Incandescently happy, she laughed with a “whoop!”
“I’m putting the cart before the horse, again,” he chuckled, carrying her across the threshold. “Welcome to your new home.”
He lowered her from his hold, and she looked up, overwhelmed by the opulent magnificence, which felt fresh and new, not old and outdated. It was beyond beautiful and, yes, everything she loved.
Gaze falling to the details, she drank in the white marble columns and flooring and the mahogany paneling. The grand staircase and its carved newel post were Old World craftsmanship that didn’t exist anymore. Wrapping his arms around her waist, he bent and kissed her ear. “Well?”
“I’m in awe. Are you sure this isn’t a dream?” she said.
“Positive.”
“I’m so proud of you, William.”
“It was just a house. Now, it’s a home and that’s because of you. C’mon, I’ll show you around. Hey, Sean, take the painting up to the formal living room, and we’ll be up in a few minutes.”
“Sure, thing.”
Holding her hand, they embarked on the grand tour, which she was sure would last more than a few minutes. Afraid to touch anything, she feared breaking something valuable or leaving fingerprints on the elegant millwork.
After spending twenty minutes in what would become their art studio on the third floor, they arrived at the formal parlor. Its white walls and stunning frescoed angels in the vaulted ceiling spellbound her. The Seurat, now free of its crate, rested against a wall, impatiently waiting for the attention it deserved. The afternoon light poured through the tall windows, drenching the room in a soft glow. She instantly felt like this room would fast become her favorite place to cuddle up with a good book or in William’s arms beside a roaring fire.
The guys had already left a ladder and all the necessary tools to complete the daunting task of hanging the priceless masterpiece. To be honest, she was a little scared but very excited.
“The previous owner installed a security system above the mantle for his Sargent,” William stated.
“That’s good.” She grinned. “Given the length of the room, I have to say you and Carrie chose the perfect medium and piece. A Wyeth would have been suitable, but Pointillism was the best direction to go.”
He stood directly over the painting, looking down at it. “It’s just dots.”
“A million dots ...” she nodded.
“A thirty-thousand-foot view changes everything.”
“Yes, it does.”
“I’ll hang it. It’s heavy, and I think I can accurately eyeball it,” he said.
“No. I’d better do it.”
“Then, maybe we should have hired a professional to hang it,” he nervously stated.
“Hello ... Iamthe professional. I trained at MOMA for this auspicious occasion!” She was nearly bouncing in her shoes.
“Right, sorry.” He raked his hand through his hair as she climbed the ladder. “Get your balance, and don’t go to the top step.”
“Seriously? What’s the worst that can happen?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “And use the hooks already in place.”
“Yeesss, that’s the general plan, William,” she teased, balancing on the second step. “Look, no hands!” She laughed, raising the tape measure to the wall.
“Stop. That’s not funny.”
“We’re in luck! It should fit perfectly.”
“Do you need the stud finder?”
“Not unless the anchors don’t work or are too low,” she patiently replied.
