Paris had no idea why he hadn’t lived with his mom, but she knew what it was like to be raised by a grandparent. “Your grandma must have enjoyed spending time with you.”
“She said I’m like dad, except I don’t like broccoli or mushrooms.”
Richard helped himself to a muffin. “Unlike my son, I eat anything.”
“Dad’s eaten worms and grasshoppers, and all kinds of bugs.”
“Your dad’s more adventurous than I am.”
Richard wiped his hands on one of the napkins. “Since we’re talking about being adventurous, did you bring the electric drill with you?”
“It’s in my truck. I didn’t know if you’d have time to show me how to use it.”
“It won’t take long.” He looked at his watch and then at Paris. “Why don’t you follow us to the old steamboat museum? I’ve got plenty of wood you can practice on.”
“Can we show Paris the table you’re making?” Jack asked excitedly.
“If she wants to see it, we can.”
Paris smiled. “I’d love to see the table.” When she lifted her eyes to Richard’s, a silly tingle of awareness shot down her spine. “Thanks for inviting me.”
“You’re welcome. Are you ready to leave?”
She wrapped the rest of her muffin in a napkin and nodded. “I am now.”
Jack ate his muffin in double-quick time and jumped to his feet. “Dad’s workshop is great. I’ll show you the special wood he uses for some of his furniture.”
As they walked toward their trucks, Paris listened to Jack tell her more about the workshop. If it was half as good as he said, she couldn’t wait to see it.
Paris had driven past the old steamboat museum many times since she’d moved to Sapphire Bay, but she’d never been inside. It wasn’t until she walked through the front door, that she realized how enormous the red-brick building was.
After passing a reception desk in the large foyer, Richard opened a set of double doors. Judging by what she saw, this must be the main workshop area. Five tiny homes in various stages of construction were dotted around the room.
“This is where we do most of the tiny home construction. Between fifteen and twenty people can be working on them at any given time.”
She was surprised so many people were involved. “Are they volunteers or paid staff?”
“Both. The management team are paid. The students from the church’s construction program help us three days a week as part of their work experience. By the end of the program, they’ve earned enough credits to buy a full set of tools. Other people from the community are treated as volunteers.”
She stopped in front of one of the tiny homes. With its wide veranda, high-pitched roof, and gingerbread trim, it looked completely different from the ones in Sapphire Bay. “This house is bigger than the ones in the village.”
“They were designed as accessible homes for people with disabilities. We’re making them for a social housing development in Wyoming. Once they’re finished, we’ll start on another dozen homes that are going to Red Deer.”
Paris was surprised at how popular the houses were. “You must be pleased that so many people want to buy them.”
“We are. Without the profit from these homes, we wouldn’t be able to build more tiny homes in Sapphire Bay or finance the wraparound support services. My workshop is over here.” Richard pointed toward another set of doors at the back of the workshop.
Jack ran ahead of them. “Dad has a secret entrance outside, but it’s locked after everyone goes home.”
“It makes it safer when I’m working here with Jack,” Richard explained.
Her eyes widened when she saw Richard’s workshop. Although not as large as the area they’d walked through, it was still ten times bigger than she’d expected. “This is amazing.”
“Most people are surprised by how big it is.”
Jack stood beside a long rectangular table. “Dad’s making this table for a lady in Polson.”
Paris was impressed. “It looks wonderful. The top has a lovely grain.”
