Richard cleared his throat.
“I gotta go,” Tommy said. “Let me know if you need help with anything.”
“That’s so sweet. Thank you.”
Richard lifted two buckets of undercoat out of the truck. “I have the list of ideas you sent me.”
“What did you think?”
“The layout makes sense, although I’m not sure about the shelves. They may not be sturdy enough.”
“The set I ordered should be here tomorrow. Can I show you them to see what you think?”
“Of course, you can. I’ll look through the catalogs in my office, too. There might be something else that’s better. Have you decided what color you’re painting the walls?”
Paris showed him the bags she was carrying. “I painted a set of canvas blocks with some options. It will be easier to choose a color after I see them in the rooms.”
Richard nodded toward the cottage. “I’ll follow you.” With a pair of impossibly high heels clicking against the pavement, Paris sashayed up the garden path. “Remember to wear a hard hat and sign the site register.”
“How could I forget,” she said sweetly.
Another apprentice walked out of the house and stopped when he saw Paris. “Hi. It’s good to see you again.”
“It’s nice to see you, too, Dave. Thanks for the advice. Mabel and Allan had plenty of paint samples to choose from.” She left the bags on the porch and pulled out a canvas block. “This is one of the colors I like. What do you think?”
“It’s a great shade of white.”
Paris smiled. The kind of smile that could turn a man’s head. “It’s called natural beige.”
Dave’s eyebrows rose. “It looks white.”
Richard cleared his throat. Dave was here to work, not socialize with an attractive brunette in a crazy dress. “Did you need something, Dave?”
“I’m meeting Pastor John at the old steamboat museum. Is there anything you need?”
“Not at the moment.”
“In that case, I’ll see you tomorrow.” He sent Paris a cheeky grin. “I’m glad you found some paint you like.”
“You were a great help,” Paris said. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” With his knight in shining armor moment complete, Dave left the cottage.
Richard picked up the paint buckets. If his construction crew took as much interest in the job as they did in Paris, they’d finish a lot sooner. Hopefully, Paris would be too busy organizing her new business to visit them again. But, remembering the excited look she’d sent Tommy and Dave, it was extremely unlikely.
“Are you sure?” Richard studied the canvas block leaning against the drywall. “Won’t navy blue be too dark?” If Paris wanted blue, he preferred the lighter shade beside it.
“This area gets a lot of natural light, so it can take a slightly darker color. And the blue walls will look gorgeous behind the wooden shelving I’ve chosen.”
“What about the other rooms?”
“I’d like something more sophisticated for the display room, kitchen, and bathroom.” She walked into the next room and placed three canvases against the wall. With her head tilted sideways, she studied each color. “I still like natural beige. It’s the one in the middle.”
“I can see why Dave thought it was white.”
Paris nibbled her bottom lip. “Do you think it’s too pale? It’s supposed to be slightly darker than cream but not too brown.”
“I’m the worst person to ask for color advice. If you like it, use it. You can always paint the walls a different color later on.”
