Brayden glanced at Elsie pacing in the truck, reminding him he only had minutes before Harold locked up and went in search of his own coffee. “No, of course not. I wouldn’t ask you to go through all that trouble to impress your fake boyfriend’s mom.”
“Is that a challenge, Brayden Young?” A smirk formed on those kissable lips, causing his heart to skip a beat then double another. “Just because I don’tlikewearing dresses doesn’t mean I won’t.”
“You’re in good spirits,” he said, evading. Mom could secretly love Ava, but she’d never admit it on principle. It had been that way for years, for both him and Sarra and anyone they might be dating. Mom found flaws and kept her compliments between pursed lips.
“I sold out of all the baskets you brought over yesterday. Every single one. Can you believe that?”
“That’s amazing! Do you have more?”
“Worked on them all last night.” She looked down at her ankle boots, shuffling from one foot to another. It was too cold to stand out here like this, but he hated the idea of leaving her behind. It didn’t make sense. “Thanks for setting up that display for me, Brayden. You really didn’t have to do that.”
He shrugged. “I was there. It needed to be done.”
“You did a really good job.” Ava studied him with too much interest. “Toogood. But Glenda refuses to take an ounce of credit. Insists it was all you and some Christmas magic up your sleeve.”
“You better grab your coffee before the line gets any longer.”
Ava pulled open the door again, hesitating as if she might say something important. But all that came out was, “See you at four.”
Brayden gave a nod and hurried to his truck. He had hoped that distance yesterday would help him put up a wall. One that was essential for Ava’s protection until his mess of a life was sorted out. But despite his best attempts, his feelings were growing stronger, warring with the heavy decision he had to make. If only Mom recognized Sarra’s talents before she jumped ship, maybe his sister would be in line to take over the company instead.
His gaze followed Ava through the storefront window until he backed away and headed the short two blocks to the hardware store.
Lights outlined the storefront windows, and one of the trees displayed was filled with ornaments. He clipped Elsie’s leash to her collar before lifting her out of the truck, then reached back inside for the coffee.
“Morning, Brayden.” Harold accepted the offering with a smile, taking a sip, then giving Elsie head scratches. Brayden didn’t miss the flashed smile of approval for the peppermint. “Don’t tell my wife I like this stuff.” He chortled.
“Wouldn’t dream of sharing your secret.”
“What do you need today?”
Brayden pulled a list from his pocket. The idea to make Ava a new desk had been born yesterday when he set the flyers in her office. Her desk was old and beaten up. One of the legs wobbled. When he attempted to tighten the loose screw, he noticed the worn hole. Too many attempts to fix the desk over the years had left it worse for wear.
He also spotted the box, filled to the brim with papers, books, and trinkets.
During his drive home last night, he designed her desk in his mind. One with cubbies, slots for notebooks and ledgers, and a better setup for her computer. It was one of the reasons he took right to the shop instead of going to bed. He sketched it out, decided on dimensions, and figured out what supplies he had and which he lacked. “New project,” he said. “Here’s my list.”
If Brayden left Alaska for good, he wanted Ava to remember him fondly. If he stayed . . . Brayden shook it away. The desire to stay had never been stronger since Mom backed him into this new corner. Four o’clock would come too soon.
* * *
“Relax,” Brayden said, patting the top of Ava’s hand as they sat in his truck in the lodge parking lot. She’d spent the drive through town tapping her ankle boots against the hard plastic floor mats as she dug through her giant purse, but never pulled anything out. “It’ll be over before you know it.”
Ava looked down at his hand. “Easy for you to say.”
“Her bark is way worse than her bite.” Brayden squeezed her chilled fingers, hoping she felt the reassurance he extended. “She’s tough on the outside, but there’s a secret heart of gold underneath it all.”
Dad’s passing had hardened Mom. She took over the company and threw herself into its success, leaving time for little else. To Brayden’s knowledge, Mom had never dated anyone those twenty years after Dad’s death. He always suspected her ironclad exterior was her way of protecting her heart.
“Any tips?” Ava asked, pulling away her hand and plunging it back into her purse.
“One.”
“Yeah?”
“Don’t mention my sister. It’s a . . . sore subject.”
Ava frowned at him. “Not exactly what I was looking for, but I’ll keep that in mind.” She unlocked her phone, typing something into it.Notes, perhaps?“No comments about Sarra. Got it.”
