by LuAnn McLane
While Susan got dressed, Danny located coats and gloves. Rusty, knowing they were about to head outside, started running in excited circles. “I know, boy, I feel the same way right now,” he said but wondered how Susan would react to what was in the workshop.
“I’m ready,” Susan said, walking into the room. “And curious.”
“Sweet, let’s go.” Danny helped her into her coat and they headed outside into the snow-covered backyard. He’d shoveled a path to the workshop, so the going was fairly easy. Still, he held Susan’s hand, since she had a knack for falling down. “By the way, my mother has invited you to the Mayfield family Christmas.”
“That works, because we open presents at my house on Christmas Eve.”
“She invited your parents over too. Apparently our moms have been putting their heads together again. Don’t be surprised if they get a little bit pushy. When my mother found out we were dating, she was already naming our children.”
“Are you kidding? My mother made mention that she thought a wedding on Main Street at the gazebo would be lovely. She mentioned springtime and then a reception at the farm. I don’t think the two of them ever got over us not dating after the prom. This is like a dream come true for them.”
“It’s a dream come true for me too.” Danny smiled at her, loving the pink color in her cheeks from the cold breeze and the lively sparkle of her eyes. “I guess they knew something back then that we didn’t,” he said, but then tilted his head at her. “Although a certain someone felt the need to avoid me.”
“Trust me, I will totally make it up to you.”
Danny stopped and pulled her into his arms. “You already have,” he said, and then bent his head and kissed her. “But don’t stop trying,” he added with a grin.
Rusty barked. He seemed to know that something special was going on and he wanted to be a part of it.
Susan laughed. “My dog aside, Rusty is the best dog ever.”
“Mattie might not agree. Rusty used to steal her country ham from the restaurant on a regular basis. She would fuss and fume at him while she tried to chase him down.”
Susan laughed. “I can picture her doing that. That makes me want some of her biscuits with a slice of country ham, her fluffy eggs, and cheesy grits.”
“I’ll have to take you to the bistro this week.”
“If the snow ever melts.”
Danny nodded and then started toward the workshop. When they reached the front door, his heart started beating a bit faster. He opened the door and then stood back for Susan to enter. He flicked on the lights and then looked to see her reaction.
Susan’s jaw dropped and she looked at him with wide eyes. “Danny … oh my … wow.” She started walking around, touching each piece with a sense of wonder. “This is all just … gorgeous is the only word that comes to mind. You are so very talented.” She shook her head and then spotted a rocking chair. Sucking in a breath, she hurried over and then sat down. Tossing off her gloves she rubbed her hands over the smooth arms and then looked at him with tears in her eyes. “You built the rocking chair I have in my loft, didn’t you?”
Danny nodded slowly.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” She seemed perplexed and a little hurt.
Danny shrugged. “I’m not entirely sure. I wanted to a few times but I just … I don’t know.”
“This isn’t a hobby. These pieces, especially the rocking chairs, are works of art. You need to share your talent, Danny.” She stood. “I’m stunned.” When she spotted the little rocking chair he’d made for Lily, she put a hand to her chest. “Why are you keeping this hidden? You could make a fortune selling your work.”
“You know the answer, Susan.”
“Oh …” she said slowly, and then swiped at a tear. “Does your family know all of this exists?”
“Mason does.”
“And?”
“He pretty much feels the same way you do, but in a more casual way.”
“Danny, you have to approach your family. This is your passion, your calling. This work is exquisite,” she said but then stopped. “I get it now. You already know this and you didn’t want to show me because you knew I would react this way.”
“Yeah.” Danny nodded, feeling both pride and pain. “Look, I’ve thought a lot about it, and I would like for you to sell some of the furniture in Rhyme and Reason. I know you don’t have the space for all of this, but, you know, you could have a little bit at a time.”
She suddenly seemed to bubble with excitement. “Listen, the store right next to mine is available. I was already thinking of leasing it, and hopefully buying the building sometime down the road. You can sell all of this there.”
“But you’d need more inventory,” he said, shoving his fingers through his hair.
Susan nodded and closed her eyes in understanding.
“This is years in the making,” he said.
“In your spare time. If you did this full-time—”
“No.” Danny pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. “I love you so much for wanting this for me, but I’ve thought it over and I can part with what I’ve got here and slowly make more, especially during the winter. That way I can still help Mason and Mattie and run the marina for my dad. It’s perfect. I can do it all,” he said, even though his words sounded hollow even to his own ears.
“But Danny—”
“No, babe. I wanted to show you this because it’s part of who I am and I wanted you to know everything about me. But this is the way it has to be. Please understand.”
Susan nodded but he could feel her reluctance to give up. He understood completely, because if the shoe were on the other foot he would react the same way.
“Hey, it’s a pretty good compromise. I get to do it all.”
“Danny, you are such a good person. I’ve never met anyone with a bigger heart than you.”
Danny heard a but in her compliment and waited for her to go on. He knew what she was going to say—that he needed to at least approach his father, but that wasn’t even an option. He just couldn’t risk his dad’s health.
“Where am I in this picture?”
Her question took him by complete surprise. “You are the picture.”
Susan shook her head. “Danny, I know that the marina is all but shut down right now but once season is in full swing and you work at the bistro and the brewery, when will there be time for me … for us?” She placed her palms on his chest and looked at him. “Something has to give, don’t you think?” She looked at him with such worry in her eyes, and damn if she didn’t have a point. He barely had time for himself, so how could he be in a relationship and give her the time she deserved?
“I’ll make time for you, Susan,” he said, and as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he knew it was the worst thing to say.
She swallowed hard and gave him a small smile.
“Just trust me.”
“I do,” she said, and then made a visible show of brightening up. “Every relationship is based on trust and we have a strong foundation to build upon.”
Danny nodded and should have felt relief but he didn’t. Something of what he was feeling must have shown on his face because she put a reassuring hand on his arm.
“Let’s just concentrate on Christmas for right now,” Susan said, but her smile seemed just a little bit forced.
“You know what?”
“What?”
“I’m in the spirit! You did it! Let’s finally go chop down a tree.”
25
Something’s Burning
The two weeks leading up to Christmas Eve flew by in a flurry of continuous activity for Susan and Betsy. Even with the help of Aubrey, Rhyme and Reason was packed with so many customers that they had a difficult time keeping inventory on the shelf. Susan’s mother made more Christmas cookie mix jars and brought in more hand-woven rugs. Aubrey and Macy made more sock snowmen and Betsy took several trips to Whisper’s Edge for more handmade ornaments. S
usan parted with many of the repurposed pieces in her loft, telling herself that she could replace all of them with new items as soon as the holiday season was over.
Danny’s furniture sold as soon as she put each new item on the floor, and with the empty space, she was able to keep several pieces of his in the shop. His rocking chairs were the most sought after of all of the furniture he brought in, but Susan refused to part with hers.
She and Danny had spent nearly every night together, either at the cabin or up in her loft, and the passion between them remained smoking hot. But the unspoken issue of Danny juggling three jobs and trying to make more furniture hung in the air between them, even though they hadn’t approached the subject since the day in his workshop and she’d seen very little of him other than late in the evenings. Even so, Susan fell more deeply in love with him with each passing day, but the uncertain future frightened her just a bit. She told herself that they could work things out … but how? She wanted so much to go to Danny’s father and bring up the subject, but going behind Danny’s back just didn’t feel right. And what if the conversation led to his father taking over the marina but having heart issues? If the notion scared her, what must the thought feel like to Danny? In spite of her warm Jingle Bells sweater, Susan shivered. She understood.
Susan absently straightened a stack of vinyl records molded into bowls, glad that the day was nearly over. She still had gifts to wrap and tomorrow was Christmas Eve!
Susan spotted Betsy heading her way but struggled to put a smile on her face.
“Aw, sugar, what’s wrong? I’ve never seen you this glum this close to Christmas. Want to go into the break room and talk? Aubrey can hold down the fort.”
Susan nodded. “If you don’t mind.”
“Of course not.”
Susan closed the door to the break room and sat down at the table with Betsy. “You know the furniture that Danny has been bringing in?”
“Yep. It sells nearly immediately.”
“He’s got an entire workshop full of furniture. All of it is exquisite.”
“So with that kind of talent, why is he bartending and working at the bistro on top of running Mayfield Marina?”
Susan quietly explained the situation. “The thing is that his father doesn’t know. And he’s afraid to tell him, or any of his family for that matter. Although he did say that Mason knows.”
“Have you thought of stepping in?” Betsy asked.
Susan nodded. “I just don’t feel right doing it.”
“I get that. But this seems so unfair to Danny. And if his family knew, they would surely find a solution. I just bet that now that they have the grandchildren the Mayfields won’t want to stay in Florida. Seems like they’re always up here nowadays.”
“I know. Miranda Mayfield is always gushing about her grandkids to my mom. Surely she would rather live year-round in Cricket Creek. It just isn’t my place to step in, but it breaks my heart that Danny can’t do what he wants to do with his life.”
Betsy reached over and patted Susan’s hand. “Well, he’s got you, and that’s a good start.”
Susan nodded but frowned. “I know the joy of getting out on my own and realizing my dream. I just don’t think Danny can ever really be happy if he doesn’t get the chance. He puts on a good front, but there’s a certain sadness lurking in his eyes that I want to chase away … and I can’t do it.”
“And that makes you worry about your future?”
Susan nodded. “I mean, can you imagine if we leased the place next door for his furniture? If we joined forces and were in this together? You should see this little rocking chair he made for Lily,” Susan said and her voice cracked. “But you know, I should go ahead and lease the space next door anyway. I’m so afraid that someone else is going to snatch it up, especially after the great Christmas season we’ve had on Main Street.”
“So what are you going to do?”
Susan inhaled a shaky breath. “Hope for a Christmas miracle, I guess.”
“’Tis the season.”
“And I know that, even though we haven’t talked about it again, this worries Danny too. He’s been so preoccupied this past week that I’m afraid to bring the subject up.”
“But it’s the elephant in the room.”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
“Oh sweetie. Just get through the holidays and then you two can work it out.”
“Thanks for letting me bend your ear,” Susan said, still feeling a bit unsettled. “I’m going to head on upstairs, if you and Aubrey will be okay without me?” she asked.
“No problem, Susan.” When they both stood up, Betsy gave her a hug. “Everything will fall into place, you just wait and see.”
“Like it did for you and John?”
Betsy smiled. “I was so worried about how Aubrey would take it, since she wanted to set me up with Grady, but it turns out that she just wants me to be happy. She said free sandwiches for life!”
Susan laughed.
“And he won her over with his red velvet cake. Aubrey has already mentioned law school and they talked about it last night. He’s a good influence on her.”
“And John makes you just glow.”
“Yes, he sure as shootin’ does. All right now, sweetie, go on up and take a hot bath and relax. You sure deserve it.”
“Thanks, Betsy.”
“And I wanted to let you know that Aubrey and I work tomorrow. I know you’re heading to your parents’ tomorrow night so just take the day off. We’ve got this.”
“I only planned on being open until noon for last-minute shoppers, so that would be amazing if you could do that for me.”
“No problem.”
Susan gave Betsy another quick hug and then headed up to her loft. She suddenly felt exhausted. A hot bath sounded amazing, so she headed straight to the bathroom and started filling the tub. She thought of Danny’s claw-foot tub and how he’d washed her hair the other day. In all her life she’d never felt so pampered.
But her smile faded when she realized she hadn’t heard from Danny all day, and even though she knew he was busy helping his family get ready for their family holiday celebration, it wasn’t like him not to at least text her. Something was simmering beneath the surface; she could just feel it.
While she soaked in the tub, her mind wandered, and she had to wonder if she shouldn’t have brought up the idea that Danny wouldn’t have enough time for her. Had she sounded too needy, too clingy? Was he becoming distant because he didn’t want the responsibility of being in a serious relationship?
“Love is hard,” she said, and sank lower into the fragrant bubbles. Weary of second guessing herself, she put her energy into shaving her legs and tried to get back into the Christmas spirit. “Relax,” she whispered, but when her phone pinged, she splish-splashed water all over the place in her effort to retrieve her phone from the floor beside the tub. When she read the text message from Danny her heart sank to her toes. Something came up with Mason and I can’t see you tonight. “And that’s all you’re going to say?” she grumbled. She made a sound of exasperation as she sank back into the tub, sloshing water over the sides. “I think I need a glass of wine.”
Her phone pinged again, this time her mother, who rarely sent text messages. I need your help tonight. “You need my help tonight? What is this, a conspiracy?” Susan texted she’d be over in a little while but felt a little bit put out. She’d just have to load her presents into the SUV and finish wrapping them at the farmhouse. She’d been so busy that she hadn’t seen much of her parents, so this was actually a good thing that Danny begged off, she reasoned, not really believing herself. But she owed it to her mother and father to be in a good mood. She even wore another gaudy Christmas sweater, just for her mother.
26
We Are Family
“Come on, Danny, did you have to go and throw me under the bus?” Mason grumbled.
“I had to come up with some kind of excuse not to see Susan tonight.”
&n
bsp; “You could have blamed Dad,” Mason said, nodding in their father’s direction.
“I get blamed enough for things from your mother. Mason, quit your bellyaching and load that rocking chair into the truck. We have lots to do in very little time.” He turned to Danny. “Son, I think you should have called Susan and not just sent her a text message.”
“No way. Susan would know something was up from the sound of my voice. It’s been hard enough keeping this from her for the past week.”
“Okay, well, I just don’t like her feelings getting hurt. She’s such a sweet girl. I feel bad doing all of this behind her back.”
“Dad, it’s called a surprise,” Danny said. “I wasn’t even sure I could pull this off until a few days ago. It sure would have helped if you’d told me you wanted to take the marina over.”
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings, Danny. Until Mason let me in on the secret stash of furniture you’d been making I had no clue that you wanted to make woodworking your main source of income. Your mama is over the moon to move back to Cricket Creek full-time. Let me tell you, being around the grandchildren is the very best thing for my ticker,” he said thickly. “And thanks to my kids, the marina is thriving,” he continued with a rare show of tears. “Ah damn …” he said and cleared his throat. “The sacrifices you made …”
“Dad,” Danny interrupted. “We would do it all over again. And look where this has all led.”
“We wouldn’t have it any other way,” Mason chimed in.
“All right, enough of this lollygagging around. There’s work to be done,” their father said gruffly.
Danny grinned at Mason. “Dad’s right. I just got a text message from Mom that Susan has arrived at her parents’ farm, so the coast is clear. Let’s roll.”
“I still don’t know how we’re going to pull this off by tomorrow,” Danny said. “I think I bit off more than I can chew.”
Mason grinned. “Uh, Dad and I called upon the help of a few more elves,” he said. “In fact, they should be arriving soon,” he added, and as if on cue, the door to the workshop opened. In walked Sophia and Avery, followed by Garret and Mattie.