“You ready to go? I know you don’t like to let the shop stay closed for long. I’ll go grab the ladder we bought and bring it to you,” Hudson offers.
“Yep, thank you for lunch and picking up the ladder.” When we stand, his hand goes to the small of my back.
“No problem, I’ll see you in about fifteen minutes.” He touches the tips of my fingers.
“See you soon.” He takes a right to head to the hardware store, and I take a left to head back to my shop.
5
Hudson
I helped Jules around the store before grabbing the light fixture I bought from her. It was just what I was looking for to go above the dining room table I’m working on. Being able to help Jules financially, though, that was the icing on the cake. I’ve seen how little foot traffic she gets in her shop. I’m hoping to change that and soon.
We exchanged phone numbers; that way, if she needs help, she won’t fucking kill herself doing it.
I fist my hair in my hands, slightly pulling on it before wrapping it in a leather band to get it out of my face, then tug my shirt off, and lug all the wood out of my truck and into the shop.
Even in the cool Colorado air, it’s still enough to make you sweat your ass off. I throw my phone down on the workbench, not wanting to miss a call or text from Jules, just in case she does use my number.
I get lost in planing the wood, so I can start on some of the cuts, measurements, and really get into the swing of things.
It’s well after dark when I finish. I’m a dusty and sweaty mess. I walk into the mudroom off the house, stopping to strip off my boots, socks, and jeans, then make my way up to the shower. Not once do I let my phone slip out of my sight while doing all this. Jules hasn’t texted or called yet. I guess it’s up to me to make that first step. I pull up her name while walking into the master bathroom, then rethink what I’m about to do. Instead, I throw my phone on the bathroom counter and turn on the shower. This fucking house is a huge sprawling place. I don’t need something this big, but the thought of living in town with too many eyes had me making my way up the mountain and to what locals call the mansion on the mountain.
I get in the shower, immediately thinking about the woman that has had me rock-hard for months now. Jules doesn’t seem like a woman who needs a man. She’s on her own, tinkering inside her store, living in the upstairs apartment. Hell, she doesn’t even have employees to help her out.
She reminds me a lot of myself. She has a couple of close friends, but for the most part, she’s a loner. It’s only since I’ve been in Colorado that I’ve taken it this extreme.
I hop in the shower, letting the six rain shower heads pour water down on my body. The only thing missing is a certain blonde-haired beauty in here with me. We’d be working through my fantasies for a lifetime.
6
Jules
After Hudson left, I closed my store down and walked to Cora’s salon, Hair to Eternity. My hair is a nightmare and in serious need of a wash and trim.
“Hey, girl, how are you?” Cora says as I walk in. It’s close to time to everyone getting off work and heading home. There’s a lull in her shop that usually isn’t here.
“Hey, Cora, I’m good. Do you have time to do something with this mass of hair?” I ask her.
“Of course, but I’m not chopping your hair off. Not happening. I can do a wash and trim, though.” She knows how indecisive I am.
“That works. There’s probably paint in it.” I grimace. No one ever said I was a clean painter. Really, I’m probably the messiest there is when it comes to anything involving paint and crafting. Well, let’s just say I clean more than I craft.
“I’m used to it by now. Come sit down, and we’ll get started,” Cora says with a laugh. Her red hair is vibrant and glossy.
“Thanks, I was not looking forward to dealing with the rat’s nest that is my hair today,” I tell her as I sit down at the shampoo area.
“No problem at all. I heard you had lunch with Hudson. How did that go?” She’s got the water turned on, and the temperature is nice and hot just how I like it as she wets my hair.
“It was good. Different, but good just the same. It didn’t take long for the town to start talking, that’s for sure.”
Cora finishes washing my hair, drapes a towel over my head, and dries it as much as she can before saying, “That’s small-town life for you. They always have something to talk about.”