“So tell her how you feel. It’s not like you to be lost for words.”
“Ha. Here’s the kicker, bro, she doesn’t want anything more than sex. Her words, not mine. Seems her relationship in LA soured her for more than a casual roll in the hay.” He crouched, running his hand over the back of his head, a hollow feeling in his gut he didn’t like or want to acknowledge. “What rotten luck, finding a woman I could spend the rest of my life with only to find out she’s doing what I did all these years. Talk about payback.”
“I don’t know what to say. I never thought the whole wedding bells and happy homes would ever be the thing for you.” Grady clapped his brother on the shoulder. “So show her how much she needs you. If you think you’re the right guy to convince her about the validity of a relationship, do it. Lara told me how Sassie doesn’t feel she deserves to be in a happy relationship because of her past. We both know that’s crap. People get hurt, but they eventually get over it. Be Mr. Helpful and guide her along with her new business. Heaven knows, you’re in the right position to be around her enough to let her know how much she might miss you if suddenly you’re not there.”
“Somehow, I doubt that’ll make any difference. She seems happy enough as things are for now. Her life revolves around that house and her new cat. I’m only needed to scratch an itch or build a bathroom.”
“Don’t give up, Riley. She’d be a fool to let you go. Hang in there.”
He watched his brother walk out and go back to hunting down criminals and wild jaywalking locals. There were another two doors to hang and then he could pack up the tools and go over to give Sassie a quote for adding bathrooms to her house. That gave him about an hour to come up with a plan to make her fall in love with him and forget her friends-with-benefits idea. As his mind ticked over. Maybe he could offer to move in and … no. The Barker place didn’t yet have the capacity to support both of them. But this townhouse was almost ready. The smile on his face grew bigger and he felt warmth in his chest as a spark of hope sprang to life.
Chapter 13
Sassie put her can of paint and accessories in the back of her car. She’d stop in at the coffee shop for a latte and peruse the gift shop next door. A brightly colored mirror had caught her eye on the way to the hardware store earlier, and it deserved a closer look since it was still hanging there when she drove back.
After reverse parking into a space, Sassie got out of her car and looked at the mirror with a critical eye. The colors of stained glass grouped inside the aged timber frame were vivid and exciting. It reminded her of a tiny freshwater pond in the middle of an overgrown forest, with the mirror being the only shaft of sunlight beaming through the dense trees.
She checked the price tag. It was doable if she was careful. Sassie headed into the café to get her coffee before making the decision. A dark-haired girl manned the counter. A small glass cabinet held an array of cakes and slices.
“What can I get you today?” A crash sounded from the kitchen and the girl winced. It was followed by a curse. “Sorry about that. Bad day all round, if you ask me.”
“Should I come back some other time or go down the road to the other cafe?”
Cindy, as her name badge stated, shook her head. “No. This is pretty normal most days. I’m not sure how much more I can deal with though, the grumpy old shit. I might go down there myself.”
“I heard that,” a voice yelled from the kitchen, and Sassie stifled the urge to laugh out loud. It sounded like her Grandpa in his final years. He was a cranky old sod when he wanted to be. “If you don’t like it, find another job somewhere else or stop your damned whining.”
Cindy shook her head and yelled back, “Don’t tempt me, Bruno.” She turned to Sassie. “Ignore him. Now, what can I get you?”
“Um, how about a latte to go.”
“Sure, take a seat; it won’t be a minute.”
“I’m not cooking anything,” the voice from the kitchen broke the silence again.
“Nobody asked you to. It’s just coffee. Chill, dude.” Cindy poured milk into the jug and turned the steam on the coffee machine.
Sassie noticed a door connecting the café to the gift shop next door. She stood, peering at the interior filled with colorful goods while she waited. Before she decided about the mirror, she needed to take a closer look at what else was available.
“Here you go. Sorry about the boss.”
“No worries. Ta.” Sassie dropped a five-dollar bill on the counter and took her latte. She sipped the fragrant brew and, using the connecting door, stepped into a completely different world. The shop smelled of pine needles and wax candles. From the ceiling hung fairies on branches and witches on broomsticks. Handmade pottery wind chimes sang a delicate, tinkling tune with help from the breeze coming in the front and open back door.
“Hi.”
Sassie turned toward the voice, blinked, and looked again. A tall woman wearing paint-splattered overalls wiped her hands on a rag as she came in through the back door. She jammed it in her pocket and sauntered over, giving Sassie a better look at the rainbow hair she sported. A shock of pink bangs hung down over her eyes, while one side her hair was a vivid lime green, reminding Sassie of a tall pitcher of citrus lemonade. The opposite side was bright orange and pulled back
