Two to Tangle (A Tangle Valley Romance #2) - Melissa Brayden Page 0,45

Ryan?” she called.

“Yep?”

“You look amazing today. Have a good one.”

“Thank you. Wow. Already happening,” she said, walking backward an extra beat or two before heading off to start work, where she’d use her hands to transform a blank canvas into all that Gabriella had been dreaming about. Well, all she had been dreaming about until right now.

* * *

Tangled was beginning to shine and sing. The progress stole her breath. That was Gabriella’s immediate impression when she stopped by the jobsite after finishing service for the day. Ever since that morning, when Ryan had popped by with coffee, she’d been waiting for the chance to peek her head in. She’d detoured to her cottage first and cleaned up, changing out of her work clothes and into something a little more fashion-forward and flattering, selecting her slim-cut jeans that Joey said made her ass look amazing, brown sandals with the cute heel that added a couple of inches, and her favorite turquoise top that flowed a little at the hemline. All the while, very aware of the fact that this was not normal behavior for her. This was the Ryan factor, and she felt like a pebble in the current, as it swept her swiftly along. Nervous and exhilarated in combination. That was her.

She took in the partially completed dining room. The place felt new and charming and open and welcoming. She imagined the tables she’d selected dotting the dining room and complementing the pending charcoal and gray accented floor tiles wonderfully. Ryan had recommended they lay the tiles at an angle for a pleasing effect, and Gabriella knew her judgment was accurate. The main portion of the construction was mostly complete, showing off the open concept she’d imagined, where the kitchen was visible to the diners over an extended countertop that segued into the bar that would serve Tangle Valley wines, Oregon craft beers, and maybe a few choice spirits, also local. The lighting fixtures hadn’t gone in yet, but the kitchen was structurally in place, waiting on appliances and supplies. Ryan, as far as she could tell, was on schedule and moving along at a swift place, which in the land of contracting seemed unusual. Gabriella was beginning to think that Ryan was prioritizing Tangled above other jobs on her behalf, a gesture she was more than grateful for.

“It’s not a restaurant yet, but it’s inching its way there.” Ryan appeared from the kitchen behind Gabriella, carrying a broom. Her hair was down, but she had a baseball cap on backward that was way sexier than it should have been.

“It’s like I can see it all so clearly now. The guests will check in here.” She raced over and demonstrated a welcoming gesture from the host’s stand. “The bar with the tall shelves over there.” She ran over and pretended to pour a drink with panache, and then set to pointing. “The grill, the walk-in, the server paths. Everything.”

Ryan seemed to enjoy the show, her eyes bright. “Please come demonstrate the different stations every day after work.”

“Now that you’ve requested as much, I just might.” She let her hips sway a little bit extra as she walked toward Ryan. “What’s next?”

“Staining and paint tomorrow. Cabinetry arrives Monday. The ones you wanted, by the way.” Ryan slid her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, which were dusty and faded and looked perfect on her.

“The half wall is gone. Whoa.” How had she missed that?

“Told you I’d figure it out.”

“And you did.” Gabriella’s heart felt like it might burst at any moment. “I’m more than impressed with the progress you’ve made. Every day I come in here, it’s a new surprise. It’s starting to feel real.”

“Trust me now?” Ryan took the broom and went to work on the new floors, clearing them of dust and debris from the installation.

“It’s not that I didn’t trust you. It’s more like I’m a relentless control freak when something matters to me. I gotta have my hands everywhere. Even places they don’t belong.”

Ryan raised a saucy eyebrow but respectfully moved on, pausing and pointing. “You? No way.” She went back to sweeping with a smirk on her face. “I love the top, by the way. And the view.” But she wasn’t looking at Gabriella’s top when she said so, which meant she’d noticed it in the course of their conversation. That realization had Gabriella feeling warm and satisfied. Even a little alluring, standing there in her heels. The shirt did have a generous