Chance Of A Lifetime Read Online Free PDF Page A

added triumphantly, “Logan shaving?”
    “We don’t have a mirror out in the barn.” Bryce rubbed his jaw with his big, strong hand. “We do it by feel.”
    Daisy’s mouth went dry.
By the end of the day, Bryce’s jaw boasted a dark shadow, making him look a little rugged—like he needed a good woman
. She couldn’t think of a single thing that was fitting to say, so she just shrugged.
    “Those hooks look wondrous fine!” He’d put four of them in a neat row by the hearth, and the other two were thoughtfully stationed beside the door.
    Bryce jerked a thumb toward the latter. “I thought it’d be nice for when Hattie comes in after healing, to hang her cloak.” He smirked. “And then there’s one for Logan’s hat.”
    “His and hers,” Daisey mused. “Perfect.”

    Bryce got to work on the mantelpiece he and Logan had sanded together. With supportive legs along either side of the hearth to brace it, the subtle curves of the mantel wouldn’t overpower the wall but would look like a natural part of the room.
    While he worked, he watched Daisy from the corner of his eye. She bustled around contentedly, plumping a pillow here, then tucking in the edges of the wedding quilt she brought out of Hattie and Logan’s new chest and put on the bed. He caught her trying to scooch the chest across the floor.
    “Here.” He picked the wooden chest up off the ground just as she was ready to give it another hefty push. A few flaxen tendrils of hair had escaped her fancy updo, and Bryce had a sudden picture of her brushing her hair, the golden locks spread over her shoulders. He decided to get that mirror she’d been talking about. Their eyes locked, and Bryce felt the breath hitch in his chest.
    A sudden gust of air banged the door shut, breaking the moment. Daisy shook her head as though to clear it, then pointed to the far wall. “I was fixin’ to put it at the foot of the bed.”
    Bryce tromped over and obligingly lowered the carved trunk in place. He stepped back to where he’d been working on the mantelpiece.
    “Thankee, Bryce.” Her words were so soft, he almost thought he imagined them.
    And why wouldn’t she be hesitant to thank you after the way
you jackrabbited out of the house this morning?
he scolded himself.
Say something this time!
    “Anytime.” He forced a smile. “You could’ve just asked for help, Daisy.” Her name tasted sweet as he spoke it.
    “I would’ve gotten it there.” Daisy’s shoulders straightened, and she poked her chin out. “Women aren’t helpless.”
    Now you’ve done it. You offended her
. Bryce gave himself a mental kick. “I never thought you were helpless.” He searched for the words. “You’re a strong woman, supporting yourself and your son. I just meant you don’t always have to do everything alone.”
    “You’re right.” She softened a bit and rewarded him with an apologetic smile.
    Bryce grinned in return before turning back to the mantel. He finished up while she straightened the blue gingham curtains. He stepped back to survey their handiwork.
    Everything stood in place, as it had when they’d started, but now it looked … nice. Inviting. She’d looped the curtains along the wooden bar to make them flutter prettily at the window. The chest looked at home at the foot of the bed, where the quilt fell in neat folds just shy of the floor.
    “The mantelpiece fits real good,” Daisy commented. “All the wood—the walls, the hooks, the furniture—it melds together nice.” She stepped over to the chest and drew out the braided hearth rug. After she laid it out, she stepped back to see the effect. “Blue rug, blue curtains, blue embroidery on the towels—even blue in the quilt. All looks put together jist right, with a lot of love.”
    That was it exactly. She’d found a way to say what he’d been thinking. The colors and goodwill made the room pleasant. Everything in here fit, just like Hattie and Logan matched each other.
    “Yep.”

    Bryce