Page 61 of Axe-identally Married
I scoffed. “Doubtful.”
“I mean it. Gus is incredible with a chainsaw, and Finn can throw an axe with incredible aim. I can climb and have decent speed. But you? You’re fast and strong and have those crazy long arms. We could use you on the team.”
My heart skipped a beat. Team?
“You guys still compete?”
“Only once in a while. Did that thing last summer against the Gagnons. Bastards beat us, but that was to be expected, withRemy on the pro circuit now. But yeah, once in a while, we get together for town events and charity stuff.”
The wheels in my head started turning.
“Would you be interested in doing something at RiverFest next year? A competition or a showcase or something?”
“Sure. You gonna run the thing again?”
That was the big question. The mayor had already asked me to, but I hadn’t given him an answer. I wasn’t sure where I’d be then. I really wanted to get back to school in the fall, but the idea of walking away, knowing the town could really use the revenue didn’t sit well with me.
“I’m helping right now, but they’re looking for someone to take over.”
“Shame,” he said with a shake of his head. “You did a good job.”
“Thanks.”
Jude picked up his maul and headed back to the shed. Apparently that conversation was over. I neatly stacked the freshly cut wood under the roof of the lean-to so it would stay dry, then I followed.
“Keep that,” he said, gesturing to the maul in my hand. “And unlock your trunk.”
Frowning, I narrowed my eyes at him. “I don’t need it.”
Ignoring me, he jogged to the uncut log pile. He scooped a couple up, then strode to my truck.
I pulled my key fob out and hit the button to raise the liftgate.
“You need it now,” he said as he dropped them into the cargo area. “Go home, chop some firewood. You’ve got good form.”
“Like to train?”
He rolled his eyes. “No. To impress your girl. Ladies love a lumberjack.”
I barked out a laugh. I was many things, but a lumberjack was not one of them.
“I mean it. Women get feral about woodchopping. You wanna know if she’s into you? Casually chop wood and then start a fire for her.”
“That is pure caveman shit.”
Head lowered, he shook it, grinning. “Sometimes you gotta go full lumberjack to get the girl. You own any flannel?”
“Yeah.”
He gave me a nod. “You know what to do.”
With a sigh, I closed the liftgate, eyeing the logs and the splitting maul as I did. I guess I was going full lumberjack.
“You’re not gonna tell me she’s too good for me?”
He frowned, a crease forming between his brows. “Cole, you need to believe that you’re good enough for her. And I can see you’re working on it.”
When I headed over here with cookies, I couldn’t have imagined this would be where we’d end up. But I wasn’t complaining. Sharing this felt good. Jude had always been a good listener, but even so, his consideration had surprised me.
