“I highly doubt it, sugar, but since I won’t get any peace until I tell someone, I’ll tell you. I lost my job today,” Brice said, staring at the floor, somehow wishing it would open up and suck him inside.
“What happened?” Bailey asked, trying to think of all the reasons Brice would find himself unemployed. Other than lunacy on the part of his employer, she couldn’t come up with anything. Brice was a hard worker with a unique talent. No one with any intelligence would willingly let him go. She knew he was well-liked by his peers and had a good reputation.
“Atticus went around this morning letting about half of us know he was laying us off. Said he had to make some cuts and those of us without families were the ones to get the ax. He sent us home at noon and that was that,” Brice said, pulling his hand from Bailey’s and walking over to lean against the workbench, staring out the window into the darkness.
“Brice, that’s terrible. That’s no way to run a business or treat employees,” Bailey said, indignant and outraged on Brice’s behalf. “Why, that is positively idiotic on his part.”
Glancing at Bailey, Brice noted the splotches of anger filling her cheeks and the sparks shooting from her eyes. He had definitely read her wrong on this count, convinced she’d think he was at fault. Instead, she was jumping to his defense. Maybe she liked him a little more than he gave her credit for.
“As ridiculous as it might be, it still leaves me unemployed,” Brice said, drumming his fingers on the work table, causing a pile of wood shavings to bounce to the tune his restlessness created.
“This is a good thing, Brice. A very good thing. Sometimes the best way to get a fresh perspective is get down to ground level and look up,” Bailey said, smiling at him with a knowing look. “Now you have both the time and opportunity to apply yourself to your woodworking talent and see where it takes you, if that’s what you want to do.”
“What if takes me right to the poor house?” Brice said, swiping his hand over his face. “I’ve got a few jobs lined up, but not enough to replace my income with any degree of security.”
“Then we’ll figure this out,” Bailey said, spying some sheets of paper and a pen on a corner of the workbench. She grilled Brice about how fast he could work, how long it took to do certain types of projects, if he had a filing or billing system and places he could promote his work.
By the time they finished putting some plans on paper an hour later, Brice was feeling a little better and a lot more hopeful.
“Thanks, sugar,” Brice said, wrapping his arms around Bailey from behind as she finished writing down some notes. “I’m glad you braved the lion’s den and came in tonight.”
“Me, too, although I’d say it was more like a grumpy bear’s cave,” Bailey said, not even glancing up from the paper so Brice could see the teasing gleam in her eyes.
“Grumpy bear?” Brice said, nuzzling her neck and making her squirm. “I’ll show you grumpy bear.”
Bailey jumped up from the stool and started for the door but Brice caught her, swinging her into his arms before she was even half-way there.
“I love you, sugar,” Brice said, kissing Bailey so gently, with such tenderness, it was all she could do to keep from saying the words her heart begged her to share with Brice.
Chapter Seventeen
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling,
but in rising every time we fall.”
Confucius
On his way home from The Dalles where he made inquiries with a few shops about selling his furniture on consignment, Brice pulled into the gas station in Grass Valley to fill his truck. Hart Hammond was running the pump and smiled at Brice when he got out of the pickup.
“Hey, Brice Morgan, right?” Hart said, shaking Brice’s hand. “Didn’t you work on my house?”
“That’s right,” Brice said, smiling at the man who did, in fact, look a lot like the celebrity. He had the girls in the little community all dressing a little nicer and taking more care with their appearances than usual.
“If I’ve got my facts straight, you’re the man who did the finish work in the office and the kitchen, is that correct?” Hart asked, as he pumped the gas.
“That was me,” Brice said, hoping Hart liked the work he’d done.
“You’re quite a craftsman for someone so young,” Hart said, turning off the pump when the tank was full and screwing the gas cap back in place. “If you ever want to do some work for me on the side, let me know.”
“Is that a solid offer, Mr. Hammond?” Brice asked, hoping his luck was about to take a turn for the better.
“As solid as the ground you’re standing on,” Hart said with a big grin. “And call me Hart.”
“Well, Hart, it just so happens Mr. Atticus gave some of us our walking papers the day we finished your house and I’ve got plenty of time if you’ve got some work you’d like done.”
“Did he now?” Hart said, not liking the way Atticus waited until the job was done to let some of the boys go. He’d heard plenty of rumors about what the man had done and none of it sat well with him. It wasn’t any way to run a business and Hart certainly wouldn’t hire him again, although the crew working for him did an excellent job. “How long have you been working in construction?”
“Since I was seventeen, for Mr. Atticus,” Brice said, leaning against the side of his truck. “I took two years of construction management before I started working for him full-time five years ago.”
“You don’t say,” Hart said, motioning for the clerk in the convenience store to come outside to watch the pumps.
“Yes, sir,” Brice said, nodding his head. “I like woodworking and have a shop at home where I make furniture in my spare time.”
“What kind of furniture?” Hart asked, interested in the types of projects Brice was capable of handling.
“All kinds,” Brice said, sticking his thumbs in his back pockets and looking Hart in the eye. He liked the man. From what he could see, he was upright, honest and friendly. “Bedroom sets, chairs, dining tables, rocking chairs, bread boxes. I can do just about anything made out of wood.”
“Since you, as you say, will have a lot of time on your hands, how about I commission you to make a few pieces for my new house. If I like them, we’ll talk about you doing several more for me. How does that sound?”
“Like a great idea,” Brice said, his smile going from his mouth up to his eyes. “I can get started right away.”
“Good,” Hart said, shaking Brice’s hand. Brice liked that the hand he was shaking was callused and scarred. It meant Hart, despite his wealth, was willing to work hard and get his hands dirty. “If you’ve got some time now, let’s go into my office and I’ll throw a few ideas at you.”
“Thanks, Hart,” Brice said, still grinning. “I appreciate this opportunity.”
“I know you do or I wouldn’t have offered it,” Hart said, leading the way to his office at the back of the store.
If Travis wanted confirmation of Hart’s involvement in the rodeo, it was hanging in full-color all over the office. Photos of him riding bulls, trophies, belt buckles, and framed newspaper and magazine articles lined the walls.
Hart noticed Brice’s interest in his bull-riding days and grinned.
“Used to ride bulls a little,” he said, sitting down at a big desk and pointing Brice to the chair across from it.
“I’d say more than a little. One of my friends mentioned that he thought you were quite good at it. We’ve ridden a few bulls, but he was much more into it than me,” Brice said, studying a photo of Hart riding a bull with a big grin on his face. It really reminded him of Travis.
“And what’s your friend’s name? Does he live around here?” Hart asked, pulling out a notebook and pen and sliding them toward Brice.
“Travis Thompson. He and his brothers, Trey and Trent, own the Triple T Ranch just down the road. Their wives met you the other night and raved about the great service you offer along with the coffee,” Brice said, grinning. �
��The coffee really got to them,”
“Ah, I know who you’re talking about,” Hart said, liking the good-looking young man sitting across from him. He seemed like an honest, happy-go-lucky sort. He’d heard about the Thompson family, as well as the Morgans, and knew both names were respected in the community. “Let’s see if I remember correctly - there was a super tall blond, two gorgeous brunettes, and a serious one with golden curls and eyes unlike any shade of blue I’ve seen. Those Thompson men are pretty lucky if you ask me. Now, which girl is married to whom?”
Brice laughed. “Cady, she’s the petite brunette, is married to Trey. Trent’s wife Lindsay is the tall blond and Travis is married to the curvy brunette who happens to be my sister, Tess.”
“And Travis is the bull rider?” Hart asked, leaning back in his chair.
“Not anymore. He pulled both hamstrings this summer saving a kid while he was windsurfing and is just now regaining most of his mobility. He and Tess got married a few weeks ago. Actually, all three of them have been married less than a year.”
“Something in the water out there on the ranch?” Hart asked with a broad smile, liking this Morgan kid more by the minute. “What about the other girl? The one with the beautiful eyes.”
“That’s Bailey. She’s their cousin and my girlfriend,” Brice said, feeling a little defensive about someone twice his age commenting on Bailey’s beautiful eyes or beautiful anything. “When you meet Trey you’ll know who he is by the eye and hair color. He and Bailey share those traits in common.”
“Good to know,” Hart said, pointing to the pad of paper. “How about I describe what I want, you take some notes and we’ll see what you come up with.”
Thirty minutes later, Brice had sketches along with rough measurements of what Hart wanted and decided that maybe losing his construction job would turn out to be a blessing. He always wanted to have a woodworking business, but never had any reason to quit his day job to pursue it. Now he had every reason in the world to do his best to try to turn his part-time hobby into a successful career.
“Let me know if you need anything to get going on this project,” Hart said as he walked Brice outside and shook his hand. “I look forward to seeing what you can do.”
“Me, too,” Brice said with a grin before jumping in his pickup. He felt like celebrating, wanting to share his excitement with Bailey, so he drove to the Triple T Ranch. Glancing at his watch, he was right on time for dinner.
Parking, he got out of his pickup and watched the Thompson men along with the ranch hands on their nightly pilgrimage to the mud room door, ready to sit down to one of Cady’s delicious meals.
“How is it you always seem to show up just in time to eat?” Trey teased Brice, thumping him on the back as they walked inside. While the hands washed up before coming to the house, the Thompson brothers took turns washing at the kitchen sink followed by Brice.
“By the grin on your face and the spring in your step, I’m guessing you had some good news today, Brice,” Cady said, passing everyone a platter or bowl to carry to the table.
“Yes, ma’am,” Brice said, his eyes twinkling. He looked around, hoping to sit by Bailey only to see she wasn’t home. “Where’s Bailey?”
“Guess she’s running a little late tonight,” Cady said, glancing at the clock on the wall as she sat down at the table.
Trey asked the blessing on the meal before everyone dug in. Brice didn’t want to share his good news until Bailey arrived, so he asked the hands a few questions which turned into a lively conversation.
Cady was just cutting a sheet cake into squares when Bailey came in the back door. She washed her hands then took a seat next to Brice, smiling at him wearily. Filling her plate, she ate quietly, letting the conversation flow around her.
When Travis asked Brice about his good news, Bailey perked up and looked his direction. He slid a hand to her thigh and squeezed before giving her a wink.
“I went to The Dalles today and found a couple of stores willing to carry some of my pieces on consignment,” Brice said, wanting to drag out the excitement of the moment. “But the really great news is when I stopped to get fuel Hart asked me to make several pieces for his new house. I’m going to start on the project tomorrow. Just with his work alone, it will keep me busy well into the new year.
“Brice, that’s awesome,” Tess said, beaming at her brother with pride.
Congratulations and words of encouragement came from all around the table.
“I’m hoping you’ll be able to pencil in some time for a construction project in the spring,” Trent said, looking at Lindsay, who nodded her head at him and blushed.
“What kind of project, bro?” Brice asked, finishing the last bite of his chocolate cake.
“It seems we need to add on to our house and then see about filling a room with some baby furniture,” Trent said, already grinning like a proud father.
The squeals from the females around the table nearly shattered the men’s eardrums, but they all were grinning as Cady and Tess jumped up to hug Lindsay.
Trey and Travis both slapped Trent on the back and Cass was bouncing in her seat, although she didn’t understand what the excitement was about.
“Nothing like working fast. That didn’t take you long, man,” Travis said to Trent, wiggling his eyebrows.
Lindsay’s cheeks went from pink to a deep shade of red. “It wasn’t… we didn’t plan…” she gave up trying to explain as the men chuckled.
“It’s okay, princess. You don’t have to say anything. They get the idea,” Trent teased, squeezing her hand under the table.
“So when does this addition need to be finished?” Brice asked, pleased for his friends at their happy news.
“The end of May,” Trent said, still grinning at Lindsay’s flushed cheeks.
“So that means you got her…” Trey noticed Cady tipping her head toward Cass and altered what he was going to say. “You had a really great honeymoon.”
“Something like that,” Trent said, not the least bit embarrassed by the direction the conversation had turned.
“To the newest Thompson,” Brice said, holding up his glass of apple cider.
“To the newest Thompson,” everyone echoed as they held their glasses up in a toast.
“Mama, is someone else coming to live with us?” Cass asked, looking down the table at her mother.
“No, sweetie-pie,” Cady said, motioning Cass to come to her. Cass slid out of her chair, running to Cady and climbing on her lap. “What it means is that Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Trent are going to have a brand new baby come live with him just about the time school gets out in the spring. Isn’t that exciting?”
“Yippee! A baby!” Cass said, with her trademark enthusiasm. “Do I get to play with him and hold him? My friend Ashley gets to hold her baby brother. Can I have a baby, too? Huh, Mama? When can I have a baby? Will you and Daddy give me one for Christmas?”
Trey’s choking on his cider at the other end of the table caused another round of laughter.
“Well, um… it’s not…” Cady stuttered, trying to think of an appropriate reply to her daughter’s questions.
“You know, Cass,” Bailey said, placing her fork on her plate and looking intently at the little girl. “No matter how much you want or wish for it, you can’t request a baby like you can a present or a piece of candy. Remember when your friend Ashley’s dog had puppies a few weeks ago?”
“Yep,” Cass said, bouncing both feet as she leaned against her mother.
“Your dogs didn’t have puppies, did they?” Bailey asked.
“Nope.”
“Even though you wanted your dogs to have puppies, they didn’t. And puppies, like babies, arrive in God’s own time,” Bailey said with a soft smile. “Your Uncle Trent and Aunt Lindsay must be pretty special to be getting a baby next spring. I’m sure they’ll need you to help them take care of it when it comes.”
“Absolutely, goofball,” Trent said, winking at Cass.
“Sure, sweetie-pie,” Cady said, grinning as Cass ran out the door to find her dog. When the door shut behind her, Cady smiled at Bailey. “Thank you for that wonderful explanation, Bailey.”
“You’re welcome,” Bailey said, picking up her fork and taking a bite of her cake. Her face was still soft and filled with a special light as she thought about the miracle of babies and how much she recently realized she wanted to have her own someday.
Glancing at Bailey, Brice thought she’d never looked so much like an angel as she did right at that moment with her face soft and her eyes glowing. If just the mention of a baby did that to her, he wondered what she’d look like if the day ever came when they could announce they were expecting.
That thought made him feel overheated, so he sat back and took a deep drink of his cold cider.
“Brice, I was just thinking,” Lindsay said, leaning over to get his attention. “My brother’s fiancé said she was shopping in Silverton a few weeks ago and found this fabulous home interior store that offers custom furniture orders. You should contact the store and see if they would be interested in placing orders with you.”
“That’s a great idea, Lindsay. Thanks,” Brice said. He was beginning to believe his dream of owning his own woodworking business could in fact become a reality. “Do you know the name of the store or the owner?”
“No, but I’ll find out from Maren. She said it’s a woman and her two daughters. They’ve got a flower shop upstairs and a bistro in the front of the store,” Lindsay said. “Since it’s so close to Portland, it sounds like the store attracts a lot of customers. I’ll get the contact info and send it to you.”
“Thanks,” Brice said, ready to turn the attention back to the big news of the evening. “So let’s talk about this expansion to your house and the family.”
The Cowboy's Autumn Fall (Grass Valley Cowboys Book 4) Page 24