Joy to the Wolves (Red Wolf #1) - Terry Spear Page 0,105
year-round, actually. So we wanted to make their trip truly special. We considered just making it all natural, but reindeer are part of the magic of Christmas, so we opted for a more magical setting.”
“I love it. Who made the signs for the reindeer?”
“Maverick. Woodworking is his hobby. He made them for the corrals too.”
“Oh wow. I’m hiring him to make some display signs for me.”
“I’m sure he’d love to do that. Just tell him what you want, and he’ll do it.”
“You know, he could make signs to sell in the shop too. Whatever sold would be his own money. I wouldn’t charge him to put them in the shop. I love hand-carved and painted signs. They sell well. Created just like he does, too, with a vintage look. I won’t have to buy them to stock my shop.”
“That sounds like a good deal.”
“Do you do anything creative?”
Josh smiled. “No. I hope that doesn’t change our status.”
She laughed. “No. I can set up fun displays, but when it comes to creating arts and crafts? No talent whatsoever.”
“No time either, I imagine.”
“You’re right. Sierra says she does artwork other than police sketches. Maybe she’d liked to display some of her art in the shop. In fact, anyone who creates arts and crafts in the pack could have an outlet for their work. My mother was big on embroidery, but after she made so many pictures and pillowcases and gave away so much of it, she didn’t have anyone else to give her artwork to. She finally started selling it in their store. Maybe others have crafts they do like that.” She realized how much she could offer to the pack, and she felt really good about it.
“That would be great.”
Brooke walked through the barn, seeing each of the adult reindeer and the calves, petting the ones that greeted her. They all had their own personalities, nudging her for more petting, licking in greeting, more aggressive or shyer.
Then Josh brought Brooke into his arms and kissed her. “I love you, Brooke. I can’t believe my good fortune that I met you before any of the other wolves did. And that you fell in love with me and no one else.”
“Oh, you are so right about that,” Brooke said, then kissed him back. “I thought there was something wrong with me. Here I’d met both you and Maverick, and he was being really sweet to me, and you weren’t, yet who could I not quit thinking of?”
“Are you kidding? After all the harassment over the reindeer? That was just a ploy to get your attention and to have a reason to keep seeing you. Even Maverick told me that.”
They heard Maverick’s truck pull up outside.
“He must have stopped for gas. I’ll go help him unload the reindeer.” Josh headed outside, and Brooke followed him out.
She smiled and waved at Maverick. Then Josh helped him unload the reindeer and put them up for the night.
“I love the signs you made. Can you make some for me? I’d pay for them.” Brooke didn’t want Maverick to think he had to do a lot of work for her for free. She explained about showcasing his work at the shop so he could earn some extra money.
“I’d like that. I’ll get on it when I have free time.”
“Okay. Since you have such a showcase here with the reindeer, the big red barn, and the Christmas tree farm, I think the vintage truck will work well as part of your displays, don’t you? You could decorate it for all the seasons, for the special holidays. Just have fun with it. You could paint the name of your ranch on the side. That will be my Christmas present to both of you.”
“Who gets to drive it first?” Josh asked his brother.
Maverick laughed. “Thanks, Brooke. I can’t tell you how much that means to us.”
“You’re so welcome. You don’t mind that we’re mated, do you?” She knew it would be a big adjustment when the brothers were close and lived and worked on the ranch together.
“I should be upset you and I didn’t tie the wolf knot, but I’m glad that if it was going to be someone other than me, it was my brother.” Maverick gave her a big hug. “Welcome to the family, Brooke. I can’t think of a nicer and more fun person to have as a sister-in-law.”
She hugged him back. “Thanks, Maverick. I’m so glad to be part of the family.”