“WILL THESE WORK FORyou?” Mr. Davidson asked Mason, waving his arms at a couple of logs.
Mason studied the wood. He already had plans in his head for what he wanted to do with them, but his designs had been in mathematical terms only. Now that the wood had actually been delivered, he needed to see it from all sides to make sure it would work. After walking a circle, Mason nodded. “Looks great.” He stuck out his hand, shaking the festival director’s hand. “Thanks for having them brought here.”
Mr. Davidson beamed. “We’re thrilled to have you doing a live exhibition,” he said, pumping Mason’s arm. “It always brings in more people to have a demonstration going on.”
Mason smiled and nodded, then turned back to the logs. They were in great shape and he knew the wolf and bear he had planned would turn out great. Chainsaw carving was a creative outlet he loved, but didn’t do as often as he would like. During most of the year he was too busy with his work in the lumberyard office, but he always itched to get outside, and this was his opportunity to do it.
Mason worked in sales for a large lumber mill, which allowed him to work from home. That was a definite perk since the main office was several hours away from the coast he enjoyed. But the best part of his job was that Maynard Lumber acted as a sponsor whenever Mason had a live carving session. It was the best of both worlds. He had permission from his boss to let loose his creative side, and the lumber company got free publicity.
Really, Mason knew he couldn’t ask for a better set up. Yet, lately...he’d found himself feeling like something was missing. He couldn’t quite find a word for his emotions, though he knew most people would say he was lonely. If he wanted to be brutally honest with himself, he probably was, but that didn’t mean he had to like it.
A flash of blonde hair caught his attention and Mason jerked to look before catching himself. The woman didn’t even notice his reaction and continued walking across the park, oblivious to his inner turmoil.
“Get yourself under control,” Mason grumbled to himself. He shook his head. How stupid was it to react so strongly to blonde hair? Even if it had been Harper, jerking like an idiot would only have frightened her or made her believe Mason was having some kind of seizure.
As soon as he thought of her name, a picture of the petite woman flashed through his mind. Compared to his six-foot-three-inch frame, Harper was the size of a child. She was probably a full foot shorter than him, yet despite her height, her curves meant no one would ever mistake her for anything but a woman.
Clear, blue eyes that always seemed to see too much, and long, straight golden hair that looked like silk were her best features. Though soft pink lips and a dainty sprinkle of freckles across her nose didn’t hurt either.
Mason shoved one of the logs over and began rolling it into a better position, his mind still stuck on the woman who had been invading his dreams lately. He had known her for several years, but it had only been recently that he’d noticed his feelings changing. They were part of the same large friend group in Seagull Cove and saw each other often, though at first Mason had only chatted with her occasionally. Now, however, he found himself looking for her whenever he entered a room. Her laughter drew him in like a bee to honey and if there was an open seat anywhere near her, he took it without hesitation.
Somehow, slowly, she had wiggled herself under his skin, though Mason couldn’t exactly pinpoint the exact cause or moment. He was certainly attracted to her physically, but there was more. She was unerringly kind, something Mason thought a dying art in today’s world. She was loyal and had a good sense of humor. She was creative and had always made him feel like a giant among men whenever she spoke of one of his creations, though her own artistic skills far surpassed his own. Being around her simply felt...good. And the more Mason did it, the more he wanted to.
This last winter had been a hubbub with Aspen and Austin’s dating and eventual marriage, and Mason was truly happy for them both, though he wanted nothing to do with such a big spotlight himself. Now, however, things had calmed down and he was wishing he could make his move. If only he was in a position to do so.
Despite his wishes, his time, money and attention were already spoken for and until there was a change in the case...Mason knew he would only be able to give any woman half of himself, and he wanted more for someone like Harper.
“Mason!”
His entire body stiffened. Speak of the angel. He forced himself to move slowly as he turned around. “Harper! Hey.” He waved his hand, knowing immediately he looked like an idiot. Perhaps the ground would swallow him up and he could try again another time?
No such luck.
Harper’s smile was wide and stunning. Her even, white teeth were on full display. “I was hoping to see you here.”
Mason blinked a couple of times. Was she...?
Harper’s smile dropped a notch. “I just knew you’d be anxious to get out and get moving now that the weather’s warming up.” She looked up at him expectantly.
His burgeoning hope splattered like a broken egg on a sidewalk. Mentally face-palming himself for his over eagerness, he opened his mouth and prayed something intelligent came out. “Yeah...it’s always nice to get outside.” Absolutely brilliant. Friends, idiot, just friends! She knows that, why can’t you remember?
“I’m excited to see what you create with the logs this time.”
Mason looked at the wood and nodded. “Yeah. Should be fun.”
Harper nodded with him, as if waiting for more, but Mason was tongue tied. She glanced over her shoulder. “Well...I better get unloaded and set up. The festival’s opening soon.” She took a few steps away, paused, then smiled and left.
Mason opened his mouth, but nothing came out and he snapped it shut again. Can I help you unload? Did you paint a lot over the holidays? Anything new in your collection? He growled low. What was wrong with him? How hard was it to carry on a conversation with someone he was friends with! She wasn’t a stranger and she definitely wasn’t going to bite his head off for speaking to her. In fact, she had started their chat in the first place!
Mason pushed a hand through his hair and rubbed down his beard. If his brother Crew saw him acting like such an idiot, there would never be an end to the teasing. Forcing his stupidity out of his head, Mason went back to putting the log in place. He might not be good with women, but darned if he couldn’t handle wood.
This daydreaming of something he couldn’t have was killing him. Every time he got close to Harper, he realized just how strong his crush was, but every time she walked away, his rational brain reminded him that he had a mission, and it didn’t include getting cozy with a beautiful woman.
He finished setting the log upright and stepped back, breathing heavily. This was ridiculous. If he could handle dealing with whirling blades at fifty miles an hour, he could stay friends with a woman he was attracted to.
He glanced in the direction she had disappeared. He could do this. He had to do this, if only to try and salvage his pride. As soon as his first live demonstration was over, Mason determined that he was going to walk by her booth and strike up a conversation. He couldn’t ask her on a date, but he could talk with a buddy.
And say more than two words to her.
He nodded firmly, committing the decision to memory. Harper had never treated him with anything but kindness and Mason could do the same. He was positive that by the time he wrapped up his family drama and was able to focus on dating, she would already be taken. And it’d be fine. He would just find another blonde...who was beautiful...and kind...had adorable freckles...and painted stunning coastal pictures...
He rubbed his forehead. This might be harder than he thought.