Chapter 267: Showroom
*I make man glitter; furniture is a byproduct of the process. – Sticks*
Chance drove the silver hatchback to the old warehouse district in Monroe. He parked next to the brick and glass building that backed up to the river. From this side, you could see the ridge giving the city across the river its name.
The sun was setting, and the bright yellows and oranges reflected off the water. As the lights on the businesses and bars came on, these also reflected on the water. They were occasionally disturbed by a small watercraft. It was not quite warm enough for the water skis to be out.
Night fishers for trout would be setting up. He remembered going out with his dad and granddad. Smiling, he thought of more recently when he and his brothers would fish off the dock behind the warehouse. They should do that again.
With that thought came another. Chance could see it clearly in his mind’s eye. Standing on the back dock teaching a little boy with a gray patch of hair how to bait and cast a line. Helping him reel it in and take the hook out. Convincing Michael to kiss his first fish.
The need to make that a reality hit him so hard, it almost hurt. Looking at Rye, he wondered if she had memories like that with her dad. Would she want to make memories like that with him?
The more time that he spent with her, the more he realized just ow much he wanted her in his life. How much he needed her in his life. It had only been a few months, only a few weeks since they quit trying to kill each other. But he couldn’t imagine his life without her.
Nor did he want to.
He could only hope that she felt the same way. Although he did not want to admit it, but he knew his feelings went deeper than just friendship. He knew that she was nowhere close to ready for something like that. His only hope was that someday she would.
Chance and Rye had arrived early as he had expected. Guiding Rye to the office door he punched in his mother’s birthday into the keypad.
“Does everyone have the code?” Rye asked as they walked towards the large freight elevator.
“Only if you know my mother’s birthday.” He said calling the elevator. “And if you’re not family, you’d have better luck getting into Fort Knox.”
“I don’t like my birthday, either.” She said stepping into the large ornate elevator.
“The year is what bothers her.” He grinned pushing the up button.
“We got my dad’s death notice on my thirteenth birthday.” She said softly.
“Come here, duchess.” He held out an arm and she moved to him. Chance kissed the top of her head as the door opened.
“You know that I don’t need this. I just need you to get the clothes out of the closet.” Rye said as they walked out onto the show floor and Chance turned on the lights.
“And where are you going to put your clothes?” Chance asked watching her take in the sight around her.
Wood furniture of all types, styles, colors and sizes surrounded them. The floor was divided out into sections depending on what you were wanting. To the left was the section for dining rooms and tables. On the right were living room sets and further down was office furniture.
All made by hand. Under his parent company, Wooden Expressions, he had two other companies. The first was Knots and the second was Hidden Treasures. Each had its own shop and showroom.
Wooden Expressions covered the top of the first two buildings. Knots was smaller and had its show room, office and shop on the lower floor of the second and third buildings.
His newest venture, Hidden Treasures, was hidden away with everything but the shop being on the top floor of the third.
“What you need will be in the next section.”
He gently took her hand and guided her around the elevator and through a glass skywalk leading to the adjoining building. Over here there were also sections of bedroom furniture, yard furniture, games and decorations and then a whole area of individual pieces.
They made their way through end tables, dressers and coffee tables to the armoires lining the far wall. Rye was looking at the simplest one when Sticks joined them.
“That is the basic model.” He stated standing next to his brother. “I can add any type of details that you want.”
“Need one for the nursery and one for her room.” Chance said.
“Red and white ash barn door. Black lacquer modern sleigh.” Sticks nodded. “Standard size? All shelves or hanging bar?”
“Shelves.” Rye answered. “I don’t like hangers. How much are they?”
“That one there is stain grade pine, bare wood, basic hardware with adjustable shelves. Starting price is thirteen.” Sticks rattled off before Chance could stop him.
“I can’t afford that. Thank you, though.” She said softly heading back to the hallway.
“Rye,” Sticks said grabbing her arm as she passed.
She jerked away and looked at him with a mix of fear and anger. He dropped his hand and shook his head.
“I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He said gently. “I should learn to keep my hands to myself. I don’t charge family. So, there is nothing you owe me.”
“I’m not your family.” She hissed.
“Yeah, you are.” His focus shifted to his brother. “I promised to let Molly help on a project. I’m going to go down before they fuck up my tools.”
He walked away and left them alone. Rye turned to face Chance. Her eyes flashed with defiance and confusion.
“Why does everyone keep saying that I’m family?”
“Because you are.”
“The only family I have is Leigh Anne and Michael.” She whispered.
“Some families are by blood, and some are by choice.” He gently ran a finger down her gray patch. “We chose you.”
“Why?” she asked quietly.
He smiled at her as his fingers toyed with her gray patch of hair. “Because I like you.”
