“This is so charming,” I said, climbing out of his truck and slamming the door.
The store was petite, with a wooden sign and a front porch—a far cry from the large commercial stores I was used to seeing.
“You’ve got to stop saying everything is charming just because we’re in the mountains,” he said, side-eyeing me as he held the door open.
“What? Just because it’s a place you buy tools it can’t be charming?”
Giles led me down an aisle that held the paint selections. I eyed them and stroked my chin. “What do you think about doing something dark?”
“You’re asking me? I don’t have a creative bone in my body.”
“C’mon Giles, help me.” I nudged him playfully, and the half-smile he gave me in return made my heart flutter.
“A dark blue would look good against all the wood.”
“That’s exactly what I was thinking,” I exclaimed, grabbing a swatch with several different navy variations.
We were pondering over a few choices when a man in an orange vest rounded the corner and joined us in the aisle.
“You two need a paint order?” he drawled.
“Yes actually. I think we’re going to go with this one.” I pointed to a deep blue that reminded me of the ocean on a stormy day.
His eyes moved over me slowly as he took the sample from my hand. His thin lips widened into a smile. I fought the urge to roll my eyes at his blatant attempt to check me out.
“I haven’t seen you around before, and I know everyone. What’s your name, sugar?”
Before I could answer, Giles placed himself in front of me. His stance felt protective, and his eyes were dark. “Back off Earl.”
“Oh shit, I didn’t see you there, Giles. This your new girl?”
Giles curled his fingers into fists as he glanced back at me.
“She works at the lodge.”
“I’m Mattie,” I interjected, feeling ridiculous that they were talking about me as if I wasn’t standing right there.
“Mattie, huh?” My name on his cracked lips made me cringe. “Is Giles here showing you a good time? Because if he’s not, I know all the best bars in the area. I could take you out som—”
“Just the paint, Earl,” Giles snapped.
“Geez, so sensitive. I was just tryna be nice.” Earl backed off, taking our sample with him behind the paint counter. He plugged a few things into a computer. “I’ve got a few other things I need to take care of first. I should be able to have this ready for you in an hour if you want to stop back.”
“That’s perfect.” I put on my best polite smile. “We’ve got other errands to run. We’ll come back when we’re done.”
Giles was still glaring at Earl, so I nudged him. “Let’s go,” I hissed under my breath.
Finally breaking his stare, he met my eyes and nodded.
“See you folks in a few. Nice to meet you, Mattie.”
“You too,” I lied.
As soon as we were out the door, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Well, the workers aren’t nearly as charming as the facade.”
“Earl is a creep,” Giles mumbled. “Don’t come back here without me, okay?” He looked genuinely concerned.
“What would I come back here for? Fishing gear?” I joked.
