Prelude: Prequel to The Lewis Legacy Series (25 page)

♥

Sitting at the kitchen table the next morning, Tess’s eyes lit with excitement. She’d been bouncing around all morning, and Sarah suspected her sister was hatching a plan. She adored Happy Tess. Happy Tess was more agreeable and less argumentative, and it was good to have her back. Maybe last night had been a turning point in their relationship. A very good one.

“Sarah, while Mom and Dad are on their trip to visit Aunt Mary in Colorado, I think we should redo the kitchen and living room.”

Sarah paused in the middle of chewing her toast slathered with homemade raspberry jam. “Redo? As in redecorate?”

Her sister’s nod was emphatic. “I’m mainly talking about paint and wallpaper. Spruce up the rooms, give them a fresh new look. Heaven knows, they could use it, don’t you think? I suppose we could also move the furniture around and throw some new slipcovers over the sofa and chairs.”

“Except for Dad’s chair. Best to leave it alone. You don’t mess with a man’s favorite chair.”

“You’re right.” Tess took another bite of her oatmeal. “She’d never say anything, but Mom must be tired of staring at this ancient wallpaper for years on end. How could she not?” She glanced around the kitchen with an exaggerated sigh.

True enough. Mom and Dad hadn’t had the money, much less the time and inclination, to do anything about it. In the past six years, every spare penny had gone for the care of Mom’s parents in the nursing home, and they’d passed away within a month of each other last year.

Sarah finished her toast and pushed her plate aside. “I’m not sure how much we can get done in a week, but I’m all for it.” She took a sip of her coffee and smiled. “You’re really taking my suggestion to volunteer and running with it, aren’t you? In a way I never expected. It’s a great idea, and Mom and Dad deserve this. Thanks for thinking of it.”

Tess’s smile grew wider, clearly pleased by her approval. “Welcome.”

Rare were the occasions when Tess asked for her opinion. The living room wasn’t too bad with a pale green, vertical stripe wallpaper pattern. The furniture and paintings complemented the walls and vice versa. Sarah glanced around the kitchen, taking in the dingy, brown and white wallpaper. Olive green and golden yellow were the only splashes of color in the cutesy owl pattern. Her parents bought the house from the original owners who’d built it in the mid-1930s. That ugly wallpaper had been in place ever since Sarah could remember. Greasy stains marred the wall behind the range. How many times had Mom scrubbed that wall with no luck in erasing the evidence of splattered food? Sarah heard her refer to it once as the bane of her existence. Anything would be an improvement, especially since their mother spent so much of her time in this kitchen.

“The kitchen needs more help,” Sarah said. “I can paint, but I have no idea how to wallpaper. I’m willing to try, but maybe we should hire someone with experience instead of trying to do it ourselves?”

Tess considered her question. “I’m sure we can round up a crew. I say we put some of those big strong guys we know to work. Want to meet at Hartmann’s after work? You’re off at five, right?”

“Right.” Sarah figured she might as well put in a good word on Charlie’s behalf. “If Charlie’s working at Hartmann’s this afternoon, I’m sure he’ll be happy to help us pick out paint, wallpaper or whatever else we decide to use. Answer our questions and give us some guidance. That sort of thing. What are you thinking in terms of a color scheme?”

Tess appeared deep in thought, but she nodded to indicate she’d heard. “I think Mom would like a pretty pale yellow on the walls here in the kitchen. You know how she’s always complaining about how these owls creep her out. Like they’re staring at her. Probably anything to cover them up would be fine.”

“Good point,” Sarah said. “Yellow would be great in here. Sunny and bright. As far as the living room, I think she’d like to keep the original sage green and ivory colors. It’s an elegant combination.”

“I should call Hartmann’s and see if Charlie’s working tonight.” Tess’s grin was coy.

“Better yet, just walk in and surprise him. He’s almost always there during the day on weekdays.” Sarah winked. “I’m sure he’d love nothing more than the opportunity to help you.”

Tess swatted her arm. “Help
us
. You are so not subtle.”

Taking another quick sip of her coffee, Sarah surveyed the kitchen, making mental notes. “Can you imagine Mom’s face when she gets home from the trip, walks in here and sees her ‘new’ kitchen? I can’t wait, and I’m sure it’ll be worth all the effort.”

Tess dropped her spoon into the empty bowl after finishing her oatmeal. “She’ll either be royally steamed or else she’ll love it.”

“Or she’ll be jetlagged and believe she’s delusional,” Sarah said. “I’m willing to take the chance. You and I both know if Mom and Dad weren’t going away, they’d never allow us to do such a thing.”

Tess rinsed her bowl in the sink. With her back turned, Sarah heard the smile in her sister’s voice. “And that’s exactly why we’re going to do it. You know what they say, sis. When the cat’s away, the mice will play. But in the best of ways, in this case.”

♥
That Afternoon

Sarah passed Sam sitting at the counter instead of his usual small booth in the back corner.

“Tell Jimmy he’s outdone himself this time.” Wiping his mouth with his napkin, Sam smiled in satisfaction. “This burger’s the best I’ve had in a long time. Barbecue sauce on beef is my new favorite ingredient.”

“I’ll be sure and tell him. Arnie said the same thing, and he liked the onion ring, too.” She noted Sam had moved the onion ring to the side of his plate. “Not a fan?”

“Not if I hope to get a kiss at some point today.”

“I think raw onions are the greater offender.” Sarah shook her head. “I have absolutely no idea why I felt the need to say that.”

“Love does strange things to a person. Trust me, I know. Hey, it’s a proven fact,” he insisted. “It messes with your mind, not just your emotions.”

Sarah leaned close, a dangerous move when she detected the scent of his aftershave. “Who said anything about love?”

“I did, last I checked. Never fear,” Sam said. “I’ll have you spouting the ‘L’ word soon enough.”

“Is that so?” She laughed. “Did you know that eighty-five percent of men are overconfident in their sex appeal to women?”

Sam stared at her. “You just made that up.”

“Did not.” She burst out laughing. “Okay, I did. Lord, forgive me for telling a falsehood in order to keep a man’s ego in check. On that note, if you’ll excuse me. I’ll be back soon.”

After darting into the kitchen and catching Jimmy’s smile, Sarah carried Jewell Marcum’s vegetable plate out to her. “Hi, Jewell. How are you feeling today?” Maybe that question was pointless. From her deep frown, it appeared the mother-to-be was having a rough day.

“I’m ready to pop this baby out whether he or she wants to come out or not.” Jewell rubbed her stomach. “I’m ravenous and can’t seem to stop eating, so I guess it’s a good thing I have an excuse, huh? It’s like I’m making up for lost time—and food—when I suffered all that morning sickness in my first trimester.” She picked up her fork and stared at the food on her plate.

“If it helps, you’re the prettiest pregnant mama I’ve ever seen. How much longer until your due date?”

“Another week, according to Doc Meriweather.”

“Your baby will be here before you know it.” Sarah gave her a smile and squeezed the other woman’s shoulder. “I’m praying for a safe delivery. Eat up, and let me know if you need anything.”

“Don’t you worry. You’ll be the first to know,” Jewell said as Sarah headed back to the counter. Sam was engaged in a lively conversation with the customers sitting on either side of him. He made new friends easily and kept his old ones. Loyalty was sorely lacking in some people, but not Sam. When she’d walked by Harold Anderson’s home last week on the way to a late shift at Perry’s, he’d been working in the front yard trimming the hedges.

Why should she be surprised? Look what he’d done for Merle at the bank. Ditto helping Fletcher get his prosthetic leg. He spent quality time with his dad after-hours. Her mother had run into Sam at the nursing home the week before where he’d been delivering fresh homemade pies to the shut-ins. He’d volunteered for several committees at the church, both to help refurbish certain Sunday school rooms and to make decisions concerning the future of their congregation. He was already serving on the town board and the school board, not by election but from unanimous appointments. In some ways, the man was a ridiculous overachiever. But a devastatingly handsome one.

“You know, I’m told I’m a pretty decent painter,” Sam said, interrupting her thoughts as she passed by after delivering more platters to customers. “I helped Mom wallpaper the front hallway and the kitchen when I was home on break one year.”

Turning to Sam, Sarah slid one hand down to her hip. “Congratulations. I’m happy for you. Tell me, Sam. Is there anything you don’t—or
can’t
—do?” The man wasn’t perfect, but he definitely wasn’t one to sit idle.

He chuckled. “I hear you’re embarking on a home improvement project and thought I’d put in my bid. A kitchen can be tricky to navigate with those big appliances and outlets to work around.” His eyes sparkled as he took another bite of his burger.

Tess must have already contacted Hartmann’s. “Word gets around quick. Let me guess. Charlie told you?” Sam nodded.

“I’m happy Charlie can help us,” she said. “We’re going to try and recruit a few guys and girls from the singles group at church. I’ll be sure and mention your offer to the boss.”

“Hey, my credentials stand on their own.” Sam finished his bite. “Do I really need to prove myself worthy to you?”

Sarah cracked a smile. “I suppose we could take you on for the job. Your previous experience in home beautifying is a much better qualifier than an Air Force Academy education and time spent flying jets, after all.”

He raised his hands. “I was going to say I’ll work cheap, but whatever works.”

After first making sure Myrna wasn’t in close proximity, Sarah flicked her dishtowel on his arm. He’d removed his suit coat and draped it on the adjacent counter seat, the outline of his muscled arms visible under his dress shirt. His tan had deepened and offset his eyes and smile to great advantage. The soft-looking, silky dark curls hanging over his collar were a little unruly, tempting her to smooth them into place.

Sam was distracting without even trying, but he seemed oblivious to his sex appeal. How could the man not notice all the women fawning over him wherever he went in town? If he did, he didn’t show it. His lack of arrogance made him all the more attractive.

“So? Am I hired for the job?” Sam’s blue eyes surveyed her from above the rim from his glass.

Sarah inhaled a quick breath. “I suppose I could hire you for a trial run. Provided your work is satisfactory to the boss, we’ll likely keep you on.”

He lowered the glass to the counter. “Don’t tell me. Tess is the boss?”

“Don’t tell her, but yes. She’s the one who came up with the brilliant idea. I’d better get back to work, but if you want to stop by tomorrow after work, we’re going to get started. Mom and Dad left early this afternoon and they’re coming back in a week.”

When she moved down the counter to the cash register, he followed. Sarah rang the sale and rested her hand on the register drawer after he handed her a twenty dollar bill and told her he didn’t need change. “Sam, your meal cost less than five dollars.”

“Plus tip. Inflation, you know. If it’s not against the rules, add it to your nursing school fund.”

“It’s not against
my
rules.” Myrna moved behind Sarah and angled her head at the register. “Sarah, please close that drawer. But not before you take out the money for that exorbitant tip Daddy Warbucks here is giving you.” Giving Sam a wink, Myrna moved on down the counter.

Sarah closed the register, dropped half of the amount into the Benson Fund can and then pocketed the other half. “Happy now?”

Amusement glimmered in his mesmerizing eyes. “Yes. Quite.”

“You know, there’s something I find fascinating.”

“What’s that?” After returning his wallet to his back pocket, he crossed his arms on the counter and lowered his voice. “How you can’t stop staring at my lips and thinking how much you’d like another kiss?”

“As much as I’d love that, I was reading about a SAM the other day. I had no idea there was such a thing, so imagine my surprise.”

“As in surface-to-air missile? So, you’re saying my kisses are like a missile launch that disarm you and send your equilibrium fluctuating wildly?”

“Something like that,” she said, laughing. Such a flirt. “Now, off with you before your ego inflates even more. I have other customers who need my attention.”

“See you later.” Sam shrugged into his suit coat, a move which drew Sarah’s attention all over again to his broad shoulders. “Do you need me to recruit any more volunteers? It’s a proven theory that more hands make light work.”

“I think we’re all set, thanks.”

Stopping outside the big picture window, Sam raised his hand and Sarah returned his wave. She stood in the middle of the diner staring after him like a lovesick fool.