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I exit from behind the counter and follow him to open and hold the door for him. “I’ll see you then.”
I shut the door behind him and turn back to see Hannah running a hand over one of the sample dining tables on the show floor.
“Not gonna lie; I didn’t know what to expect, but your shop is pretty cool,” she muses.
“We like to think so.”
“These pieces are amazing,” she continues.
“Thanks. Can I ask what brings you in this morning? Are you in need of some furniture?”
Her head snaps up. “Oh, no. Mom, Aunt Trixie, and I had breakfast over at the diner, and the two of them popped into the fabric store to pick up a few bolts for some craft project they want to do, so I thought I’d wander over and say hello to Keller and see the studio while I waited for them.”
“I’m glad you did. Come on. I’ll show you around.”
I extend my arm. “This is obviously the showroom. We keep a variety of samples on display for customers to come in and peruse. They are just for visual reference. We can take any of these and create unique custom designs for each person. Keller does the crafting of the wood, and I do any custom carvings or painting they request. We also do wood sculptures, and I work with metal as well. Follow me, and I’ll show you where the magic happens.”
I lead her into the back workshop.
“We don’t let just anyone see behind the curtain. So, I expect your full discretion,” I tease.
She makes a cross motion over her heart.
“This is the workshop. Keller occupies the left, and this is my space,” I say as I gesture toward the right, where my art studio stands. “We meet in the middle when our specialties collide on a project.”
She walks over to a bronze sculpture I’m working on for an upcoming fiftieth anniversary celebration. It stands approximately four feet tall and consists of masculine hands reaching up to take hold of a floating feminine hand. All that’s left is the engraving of the poem the couple’s children asked to be added to the plate on the base of the structure.
“You made this?” she asks as she looks back to me over her shoulder.
“I did.”
“It’s exquisite,” she says.
Before I can respond, the front bell chimes again.
“Excuse me for a moment,” I say before going to greet the new arrival.
Sandra McNeal sweeps in, carrying a box of confections.
“Good morning, Bran,” she greets.
“Sandra.”
She sets the box beside the register. “I was over at the bakery and thought I’d bring you and Keller a few snacks and see if you were free for lunch.”
“I appreciate that, but Keller’s out, and he won’t be back until this evening, so I’m staying in for lunch today.”
Her bottom lip pops out, and she places her elbows on the counter and leans in. “Can’t you close up for an hour? You have to eat, don’t you?” she whines.
“We have a lot of pickups scheduled today. It’s a busy time of year,” I inform her.
“Fine. I’ll take a rain check this time, but I’ll be back on Thursday, and I won’t take no for an answer.”
Hannah appears through the swinging doors that separate the workshop from the showroom.
Sandra stands up straight and watches as she joins us at the register.
“Hello,” Sandra says.
