“Okay,” I whispered.
“And I do enjoy it, you know, more than I ever thought possible,” he said, his voice softening.
I took a sip of my wine for courage. “I know, Joe. I know you deserve your passion, too. It’s just that money is going to be tight if I’m—I mean—if we’re going to be paying twice the amount of rent at the store.”
“Well, I just sold a dining table and chairs like the one I made for Claire for eight hundred dollars.”
I nearly lost my mouthful of wine. “You’re kidding me. That much?”
“Yes, that’s what it’s worth. When you add up all the hours I spent . . .”
“I know, but eight hundred dollars?”
He nodded. “And I have orders for three more.”
“Wow.” All I could do was stare at him as he sat back down, picked up a slice of mushroom and pepperoni pizza, and grinned at me.
“And the Empire chest of drawers? Already on order for a customer who’s paying four fifty.” He took a large bite of the pizza.
I was quickly doing the math in my head. His miniature sales so far would almost pay for the whole pipe replacement.
“I can see your wheels turning, Daisy Buchanan,” he said as he wiped his hands on a napkin. “Don’t worry, this new income will all go toward our house bills and the store.”
“It’s going to be a huge help, Joe.” I set my wineglass down with trembling fingers. “I’m so proud of you.”
He pulled me into his arms. I leaned deeper into his embrace and sighed in delight. He lowered his lips to mine and kissed me, slowly and tenderly, until my bones began to melt into the couch. Suddenly I remembered how much I enjoyed kissing.
“Your pizza’s getting cold,” he whispered against my mouth.
“I like cold pizza,” I said and felt his lips curve against mine.
I drew back so I could look into his eyes. “I know I’ve spent a lot of time at the store this past year, Joe. Too much. I was thinking that I could give Laura more hours if she wants them. And I could make dinner for us on the nights that you have your class.”
He smiled slowly. “And I’ll only take as many orders as I can finish during daylight hours.”
“Deal.”
We reached for our wineglasses and toasted again.
“Oh, I almost forgot,” Joe said. “Sarah called today. The shoot wrapped in Spain, and they’re heading home tomorrow. Everything went well. She sounded on top of the world.”
“That’s great,” I said, glad for the news of my daughter, but my heart sinking at the thought of her coming to take Jasper back to the city.
He was sprawled out in front of the fireplace now, the fun-loving golden-haired puppy who had wrangled his way into my heart and become such a big part of it I couldn’t imagine him not being here.
Even the tantalizing smell of pizza hadn’t been enough to keep him awake after his three-mile trek through the woods. His eyes were closed, but he was barking in his sleep, a curious muffled sound, like he was dreaming of chasing squirrels all the way to Ringing Springs Park.
“Did she—um—say anything about when she might be picking him up?” I cocked my head toward Jasper, not wanting to say his name and disturb his slumber.
“No, she didn’t. Not quite.”