Page 17 of From Grumpy to Forever
Reid saved me from digging myself in even deeper with a wink and what I was coming to think was a very rare grin. “See you this afternoon, boss lady.”
Chapter Ten
Reid
“Dad says you’re going to live in the backyard forever.”
The spoonful of mint chocolate chip hovered in the air as I assessed my niece from across the table. We had our usual table at the back of the shop, by the window where we could people-watch everyone in the plaza.
In the few short months since my brother had moved his daughter back to Trickle Creek, I’d made it a point to spend quality time with her to make up for all the years they’d been in the city and we only got to see them on holidays and the occasional long weekend.
If someone told me six months ago that I’d be looking forward to my regular ice cream dates with a twelve-year-old girl, I would have thought them insane. But truthfully, Quinn was a sharp, witty kid who had no problem saying it like it was, and I enjoyed her company more than most adults.
“He said that, did he?”
“Sure did.” Quinn took a bite of her scoop, and I winced.
“How do you do that?”
She shrugged. “Young teeth.”
“You’re saying I’m old?” I dipped my spoon back in for another bite.
“You’re ancient.” She laughed before taking another big bite of her ice cream. “So, are you? Going to live in the backyard forever?”
“For one,” I pointed my spoon at her, “I don’t live in the backyard. My shop is in the backyard. I have a room in the house, and you know it.” Quinn shrugged, so I continued. “And two…no. I’m not. In fact, I just accepted a big job that pays quite well.”
The work at the inn did pay pretty well, but it was the amount of work that Avery had in front of her that meant a decent and steady paycheck for the next little bit. It would definitely be enough to get my own place plus the workshop I’d already called the real estate agent about. The retainer Avery was going to give me this afternoon was just enough for the down payment. It would leave me short for a bit, but that was a temporary issue. The risk was worth it.
At least, it would be.
“You got a job?”
“You look surprised.” I tried not to laugh. “I do work, you know.”
“Dad says you’re wasting your potential because of your misguided morals.”
I put my spoon down and stared at my niece, finding it hard to believe that Ethan would have such a conversation with his twelve-year-old. “Is that right?”
She nodded and licked the drips off the bottom of her cone. “Yup. And Uncle Gray said that what you really need is a good woman to sort you out.”
Ahh. That made a lot more sense. My niece had perfected the art of eavesdropping on all kinds of conversations when you thought she had her earbuds in, watching whatever garbage was on her phone. I made a note to mention to Ethan that he might want to use a little more discretion in the future when he was gossiping about me. Or anyone else, for that matter. Or, better yet, he could learn to keep his fucking mouth shut altogether.
But for the time being, I was going to use my brother’s lack of discretion to my advantage.
“What else did they say?”
Quinn grinned and leaned across the table conspiratorially. “My dad said it was doubtful you would ever find a woman who’d put up with your grumpy ass.”
“Hey.”
“I didn’t say it.” She shrugged. “Dad did.”
“Don’t say ass.” I pointed my spoon at her.
She rolled her eyes in response before continuing. “But Uncle Gray said that the right woman would be able to put a smile on your face.”
He wasn’t wrong. It had been way too long since any woman had put a smile on my face. Still, my twelve-year-old niece shouldn’t be privy to any conversation that had the potential to quickly become R-rated. I was definitely going to have to talk to my brothers about discretion.
