Page 3 of From Grumpy to Forever
The voice startled me, and I jumped up from where I was bent over examining a bin full of work gloves.
“Sorry.” The man chuckled. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”
“You didn’t…I mean, you did.” His easy smile and kind eyes put me at ease. “And yes, you can definitely help me find something. Everything, actually.”
“Why don’t we start with one thing and go from there.” He held out his hand. “My name’s Grayson Lyons. I run this shop. If I can’t help you find what you need, I’ll be able to find someone who can.”
I shook his hand as my smile returned to my face. “That’s exactly what I needed to hear today, Grayson. I’m Avery. I just moved to town and…well, like I said, I’m going to need all the things. I’m going to be fixing up the Tamarack Inn.”
“You’re going to be doing what?”
A deep voice responded from somewhere behind me, and I spun to see a man who looked just like Grayson, except with a frown that looked like it had taken up permanent residence on his face instead of Grayson’s friendly grin.
His gaze landed on me and for a second, something flickered deep in my gut—something that made my cheeks heat.
“Reid,” Grayson said. “This is Avery.” He made the introduction, but Reid didn’t take his eyes off me. “Reid’s my brother,” he explained unnecessarily. “My much grumpier and far less handsome twin brother.”
“We’re identical,” Reid grumbled, and I bit back a laugh.
“Except for that scowl on your face, brother.”
Reid shook his head and ignored him when he asked, “Did you say you’re fixing up the Tamarack Inn?”
“That’s right,” I said brightly, refusing to let his grumpiness intimidate me. “It’s going to be gorgeous when I’m done.”
“That’s a big project.” Reid crossed his thick arms over his chest. “You doing it on your own?”
“That’s the plan.” I shrugged. “Although I’m sure I’ll need help with a few things. YouTube will only get me so far.”
“YouTube?”
I thought Reid might choke.
Grayson only laughed and pulled my attention away from his brother. “I’m sure we’ll be able to help you out, Avery.”
Reid made a snorting sound I chose to ignore.
“Where should we begin?” Grayson asked.
“Well, I think we should probably start with getting me inside the inn.” I held up my hands and shrugged. “I only have a key to the back door and I don’t know if the lock is seized or what, but I can’t get in.”
Grayson chuckled. “Getting inside would be a good place to start but it’s hard to know what you need without actually seeing the situation myself.”
I held my breath for a second, hoping maybe he’d suggest making the quick drive over to check it out.
“Reid?”
His brother had started to walk away toward the back of the store but stopped when Grayson said his name. He shook his head once before turning around. “What?”
“You have some time on your hands, don’t you? I’m the only one working today, so I can’t leave the shop. Why don’t you go with Avery to see what the issue is?”
I could see it on his face—he was going to object. I couldn’t let that happen. “Please,” I said quickly. “I’d really appreciate it. I can pay you. I have enough?—”
“Oh no.” Grayson cut me off. “There’s no need for that. We look out for our own in Trickle Creek.”
The gratitude that washed over me was palpable. Even as a child, I’d felt like Trickle Creek was exactly where I belonged. And now…well, thanks to my grandparents’ generosity, I was going to be able to live here. When the lawyer contacted me with the details of my grandfather’s will, I’d been in shock that they’d left me the inn. A decision that was made years earlier. It was only just starting to sink in that they’d left it all to me.
Along with my husband. The husband I did not have.
