The Turnaround Treasure Shop by Jennie Jones Read Free Book Online Page B

civvy — could mess with a person’s head.
    He slammed the wrench in his hand onto his workbench. How could he even contemplate starting a relationship with Lily if he wasn’t convinced he was worthy of her? If he wasn’t certain she’d want him to? If he took his feelings for her somewhere and it didn’t work out the townspeople would descend on him for breaking her heart. For taking advantage of her, although it was more likely she’d break his heart. If he ever got the chance to kiss her she’d probably shatter his heart.
    Considering the doubts he had about who he was and what he had to offer, he should stop dreaming now before the idea of Lily and Nick together forever took further shape and started giving him sleepless nights. He had nothing to offer her except support from the sidelines. So it looked like he’d be settling for restless nights. ‘And don’t forget that,’ he said under his breath. No more getting carried away with sensual thoughts of what he wanted to do with Lily Johnson.
    â€˜Hi, Nick.’
    Nick looked up guiltily as Andy walked through the barn doors and into the workshop. Great. He’d been caught in a thread of sexy notions about Lily by her son. He took himself under control. ‘Come on in, Andrew. How’d you get here?’
    The boy shrugged. ‘Walked.’
    â€˜But I was at your house early this morning. You could have come with us.’
    â€˜I wasn’t up.’ Another shoulder shrug. ‘Mum said last night that I should come and pick up the bike.’ He nodded to the corner of the workshop where his sister’s bicycle leaned against a stable door. All fixed. ‘I forgot this morning. Sorry.’
    â€˜That’s okay.’
    Nick had been planning on taking the bike to Lily’s house this afternoon. Around the time she’d be finishing work. He didn’t see why she shouldn’t have a lift home, but he also understood why she’d asked her son to come collect the bike. Pride.
    â€˜You’re just in time,’ he told Andy. ‘About to start work on your car.’ If the boy’s interest in mechanics was as high as Nick thought, he might be able to persuade Andy to stay a couple of hours. Then give him, the bike and Lily a lift home.
    â€˜I love your knives.’ Andy spied the knives laid out on the workbench and bent over them, hands clenched behind his back. Obviously desperate to touch them.
    â€˜I’ve just put an edge on those,’ Nick told him. ‘They’re much sharper than shop bought knives. Just so you know.’ He wandered over and picked up a drop-point hunter. ‘This one is going to a fisherman in Italy.’ His paring and peeling knives were doing well in and around town, but his drop-point hunters sold all over the world.
    â€˜How many hours to make it?’
    â€˜A few.’ Like around 20. ‘That’s why they sell for a high price. Handmade, custom-made. As the client wants them. Mostly.’ Nick had his signature blades and his way of crafting them. Occasionally he put together an artistic blade, not meant for use, just for cabinet display.
    â€˜Mum loves the knives you made for Kookaburra’s. She said they’re the best she’s ever used. Ever.’
    â€˜Your mum cooks there sometimes, doesn’t she?’
    â€˜Yeah. Dan’s there all the time, but Charlotte only does mornings. Her pastry chef stuff.’
    Nick nodded. ‘She’d got a child to look after.’
    â€˜Olivia goes to the child-care centre in the mornings.’
    There’d been a baby-rush since Nick arrived in town, prompting an upgrade of the child-care centre Sammy Granger had established in a building next to the Town Hall. Swallow’s Fall’s population had gone a few over the 100 mark that year and the town had held a street party. Ethan Granger had made a brand new population sign, now swinging on a post at the