“I’ve got my work cut out for me, but I’ll get it done.” Determination laced each of Taryn’s words, telling him she would even if it killed her.
“You need help.” The sentence flew out of his mouth.
Taryn shrugged. “I’m using the same theme as before, but it took me two weeks working each night to make the first one. Jayden wants me to ask a paramedic for help.”
Margot perked up. “Do you mean the new guy with gray eyes, a killer smile, and to-die-for body who asked you out a few months ago, and you turned down?”
“Yes. I said no yesterday when Jayden brought it up.” Taryn held up her bandaged hand. “But I’m not sure I have a choice. I’ll be upfront about what’s going on, so he doesn’t get the wrong idea.”
“Go for it,” Margot encouraged. “Be upfront, but you might still end up with a boyfriend or husband out of the deal.”
Taryn blushed.
Margot’s matchmaking must extend beyond family members, but Garrett didn’t like the idea of Taryn being forced to rely on someone’s help if she hadn’t wanted to go out with the guy before.
“I need the booth ready on time.” Taryn lowered her arm. “If I knew anyone with construction know-how who was free over the next couple of days, I’d ask them. But people are too busy.”
Garrett had experience and the time, but he didn’t have to speak up. If he said nothing, no one would know.
Not true.
He would.
The cons of offering ran through this mind—his workload, helping with the wedding, how things stood between them, and Taryn falling for the hottie helper, who must be interested in her if he asked her out. Only had one pro appeared—helping her would allow him to make amends for his actions—but that was enough. “If you’re flexible about the time of day, I can help.”
“You?” she and Margot asked at the same time.
Okay, he usually sat behind a desk in a corner office or stood in front of a courtroom. His hands weren’t calloused and scarred, but… “I’ve worked on Habitat for Humanity projects for over fifteen years. I picked up a few construction skills.”
“Wonderful.” Margot clapped her hands together. “You’ll finish faster with two people working on the booth.”
Taryn said nothing, but she dragged her upper teeth over her lower lip.
“I’m happy to help.” He wanted her to be as pleased by his offer as Margot was. “If you want my help.”
“Of course she wants it.” Margot sounded as if this were a done deal. “Isn’t that right, dear?”
Taryn swallowed. “I could use a hand, especially now that I hurt mine, but—”
“No buts,” Margot interrupted.
Taryn looked at Garrett, but he couldn’t read her face. The dark circles under her eyes suggested she wasn’t sleeping enough. She might consider him an enemy, but he’d been shouted at, attacked, and threatened by attorneys and clients. If it were for the right reason like making up for what he’d done, he could handle pretty much anything, including a hostile work environment.
“I’m up for it.” Whatever “it” entailed. His voice remained confident, even if his insides twisted. “If you are.”
She gave a slight nod. If Garrett hadn’t been so focused on her, he would have missed it. “Okay.”
Her soft, tentative tone made him want to hug her and say it would all work out. But he couldn’t. “Okay.”
“It’s settled.” Margot studied the desserts. “Now, tell us about these delicious treats you’ve prepared for us, and after we’ve finished, you two can figure out the booth while I get Angus and Sadie from Callie’s.”
If Garrett didn’t know better, he would think Margot orchestrated this. But not even the Silver Falls matchmaker extraordinaire would have ruined the first booth.
Taryn inhaled, her features relaxing. “Use the paper in front of you to make notes. The numbers on the plate will help you keep track of what’s what.”
“That’s smart.” Margot shot him a sideways glance. “Isn’t that smart of her, Garrett?”
Maybe Margot hadn’t given up on the matchmaking. A pain formed at his temple. He rubbed the spot to stave off a headache. “It is.”
