They tossed the other five to the side and asked Sam for his opinion.
“You’ll be happier with the lighter one,” Sam suggested.
“Why?” Teresa questioned.
“Because you want the place to have a light, airy feel to it. Think about the smell of sugar cookies and homemade banana bread baking in the oven. That’s the kind of feel you want. That dark one will make people feel like they’re going into a cave, and us old people need lots of light. Our eyesight isn’t what it used to be,” he answered.
“Then we should consider white, and make sure we raise the blinds up every morning,” Kayla said.
“I believe you’re right,” Teresa agreed. “Keep everything as simple as possible.”
“With that in mind, me and Noah and Will were thinkin’ maybe we’d put a ramp on the end of the porch so folks in wheelchairs would be able to join us. What do you girls think of that?” Sam asked.
“I love it,” Teresa told him. “It would make it easier for those with canes, too.”
They left with plastic drop cloths, paint pans, rollers, brushes, and tape. Sam drove on to the feedstore to buy fertilizer for his fruit trees, and Teresa and Kayla headed to the house where they planned to put in the center. Teresa had parked Miss Janie’s car and had opened the trunk when Will’s shiny black SUV pulled in behind them.
“Hello. I was out this way delivering groceries to one of the ladies in our church. She’s not able to get out anymore, so she calls in her list. Saw y’all drive up. Need some help unloading that stuff?”
“We never turn down help.” Kayla waved Will over.
“Methinks you’ve got a boyfriend,” Teresa teased.
“That would be the pot calling the kettle black,” Kayla said out of the side of her mouth.
“What do you mean by that?” Teresa picked up the bag with the drop cloths in it.
“Exactly what I said. You can’t deny the electricity between you and Noah,” Kayla answered.
“Y’all leave that heavy paint for me to take,” Will said. “Guess what? Sam took my offer for the house on the other end of town. I’ll start getting it ready to move into in a couple of weeks, so I’m holdin’ y’all to that promise to help me paint. And, Kayla, do you reckon once I’m moved in that you’d be interested in helping me choose a rescue dog for a pet?”
“I’d love to,” Kayla told him. “I love dogs and cats both, but never was able to have a pet.”
Will flashed a big smile toward Kayla. “Then it’s a date.”
Teresa used the key Sam had given them on the day of the funeral and opened the door. A musty, unused smell greeted her. She made a mental note to bring some scented candles to the house once they’d finished painting.
“Good thing there’s wood floors and not carpet,” Will said. “That’ll make it easier for old folks to get around on.”
“I guess you see lots of elderly people in your grocery stores,” Kayla said.
“Yes, but . . .” He set the paint down. “My mama was past forty when she adopted me, and Daddy was fifty. I’ve lived with older folks my whole life.” He shrugged. “I kind of know them better than most people our age. My folks live in an assisted living place up in Paris these days. I drive up there, bring them down to our church in Sulphur Springs, and take them out to eat, and we go see a movie every Sunday afternoon. And everyone thought it was nerdy when I was a kid, but I always got a home-cooked meal.” He chuckled.
“If I’d known your mama cooked for you every day, I’d have begged you to take me home with you,” Kayla said.
“I’d have done it.” His grin got even bigger.
“I’ll see you Friday evening soon as I get off work.” He waved and closed the door behind him when he left.
Teresa nudged Kayla on the shoulder. “He likes you.”
“How do you know?” Kayla asked.
“You know those sparks you said you saw between me and Noah? Well, I see them with you and Will. Quite the pair, aren’t we? Two good men have been flirting with us, but we’re hangin’ back because we don’t trust men,” Teresa said.
“Amen, sister.” Kayla nodded.
On Thursday morning, Kayla went to the grocery store, leaving Teresa and Noah alone in the house. Her foster sister wasn’t fooling Teresa one little bit. Her trip was twofold—she wanted to see Will,