CHAPTER ONE
Mateo
“I don’t haveany more sweet treats, pretty girl.” The orange cat meowed as she made circles around my feet. I reached down and patted her head, as she rubbed her face along my fingers, her purrs loud and clear. “I’ll bring in some cans tomorrow. How’s that sound?”
I turned back to my work, bringing my hand sander over the gentle piece of wood. A few more strokes and this baby would be done.
Another beautiful masterpiece for my sister’s shop.
“Looking good there, bro.” Malia walked into my wood shop. Speak of the devil.
The orange kitty I’d affectionally named Tigger sauntered over to my sister like she was on a mission. She’d find out soon enough Malia didn’t keep the good treats around like I did.
“Thanks. Once I give it a couple of coats of varnish, it’s yours.”
“Great. We’ve had a lot of requests for more chairs. You should really think about doing custom orders.” Malia insistedfor the millionth time. Man, I loved my sister, but when she got her mind set on something, she didn’t give up.Ever.
“You know my answer, sis.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know. You don’t want to lose the passion of it. But I’m telling you, you’d make a killing.”
I titled my head to the side and studied her. “We kind of don’t have to worry about that anymore, remember?”
“We do if we want my shop to stay open. I’m not letting it deplete our funds.”
“I know, I know. It won’t. Don’t worry.”
“You always say that. I can’t help but worry.”
I stood up from my bench and stretched. “Will you let me do the worrying for once?”
“You did while we were growing up, Mateo. It’s my turn.”
“Zebras don’t change their strips.” I retorted. Malia rolled her eyes. She hated stupid sayings, and I loved delivering them. “Did you bring lunch?” I smirked.
Malia rolled her eyes again. “Really? Is that all you see me as? Your food delivery service?”
“Sometimes, yeah.” I bent down and pet the two cats who strolled into my open shop. Stray cats were sort of the thing around here. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.
Malia looked as if she wanted to deck me in the face.
“I kid, I kid, relax, sis.” I laughed. “But how about you join me for dinner tonight? I have some ideas about custom orders.”
“Thank God! It’s a miracle!”
“Tread lightly there. I can still change my mind.”
“Okay, okay. But I actually came here to ask you something. And bring lunch. It’s in the kitchen.” Malia smirked.
“You’re a tease.” I brushed past her, my stomach growling already. “And whatever you want to ask, the answer is no,” I joked.
Malia followed me close behind, through the wood shop door and into the cabin. “No, it’s not.”
In the kitchen, I found sandwiches, chips, and sodas waiting for us and I washed my hands quickly, my stomach growling more as the minutes passed. “Thanks. I was starving.” I said as I sat on the stool at the kitchen island and dug in.
“You’re welcome. I have a friend I think you should go on a date with.” Malia said, no hesitancy in her voice.
I nearly choked on my ham and cheese. “What?”
