“Deal,” Kiri agreed with a smile. “We can start whenever you want.”
Monte scratched his head, clearly out of his element but willing to trust Kiri’s guidance. “Sounds good, but... what do we do first?”
“First things first, we need to take some high-quality photos of your pieces and write descriptions for them,” Kiri replied, unable to hide the excitement in her voice. “Then I can use my time recovering setting up your online store and help you create an engaging ‘About’ page that tells your story and why your woodworking is unique. I can even make some live videos showcasing your work while I’m here!”
Monte nodded, his eyes flicking around the barn as if he were already envisioning the changes to come. “Where should we set up the photoshoot? In here or outside?”
“Let’s start in here,” Kiri suggested, pointing to where his finished projects were stored in a display fashion. Natural sunlight beamed in from the lake facing windows, highlighting the etches and fine detail of the wood pieces. “The lighting is great, and there are plenty of pieces to easily choose from. We can always move outside later if we need more variety of scenery.”
Kiri’s eyes lit up as she spotted a small notebook and a pencil on the countertop beside her. Without hesitation, she grabbed them and lifted them toward Monte. “Can I use these?”
Monte lifted his gaze from his project with a paintbrush in hand. “Of course,” he said with a nod. “Use whatever that’ll help you.”
Kiri’s fingers flew across the pages of the notebook, frantically jotting down ideas for their project. As she brainstormed, Monte turned off his machine and walked over to her, carrying a beautifully carved walking stick made from the rare Moonstar wood he had shown her earlier.
“Here, I made this for you,” he rumbled softly, handing her the walking stick with a shy grin. “What do you think?”
Kiri’s fingers traced the fine etchings of birds sitting in a tree that formed the handle and followed the delicate vines spiraling down the length of the stick. The craftsmanship was exquisite, and she couldn’t help but marvel at the love and care Monte had poured into the piece.
“It’s breathtaking.” Kiri clutched the walking stick, her heart swelling with gratitude. “I love it, Monte. It’s perfect. Thank you.”
“I didn’t want you to be restricted by your injury while here, forced to be dependent on me or anyone else to help you,” he explained, moving closer to her, and gently lifting her from the counter. His touch was tender, sending shivers up Kiri’s spine. “Let me help you down so I can see if I need to adjust the height.”
With her feet firmly on the ground, she tested out the walking stick, leaning on it to take the pressure off her injured foot. It was as if the stick had been custom made just for her—which indeed in fact it was—at a comfortable height, supporting her weight effortlessly and allowing her to walk without pain.
She smiled at Monte, tears welling up in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. Leaning on the walking stick, she wiped her eyes, unable to fathom why someone would be so kind to her.
Monte frowned, a worry-filled look on his face, reaching out to wipe away a tear that had escaped. “What’s wrong, Kiri? Why are you crying?”
She looked away, feeling embarrassed. “I don’t deserve your kindness. You’ve done so much for me already.”
“Hey, look at me,” he said, tilting her chin up so their eyes met. The intensity of his gaze made her breath catch. “You do deserve to be able to walk without pain. It is the least I can do for you.”
“But you’ve been doing so much for me…” She frowned. “How can I ever repay you?”
“Stay with me” He let out a soft huff. “Don’t go to the village.”
“All right,” she murmured, nodding. “But you have to let me help you as much as you’ve helped me.”
“Deal,” he rumbled, his voice low and warm, igniting the embers within her. “I won’t stop you.”
Seven
Monte
The late afternoon sun cast a golden glow over the dense forest as they stepped out of the woodworking barn, leaving the scent of sawdust behind them.
A cool breeze blew past, rustling the blanket of leaves as the distant call of birds filled the air.
Monte breathed in the fresh forest air, his keen senses drinking in every detail of their surroundings as they walked side by side toward his cabin while long shadows danced along their path.
His heart sank as he watched Kiri struggle with her injured foot. She gripped the walking stick he had given her, using it to support her weight as she gingerly took each step. He stayed close by, ready to catch her if she stumbled or fell.
The thought of her being in even more pain under his care was unbearable, not when he could prevent it.
Monte didn’t want to coddle her, sensing that she was an independent female by how she ventured out to Monster Island alone, with only her belongings as her companion. It was clear she didn’t want to be dependent on another by how she keptapologizing to him and thanking him for things that anyone would’ve done.
