Richard lifted a long piece of wood onto the drop cloth he was using. “If they were less than seven feet high, the guests’ heads could hit the flowers as they walk under them.”
Jack brought his paint bucket across to his dad. “Could you pour more undercoat into my bucket?”
“Sure. You’re doing a great job.”
Standing a little taller, Jack grinned at Paris. “I like painting.”
“I can tell. There isn’t one drip mark anywhere.” Jack was painting the frame for his new bed. If he followed the drawing he’d shown her, the old wooden frame would eventually be bright blue with pictures of fish and dolphins across the headboard.
Richard carried the bucket of undercoat to where Jack was working. “Here you go. Let me know if you need help.”
“I will.”
Paris measured another length of wood. “I’m borrowing Kylie’s truck when I collect the first order of flowers for the wedding.”
“Will that hold them all?”
“I think so. I split the order into two to make it easier to keep the flowers fresh.” Taking the pencil out of her tool belt, she marked where the wood needed to be cut. Richard stood beside her, waiting to put it through the saw. She felt his nearness like prickles brushing against her skin. “Measure twice and cut once?”
“You’re learning.”
His deep, sexy voice made her sigh. She was learning more than carpentry skills. At the rate she was going, Jackie would need to have a stern talk with her about sticking to her life plan. And nowhere, not even in the fine print, did it mention falling for a man with a more complicated life than hers.
Lifting one end of the wood, she helped Richard carry it across to the saw. “I spoke to Pastor John today. He said he’s looking forward to seeing you on Friday.”
Richard dropped his safety glasses over his eyes. “I bet he is. He cleaned me out of chips at our last poker game.”
“You play poker?”
His slow smile made Paris’ toes curl. “Only on a good night. The rest of the time, I’m an easy target for Wyatt and Ethan.”
Jack grinned. “Dad said he doesn’t have a good poker face.”
Paris’ eyebrows rose. Of all the people in Sapphire Bay, he seemed the best at keeping his thoughts to himself.
Richard cut the piece of wood. “My friends have known me a lot longer than you have.”
The softly spoken words made her frown. “How did you—”
“You can’t hide what you’re thinking.” Richard tapped the end of her nose. “That’s a compliment, not an insult. Help me carry this post to your work area.”
Paris sighed. It was just as well they’d have the frames finished tonight. Otherwise, she’d be in danger of liking him more than she should.
Kneeling on the floor, she screwed the legs of the frame into place. Richard helped her flip the arch over so she could do the same on the other side.
“Your phone’s ringing, Paris.”
“Thanks, Jack.” She walked across to her jacket and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket. When she saw who was calling, she almost let it go to voicemail. “Hi, Mom.”
“Darling, it’s so good to hear your voice. Cynthia just told me you’re opening your flower shop in a couple of weeks. Why didn’t you tell me it’s so soon?”
The only time her mom called her darling was when she’d been drinking. Paris’ only consolation was that by the morning, Donna wouldn’t remember anything they’d talked about. “Aunt Cynthia called when I was choosing some shelving for the store. We started talking and one thing led to another.”
“Well, I’m very proud of you. I always knew you’d make something of yourself.”
Paris rubbed her forehead. Her mom was definitely drunk. “Where are you?”
“I’m in Las Vegas with Jerry. He was invited to a high-stakes game and we couldn’t say no.”
