Page 94 of More Than Words
Reid turned and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at me.
I knew I was taking a risk by popping into my brother’s wood shop unannounced and unwelcome, but I could not sit at home or in the brewery for another moment justwaiting.
“I’m losing my mind here, Reid.I can’t just do nothing.”
“That’s a you problem,” he growled.“I don’t work with an audience,” he told me.“So if you want me to finish this for you on the ridiculously tight timeline you’ve demanded of me, you need to go find something else to do.”
I opened my mouth to say something but snapped it shut again.Arguing with Reid about how fast he was working on the piece I’d commissioned was definitely the wrong move.Even through my clouded brain, I could see that.
“Okay, okay.I hear you.”I dragged a hand through my hair and took a step back from the workbench.
Reid grunted and picked up a rag.I watched while he ran it down the smooth edge of the piece, inspecting a tiny detail I couldn’t see.
I shifted my weight and shoved my hands in my pockets.“You think she’s going to like it?”
A sound dangerously close to a growl escaped my brother.“You already asked me that.”
“You didn’t answer.”
He sighed.The kind that said he was only barely controlling his temper, which was impressive considering Reid was not known for holding back.Either he really did feel bad for me and my situation, or Avery had made a bigger impact on him than I realized.
He turned and ran a hand down the back side of the piece.“I think she’s going to love it.”He wiped a speck of dust I didn’t see from the surface.“But that’s not the point, and I think you know that.”
I did.
I took a step closer, examining the piece Reid created based on my vision.The warm wood grain, the smooth beveled top, and the inlaid details of mountains and books on the front.It truly was a stunning front counter for Plot Twist.It was everything Delaney deserved.
“I just keep second-guessing myself,” I confessed after a moment.“Will this be enough?”
“No,” Reid said without hesitation.“This is a gesture.But it’s not the solution.You know that, brother.”
I did.I blew out a breath.
“But do you think it’s too late?”
With an exasperated exhale, Reid set the rag down and turned.“Honestly?No.I don’t.”
I raised one brow and waited.
“I think she’s hurt, Ethan.But she’s not gone.Not yet, and I think you know that, which is why you’re standing here, driving me crazy.”
I chuckled and shook my head.“I never thought I’d see the day when I was relying on you for emotional insight, Reid.”
That brought a smile to my brother’s face.“Don’t get used to it.”
We stood there for a moment, the smell of wood stain and sawdust filling the space between us, before I finally said, “She’s the one.”
Reid’s expression softened.After a moment, he nodded.“I know.”
Before I could respond, he punched me in the shoulder.“So grab an end and get this loaded up and over to Delaney so I don’t need to hear about it anymore.”
ChapterTwenty-Four
Delaney
By the time I made it back to the shop, the sun was dipping low, casting golden streaks across the snow-dusted plaza.I tugged my scarf tighter around my neck, more as a security mechanism than to keep out the chill that seemed to be seeping into every part of me.
I was beyond exhausted.And it wasn’t just the long hours spent getting ready for the holiday season.Opening up to Avery, even if it was just a little bit, had left me wrung out.I felt like I could crawl into bed and sleep for days.
