house. The crazy-tall doors hinted that he stored a boat there on the off-season, and the rest of it looked like an ode to sawdust.
The man himself was an attractive, wide-bodied guy with a big grin and fantastically long eyelashes. He flashed her one of those grins when she introduced herself.
“Elliott McKinley.” She extended her hand, and he shook it.
“McKinley. Got it. I’m Ant.” He released Elli’s hand and lifted his chin. “Lou.”
“Ant.” Lou, arms folded, turned and walked among the tables, chairs, and shelves.
“Did you make all this?” Elli asked.
“Every bit of it,” Lou answered for him. “He’s also a chainsaw artist. Ever seen anyone do that?” She pointed out a tall log in one corner, its top and sides had been carved into an intricate owl on a nest.
“You did that with a chainsaw?” Elli walked over to the piece. The detail was stunning. The owl’s toenails and the twigs making up the nest were carved with amazing precision and detail.
“Yeah.” Ant joined her and Lou. “I’ve done garden benches and wedding arches, too. Some brides believe it’s lucky to have one of my pieces in their wedding.”
Lou harrumphed.
“I said some.” Ant smirked.
There was definitely something going on between these two, but Elli wouldn’t find out more here. She’d fare better at Salty Dog after Lou had a pint in her.
He addressed Elli next. “You’re here for your tire, not a dining set, I assume.”
“Yes. Your work is lovely, though.”
“Appreciate you saying so.” His eyebrows jumped. “Tire’s patched and ready to go. Did you bring the Beemer? I can put it on for you.”
“Yes, but, no. Thanks. I’m going to do it myself.” Elli felt Lou’s interested gaze on the side of her head.
“Hutch said you’d say that.” Ant chuckled.
“Hutch?”
“Hutchins. Brady. Have a look around, and I’ll replace your tire.” He held out his hand. “Keys.”
“No, like I said—”
“I respect that you can, Elli, but it ain’t happening. I took in a tire with a hole in it. I patched it. I’m not sending a lady out to hunch down and replace the tire I just patched. Even if Brady wouldn’t castrate me for doing a half-ass job, I’d insist on putting it on myself before you drive it. Yeah?”
Elli looked from Ant to her brand-new friend and found Lou’s expression had softened.
“You can trust him,” Lou told Elli.
Elliott fished her keychain out of her purse and offered it to Ant. Before he took the keys from her, she pulled them away slightly and insisted, “But I’m paying you.”
“Sorry again, Beemer” he said with a smile. “Your bill’s settled. You don’t like it, take it up with Hutch.”
With a tall, frosty glass of beer in front of her, Elli settled onto the barstool at Salty Dog. The large U-shaped bar took up most of the right side of the restaurant, the warm woods and shining bar top welcoming any thirsty patron. The restaurant beyond was lined with booths and tables, the chatter offering up the right amount of background noise. The atmosphere was at once comfortable and lively.
“What did Ant mean about a wedding arch?” Elli asked Lou, dying for a hint at what was behind the silent drama that’d unfolded earlier.
“He made the arch I stood under with my ex to say our vows. I was the one wearing white who took monogamy seriously, my ex was the asshole in the suit standing next to me.”
Elli winced. “I’m sorry.”
“Ancient history.” Lou waved a hand. “We’re here to have fun, and stories about my ex-husband is a surefire way to guarantee we won’t have any.” She poked Elli’s arm playfully. “What’s your story with Brady Hutchins? And why did he pay your tab? And how did he come across you when you haven’t left the house?”
Elli took a hearty gulp of her own beer. Apparently, Lou had her own curiosities. “He was leaving the gym, and I was trying to change my tire. The jack gave, and he swept in to save the day.”
Lou laughed. “Sounds like him.”
“I can’t let him pay for my tire. That’s too much.” It bothered her to take advantage of a stranger almost as much as it bothered her to feel like a charity case. She’d been doing too much of that since she left Neil. “I have money.”
“It’s not about money,” Lou said. “Brady’s good friends with Ant. Probably agreed to buy one of Ant’s tables or something. I wouldn’t sweat it too much. Ant wouldn’t have charged you anyway since you