Page 15 of Rocky Mountain Desire
“Len has the load right here.”
Hope turned as a second massive male stepped through her doorframe. The past twenty-four hours had brought far more testosterone into her shop than she’d had around for ages.
“Thanks for bringing it all over, guys. You didn’t need to do that.”
Clay grinned. “What? Not take the chance to skip out of work? You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Your dad will know something is up if you’re more than five minutes behind schedule.” Hope helped settle the supplies in one spot, embarrassed by how much she’d actually had crammed into her vehicle.
“This is a business meeting.” Len retreated to the front counter, his broad shoulders stretching the fabric of his work coverall. “Why didn’t you ask our garage to be a part of your spring fundraiser?”
Hope stared in confusion, distracted as Clay worked his way to her side, watching his six-foot-three frame pass between the rows of quilting supplies a little like seeing a bull manoeuvre through a china shop. “Fundraiser? Oh, the quilt raffle? I just got started on setting up the challenge. It doesn’t officially begin until after the New Year. How did you hear about it?”
“Mason from the fire hall was bragging the other night that he and the volunteer firefighters are going to win.”
Hope laughed. “Good for him. I’m looking forward to seeing what quilt design they finish.”
Len jerked upright. “They have to sew a quilt?”
“Still want me to ask you to join in?” She laughed out loud at the chagrin on his face. “Come on now, it’s for a good cause. Only rule is the quilt you put up for auction has to be made by all the members of the sponsoring group,nottheir girlfriends or mothers.”
Clay swore. “You’re serious?”
“Dead serious. Proceeds go to the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Club. The shop teacher at the school is training the Big Sisters’ participants so they can offer car tune-ups during the fair.”
“We can’t sew.”
Hope took her time looking them up and down. “Then I guess the firefighters will get bragging rights for the year. Because if they make the only quilt to be raffled off at the spring fair…”
Len and Clay were making the most hilarious faces at each other. Her smile was real as she turned to examine the pile of supplies and start sorting them. A few things were completely fine—she put them to the side for reshelving as soon as the guys went back to the garage.
Her happiness faded as she picked up a plastic bag filled with wet yarn and grimaced. Here started the troubles. Maybe she could recover it enough to put the yarn up for a discount. Or use it herself for a sample item.
Clay dragged her back from her labours with a tug on her sleeve. “You plan on giving lessons? If we sign up for the challenge?”
“Sewing lessons? Of course, that’s part of the fun. And I’ve arranged for loaner sewing machines from the high school for anyone who needs one. I can come to your place or you can come here.” She eyeballed the tiny workspace at the back and pictured the five oversized guys from the car shop all fitting in there. “Maybe I’ll make it a rule I come out to the challenger’s place. That will help keep the designs a secret as well.”
“Secret designs. Now it sounds like a spy show and not sewing. This could be fun.”
Hope glanced at Len. “He’s getting you into trouble.”
Len grinned back. “Does it all the time. I’m used to it.”
“Go on, blame me. But hell, if the fire crew can do it, so can we.” Clay nodded. “I have to double-check with the rest of the guys, but I’m pretty sure they’ll agree.”
“Really?” She’d only begun setting up the challenge, but having two solidly male teams involved was exactly what she needed to get interest going. “Sponsoring teams pay for materials at cost, we’ll have the quilts displayed during the fair, then all the proceeds from the raffle go to the club.”
Clay glanced around the shop. “I figure you can find us a manly enough design, right?”
“Sure. Moose and rifles? Beer cans and barbecues?”
Len laughed. “We’ll talk about it more after New Year’s. I’m heading back to the shop. You coming, Clay?”
“In a minute.”
Hope waved Len off and stared at Clay as he shifted to the side of the display unit, grinning down at her. There was a flicker of interest—he was a handsome fellow. Having Matt Coleman under her roof might have revved her up, but Clay was sexy enough on his own to get a rise out of her without even trying. “You need something?”
“Yeah, an answer to when I get to see you again. When I asked you out in August, you said you were swamped with fall preparations, what with getting classes going. And then you were hard at it in October getting ready for the holiday rush. Now you’re going to tell me that after Christmas you’ll be busy with something else like this fundraiser?”
