Page 29 of Taken By The Wolves

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“He’s a private person.”

“So, don’t tell him. If nothing sells, no harm, no foul.”

Finn hesitates, rubbing between his eyes.

Jeez. He’s really stressed about his brother’s reaction in a way that doesn’t seem rational. Why does Nixon have so much power over what Finn does, and why the desire for privacy?

I sit on a low workbench, working on the images as Finn sweeps the floor and collects the wood dust in a dustpan and brush. When I’ve completed Finn’s page and added the chair, I notice that I have service. Messages from my mom and friends spill into my inbox, but I’m driven to complete this task while I can. I finish my edits and pull up the live webpage. He takes my phone, squinting at his photo and the edited image of his masterpiece in wood.

“You did all this now?”

He meets my eyes, and my heart stutters.

“Yeah. Is it good? I can get the others up now.”

“It’s…” He shakes his head. “You’re really something, Scarlet.”

I’m not a woman who blushes easily, but I do now. To distract from my raging flush, I take my phone and add the small table, but it rings in my hand before I get a chance. Finn startles, then leans back against his workbench, folding his muscular arms across his broad chest.

“Hello?”

“Scarlet, Hi! It’s Amber Sinclair. I saw the chair you listed, and I want it. Tell me it hasn’t sold yet.”

“No. Not yet.”

Finn tips his head to one side.

“He’s a new furniture designer, right?” she asks.

“He’s well established in his small town,” I tell her. “I was lucky to get some pieces from his current collection.”

“Could he make another one?” she asks. “A matching set?”

“Well, it won’t be a perfect match,” I say. “That’s the beauty of what he makes. It showcases the wood, and each piece will have unique aspects.”

“That’s perfect,” Amber says. “I’ll transfer the money for both now.”

I mouth to Finn, “When can you finish another chair?”

He’s startled, straightening and uncrossing his arms. “Two weeks?”

“Delivery will be in five weeks,” I say. “Does that work for you?”

“Perfect.” She sighs. “I can’t believe how perfect they’ll be for the hallway in our cabin.”

“I’m so happy you like Finn’s work.”

We say our goodbyes, and I smile as Amber’s payment lands in my account immediately. That woman is the perfectcustomer.

“One down,” I say. “I hope you’re ready to get to work. I suspect you’re going to be rushed off your feet.”

Finn shakes his head, the corners of his lips lifting. “If Nixon doesn’t have anything to say about it.”

13

REED

When Finn and Scarlet pull up at the lumberyard, Finn guides her out of the car with the careful gentleness he reserves for things he treasures. I'm a tough guy but seeing my brother stare at our future mate with wide, open eyes and a heart to match, puts a fucking lump in my throat.