I growled. “You’re really having fun with this, aren’t you?”
“The most fun I have had in some time.” She lifted the corner of her lip, flashing a tooth. “Now, I suggest we return to work. I would like to finish with sharp tools for the eveningbeforeopening any spirits if you don’t mind.”
“You are a most sensible lady.”
◊ ◊ ◊
We lost count of clock bells as we worked into the night, exchanging snippets of our lives as we shaved and filed away at our blocks of wood.
“Am I finished?” She held up a board half the length of her forearm with the zigzag box joint cut into it.
“Doyouthink you’re finished?” I replied, holding up my own.
“The only way to tell is to see if it fits with… is this an actual instructional technique or are you attempting to extract revenge for earlier?”
“Perhaps.”
“Can we get on with it, then? I would like to open the sparkling wine before it ages into a completely new vintage.”
“How about a wager on whether it fits?”
“I amnota betting lady.”
“Afraid of losing?”
“Your flimsy charm is wearing even thinner.”
I extended my palm to her. “Yours is growing stronger.”
She rolled her eyes. “If the pieces fit,youprovide the picnic lunch next time.”
“And if they don’t, you owe me a—”
“A what?”
I nearly said kiss. Good thing we hadn’t opened the bottle yet, or that would have slipped out.
“A… dancing lesson.”
She nodded firmly. “We have an accord.”
I extended my piece.
She took it, and slid the joints of her own piece into place, jiggling to test for excess play.
I sighed. “All kidding aside, you did a nice job. Some people might look down on crafts like this as unsophisticated commoners’ work. But you took it seriously and put in the effort to learn.”
Her slow blinks made those green eyes even larger and more expressive. “I had a diligent instructor.”
“And charming?”
She held up a thumb and forefinger. “Perhaps a little.”
“Well, since I’m going to be supplying the next one, we’d better make full use of this picnic.” I removed the bottle and began undoing the wire cage. “I have never uncorked one of these before, so I assume you’ll inform me if I’m making any horrible mistakes?”
“Don’t aim the cork at your eyes.”
“Thanks, I got that. Hey, isn’t this supposed to be chilled?”
