Despite his lack of sleep, Garrett needed to get busy. He arrived at the hardware five minutes before it opened. He wasn’t surprised Taryn was here. The circles under her eyes matched his, but she might not appreciate being called twinsies over it.
“Hey,” he said. “Ready to get this done?”
Her nod lacked enthusiasm, but she must be reeling since last night. She showed him a note on her phone. “I made a list of items, but I still can’t think of what to call the booth.”
“What was Margot’s suggestion?”
“She had two.” Taryn tapped on her screen and read. “A picnic for two or a summer picnic. They’re not bad.”
“But it’s not as catchy asA Midsummer Night’s Dream. I’ll make another sign, but you can wait to paint it until you have a theme name you’re happy with.”
“Good plan. It’s not as if we don’t have other things to do.”
When the doors opened, Taryn handed a list to Mr. Jones. “If you could cut wood to these sizes while we shop, I’d appreciate it.”
Garrett grabbed a cart. He had no idea what she’d spent to make the first two booths, but this theme didn’t need as many items. Still, items filled the basket.
“Too bad the heavy building is done, or I’d need one of these.” A leather tool belt caught his eye. He reached for it and put it on. “What do you think?”
She studied him. “Not exactly what I’d imagine a lawyer wearing, but it works.”
“It does.” He struck a pose.
Taryn laughed. “Next time.”
He debated buying it now because there wouldn’t be a next time. Unfortunately.
That bummed him out. Not about the tool belt, but spending more time with Taryn. After tomorrow afternoon, he’d have no reason to see her. Besides, he would fly home a week from Sunday.
After she paid, he loaded the supplies into the trunk before getting into her car.
The lines around her mouth had relaxed a little. That pleased Garrett.
She checked her phone. “That’s the first thing on our to-do list.”
“What’s our next stop?”
“The general store.” She started the car. “We may be able to get all the items, but if not, the market will have the rest.”
Her voice sounded stronger than it had last night, but Garrett sensed a hesitation in her.
“You’re doing great.” He touched her shoulder. “It’s going to be okay.”
“I tell myself that, but I also keep thinking about how my dad will react when he sees how much money we’ve lost.” Taryn pulled away from the curb and drove along Main Street. She kept her gaze focused on the road. “If I don’t win the booth competition, which doesn’t seem likely now, he’ll be so disappointed in me. Again.”
“That’s a tough place to be.”
She glanced his way for a moment. “Sounds like you’ve been there yourself?”
Tension formed between Garrett’s shoulder blades. Few people knew what happened all those years ago, but hearing what he went through might help Taryn. He wanted to make her feel better and didn’t know what else he could do.
“I have.” He took a breath, not wanting to relive his biggest failure but knowing he should for her sake. “The summer after my first year of law school, I interned for my dad’s law firm. I always assumed I’d work there and rake in six figures straight after I graduated with my JD. I was the definition of cocky.”
“And you’re not now?” she teased.
He laughed. “I’ll take the Fifth.”
“Sorry, I couldn’t stop myself. Continue.”
