I end up outside the store on a twelve-foot ladder. June asks me to just trace over the faded sign, but I take one look and decide it needs a major facelift.
Before I can get started, a voice calls to me from the sidewalk.
I look down into the eyes of Brayden. “You’re not scared of heights, are you?” he says teasingly.
“Not unless I have to keep looking down.”
“Well, June asked me to spot you on the ladder,” he says. “So no wobbling.”
I pick up a paintbrush and dip it into the can of white paint propped on the top of the ladder.
“That was a joke,” he calls up to me. “A bad one.”
I glance down at him. His face is in shadow, but I can feel his bright eyes on me nonetheless.
“No worries,” I say quickly. “But you really don’t have to stand there and wait for me.”
He gestures to the wheelbarrow of pumpkins next to him. “I’m going to arrange these by the window while you paint.”
“That will look nice and autumnal,” I say.
Autumnal?I face-palm myself in my head and then turn away from any further eye contact.
Distracted by the fact that Brayden is below me, I hastily paint over the faded lettering with white paint and then tilt my head as I stare at the blank sign.
“I can pass you more cans of paint if you need them,” Brayden calls up to me.
“Thank you. I’ve got a can of red up here now. This old sign just really needs a change. I can’t believe it attracted anybody off the street.” I don’t know why, but I keep going. “This building is a real relic from the Old West. They don’t make them like this anymore. It’s on the registry of historic buildings in Montana.”
“It’s a cool building,” Brayden agrees. “I can’t believe there’s an empty suite next door to June’s store. You’d think it would be a prime retail spot.”
It really would. And chatting with Brayden gives me an idea for June’s store sign.
I pick up the brush again and start painting.
* * *
A while later, I hear my name.
I glance down at June standing below me with her hands on her hips.
“Leleila, when you’re finished, can you paint a mural on the big wall inside?”
“Um, I’d have to have something to paint.”
“I’m sure you can think of something,” she says confidently. “Anyway, the lunch crowd’s going to be here any minute. Can you take a quick break so you’re not blocking the front?”
“Sure. I’m about finished anyway.” I nod at her just as my advisor walks briskly by and heads for the front door.
“Gerry?” I start down the ladder. “Gerry! Hold up, please!”
In my hurry to get to him before he disappears, my high heel catches on the third to last rung. I try to shake my foot free, but the ladder comes loose from the wall.
I let out a panicked squeal.
Brayden quickly grabs hold of the ladder and calmly pushes it back against the wall so I can safely descend the rest of the way. But I’m so flustered I fall into his arms as my feet hit the ground.
“You okay?” he asks as he puts his arms around my shoulders to steady me.
