Rough Edges by Kimberly Krey Read Free Book Online Page B

probably were. She was a different type of woman. Reese seemed to sense her hesitation. “You know,” she said, “my daddy gave me some good advice while I was growing up. He’d say: never underestimate your ability to make good things happen. Life is three percent luck, seven percent circumstance, and ninety percent gumption.” She let out a laugh that made Allie smile. Reese did have a whole lot of gumption, that was sure.
    “Well hopefully some of that has rubbed off on me over the years,” Allie said. “I’ll see if I can tap into it.”
    “Oh, you can,” Reese said with a wink. “Trust me. And you’ve influenced me over the years too. The way you stuck through the tough times in your marriage. Always managing to put your kids first.”
    Allie pulled in a deep breath, exhaling a drawn out sigh. “Thank you,” she said. “That means a lot. You know, I’m still trying to put the girls first. It’s hard though. They’re reacting to the whole divorce like polar opposites. Jillian, bless her, is trying to keep my spirits up. She’s full of compliments, always helping out around the house, and rarely complains about a thing. And then I have Paige who’s jaded and bitter, mopes around all day, doesn’t have a kind word to say.”
    Reese smiled, understanding evident in her deep, green eyes. She reached over the counter and put a hand on Allie’s. “But you know Jillian’s hurting in her own way, too.”
    Allie nodded. “Exactly. I know she worries for me and Paige both. Makes me think she’s growing up way too quickly. Like her last few years of carefree living were snatched away by the divorce.”
    “Don’t you worry,” Reese said. “She’s strong like her mama. And Paige is too, you’ll see. Just keep doing what you’re doing. One of these days this’ll all be behind you, and you’ll be glad you survived it.” She straightened back up, moved toward the freezer and opened the door.
    “Think we’ve burned off enough calories to eat…” She spun back around, showcasing a carton of low-fat ice cream. “This?” Reese’s smile was wide. Allie couldn’t help but mirror it. 
    “Definitely,” she said.
    After grabbing two spoons and joining Allie at the bar, Reese dug into the carton and passed it to Allie. With a heaping spoonful of Caramel Crest Crinkle just inches from her mouth, she uttered one last request. “So… tell me more about this carpenter.” 

CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
    Braden studied the drawing at his side as he sketched out its match on the plank of wood. The hutch Mrs. Carmichael ordered was nearly complete. Once he carved out the design, he’d be ready to finish the piece off with a nice cherry stain and fasten on the hardware.
    On more than one occasion, Braden had wondered what it’d be like to create a custom piece for Allie. Something as lovely and unique as she was. He’d enjoy laboring on such a task, knowing it was something she’d enjoy, though admitting the fact sparked that pit of agitation within him. As far as he knew Allie wanted nothing to do with him, in that regard anyway. For a week straight she had come in, quietly done her job, and then said goodbye.
    While she was there, Braden could barely focus. He stayed busy enough, always accomplished a task or two during the time, but his mind was far from his work. Until she left anyway. And when that time came, Allie seemed to take a bit of his world with her. A part he’d given her long ago. One he only thought he’d regained. Boy was he ever wrong.
    And as strange as it was, he’d really missed her over the weekend. Not the usual way a person misses somebody. It was more complicated than that. He had missed Allie Emerson all these years. Missed her smile. Her wit. The way her cheeks warmed with color when his gaze lingered on hers. Seeing her again, day after day, had somehow revived the roots of desire he had for her. Filling him with a yearning for more.
    He kept his pencil moving as he traced out