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“It’s beautiful,” Caro breathed as she admired the dresser Charli had brought out from the workshop yesterday. “I don’t know how you do it.”
Charli grinned and put her hands on her hips. “It’s because I’m not afraid to get dirty,” she teased.
Caro looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “I know how to get dirty. I just don’t go out in public that way.”
Charli laughed. “Touche.”
Caro sniffed. “As gorgeous as this is, I think I need something smaller. You know, more like a jewelry box. Grandmother always did have a thing for the fancy stuff.”
Charli nodded. She’d had her shop open for two months now and her inventory was moving quicker than she could have ever expected. At the rate she was going, she was going to have to hire someone to run the front so she could stay buried in the workshop, cleaning up pieces.
She still ran the odd job around town when occasion warranted it, but most of the inhabitants of Seaside Bay had been thrilled to see her move forward into something new.
“I don’t have anything restored,” Charli said slowly, her eyes looking around. “But I do have something I made.”
Caro perked up. “What? You made something?”
Charli shrugged as she walked to the display where the box sat. “I’ve been testing out different woodworking techniques and built this as a test pilot.” She grabbed it off the shelf. “I’ll give it to you for a box of chocolates, if you’re game.”
“I can’t do that,” Caro said defensively. “It’s got to be worth way more than that.”
Charli pursed her lips and shook her head. “Nah. It was just for fun.” She handed the box to Caro. “See what you think.”
“Ooh, Charli, it’s beautiful!” Caro cooed. “You’re amazing!” She shook the box slightly and frowned. “Why does it feel like there’s something in there?”
Charli jerked back a little. “What?” She reached for the box. “Maybe I left some wood chips inside. I’m sorry. Let me clean it out.”
“Hey, beautiful.” Bronson suddenly appeared at her side and Charli jumped a little.
“Oh, hey!” she said, tucking a stray hair behind her ear. She was probably a mess at the moment. “Where did you come from?” She tilted up for his kiss as his arm went around her waist.
“Meeting got done early,” he explained, shifting her so her back was to his chest. The Seaside Bay chapter of Fathers and Sons had officially opened about a month ago and Bronson was the head of it. Being in charge meant he spent less time with the kids, but it kept him busy, which he enjoyed. “Whatcha doing?” he asked, his chin resting on her head.
“Caro was looking for a gift for her grandmother, so we ended up at my jewelry box,” Charli explained. She reached for it again. “But we think I left some junk inside, so I’m gonna clean it out.”
She took the box and lifted the lid, then almost dropped it. There wasn’t a speck of dust or wood inside, but there was a rolled piece of paper. And the bow holding it together seemed to sparkle in the overhead lights.
“Let me take that,” Bronson whispered, reaching out to hold the box.
With shaking fingers, Charli picked up the scroll and abruptly began to cry. A diamond solitaire was the source of the sparkle and she couldn’t quite bring herself to untie it.
Bronson, having set down the box, took the paper from her hands and undid the knot. “I’ve been thinking,” he said softly in her ear. “We’ve been business partners for a few months now and as much as I love it, I think I’d like a change.”
He took her left hand and stretched out her fingers while Charli watched, mesmerized, at his actions.
“I don’t really need another business partner. What I need is a life partner.” He unrolled the paper and held it so she could read the fine print. “Would you, Charli Mendez, be that partner? As an added incentive, I’m offering you the papers for your store. I don’t want you to think that I have any power over you, but that we stand as equal partners in everything. Just you and me...forever.”
Charli frantically wiped at her face, the weight of the ring feeling new and odd on her hand. “You know...I never cried until after I met you.” Ignoring Caro’s snort, Charli turned in his arms and looped her hands around his neck. “But I don’t need the building,” she said. “I just need you. I love you.”
“Perfect,” Bronson said with a wide smile. “Because when we’re married, it’ll be both of ours anyway.” He winked. “I just wanted to sweeten the pot, so to speak.”
Charli laughed a little, then rose up on tiptoe and paused at his lips. “You might want to turn away, Caro,” Charli called out. “We’re about to get touchy-feely in here.”
“My work here is done!” Caro said, walking to the front door. “But I still want that box!” she hollered right before the front door closed.
“So is that a yes?” Bronson asked as soon as they were alone.
Charli started when she realized she hadn’t really answered the question. “That’s a yes,” she clarified. “But if you don’t kiss me right now, I might have to rethink it all.”
“Bossy, bossy,” Bronson teased before giving her a slow, soft kiss. He spoke against her mouth. “I like it.”
Charli began to laugh, but he cut her off as they celebrated their new venture. Never in a million years would Charli have expected to take on a partner, nor for that partner to become a permanent part of her life. She’d been doing it all herself for so long that she’d forgotten what it was like to have another set of shoulders to rely on.
She sighed as he deepened the kiss, reveling in every moment of his attention. It was attention she was going to keep for herself for a long...long...long...time.
Thank you for reading
Charli and Bronson’s story!
I hope you enjoyed reading it
as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Not quite ready to be done yet?
Look for Caro’s story next in
“Her Unexpected Rival