She looked back at the farmhouse behind them. “And the new house shouldn’t disrupt the view from the old house too much either.” Her thoughts went to the garish exterior paint. “Well, after we get it painted, anyway. Right now that horrible yellow color can probably be seen from miles away.”
Aaron laughed. “Well, thanks to that ugly paint job, you got a great deal.”
“For which I’m grateful.”
Aaron pounded the last stake in the ground and stood. “Well, I’m starving. You ready to go try out this new restaurant?”
All day she’d been trying to think of a way to politely refuse his offer of dinner, but he looked so hopeful ... and he’d been so helpful ... she just couldn’t reject him. “Sounds good.” She looked over to his pickup. “But I can drive myself and meet you there. Save you a trip back here.”
“No way. You’re going with me.” He tucked his hammer beneath his arm and took her hand. “Let’s go. My chariot awaits.”
As they walked back to his truck, she could feel someone watching. Probably Dad. Chances were he’d think she was being kidnapped. She glanced toward the house and noticed her parents standing there, so she gave a weak finger wave. She’d warned Mom that she might be trapped into dinner with Aaron. Leave it to Mom to explain things to Dad. Or not. Sometimes it seemed the more they tried to explain something, the foggier he got.
As they drove to town, Jewel asked Aaron about heat pumps. “The second floor of the farmhouse is an oven right now,” sheexplained. “Cooper and I are using fans and opening windows at night to cool off, but it’s pretty stifling.”
“I bet. But it might be tricky getting a traditional heat pump with vents into that old house. There are some ductless options though. I’ll hook you up with my HVAC guy.”
Once again, Jewel considered her bank account, imagining it steadily shrinking. Was this crazy? How many times had she been accused of being too impulsive? Was it happening again? Would she regret all this later? And yet it seemed like a good investment.
“You seem deep in thought,” Aaron said as he pulled into a parking space downtown.
“I’m sorry.” She realized how quiet she’d been.
He turned off the engine. “Everything okay?”
“Yes. I was just thinking about all the expenses of placing that house and improving the farmhouse. I mean, I can imagine a really cool bed and breakfast, but will it ever repay all I’ve invested?”
Aaron shrugged. “Well, your property value will increase.”
“I guess.”
“And you and your family will be more comfortable.”
“That’s true. And I suppose I could get more involved in my art.”
“Art?” He looked surprised. “Are you an artist?”
She shrugged. “Well, I used to be. Not so sure I still am. But I hope to take it up again.”
“What kind of art?”
“Painting. Mostly landscapes. But I’m a little rusty.”
His brow creased. “I guess that’s okay if you enjoy it. Good hobby. But it doesn’t seem like a big moneymaker to me. Not in these parts, anyway.”
She wasn’t sure how to respond to his wet blanket, but she forced a smile as they got out of the pickup. To be fair, he wasn’t wrong. Art was not a good “moneymaker.” Not that she’d been in it to get rich. Even running a gallery came with its challenges.
They were just going into the restaurant when she noticed someone waving from the open window of an old blue pickup.Surprised to see Anna Orosco in the passenger seat, she waved back and then spotted Miguel behind the wheel. She suddenly felt awkward and embarrassed. Of course, Miguel would recognize his brother-in-law, but would he wonder why she was out with him? She glanced at Aaron but, distracted by opening the door to the restaurant, he was oblivious.
“Hope you like Italian,” Aaron said as they went inside.
“Sure. Love it.” She glanced around the fairly crowded restaurant. “Looks like a popular place.”
“I’ve heard it’s good. You know, we haven’t had a decent Italian restaurant in this town for ages.”
“Yeah, I remember Antonio’s from when we were kids. Too bad it closed during the pandemic.” They followed the hostess to a table by the window and sat down.
“Pizza is about as Italian as I usually get.” He grinned at the hostess. “But I feel adventurous tonight.”
