“That works the same as painting, I’m guessing?”
She laughed, grabbed the packet of brushes he’d tossed to thegrass. “Yes. You know you could watch YouTube videos to learn this stuff, right?”
He picked up his now-clean brush before she could tell him to wash his hands first. “That doesn’t seem nearly as fun. Or educational.”
Grace wasn’t sure who was getting the better end of the deal, and she never got that glass of wine, but maybe she got something better: on her neighbor’s good side.
9
Noah was looking up the cost of jerseys when Rob texted him to tell him the kids were practicing at the rec center not too far from his house today. They switched up locations to better accommodate the kids. Apparently, most of the guys skipped last time because they figured the tournament wouldn’t happen.
Noah might not know how to paint a fence—well, he did now—but he knew how to help organize charities and bring in money. He sent Rob a text confirming the time, then sent his mom a text to ask for some ideas.
She texted back quickly.
Mom
I’ll think on it. I like knowing you’re thinking about ways to make the area better. Means you’re settling in. I hope California does for you what it did for Chris.
Noah rolled his eyes but had a smile on his face when he texted back.
Noah
Unlike your youngest son, I didn’t need any help loosening up. Things are good. I just want to help a friend.
Mom
How’s your house? Send me some pictures of the work you have people doing.
He knew she didn’t mean anything by it. It was his standard operating procedure—he’d swing by projects, take some photos, send them to the art directors or publicity for his father’s company, and move on to the next thing.
Noah
I painted my own fence last night. Should have taken a before and after picture of that.
Mom
Sorry. I need to sit down.
Noah smirked. He came by being a smart-ass naturally.
Noah
Funny. Have some faith in me. I’m really diving in this time.
Mom
Glad to hear it, sweetie. I’ll get back to you on ideas.
Once Grace taught him to stain, he might even do his own. The thought of Grace filled him with mixed feelings. While she dug her heels in on the house, would it be such a bad idea to cozy up to her? Learn a little? Design was her forte after all.She might suck at it.He had a feeling, though, that Grace Travis did well at anything she put her mind to.
He had to admit, only to himself, that he’d been more than a little shocked at the ease with which she’d wielded a hammer, paintbrush, sander. It wasn’t a sexist thing—it was just that hehiredpeople to do these things. He enjoyed seeing the before and after but watching herduringmade him want to experience it for himself. She had a dozen jobs he could see just from the outside that needing doing on her house. It hadn’t occurred to him that in addition to everything he already knew about her, which wasn’t that much, she was a regular handywoman as well.
The knock on the door pulled him out of his thoughts entirely.
Pulling the door open, he grinned at his assistant, Josh, who held up grocery bags. “Hey, man. How’s it going?”
“Better now. I haven’t eaten since this morning,” Noah said, shutting the door behind them.
