Page 92 of More Than Words
“I need it finished.”I cut him off.“Yesterday.”
He blew out a breath that turned into a chuckle.“I can’t go back in time, brother.”
“Don’t I know it,” I muttered under my breath and then to Reid said, “I can come by the shop tomorrow and help.I need it done, Reid.As quickly as possible.”
He was silent for a moment before I heard him blow out a breath.“Okay.I’ll see what I can do about speeding things up.But I’m pretty sure having you lurking over my shoulder isn’t going to make anything go any faster.”
ChapterTwenty-Three
Delaney
The Tamarack Inn always felt like a warm hug.The moment I set foot inside the main lobby, I could smell something delicious mingling with the comforting, subtle scent of wood in the fireplace.
I shifted the canvas bag of books higher up on my shoulder and stamped the snow from my boots before tugging them off and leaving them on the rack by the front door.
Avery and Reid had done an amazing job with the renovation work on the inn, creating a welcoming space where both guests and locals liked to gather.There were a few people in the main room playing cards in front of the fireplace as I made my way to the back of the big house to the kitchen.
“Hey,” Avery said from the stove when I walked in.“You made it.”
“I sure did.”I sat on a stool at the big island.“What are you cooking?It smells amazing.”
“A toffee glaze for a coffee cake.”She looked up at me as she continued stirring.“It will only be a moment.If I stop stirring, it’ll burn.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I told her.“I’m not in a hurry.Rochelle is watching the shop, and I have nowhere to be.”
Avery flashed me a smile.“Then settle in.There’s a fresh pot of coffee.Help yourself.”
I made myself a cup and settled back into my spot, watching my friend as she masterfully glazed the coffee cake on the antique glass stand.
“I had no idea you were such a baker.”I lifted my mug.“That looks incredible.”
“Honestly, I’ve never been good at baking,” she admitted.“But it turns out if you follow a recipe exactly, you have half a chance of it turning out edible.”
I laughed.“That looks more than edible, Avery.”
“I’ve been getting better.”Avery shrugged.“As long as the guests like it, that’s all that matters.”
She stacked the dishes in the sink, poured herself a cup of coffee, and joined me at the counter.
“How’s your holiday season looking?”I asked.“Are you booked up?”
“We are!It’s incredible,” she said.“Truthfully, this whole thing is exceeding even my wildest hopes.I couldn’t be more thrilled.”
I smiled warmly, happy for my friend.“You deserve it.”I lifted the canvas tote and set it on the counter.“I brought you a selection of some of the most popular books in the shop right now.”
“Thank you so much for bringing them over.”Avery slid the bag over and pulled the books out.“I’ll pop over and pay for these later.”
“No rush.”I waved her off.“I was happy for the excuse to get out of the shop for a bit.”
And out of the plaza, I thought with a grimace.Having Ethan so close, yet so far away, was only getting harder instead of easier.It was ridiculous, but I couldn’t stop staring at the wall we shared and remembering little things.Like how the dust had flown out of the duct the day I’d stormed over to his construction zone and confronted him.Had it really been so long ago?
Or when he sat in the chairs in the nook and told me whyWheel of Timehad been his favorite series since he was young.
I needed to move past it.Besides, it was better that I figured out who Ethan really was before things got even more serious.
It was what I’d been telling myself, anyway.Even if I didn’t quite believe it.Or believe it even a little bit.
I exhaled sharply and refocused on my friend, who was watching me with a concerned look.“Where is Reid today, anyway?”
