Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,33

Gabriella relent twisted Ryan’s midsection uncomfortably. She couldn’t stand it. The sad acquiescence. The pout Gabriella tried to conceal.

“But you know what?” Ryan said, trying to fix it. “There are plenty of other choices here.” She flipped back to some of Gabriella’s earlier picks, though it was clear they excited her less.

“Yeah. That one could work.” Gabriella turned her head to the side, studying the runner-up.

It was only another moment or two before Ryan cracked. “Let me see if I can move some things around in the budget and take care of that half wall.”

“Don’t reduce your fee,” Joey said quietly.

Gabriella’s gaze shot up. “No. I wouldn’t want that either.”

“I’ll work it out,” Ryan said, feeling better having made the decision. “Don’t worry about it.”

Joey and Gabriella exchanged a look.

“Ryan, I don’t want to put you in a difficult spot, just because I’m not being flexible. I’ll adjust.”

“No,” Ryan said, closing the book. “You’re right. Those are the best cabinets for the space, and you’re getting them.”

“I don’t know what to say. Thank you.”

Ryan nodded, wondering how she was going to make this happen, but determined nonetheless. They hadn’t gotten to knobs and handles, but it was well past the time they’d set aside to meet, so they’d come back to it.

“Time for a glass of wine on the house?” Joey asked Ryan, as she packed up.

While the offer was nice, her conversation with Loretta earlier had planted a seed. “No, but thank you. I’m gonna swing by my mom’s. She mentioned that she’d have a pot of shrimp creole on the stove today.”

Gabriella, who was halfway to the door, turned back. “She makes creole?”

“The best I’ve ever had.”

“Does she use fresh shrimp? Where does she get hers?” This seemed like a hugely important question to Gabriella. Joey waved and sneaked away to avoid interrupting.

Ryan laughed. “Why don’t you come with me and you can ask her. The pot is huge and can feed an army.”

“No, no. I was just curious about the shrimp.” She paused and seemed to rethink her whole course. “You know what? I take it back. Bring on the shrimp and the mom. I’d love to go with you if you’re serious.”

“As a bad haircut on a Friday night.”

“Okay.” Gabriella shook her head with a laugh. “Not messing around then.”

Ryan held up the keys, nervous as hell, excited as hell, and happier than she’d felt in a while. “I’ll drive.”

Dale, who’d been lounging on the steps of the Big House with Becca’s dog, Skywalker, stood and fell into step with Ryan when she passed, tossing a half bark over his shoulder, perhaps in a farewell to his napping buddy. Sky whined quietly.

“I’ll follow you, buddy,” Gabriella said. “You seem to be the one in charge here.”

“He’s not.”

“Says, you lie.”

Ryan chuckled. “He would.”

Dale hopped in the truck’s tiny back seat, and Gabriella joined Ryan in the front. “This truck suits you,” she told Ryan, resting her cheek against the back of the seat.

“Yeah?” she fired up the engine. “It helps to be able to haul my tools and equipment around.”

Gabriella’s eyes darkened, which caught Ryan off guard. “The tools also suit you,” Gabriella said, but quieter this time. Interesting development. Was Gabriella hot for tools? Did Ryan need to carry her hammer in her back pocket for emergencies? She’d do it.

“Yeah, well. I’ve always enjoyed working with my hands.” She drove them off the property and, in her peripheral vision, saw Gabriella exhale slowly. She smothered a satisfied smile. Maybe she had an effect on Gabriella after all.

Well, well.

She pulled her truck onto the tree-lined streets of the small suburb just to the west of town center. The house she grew up in was a modest one-story that was well kept with a variety of colorful flowers blooming in the bed in front, most all of them yellow. Her mom had a thing for the color. The sidewalk was neatly swept and a bit curvy, which had always been fun for scooter riding growing up. Ryan didn’t bother waiting for her mother to answer the door. Instead, she knocked twice and let herself in, calling out, “Just your only child, here unannounced.”

“Well, hey there, sweet girl,” her mom called back. “Get in here. I haven’t seen you in a week.”

“I brought a friend from work,” Ryan said, following her mother’s voice down the hall to the small kitchen off the living room.

“Even better. Bring him in. I’ve got plenty of food, and you know I like company.”

Ryan

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