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“That pair won’t come apart,” Mr. Hamilton said, emerging from the back with mugs of coffee. “The others were carved from separate pieces of wood, but I carved that set from one single piece of wood.”
“It’s amazing. They’re all amazing, but this one is incredible.”
“I’m glad you like it. It’s my favorite as well. It took me the better part of four months to carve it, but it was a labor of love. That’s why I priced it so high—I don’t really want to let it go.” He smiled.
Anne glanced at the price tag—$7,500. No one was likely to buy it at that price. She set it gently back in place, carefully balancing the figures lest they somehow fall and break. She took the proffered cup of coffee, gratefully sipping the piping hot brew. “I love your carvings. Maybe I could come and watch you work sometime.”
Mr. Hamilton exchanged a knowing look with Gram. “You’re welcome any time. Just stop by and try the door if the light’s on downstairs. Come on in, if it isn’t locked, even if the sign says ‘Closed.’ I live upstairs, so I’m almost always here.”
“You live upstairs? That’s awesome. How long have you been here?”
“Hmmm, let’s see…” He looked questioningly at Gram.
“Well,” Gram answered for him, “Mr. Hamilton retired twenty years ago. You were seventy when you retired, right?”
“That’s right, and I just turned ninety.”
Gram explained, “Mr. Hamilton was our family’s chauffer for forty years. We gave him this place in lieu of retirement pay. It was his choice.”
“And I’m still happy with my choice. It’s allowed me to do what I love for the past twenty years. I’m lucky my hands haven’t gotten shaky. I have to wear these magnifying glasses to carve now, but I still look forward to my work each day. I’m sure I’d be dead now if I’d simply retired without a purpose.”
“Do you sell a lot of these?” Anne asked.
“Enough to pay for my food and buy supplies. That’s all I need, anyway. There isn’t a huge demand for wood carvings, but I make a few sales every week.”
Anne’s phone vibrated as a text came in. “I hate to leave now, but I need to get back home and change clothes. Tonight I’m going to have a lesson at the climbing gym Katie’s fiancé owns.”
“Have fun dear,” said Gram. “You know the way from here, right?”
“Yes, and thanks for the ride Gram. Nice to meet you Mr. Hamilton.” She hurried out the door.
Anne looked back in the shop window to see the two in close conference, looking very serious. She hoped everything was all right. But she knew she needed to hurry if she was going to have any time to eat before going climbing, especially since she needed to shave her legs.
Back in her apartment, Anne downed a bowl of yogurt with fruit, hoping that would hold her hunger at bay. She jumped into the shower to shave, but realized too late the shower diverter was on. She squealed as cold water doused her hair.
Oh well. Better wet hair than hairy legs.
She shaved her legs quickly, regretfully inspecting her white skin. She hadn’t had time to get a fresh dose of spray tan. Why was she worried about her legs? No one would see them but Katie, Gary, and Mr. Gherring. She tried to convince herself she didn’t care what Mr. Gherring thought about her legs. Tried and failed. Okay, she wanted her legs to look good for him. It was because he looked so good, and she had always been competitive. It certainly wasn’t that she was trying to catch his attention. She just didn’t want to embarrass herself.
Satisfied with her explanation, she pulled on tight liner shorts under her regular shorts to ensure complete coverage when climbing. Her cell phone was buzzing again as she put on an exercise tank top and covered up with jeans and a sweatshirt for protection against the cold. She pulled her wet hair into a ponytail and headed downstairs.
Gherring was waiting in the lobby to give her a ride to the gym. Anne’s heart gave a little lurch. Despite the cold, Gherring had chosen to wear shorts, and his well-muscled legs looked incredible. Anne decided kissing Henri had awoken some urges that had been suppressed for a while. She had to gain control of herself. If the sight of his legs did this to her, what would happen when he took off his coat?
“Ready?” he asked.
“Yep,” she said, trying to keep her focus on his face and not look down at his legs. Still, she couldn’t help a quick downward glance. She forced her gaze upward and reddened at his amused and knowing expression.
“Still planning to beat me like a drum?”
“Like a big bass drum.” She lifted her chin and marched outside to the waiting car.
The gym was a short ride away, and Anne fidgeted while Gherring sat on the opposite side, calmly appraising her.
“Your hair is wet,” he remarked.
“Yes, it is.” She didn’t explain, since it would involve admitting she’d made another clumsy mistake.
“Don’t mothers say you’ll get sick if you go out in the cold with wet hair?”
