“I couldn’t believe you wanted me to help design the new youth center. We’d’ve died for something like this when I was in high school. I’m so sorry about your grandfather, Adrian. He meant a lot to everybody. And I’m really honored to be a part of this.”

“Well, good, because I need help.” She put an arm around Kayla’s waist. “I think I’m a decisive woman, and I have a decent eye, reasonably good taste. But I look around here? And I can’t even begin.”

“Okay, you said you wanted welcoming, happy, but easy to maintain. Nothing fussy, but nothing boring—and you want to respect the history of the building.”

“And you can work with that?”

“I’ve got samples and design boards in my car. Can I bring them in?”

“Boards, really? Well, yeah. I’ll help you.”

Before she could, Mark called her from the top of the new staircase. “Hey, Adrian, can you come up and look at this? Hey, Kayla. How’s the college girl?”

“I’m great, Mr. Wicker. How are Charlie and Rich?”

“Growing like weeds. Kayla used to babysit my kids.”

Always a connection in Traveler’s Creek, Adrian thought. “I’ll be right up. Kayla’s got some things in her car we need to bring in.”

“Oh, I can get them.”

“Hey, Derrick, go down and help Kayla bring in her stuff, will you?”

“You got it.” The gangly, sharp-elbowed Derrick jogged down the stairs in his work boots. “Howzit going, Kayla?”

Adrian headed up, assessed the idea for a change—a smart one—in a storage closet.

When she got back down, Kayla had samples on a piece of plywood spread over sawhorses, and three boards with design elements grouped together.

“And I need another wow.”

“You need choices. All the pictures and videos you sent me really helped. I thought you’d want your colors and tones to flow through. Stick with one family? But I think you need to have zones—defined, but with that flow. You need a little old-time mixed in for the historic aspect, so I was looking at this flooring for the restrooms, the food areas.”

“It looks like brick.”

“But it’s an easy-to-clean, nonslip tile. Or you could go with the neutral vinyl, maybe face a wall in the brick pattern. For the cabinetry, you could go with color—for the happy—but with flat front, easy-to-clean doors. Go rustic with the hardware.”

“I’m already loving the dark green for the cabinets. I’m partial to green.”

“I remember. You match them with white counters—this is man-made, and you don’t have to seal it, it won’t hold stains. You could do a rounded edge. Looks pretty and it’s safer with kids. Maybe with the antiqued bronze pulls.”

Adrian studied as Kayla rearranged samples into groups.

“Keep talking.”

Before they finished, Adrian settled on most of the materials, separated out a few samples to take home and look over again.

Mark came down to study some of the choices. “I like what I’m seeing. Look at you.” He poked Kayla’s arm. “Professional.”

Mark’s brother, the former rough customer, wandered over to do the same. “Green cabinetry. Snappy.” He winked at Kayla, then turned a thousand-watt grin on Adrian. “Didn’t know you were coming by tonight. I’d’ve worn my good hat.”

Paul, she remembered, and smiled back at him. “I thought that was your good hat.”

“This old thing?”

“Paul, how about you help the ladies take all this out to their cars.”

“Glad to do it. It sure is a pleasure helping bring this old place back to life.” He swaggered a bit as he hauled out the boards. “Sure am looking forward to some real spring weather if it ever gets here. I see you out running with your dog now and then. You two make a picture.”

“Sadie loves her runs. Me, too.” She opened the door so Sadie could jump in. “Just the top board in this car, Paul, thanks.”

“Mason’s going to start cleaning and repointing the brick next week, if rain holds off.” He leaned against her car for a minute. “You’ll see a real difference once he does. And once we get the siding on the second floor.”

He rubbed his chin. “Give us a couple good weeks, and she’ll shine out here.”

“I’m looking forward to it. Thanks again.”

“Anytime at all. I was going to stop in Rizzo’s tonight for a beer and a couple slices. I’d be happy to buy you the same anytime you want to talk the work over.”

“Thanks. If not, I’ll see you here in a few days.”

He tapped the bill of his cap. “You take care now.” And swaggered back into the building.

“He was totally flirting on you.”

“Yeah, I got that.”

“He’s really cute, and built. Barry used to date his sister. Paul’s okay. He used to be kind of wild—Barry says—but he’s okay.”

“Yeah, well …” Adrian made a noncommittal sound.

“No sparkage?”

“I guess not. He is built. Something to think about. I’m going to make a final decision on the rest tonight. Or tomorrow. I know we have to talk about furnishings before your break’s over.”

“I’ve got some ideas.”

“I count on it. See you soon.”

No sparkage, Adrian thought as she drove away. No click. Then again, she hadn’t given it much of a chance. She could always try that casual beer at Rizzo’s, and just … see.

“Just can’t seem to work up the energy for it, Sadie. Maybe after this production’s finished, and the center project’s done. Something to think about.”

She detoured to Teesha’s, hoping to show her the selections she’d yet to decide on.

No family car in the drive, which meant said family had gone off somewhere to do some family thing.

But she saw Raylan’s car in his, pulled in behind it.

She’d yet to find the time or opportunity to talk to him since the memorial. Interrupting his workday, she thought as she let Sadie out again. But she could keep it short.

Bounding ahead, Sadie started her happy, full-body wag.

“I haven’t brought you to see your boyfriend for a while. My fault.”

Adrian knocked, then patted Sadie’s head. “You ought to play it down a little, you know, make him work for it before you—”

Raylan, his phone at his ear, opened the door. The dogs, one on either side of the doorway, charged each other to end in a rolling, delirious pile of love over the living room floor.

“Or not,” Adrian murmured.

Raylan signaled her in.

He had on gray sweatpants, a No One–themed sweatshirt, obviously hadn’t shaved in a day or two, and looked, she thought, strangely adorable.

“Yeah, it’s my dog’s girlfriend. Yeah, my dog has a girlfriend.” Raylan sidestepped to avoid the canine trip-pile. “Funny. No, that’ll be great, seriously. My mom’ll watch them, and we’ll make a night of it. Yeah, way too long. Sure, see you in a couple weeks.”

He clicked off, stuck the phone in his pocket. “Hi.”