don’t understand what I did that was so bad, it was only a suggestion.’

She sighed and squeezed his hand. ‘You didn’t wait to be asked, and you didn’t make it a sound like a suggestion. You told Chloe sheshouldtalk to Kerry.’

‘It was just a turn of phrase. I wanted to help, you must see that.’

Releasing his hand, Anya folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the shelves behind her. ‘But this is our business, mine and Chloe’s, and it’s important to us. We might make some mistakes – in fact, I’m sure we will – but that’s on us, not you. You don’t have to take everything on your shoulders, Rick.You need to let us take responsibility, to make our own decisions about it.’ Unfolding her arms, she closed the distance between them and placed her hands on his chest. When she spoke again, her voice was softer, coaxing. ‘I’m not saying I won’t need your help – I’m sure I will – but can you maybe try and wait until I ask?’

Rick closed his hands over hers. ‘I’ll try. I really didn’t mean to upset anyone.’

She went up on her tiptoes and pressed a sweet, soft kiss to his mouth. ‘I know, and I know Chloe didn’t mean to snap at you either. It’s been a long day and everyone’s tired.’

He released her hands so he could put his arms around her and draw her close against him. ‘This is nice.’

Her hands shifted to his back, tracing small circles at the base of his spine that threatened to short circuit his brain. ‘It is. I’m definitely going to ask Chloe about babysitting again.’

‘That would be good.’ The subject made his thoughts drift to Shelly. ‘Sounds like Shelly could do with a babysitter too.’

Anya leaned back enough so she could look up at him. ‘She needs to see her husband.’

Rick nodded. ‘I wish there was something I could do to h—’ He cut himself off with a rueful laugh. ‘I really do need to work on that.’

Anya kissed him. ‘Don’t ever feel bad for having a good heart, Rick, and I really wish there was something we could do. I don’t even know what Jason does for a living.’

‘He’s a builder. I know he did a bricklaying course at the local college, but I don’t know if he does other stuff…’ He trailed off as the cogs in his brain began to turn.

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