Page 16 of Just One Chance

Kennedy glanced up at me with a questioning look in her eyes.

"I'll make anything the customer requests, whether it's unique or something I've made before."

"Let's get it in your truck so you can be on your way."

"My wife is so excited; she planned a dinner party for Saturday."

"I'd love to see a picture of it in your space." I lifted one end of the table, and Dean lifted the other.

"Will do."

With two of us, it was easy to turn it over and rest it on the blanket in his truck bed. Then I secured it with straps. "That should do it."

"I'll come to you for everything we need now. You can't beat the craftsmanship. I just wish you made couches."

"Couches are outside my wheelhouse," I joked. It was nice to hear that he appreciated my work, especially when my parents might not.

Dean chuckled. "Have a good day."

I waited while he turned on the engine and drove down the lane.

When I turned to go back inside, Kennedy said, "He was nice."

I nodded. "He's a good guy. His wife was my teacher in high school. Sweet lady."

Her eyes widened. "It is a small town."

"Yeah, we know most people in these parts, except for the tourists obviously."

"How do you advertise your work?" She walked around the space, taking everything in.

"I don't."

She turned to face me, her eyes wide. "What do you mean?"

I shrugged. "I get business from word-of-mouth referrals.”

A crease appeared between her brows. "Don't you think you could have even more orders if you had a website?"

"I'm only one guy though. I can't do everything."

She resumed walking around the space. "I suppose that's true. But it's more professional."

"Out here, people don't always expect websites. Word of mouth and a call to someone's cell phone is just as good."

"A lot of people don't like making calls though. They'd prefer the ease of an email."

"Maybe one day." But it certainly wouldn't be at her suggestion.

She moved around the space, and her scrutiny made me feel slightly uncomfortable. No one besides customers or family had ever been in here before, and no one had ever asked questions.

"Why don't you tell me about your process?"

"I get an order, take the specs. Then I put the customer on my schedule. I work on one or two pieces at a time." I moved to the work area where I had another table in progress and a bookshelf. "Then I contact the customer once it's done. I set it up over by the door, and they can come and pick it up whenever."

"Your stuff is really nice. It's all wood. Sturdy. I'm sure it lasts a long time."

I tracked her movement around the room, the admiration in her gaze. "I hope people still value quality and durability. But who knows?"