“If you can narrow it down to three or four options, I’m happy to see if I can figure out the machine to mix up some sample size cans for you to take back to your place and try out on the wall. You’ll want to look at them in all the different kinds of lighting, times of day, etc. Shades can really shift on you.”
This was turning into an even bigger ordeal than Spencer had anticipated.
“Don’t forget,” Zeke pointed out as Spencer paced the aisle, “There are more options on the next aisle over.”
Seriously?No one needed this many options when it came to paint. Even still, Spencer rounded the corner, surprised not only to see the samples wrap around to the other side, but also to glimpse a familiar face, one that looked equally as daunted as he.
Trinity stood in front of a sea of browns, looking at several swatches in her hands, her lips silently moving as she compared colors.
“Hey,” he greeted her softly, hoping not to startle her.
Her head snapped up and she gasped, even with his quiet entry. “Oh, Spencer.” The swatches slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the floor. “I didn’t even see you there.”
“Let me.” Spencer dropped to his knee to retrieve the samples before she could make an attempt to. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He passed them back to her, his hand lingering as their fingers touched. He yanked his hand back and jammed it into his pocket. “Doing some painting?”
“I’m on a mission to find the perfect shade of brown for my daughter’s turkey costume. It’s for the fall festival at her school.”
“I’m surprised there isn’t one labeledtawny turkey,” Spencer remarked with a chuckle. “Seems like every color has some sort of bird reference in it.”
“You know? I did notice that.” She smiled up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “But sadly, no tawny turkey to be found in the bunch. Just russet raven, chestnut chickadee, and walnut wren.” Her brow line drew together. “Are turkeys even brown?” she asked, second-guessing herself. “Or are they black?”
“I think you can use a little creative license when it comes to costumes,” Spencer assured her. He was surprised to findTrinity here in the paint aisle at the hardware store and not the fabric aisle at the sewing shop. Growing up, his nana had always made the kid’s costumes for church and school plays, spending hours with her thread and needle in hand.
“I want it to be perfect,” Trinity said earnestly. “Mia deserves it.”
Spencer noted Trinity’s dedication to her children, recognizing it went beyond motherly responsibility. There was something else there, a desire to make sure her kids got the best of everything. He was well aware of the tragedy they’d experienced, even though he hadn’t been living in Snowdrift at the time. But he often wondered who was looking out for Trinity, ensuring she also received the happiness she deserved.
“It’ll beperfect just because you’re taking the time to make it. Figured most parents just order costumes online these days,” he said.
“Some do.” Trinity shrugged. “But don’t go thinking I’m some costume-making saint. That would be my first choice. But Mia specifically asked that I make it, so here I am.” Looking up at Spencer, she said, “What about you? I don’t take it you’re selecting paint for a fall festival costume, are you?”
“A slightly bigger project.” His eyebrows waggled. “I’m trying to find the right color to paint the walls of my new place.”
“The house that’s under construction at the ranch? That’s yours?”
“It is.”
Something crossed over her features. “I didn’t realize you were moving back here permanently.”
Sure, Spencer had been in Snowdrift for several months now, but he could see how she might think his stay wasn’t longterm. When he was younger, he would often come back for the summer months, only to leave again in the fall.
“It’s a permanent move,” he confirmed. “I actually own most of the ranch now.” Was it too much for him to disclose that information? He wondered if it had been public knowledge. The last thing he wanted was to come across as showy.
“I’d heard that but wasn’t clear on the details. That’s really exciting, Spencer. Building your own home—must be a dream come true.”
“Parts are. Other parts keep me up at night, like this whole paint selection thing.” He looked back at the color swatches, wonder if a basic white was too simple a tone.
“You should just pick a few and test them out on the walls. Look at them during different times of the day.”
“That’s what Zeke suggested.”
“He would be right. Paint colors can be deceiving, and they all have different undertones. Are you looking for something warmer? Cooler?”
“I honestly couldn’t even tell you what I’m looking for,” he confessed, hoping it didn’t make him sound too pathetic.
“I could help.”
He tried not to visibly react to that offer, but it did make him jolt. “Really?”
