Page 7 of A Secret Heart
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Ed didn’t dare glance back, even if every hair on his neck prickled from Rebekah’s certain scrutiny. He’d never give her the satisfaction of knowing she flustered him.
Careful not to scuff the wood finish against the door, Ed settled the cradle at his feet, then rapped on the door. At least Rebekah appeared to be staying put in the wagon. All he needed right now was her nosy reporter questions interrupting his delivery. He’d handle her questions on the rest of the drive home.
The door opened a little at first, then swung wide.
“Ed, you finished it!” Jeb Nelson, a young man not much older than Ed himself, squatted beside the piece, rubbing his hand along the wood. His fingers followed the intricate carving before he turned his face up to offer an approving smile. “It’s beautiful. Far more ornate than I imagined. My wife will love it. What do I owe you?”
“Same price we agreed on before.” Ed shifted a little. Jeb was a friend. Ed had known him since they’d played tag in the churchyard. And besides, everyone in town knew Jeb hadn’t worked in a week.
“But you added all that fancy work.” His friend lifted his eyes from the cradle, rising from his squat as he did.
Jeb’s wife, Clarissa, joined them at the door. “Ed! Oh, it’s beautiful.”
Pride straightened his shoulders as he directed his words to his old friend. “I quoted you a price. I’m sticking to it.”
“Ed, you don’t have to do that.”
“I stand by the price I quoted you. That’s all.”
“If you insist.” Jeb patted Ed’s shoulder, his gratitude shining on his face. “I know another family that would love to have so fine a piece. I’d be happy to send them your way.”
Ed reached out to offer the man his hand. He wanted this. His work had value. But promising to care for Rebekah along with the list of chores waiting for him back home made it near impossible. “Many thanks. Things are busy at the ranch right now, but I’ll let you know.”
“Would you like to stay for coffee? Feel free to invite your friend.” Clarissa nodded to the wagon, then squinted. “Is that Rebekah?”
“Rebekah Edwards?” Jeb released Ed from his handclasp to stare at the wagon, then back at him.
Ed’s palms began to sweat as he threw a glance over his shoulder at the wagon. Did everyone in town know about their dislike for each other? Rebekah perched on the edge of her seat, surely listening. “I promised her uncle I’d take her home while he’s away.”
Jeb shared a side glance with Clarissa. “I thought the two of you didn’t get along. Remember, she named everyone that sang at the last young people’s social in that newspaper article. Everyone but you.”
“It’s fine.” But it wasn’t fine. And the sooner he got her home, the better. “Guess I need to get going. Chores are waiting.”
Clarissa rubbed the dress that flowed over her protruding stomach as she arched her brows in a sympathetic sort of look. “Give Rebekah our best.”
Ed nodded, shaking Jeb’s hand again. Their continued praise for his work amongst themselves, even as he walked away, warmed a place inside him that he hadn’t thought of for years. His work with the wood was all his own to give. Not a chore or a piece of the McGraw homestead. A piece of himself.
He settled back on the seat with a terse nod to Rebekah before he clicked the reins.
“Beautiful cradle. You really made it?” Her voice held a note of incredulousness, and he bristled. Didn’t she think he had the talent?
“I did.”
“How are the Nelsons?” Rebekah smoothed her skirt.
“Clarissa sends her best,” he said grudgingly.
The wagon jolted as they left the town behind and angled onto the road leading home.
“That was kind of you not to charge them for the extras.”
He shouldn’t be annoyed that she’d listened, but he felt hot under the collar. That was his business.
He caught the sideways glance Rebekah sent him as if she’d expected a response. “How do you ever find time to work on furniture?”
“I make time.” Ed worked the reins, keeping his gaze on the road as an awkward silence filled the space between them.
