Page 9 of Wood Lessons
ANNA
TWO YEARS LATER
T he high-pitched squeal of a table saw pierces my ears as I find Peter hunched over his latest project. Pausing before he notices my arrival, I take the time to admire my husband.
A long-sleeve woolen shirt rolled up to his elbows reveals tan forearms that lead to capable hands. Hands that have touched every part of me yet still maintain enough power to shoot a shiver down my spine at the thought of him touching me again.
Gratitude threatens to burst from my chest as I’m overwhelmed with how lucky I’ve been to find a man like Peter.
Dedicated and kind, I never doubt his love—despite our whirlwind beginning.
At least, it seemed that way for me; he was ready to marry me the same day we made love the first time.
But we waited for six months before I finally gave in and trusted what we had as the real deal.
The sawing stops and quiet settles over the room—broken only by the chirping birds outside, enjoying the miniature bird resort we’ve made with all the houses I’ve added. Tilting his safety glasses to rest on top of his head, Peter smiles. “You need something, baby?”
“Everything’s good to go with the website, but I want your opinion before it goes live.”
A year ago, he’d finally suggested becoming partners with Cora and Chris, but they’d turned him down.
They appreciated his work and wanted to keep him as an employee but weren’t looking to share a portion of their business.
That had been a rough couple of months as he continued to work for them even though his dream had been shattered.
“Whatever you think’s best is good enough for me; I trust you.” Peter circles my waist and drops a kiss on the side of my neck, nibbling his way to my ear. I know where this is leading, but I can’t be distracted—other tasks are on the agenda for today.
Leaning back, I force a disapproving frown. “None of that until you take a look. It’s the official gateway for online orders; I want you to have a say.”
Once Peter had recovered from the blow to his future dream, he rallied and worked harder than ever to get his craftsman business off the ground.
Long hours spent at Cora and Chris’s making custom but generic furniture followed by evenings in his shop creating one-of-a-kind pieces dominated his days for months.
Until we reached today—the day we launch online to garner a whole new side of business.
Local word-of-mouth has been keeping us afloat, but we’re dreaming bigger now.
He sighs, grabs my hand, and starts walking us back to the cabin. “One quick run-through, then I want you on your back in our bed. I haven’t fucked my wife in forever.”
My eyes roll at the dramatization even as a flurry of arousal seeps to my core. “Try a few hours. If I recall correctly, you woke me in the most delightful way.”
“Like I said: forever ago.” He winks with the teasing remark, and we head towards our combined office at the back of the home. Peter’s appetite for me never wanes, and it goes a long way towards shoring up the firm foundation of trust and love I have for him.
I never thought someone like him—or anyone—would ever need me, love me like he does. And it definitely never occurred to me that I could meet the love of my life on a routine errand that catalyzed the domino effect of our relationship.
Yet, here we are, and I couldn’t be happier.
I thought I needed an entire community of people surrounding me to feel fulfilled, and while we have a few great friends, all I ever really needed was him.
One man to love and support me forever.