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“I could do it on the side. Besides, it would keep me busy and not thinking about other things.” His gaze wandered to a woman in a puffy blue jacket, jeans, and boots who was walking toward the entrance to the barn.
“Holly Jenkins? You still thinking about her?” They’d dated in high school, and something happened their senior year. I wasn’t around for it because I was already away at college. I didn’t know the details, but he hadn’t dated anyone seriously since.
“Of course not,” he said, just as her gaze snagged on him. Talon nodded in her direction, and other than a slight widening of her eyes, she didn’t acknowledge the gesture.
Once she’d gone inside, I asked, “Are you guys cool to be in the same room?”
“Nope,” Talon said as he raised his bottle and drained it. “She’s going to have a bunch of boxes in her car to carry inside. Can you help her?”
“Are you sure you don’t want to do it?” I asked.
Talon sighed. “I don’t think she wants me around.”
I shifted off the wall and squared my shoulders. Emmett and I shared the responsibility of teaching our younger brothers how to treat women. “Is there something you want to tell me about what happened between you two?”
“I guess I screwed up. I wanted to be there for her, but she wouldn’t let me. I know I’m not making sense, but I’ve never understood it myself.” He dropped his water bottle into the recycling can. “I’ll work on a few smaller metal structures that we can place along the lane. I’m not promising anything spectacular.”
I held up my hands. “Anything would be great. Even if it was a tree and we put it next to the sign at the entrance; that would be nice.”
Talon nodded. “That’s an idea. I like that.”
Once he got an idea, he couldn’t let it go. “Don’t work too hard on it.”
Talon chuckled, and when the door opened, he said, “I’m going to start working on it.”
Holly came out and watched his back as he walked away.
I approached her. “You need help with some boxes?”
She nodded, her expression troubled. “I brought more ornaments to put in the shop.”
I fell into step next to her. “Ireland was the one who asked more artists to supply their wares in the barn.”
“I’m grateful. There aren’t many Christmas shops around. I’ve been to the stores on Main Street in Annapolis, and only one was interested. Many don’t want the trouble of offering consignment to artists who only make holiday-specific items.”
“Have you thought about making crafts for other times of the year?” I asked as I fell into step next to her.
“I’ll probably need to.” She stopped at the trunk of a small sedan and pushed the button for it to open. The back was stuffed with boxes.
I hefted two into my arms. “I’m sorry about Talon.”
When her surprised gaze flitted to mine, I rushed to assure her. “I don’t know what happened between you two, but it seems unresolved.”
She sighed and grabbed a brown paper bag. “I didn’t handle things the best when everything went down. But I don’t know how to broach the subject now. You see him. Every time I’m nearby, he leaves.”
I followed her. “My impression is that he thinks that’s what you want.”
Inside, the shop was packed. There was a line for those who were paying for trees and another for the shop itself.
As much as I loved seeing the number of customers inside, I preferred to be outside. “It wouldn’t hurt to talk about it. Maybe you could get some closure.”
Pain and regret flashed across her face. “I don’t know if that’s possible, but I’ll think about it.”
I placed the boxes in front of one of the trees where her items were displayed. “Talon hasn’t been with anyone seriously since you dated. Maybe it would help him move on, too.”
She smiled, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Maybe.”
“If he did anything to hurt you—”
