"Oh, a deep cherry finish would look great on that." I tell him, inspecting it. "This is a great find. Where did you get it?"
"A shipment came in early this morning. I ordered a bunch of things for the Hoedown. That gives me a couple of days to go through it all and take my pick of the things that go with me. I figure it's best to take some fresh things to that shindig, that way all the old bitties can't throw it in my face that I never have anything new."
I smile at him. He's such an adorable man. "How much do I owe you for this?"
He waves. "Aw, nothing. It only cost me twenty bucks. It'll cost more to re-finish it, but that's a labor of love."
Buddy never asks me for my money, other than for rent, and even that's way below what he should be taking from me. His head lifts from the frame and I follow his gaze to the door. I seeLevi walk in the door. He smiles at Buddy, but his smile grows larger when he sees me. Buddy looks at me and then at Levi. "Lennie, um, why don't you take that frame and see what it looks like with some pictures? That way you can tell what color you'd like it to be."
I'm surprised by this. I hesitate. "Um, sure." I look at Levi, and I can tell that he's picking up on Buddy's behavior. "I'll see you later."
"See you Saturday." Levi says, giving me a wink.
When I glance back at Buddy, before I close the door behind me, he's looking at Levi like he's about to get a dressing down.
Levi
He at least has the grace to wait until she closes the door before he starts on me. "What the hell are you doing, boy?"
I play stupid. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"You are messing with that girl's head."
"I am not. I gave her a riding lesson last night, that's all."
"It's not the lesson I'm worried about. It's the other stuff."
I lift a brow. "If you're insinuating that I'm sleeping with her, you would be dead wrong."
"Don't insult my intelligence, or her virtue, son. Lennie is no harlot."
"You don't have to tell me that, Buddy. And I don't know why you're giving me this lecture, because there's nothing going on between us."
"There's plenty. And you're kidding yourself if y'all are thinking otherwise." He gestures with his hand towards the door. "Those looks. Both of you. You're asking for trouble. I suggest you be careful and keep your distance."
"And how do you suppose I do that? We're friends, I'm teaching her to ride, we both live in the same goddamn small town, and as it turns out, we have a lot in common."
It's the first time I've ever seen Buddy snarl. "You better find a way, goddammit. If you hurt a hair on that little girl's head, so help me God, Levi."
The muscles in my jaw work. I swallow. "You don't understand, Buddy." My voice is raised an octave, and now it lowers. "I'd never hurt her. Not one inch of her." I lick my lips, willing myself not to tell him the truth, but it's coming out, no matter what. "I'm in love with her, man. Cold, hard, completely in love with her."
Chapter 12
Lennie
Buddy helps me attach the trailer to my car. I've chosen six pieces to display at the Copper Cove Hoedown, and I've pulled out my special packaging for events such as this. It puts all my pieces into a secure, soft bubble, so that once I arrive at my destination, my artwork is completely unscathed. The easels that the work will be displayed on sit securely next to it. All the other props and accoutrements are in my car. Buddy also has a trailer, but a larger one, so that he can bring select pieces. We've rented a booth together, so that we can take turns watching theshow and staying close to the booth. This is the norm each year and I'm always really excited to do this. It's always a lot of fun, and on more than one occasion, I've sold almost all my pieces, and brought in more business, too.
"Looks like it's going to be a good turnout." Buddy comments, as I finish setting up my part of the booth, while he returns from grabbing something from the management office.
"It always is. Copper Cove does great advertising for this event. People come from far and wide to see this."
"It's the line dancing." He winks.
"I'm sure."
The booth is a covered cloth tent, sectioned into two L-shaped tables. I've added little white mini-lights, which I've weaved into the rafters and supports that hold the tent up. Both Buddy and I have small banners for our store name set up behind the tables, and my easels are displayed evenly on my side, while Buddy's items are propped on the table, and he's chosen to bring some larger items, which are on the floor. "The anniversary clock is a great find."
"Yeah, it sings." He says proudly, like a little boy, and he shows me the little mechanisms inside that have sound.
