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She’d opened up to me, and that was huge. We worked silently for a while, her phone continuing to play holiday tunes softly in the background. When we had half of the porch done, I got down off the ladder to see how it looked.
With her hands on her hips, Holly said, “Your porch already looks more festive.”
I had a couple of rocking chairs Heath had gifted me and a small table in between. They were handmade and sturdy and fit perfectly with the rustic look of the cabin.
We moved to the other side of the porch as a truck rumbled up the drive.
Knox got out with two boxes of pizza, his eyes widening as he took us in. “You’re decorating your porch.”
“That’s right,” I said as I took the boxes from him and went inside. I threw open the lid as he followed me.
Knox stood at the counter, his eyes filled with curiosity as Holly came inside and grabbed glasses, filling them with water.
“Are you joining us for dinner?” Holly asked him, and I wish she hadn’t. I wanted her to myself.
“I just wanted to deliver the pizzas. I didn’t realize you had company,” Knox said, more to me.
I shrugged like this was an everyday occurrence. “We cut down a tree, and Holly’s helping me decorate.
Knox wanted to ask me something; his body was practically vibrating with energy, but I ignored his discomfort. I knew he wouldn’t ask, not with Holly in the room. Besides, I wasn’t prepared to answer any questions about what the hell I was doing.
I grabbed some plates and grabbed slices for me and Holly.
“I’ll leave you to it,” Knox said, and on the way out, he touched my shoulder. “This looks good on you.”
Holly tipped her head to the side when he shut the door behind him. “What did he mean, it looks good on you?”
“I don’t know, life? I’ve been wrapped up in my work for so long.”
“You said that if we spent time together, it would be good for both of us.” Holly wrapped a strand of cheese on top of her slice and took a bite.
“It looks like I was right.” I already felt lighter, and things around me were more interesting. It was like I’d been living in a tunnel of darkness, and I was just now seeing the light.
Ravenous, I took a huge bite of my pizza and washed it down with the water Holly had poured. It wasn’t as good as a beer, but I didn’t have one. I’d need to get to the store and finally stock the fridge. I couldn’t keep living on scraps and Mom’s cooking. I needed to get back to the land of the living. There was more to life than work, and Holly had just reminded me of that.
Chapter 9
Holly
I carried the boxes of ornaments into the shop, wondering if I’d see Talon today. He usually kept to his cabin and workshop, but after the other night, I hoped we’d see more of each other.
It seemed like he was interested in spending more time with me and his family. I mouthed, “Hello,” to Lori, who was waiting on a line of customers at the register, and I set the box down in front of one of the trees in the showroom.
The baskets under the tree were empty, so I refilled them. The one of the inn went into a basket, the trees in another, and the cabin in yet another. I’d even brought a few bird ornaments to show Lori.
Marley took one of the cardinal ornaments from my hands and held it up to the light. “How was your date with Talon?”
My cheeks heated. “It was nice to reconnect.”
“This ornament is gorgeous,” Marley said as she handed it to me.
“Talon thinks I should consign them to a museum gift shop,” I said, like it was a crazy idea, but my heart was thumping in my chest.
Marley’s forehead creased. “Like the Smithsonian museums?”
The thought of my creations in one of those museums was too big for my mind to reconcile. “That or even Longwood Gardens.”
Marley smiled. “I’ve never been, but I’ve heard the grounds are beautiful.”
