Page 41 of Summer Refresh

As he cleaned, he found a couple of places where the paint needed touching up. He was really pleased with how the project was turning out. He hoped Josie would think the same thing.

He was moving the various pieces into place when he heard someone behind him. He finished moving a display case into place and then turned. There stood Sara with her arms crossed as she took in the room.

How was it possible that she grew more beautiful each time he saw her? Her short hair was tucked behind one of her ears. Her trio of diamond stud earrings glittered in the light.

He noticed she didn’t wear a lot of makeup. She didn’t need it. Her complexion was unblemished, and her dark lashes outlined her eyes.

Not so long ago, he’d held her in his arms and pressed his lips to hers. He longed to go to her and do it again, but he didn’t allow himself that luxury. He couldn’t let himself get wrapped up in her. If he did, he’d never get out of the rut his life was in. But he couldn’t deny that it was tempting—oh so tempting.

He swallowed hard. “What do you think?”

“I can’t believe it’s almost finished.”

He smiled. “I’m glad I was able to surprise you in a good way.”

“What else are you planning to do?”

“I don’t know. Put back all of the historical stuff and then place the new furniture.”

She turned her head as she took in the room that looked so much larger with the lighter colors. “We should put up some new curtains.”

“Curtains?” He glanced at the large windows that looked out over the covered porch. “Really?”

“Sure. After all, with the new floor and fresh paint on the walls, you don’t want to hang the same old drab curtains.”

She did have a point. How much work can hanging curtains be? “Okay.”

Sara walked over to the doorway and stared into the room, as though she were mulling over another change. “We’ll also need a throw rug and a runner from the door to the registration desk.”

Kent rubbed the back of his neck. The runner was already taken care of. However, finding matching throw rugs would require a special order. He hadn’t thought about all of these details. “I don’t know.”

“Oh, come on. You want this place to look its best, don’t you?”

He hated that she had another good point. “Okay. We’ll get a couple of throw rugs to go with the runner. But that’s all.”

She frowned at him. “Why are you being like that?”

“Being like what?”

“Stubborn.” She crossed her arms and frowned at him. “I’m just trying to help you.”

He sighed. “What else did you have in mind?”

She eyed him up, as though to decide if he was serious or not. As the silence stretched on, he realized she needed more prompting.

“I’m serious,” he said. “Just tell me your thoughts. The other ideas weren’t so bad.”

“Not so bad?” A slight smile lifted the corners of her lips. “As in they were good ideas?”

Her eyes prodded him for confirmation. He could sense she wasn’t going to give in. “Yes, they are good ideas.”

She arched a brow. “Just good ideas?”

He inwardly groaned. What was up with her? He’d never known her to push so hard for a compliment. “Okay. They’re great ideas.”

Her smile broadened. “There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

He rolled his eyes. “Now what is your other idea?”

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