“It smells so good in here.” Skye took a deep breath and inhaled the scent of the freshly cut wood. She looked around and saw giant planks of wood, whole tree trunks, and all of it was organized. “What is all of that?”
“I have them organized by natural woods, planks, solids, and manufactured woods. Then I divide each section by type of wood—pine, mahogany, teak, and so on. That way I can find what I need easily. Then those large padded loops hanging from the ceiling belong to this guy.” Trent walked over to the wood and she saw a control panel near the wall. “I can’t lift some of these pieces so I have a small crane in here. I use the padded straps so I don’t damage the wood and then I can move it to the equipment I need to use on it.”
“This place is amazing, Trent. It’s state-of-the-art and who would ever know it was sitting in the woods of the small town of Shadows Landing?” Skye walked around looking at everything. She ran her hand over the rough raw wood and then the smooth sanded pieces.
“I’m glad you like it.” Skye heard the roughness to Trent’s voice and knew that it meant a lot to him.
“I don’t like it. I love it. What’s back here?” Skye asked as she pointed to a small room and then the back door.
“That’s a small office and then this back door slides open so I can have the barn completely open.” Trent opened it and she heard the hum of machinery.
Skye walked outside and saw what looked like an extension to the barn about ten feet by ten feet with a little peaked roof on it. “What’s that?”
“It’s the mechanical room. There’s a door that leads into it from inside the barn as well. It houses the air conditioner, air purifier, and humidity regulator so the wood doesn’t warp.”
“I’m beyond impressed. I’d have this door open all the time so I could be inspired by this view.” Skye took a deep breath and savored the lack of air pollution and the smell of the outdoors.
“I’m glad you like it. Let me show you the house.”
Trent took her hand again and Skye loved how he seemed to do it without realizing it. He picked up her bags and took her up the steps of the front porch. “Oh, you have one of the swings that were featured in the magazine! I tried to buy one, but you were all sold out.”
Skye dropped Trent’s hand and rushed for the swing. It was perfect. The cushions hugged her as the swing rocked her. Trent chuckled as he opened the front door and dropped her bags inside.
Skye hurried inside after him, telling him she could live in that swing forever. Inside was masculine, but not obnoxiously so. There were lots of wood and stone features with natural colors on the walls and for the furniture. “Oh my gosh. The paintings are insane.” The natural color scheme allowed the paintings to pop. They were full of color as they showcased the best of nature: pictures of flowers, the ocean, and trees—all done with bright colors and a palette knife.
“Is that a good insane or bad?” Trent asked as she heard the seriousness to his voice. Did she say something wrong?
“Good. These are amazing. You have good taste.”
Trent let out a breath as he picked her bags back up and headed upstairs. “Good, I’m glad I won’t have to tell Tinsley you hated her artwork.”
Skye raced up the stairs after him. “Those are your cousin’s?”
“Yup. She has a gallery on Main Street and her art is starting to get noticed. She has sold some to big clients in Atlanta and then she got back from a showing in Paris a couple of months ago.”
“I can’t wait to see her gallery.” Skye followed Trent down the hall.
“My room is at that end. That door is the linen closet. This one is your bathroom, and then your room is on this end.” Trent pushed open the door and set her bags on a queen-sized bed. A Tinsley painting hung over the bed that was covered in a brown and cream comforter. There were side tables next to the bed, a chest on the opposite wall, and a rocking chair by the large windows overlooking the backyard. “Is it okay? I don’t have guests very often.”
“It’s wonderful, Trent. I absolutely love your home.” Skye leaned