Page 72 of Axe-identally Married
Then there were the thoughts of more. Was it possible for us? Maybe it wasn’t logical, but it felt right.
“I’ll consider it,” I said, pasting on a fake smile. “And I’m doing just fine with my wife.” I gave Bernice a glare. “Loretta, have any new photos of your grandkids?”
That got them off my back instantly. Loretta Gagnon had recently welcomed several grandkids, including my nephew Thor, and had approximately one million photos of them on her phone. All the ladies immediately reached for their glasses and soon they were cooing at photos and discussing who was cooking and hosting for the holidays. Eventually, the conversationturned to some show on Netflix about murder they were all obsessed with.
I let my thoughts wander back to Willa.
This wasn’t a one-sided attraction. I saw how she looked at me. And there was no hiding the shock on her face when I’d told her that I wanted her. That expression, both surprise and interest, with a hint of heat? God, I had replayed it so many times in my mind, often in the shower.
But Willa wasn’t the type of woman to throw everything away on a whim. So I’d have to show her, prove to her that I was a stand-up guy. That I wasn’t looking for a shallow fling. That I could make her happy if she’d let me.
And while I wasn’t entirely sure how to accomplish that, I was certain it would take time. The last thing I could afford to do was rush. If I did, she’d shut me down hard, just like she had that night at the lake.
No, I’d have to chip away at her defenses. Maybe then she’d be ready to take the next step.
We were cleaning up, resetting the chairs and packing up the snacks, when Loraine Gagnon approached me. She was a lovely woman, but I’d felt strange around her since the moment we found out my father was responsible for her husband’s death.
It was one of those wounds that would never heal. The shame would haunt us for all time.
“You’re doing great..” She patted my arm, smiling up at me. “Don’t listen to the old biddies. They’ve forgotten what it was like in the early days. It took years of training before Frank stopped leaving his socks on the floor.”
I gave her a nod, uncomfortable speaking to her one-on-one. Even being in the same room had taken time to get used to.
She gave me a warm smile. “And remember, play to your strengths.”
Frowning, I studied her. I wasn’t sure I understood.
“If you’re a great dancer, put a record on and twirl her around the house. If you’re the poetic type, write her a love letter. That kind of thing. Trust me,keeping the magic alive is work, but it’s so worth it.”
“Thank you.”
“Never stop reminding her of why she fell in love with you.”
“I’m sorry,” I said. I sounded stupid. Positively asinine. But I had no other words.
She waved her hand. “Nothing to apologize for. You’re a good boy. I know because I raised four hooligan children who still keep me on my toes. Now go home to your wife.”
I finished cleaning up and headed to my truck, replaying the conversation the whole time. Loraine gave my family more grace and compassion than we deserved.
But her words stuck in my mind.
Play to my strengths.
In the strength department, I was lacking. Especially when it came to impressing Willa.
I opened my trunk, and as I stashed my tote bag full of supplies, I caught sight of the splitting maul Jude had given me a week ago.
Huh.
I’d written off his suggestion of chopping wood as silly.
But my mind was spinning. She certainly didn’t mind when I picked her up and carried her around. And she’d complimented my beard several times.
I’d been using the products Jude had given me and worked on trimming it properly.
Maybe playing to my strengths meant going full lumberjack.
I guess there was only one way to find out.
