Beauty is Only Skin Deep

Chapter 2

Bo stood there in awe as he looked at all the equipment Maddie had in her barn. Machines of all sizes stood there waiting to be used, as the smell of sawdust scented the air. "Wow. I've never seen so many machines like these before. Ya know how ta use all of them?"

"I sure do, but mind you, these aren't the best that money can buy. Of course, there are a couple more that I would like to get but just can't afford at the moment. Going to have to save up to get those."

Bo whistled in appreciation as he walked alongside the machines and saw some of the pieces that she was working on. He stopped when he reached the back of the barn and saw the partially finished china cabinet that she had told him about. "Would ya look at this," Bo said as he ran his hand down the side of the piece, feeling the texture of the wood beneath his fingers. "This is really beautiful. How did you manage to build something this big?" Before him stood a partially made cabinet that was about five feet tall and about three feet wide. The top portion had three shelves in it for plates, cups, and glasses, whereas the bottom portion had room for the bigger settings.

"A lot of time and a lot of patience. I'm still working on the doors and should be done with those shortly once I get some more wood. After that, it's a major sanding job and then I might stain it, but haven't quite decided on that yet, and oh, a couple of coats of sealer."

"I think it looks good natural like that."

"You do? Maybe I'll keep it natural then," Maddie said with a smile.

"How ya plannin' on movin' this thing into the house though?" Bo asked as he looked at the piece again and saw how big it truly was.

"Well the top portion comes off for that very reason, but I am going to need some help getting it inside. I figured that I could hire a couple of strong men to help me move it when the time comes."

"Ya don't have ta do that," Bo exclaimed as he turned to face her. "I'm sure that I could talk Luke and our friend Cooter into helpin' me move it when you're ready."

"I can't ask you to do that," Maddie protested.

"I know but I will," Bo smiled back. "Say, how'd ya get started in all of this anyhow?"

"I used ta watch my Dad putter around in the garage when he was alive. It always looked like fun. So one day, I was out there looking at all his stuff and decided that I wanted to learn how to use them. I took a couple of classes and started buying some of the smaller pieces of equipment. When I moved here, I saw the barn and thought that it would be a nice wood shop so I started buying some of the other things I needed and the rest you know. They're no way near the good stuff but they do a pretty good job."

"Do ya think ya can teach me how ta do some of this? I mean if you're not too busy, that is."

"I'd love to, but just remember, I'm not really a pro at this either."

"You kiddin'? This stuff looks great."

"Only because I take my time and read the plans over and over before I make the next cut and double and triple check my measurements. You don't know how many times I messed something up because I rushed to do it."

"Well what else have ya built? If this china cabinet is any indication, I bet your other stuff looks just as good."

Well I did build a wall cabinet and some other things I can show you. Come on inside the house and you can judge for yourself. Just ignore the mess that's going on right now."

Bo nodded happily and followed Maddie as she headed towards the house. As they entered, Bo could see some of the walls had been repaired and were in the process of being repainted, and he could see that some of the woodwork was being refinished.

"Who do ya have helpin' ya fix your house up?"

"Nobody. Doing it all by myself."

"All by yourself? That's amazing," Bo answered in awe.

"What? You don't think a girl can do these kinds of things?"

"I didn't say that," Bo answered trying to make some quick amends. "It's just I've never seen a girl like ta do these kinds of things before."

"Well ya have now," Maddie smiled back. "It's all a matter of finances actually. The more I can do on my own, the more money I will save in the long run, plus I'm having a lot of fun doing it too."

"Now that I understand," Bo smiled.

"Besides, there are some things that I won't touch, like any major plumbing issues. I can fix a faucet and unclog a drain but to actually re-plumb the house, that's something that I won't tackle on my own. And as for wiring a house, forget it. Me and electricity are not the best of friends. I hate getting zapped by static electricity so imagine how I'd feel if I really got zapped."

Bo laughed and nodded in understanding. "I know what ya mean. I was helpin' one time with replaincin' an overhead light fixture, which Luke promised me was completely shut off. When I went ta undo the wires, I was thrown clear across the room. Fortunately, Luke happened ta break my fall since I landed on him. He must have apologized for a week after makin' sure that I was okay. Other than my hair being a little curlier than normal, I was just fine."

Madding found herself almost doubled over with laughter. "You and your cousin sound close."

"We are. We do just about everything together, well almost everything," Bo laughed. "He's really great. You'll like him when ya meet him."

"I'm sure if he is anything like you and Daisy, I'll like him just fine."

The two of them continued on to another room and Bo stopped when he saw a set of ornate end tables, a small wall cabinet for displaying dishes, and a small clock. He quickly turned towards Maddie with questioning eyes. Maddie nodded her head as she smiled.

"I can't believe ya made these. They're beautiful."

"Thank you. It can be challenging sometimes, but so rewarding when you are finished."

"Ya sure you're not a pro?"

"Oh no, far from it," Maddie laughed.

"Bo looked around the room and saw that Maddie was still in the state of repairing and painting and that there were still boxes that had yet to be unpacked. "Ya know if you'd like, I could come by and help ya get your house fixed up and painted so that ya can unpack your stuff."

"I couldn't ask you to do that," Maddie said, touched by the offer but not wanting to ask someone she had just met that night.

"Ya may not be askin' but I'm offerin'. Besides," Bo replied with a wink, "it'll give me a chance ta help ya finish makin' that china cabinet."

"You are too much, you know that?"

"I know."

"I sure would appreciate the help getting this place fixed up and the sooner I can do that, the sooner I can finish that cabinet, and then the sooner I can have your family over for dinner."

"Well then, it's a plan," Bo smiled. "I'll come over tomorrow after I finish my chores and we'll get started painting."

"But I need to hit the local hardware store. I'm going to need a few things."

"No problem. I'll pick ya up and we'll get what ya need and get back here ta work."

Maddie looked at the handsome man standing in front of her and saw the sincerity of his offer in his eyes. She couldn't help but smile back at him in gratitude. "Thanks Bo."

"You're welcome, Maddie," he grinned back.

Thanks for all the kind words. Hoped you liked chapter 2 (even though it was a short one).