If he wasn’t careful, Toto’s big brown eyes might lull him into believing a puppy would make their family complete. Especially if it inspired Paris to visit them more often.
Chapter 11
Paris ran her finger down the sheet of instructions for the first shelving unit. With a silent prayer, she attached the screw to the end of the drill and pulled the trigger. With a whir, it disappeared into the frame.
“That’s awesome,” Jackie said from beside her. “If I’d known how good you are, I would have called you about my closet. The shelf brackets need to be tightened.”
Andrea unpacked another shelving unit. “Before you say you’ll help, I have a set of bookshelves I need to make. I’ll barter endless cups of coffee and hot muffins for your expertise.”
Paris grinned. “By the end of today, you won’t need my help. If I can learn how to use an electric drill, you can, too.”
“That might be a little optimistic,” Jackie said as she handed Paris another screw. “My last boyfriend showed me how to use a drill, but I cross-threaded everything.”
“All it takes is practice.” Paris finished the top shelf, then handed Jackie the drill. “I’ll hold the next shelf in place. Keep the drill level and gently push it toward the frame. The motor and screw will do the rest of the work.”
“What if I damage the frame?”
Andrea hunted in a large container behind her. “If you’re worried, practice on this piece of wood.”
Paris handed her friend a screw. “There’s a little magnet on the end of the drill bit. It keeps the screw in place while you’re working out where it needs to go.”
Jackie clicked the screw into place. After a few more instructions, the screw slid into the piece of wood. “I can’t believe I did it.”
“You can do anything,” Paris reminded her. With a little more coaxing, Jackie tested her newfound construction skills on a shelving unit.
After it was finished, Andrea and Jackie moved the unit into the left-hand side of The Flower Cottage.
“One down, four to go,” Paris said softly. “It looks great.”
Jackie nodded. “I still can’t believe Richard bought you an electric drill. Who does that?”
“Someone who’s extremely practical and likes the person they’re giving it to,” Andrea said with a grin.
“Or someone with ulterior motives.” Paris handed Andrea the drill. “Richard bought a house that needs a lot of work.”
“I heard about that.” Andrea studied the shelving unit sitting in pieces on the floor. “Here goes nothing.” Within a few minutes, she had the first shelf attached to the frame. “Andy and Charlie wanted me to buy an electric drill when we moved into our house. But I thought my handy-dandy screwdriver was good enough.”
“And now?” Jackie asked.
“I know why they wanted one.” Andrea took the next shelf from Paris. “Mabel Terry said you’ve been spending a lot of time with Richard.”
Paris sighed. “I can’t believe you’d listen to anything she says. Mabel has a heart of gold, but she’s a terrible gossip.”
“She’s also right. You have spent a lot of time with Richard.” Jackie took some pretty glass vases out of a box. “As well as teaching you how to use the drill, he’s shown you his new home and helped make the frames for the wedding you’re decorating.”
“He’s a nice person.”
Andrea opened the next box of brackets. “Nice people don’t always go out of their way to help others. Jack seems to like you, too.”
Paris’ eyes narrowed. “Jack’s eight years old. He likes everyone. We need to focus on the shelving and not on Richard and his son.”
“But it’s more enjoyable talking about a potential boyfriend. Especially when none of us have dated anyone since we arrived in Sapphire Bay. Where would you like these vases?”
“On the first shelving unit,” Paris told Jackie. “They’re hand-blown glass. A lady in Red Deer made them.”
“They’re cute. So, when are you seeing Richard again?”
“I’m not—”
