Samira couldn’t believe what she just heard. At no point during any of their conversations did he mention making furniture. Even when she asked him about working on the water, he kept the shop to himself. She had tons of questions and didn’t even know where to begin.
“How?” was all she could manage.
Andy took her hand once again and brought her over to the display area. “Don’t worry, I’ll fill you in later. What do you think of this bench?”
She turned her attention to the large, knotty-pine bench. It was large enough to fit at least four people, and she could picture it along the side of her deck, with a few outdoor pillows. And maybe a table to go with it. She looked next to it and saw the perfect table to place across from the bench. She let go of Andy’s hand and looked around, running her hand along a solid wood bar table as she surveyed the room.
“This is all amazing. You made these?” she commented.
“Some of it. Josh does most of it during crab season. I get out here more during the fall and winter,” Andy explained.
“Well, I can’t believe you didn’t mention this. It really is great,” she repeated.
“I’m glad you like it. Did you find something you want for your deck? My feelings won’t be hurt if you didn’t. I know of a couple other places we can look.”
“Stop it. I like all of it. Seriously. But I will take the bench and the table next to it. I really like the bar table and chairs too, butsince I won’t be taking it with me it doesn’t make sense to spend the money on it,” she answered.
“Alright,” Andy said to Josh. “Let’s get the bench and table loaded up into my truck.”
“How much?” Samira asked.
“I made that bench,” Andy answered. “Josh can tell you how much for the table.”
“No. I want to pay for all of it. They’re beautiful and they took a lot of time.”
“We won’t take more than cost for them, then,” Josh replied and motioned for her to follow him into the office.
When she came outside after settling the bill, Andy already had the table loaded into his truck. Josh took one end of the bench and in no time, everything was secured into the bed. Samira took one last look around the shop before joining the men at the truck.
“You’re all set,” Josh said after closing the tailgate. “It was great meeting you. Hopefully Andy will bring you back to get a better look around.”
“I’m so glad he brought me here. It was great seeing you again, and I really do love all your work. This was a big surprise. I’ll definitely be back.”
Samira joined Andy, and they waited until Josh made his way back into the building before either of them spoke.
“You failed to mention your furniture making hobby,” Samira said.
“Yeah well,” he hesitated, “you’re the only one who knows about it.”
Samira folded her arms and leaned against the truck. “How could you keep something like this a secret? You’re obviously talented, and I assume you cover at least half of the expenses here. This isn’t like building model cars or something.”
“It’s kind of a long story,” he said quietly. “I’m a better storyteller when I have a full stomach. Come on. I know a place with good seafood, too.”
Chapter 8
The Old Mill Crab House was Andy’s favorite restaurant. The brown paper-covered tables made him feel like he was eating at home without the work or the cleanup. He was glad he could share the last weekend of the season with Samira.
“It’s a shame they don’t stay open all year,” Samira commented on the notice clipped to the menu.
“I guess only locals get excited about oyster season,” Andy replied.
“If only people thought of single fried oysters instead of nasty, snotty, raw oysters on a half shell,” Samira joked. “Anyway, back to the furniture making and why no one knows.”
“It’s really not a big secret, I just haven’t told anyone about it. We were just getting things started when my dad got too sick to keep working on the boat. I knew where things were heading but decided to move forward with the shop anyway.”
“It’s not a secret, you just haven’t told anyone? That’s pretty much the definition of a secret. And for a non-secret, it’s strange my aunt hasn’t been going on about it.”
“You would make an excellent journalist,” Andy mumbled.
