“There’s not much room,” she said, hand on the doorknob to the garage.
“I’ll manage.”
Ava pulled the door open and flipped the light switch, stepping to the side. The dim overhead light washed over dozens of shelves stacked as high as her garage could accommodate. Each was packed with baskets, cellophane, holiday-themed crinkle paper, and all the goodies for each basket in bulk. She didn’t have room for the ribbon, and kept it in a cluttered spare bedroom.
“Wow. This is quite the setup.” Brayden wandered into the garage, following the only tight path he could. He studied every shelf with such rapt interest that Ava felt flattered.
“It’s too much,” she said. “No way I can sellallof these before Christmas.” Never mind that she needed to sell ninety percent to sleep well on Christmas Eve. “It was cheaper to buy everything in bulk quantities.” She followed a few steps behind him, picking up an ornament and setting it back down. “Plus, I can customize the baskets with this much inventory. No two will be identical.”
When Brayden didn’t say anything, she yearned to ask him about the notice. Maybe it would be easier to rip off the Band-Aid. Easier for him to know the truth and why it was so imperative that she keep her mom as far away from the store as possible. She wanted to trust him. But the words wouldn’t form.
“I still need to find some boxes I can hide under red sheets for my store display,” she said, feeling as though she had to saysomething.
Brayden turned at a corner, and she nearly collided into him. “I have wooden boxes in my shop.”
She grabbed a shelf pole, causing the wooden stirring spoons with moose and bears carved into them to rattle. “How many?”
Steadying the shelf with his strong grip, the spoons quieted. “More than enough for a display. And I might even have an idea about these baskets.”
“What idea?”
Brayden flashed her a smirk that she usually found annoying, but this time made her pulse double.That’s not good. “I’ll let you know soon.”
Ava let out an incredulous laugh, realizing how close they stood together. She should take a step back, but she couldn’t get her feet to do anything but remain firmly planted in place. “And there you go right back to being mysterious.”
“It’s my best quality.”
“I don’t know aboutbest, but definitely most prominent.”
When Brayden reached out a hand toward her cheek, Ava stopped breathing. Was he really going to kiss her? Right here in her dimly lit garage? His finger hooked a strand of hair stuck to her temple and tucked it behind her ear. “I think we’re going to do just fine.”
“What?” The question came out as a raspy whisper.
He dropped his hand and moved forward. “With our mothers. They’ll never suspect a thing.”
ChapterSix
Brayden
The next morning, Brayden arrived with two large coffees in hand. He forgot he’d gone through the specialty brew he purchased at the Forget Me Not and was forced to give Black Bear Coffee his business since her store wasn’t open yet. He was back to working nights in the woodshed to keep up with orders. At this rate, the local coffee shop would be set for the next year.
He let out a yawn so obnoxious it caused Elsie to bark outside Ava’s front door. Before he could hit the doorbell with his elbow, the door popped open.
“Oh, good, you have coffee! I just emptied the pot.” Her eyes sparkled as she took the cup and a sip. “Come in, sorry. I don’t operate well without caffeine. Maybe something else to note for the whole mom invasion. I love coffee more than any sane person should.”
Brayden already knew that about Ava, but most did. He shrugged out of his coat as Elsie trotted up the split staircase behind Ava. He stole an extra moment out of sight to fight another yawn. He’d lied when he told her he was caught up on orders. Though everything in the woodshed wasn’t promised until after the new year, he couldn’t be certain he’d still be in town. He needed to finish and deliver them all by Christmas Eve to be safe.
“Did you get the mockups I sent you?” he asked, kicking off his boots and slogging up the stairs. He’d been up until after two last night creating marketing cards, brushing off rusty skills, and agonizing over getting the designs just perfect. He had a plan for those cards, and they had to wow not only Ava, but a former client of his as well for his idea to work.
“Saw the email. Haven’t had a chance to open it.” Ava bustled around her small kitchen, but it wasn’t until he saw what she was cooking on the stove that he placed the aroma. “Hope you like Western omelets.”
“I do.” Brayden caught himself lost in a moment where all this might be normal. Mornings together where he brought the coffee and Ava made them breakfast. Or the other way around. He wasn’t picky. But the reality, whether or not he wanted to face it, was that he might very well be in Austin soon. Sunset Ridge and mornings with Ava might be but a distant memory.
“Sit down.” She pointed with an elbow to the table. She’d cleared just enough of the Christmas decorations for the two of them to squeeze in plates.
Elsie’s head swiveled between the kitchen and the living room window. The window won out. She plopped down and stared outside. Brayden had never met a dog more content to window watch than this one. He wondered if she’d like Texas or resent him for taking her away from the snow and his treat-generous neighbor.
Brayden wanted to tell his mom no, but it wasn’t that simple.
