But Rick shook his head. “We were told not to tell her the price.”
Not Rick scoffed. “Would you rather stand here and argue about this and be late to every one of our next appointments, or just forward her the email?”
“Dan!” Rick hissed. “We aren’t supposed to send it.”
“I won’t tell if you won’t tell,” I said sweetly.
Dan lifted his eyebrows. “See. The lady won’t tell. Now send it and let’s get the hell out of here.”
I laughed. “I like your style, Dan.”
“If he asks, this is on you,” Rick muttered as he took his cell phone out and scrolled. A moment later, my phone dinged. I opened my email to see a message from Rick Colby. Once I opened it to see there was indeed an invoice attached, I gestured for them to come on in.
Dan gave me a friendly wink and brushed past Rick. “Where do you want it?”
I showed them the spot where my old table used to sit. “Here, but I’ll need to inspect the table before you leave.”
Rick snorted.
Annoyed, I stopped and put my hands on my hips. “If you don’t stop being an ass, Rick, I’m going to kick you out of my shop and give all the credit to Dan.”
Rick’s eyes widened, and I felt a little guilty about my subtle threat. But damn, I hated men like Rick, who couldn’t be bothered with any kind of change or inconvenience, no matter how tiny.
Dan slapped Rick on the back hard enough to make him wince. “Let’s get this inside for the lady, shall we?”
Rick winced and nodded. Both men disappeared outside and got to work.
Ash’s eyebrows lifted when our eyes met. “Subtle,” he drawled.
Moira cackled from across the room. “Let’s see what Rick does if he has to haul that table right back out.”
The odds were high that’s exactly what would happen, but I’d give this craftsman dryad a chance.
Rick and Dan hauled a massive, wrapped piece of wood over the sidewalk. I held open the door for them, trying to make out any features of the table, but it was wrapped too thoroughly. They headed back out for the legs while I got busy inspecting the table.
Dan shooed me out of the way when he got back inside. “I have the right tools. Allow me.”
I stepped away and let the man do his work. A few minutes later, a stunning piece of mahogany with a faint tinge of magic sat tipped on its edge against the wall.
Dan handed me an envelope. “From the maker. He asked for you to be the only one who opened this note.”
Curious, I loosened the wax seal and pulled out a piece of sandalwood scented parchment.
Miss Quinn,
I must confess I was quite surprised when I received a request to recreate your work table. The Shifter Lord brought me a large piece of the top and sketched out how the original looked. Please send my compliments to the original craftsman who created it. I recognize quality work when I see it, though I could also tell the creator possessed no magic. I hope you won’t mind, but I took some liberties with this new creation.
I know you are a Floromancer, and from Caelan’s words, one of quite impressive power. The magic ingrained in thistable is subtle. First, you will rarely need to condition and oil this table, once a year at most. Second, any cut flowers you store on top or are working on will no longer require a preservation spell while you work.
It is the least I can do for someone who took in my nephew and showed him such kindness.
If you ever have need of my services again, please reach out to me directly.
The note was signedSeptimus, and a phone number was written in painstaking print below the signature.
I tucked the note into the envelope and turned to the dryad. “Nephew?”
Ash had the grace to look abashed. “I didn’t realize he’d send a note.”
