Page 65 of Humility

I sipped my coffee to keep my hands from reaching out and touching him.

“I’m building a roadside stand to sell my produce and making a sign for the end of the road so people know I’m here.” I smiled wide, and he rubbed the back of his neck as he gave me a less than enthusiastic look. “Did I do something wrong? Was I not supposed to touch anything in there.” I pointed my thumb at the shed. “I just thought I would reorganize while I was at it, but I’m sorry if….”

Enzo wrapped his hands around my waist, and whatever words I would say were lost to the breeze.

“No, it’s not that, although I think that the nickname Little Mess really suits you,” he said, and I narrowed my eyes and swatted his arm. Retaliating, he tickled my sides, making me squeal as I jumped away. He laughed, and I loved the sound that, for whatever reason, reminded me of gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate. It was a silly comparison, and yet I felt like I could drink down his laugh, and it would be as sweet and rich.

“You’re in so much trouble,” I said, pointing at him.

“Oh yeah? Why don’t you come back here and get me in trouble then?” His eyes filled with heat and mischief, and the sweater, jeans and sneakers I was working in suddenly seemed like way too many clothes.

“Nice try.”

He stuffed his hands in his pockets as he gave me an innocent look that never reached his eyes.

“Fine. I was just thinking that it will still be hard to get anyone’s attention without a bigger sign and maybe one for both ends of the road.”

I looked down at the wood that I planned on painting and sighed. I didn’t want to spend any more money than I had to. But how would I sell my produce if I couldn’t get anyone’s attention?

“I have an idea,” he said, pointing to a stack of long wooden boards piled up near the house. “Those are left over from some of the renovations. Why don’t I use them and build you two larger signs?”

“You can do that?” I picked up my coffee to take a sip.

“You’d be surprised what I can do with these hands.”

The coffee I was swallowing proceeded to go down the wrong way, and I choked on it and his statement. I remembered very vivid dream moments showing me exactly how talented he was.

“Are you okay?” Enzo rubbed my back.

“Yeah, it just went down the wrong way.” I was ruined because even that sounded dirty in my mind.

“I hate it when that happens.” He left his hand on my shoulder, and an awkward silence fell as I stared into his silver eyes, but he didn’t say anything back.

“Um…did you want to do that now? Why are you here again? I’m not complaining, but I figured you’d be busy with…whatever it is that you do.”

“My job is to be here for you for the day. The bonus of a day off is that I get to choose what I want to do, and I enjoy spending time with you.” He removed his hand and put it back into his pocket. “Unless, of course, you prefer I leave?”

“No, no, I’m happy to have the help, and I kinda like having you around.”

“Just kinda?”

“That’s all you’re getting out of me for now,” I teased and stepped into the shed to continue my clean-out. “Do you happen to know if there is a large table or a patio set with an umbrella? I need to make a stand for the end of the road.”

“I think we have an old one at the main farm. I’ll swing home and check. Do you need anything else like paint and brushes?”

I’d just picked up an old shovel when I turned to stare at him. The clouds picked that moment to shift and bathe him in a golden hue that took my breath away. It wasn’t fair. These dreams made it feel like we were already together, yet I couldn’t just walk up to him and kiss him or hug him like I wanted to. It was like I had one foot in a fantasy world and the other in reality.

“That would be fabulous if you have some lying around. Any color will do.”

“Okay, I’ll be right back.”

“Did you need any help?”

“Nope, all good,” Enzo pulled out of the driveway again before I could ask any more questions. Shrugging it off, I got back to work. By the end of the day today, I wanted my stand and signs ready to go. In a few days, I would sit and pray that someone came by.

Chapter Thirty-One

ANGELO