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“I think it’s great. They’re going to love them.” I moved slowly around the room, taking in everything she was working on.
“The entire tree will be decorated with my ornaments. I’d love to blow some glass ornaments. These don’t feel special enough.”
“I didn’t realize you did that.” I loved getting to know the woman she was now.
“I have taken classes, but I’ve never bought the equipment. It’s pricy, and I wasn’t sure I could recoup the cost.”
My heart ached for her because I knew what it was like to be an artist and not be able to afford the things you needed to create what was in your heart and soul.
“The thing is, she needs this as soon as possible. I probably won’t be able to manage the hand-blown glass ornaments.”
“When does she need it by?”
“In a few days. I wanted to get these completed first and then look into buying what I needed for the blown glass.”
I debated how much I could help her without her balking. “I know a place that sells used equipment. We might be able to find what we need.”
“Are you serious?” Holly asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
“Why don’t you shower, and I’ll make a phone call.” If there was one, I wanted to tell the owner I’d pay for part of it. I didn’t want Holly to know about it, though. She was too proud to accept any help.
Holly moved across the room and into my arms. “Thank you.”
I wrapped my arms around her, breathing in her scent. “I haven’t done anything yet.”
She lifted her head so that she could see me. “I appreciate that you’re trying to help me. No one else in my life gets this like you do. Most people would have run from this.” She gestured at the mess that was her living room.
I chuckled. “I admire you for working so hard.”
Holly let out a breath as if she’d been holding it in for ages. “I’ll be quick.”
“Take your time,” I said as I pulled out my phone and called my friend, Owen. He had a store in Annapolis where he sold new and used equipment. I hoped he’d have what she needed. I knew a little about it, but he’d know more.
Within a few minutes, I’d placed a hold on a used kiln and paid for part of it over the phone. Owen had strict instructions to place the remainder of the price on the item so that when we arrived, Holly would think it was affordable.
I hoped she’d be so excited to find what she needed that she wouldn’t balk at why it was so cheap.
When I was finished talking to Owen, I moved to her kitchen and started brewing coffee for us. I wanted to take her for breakfast, buy her what she needed to get started with her new project, and get her set up in my shed. I anticipated resistance somewhere throughout the day, and I needed caffeine for that.
A few minutes later, I poured coffee into two travel mugs and added creamer to Holly’s. The shower turned off, then a hair dryer turned on.
I sipped my coffee at the counter, imagining Holly drying her long hair while only wrapped in a towel. The image was too tantalizing for this early in the morning. I envisioned bare legs and her skin glistening from the shower.
I’d give anything to have the right to walk into her bathroom and tug the towel free. But we weren’t dating. We were merely getting reacquainted with each other.
I sighed as I tried to think of anything else as the seconds ticked by. The equipment we’d need for Holly’s project, how successful Marley’s plan would be. By the time Holly returned in jeans and a sweater, I’d almost forgotten about her bare skin.
“Are you ready to go?” Holly asked, excitement filling her voice.
I handed the mug to her. “First, coffee. Then I want to take you to breakfast.”
“I thought we were going to look at kilns?”
“We need to eat first. Besides, I’d planned to take you out to eat to celebrate my project being finished.”
She paused. “Wait. Shouldn’t I be taking you out?”
I threw an arm around her shoulders as I guided her toward the front door. “That’s semantics. What I know is that I need to eat before I discuss kilns.”
