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told Liam? You may have a matching eye after you do.”
“Let’s look at your pictures while we eat,” he suggested, turning the topic away from his slight differences with his brothers. “After we’re done we can get into more details.”
“I’ll let you change the subject, but only because I’m anxious to discuss my house.”
She pulled up her images and as Zach studied them, he realized quickly how her tastes matched his own. He was going to enjoy this project, especially because Macy had a good amount of sense when it came to what was possible. Too many clients asked for the impossible and occasionally got angry when they realized he wasn’t a magician.
“You’re wanting a two-story,” he muttered as he scrolled through her images. “You like stone, but there are several variations in color and sizing here.”
Macy took a drink and pointed to the current picture on the screen. “That’s the stone I’m not in love with. I want the type with more of a variation of colors. I have that picture because I like the style of that entryway and the narrow window above the door.”
Nodding, Zach kept flipping through her images, studying each one with a skilled eye. As they ate and discussed the photos, he was able to get a better idea of what she wanted and was pretty confident he could narrow it down to a couple different designs that should please her.
“If you’re finished, just leave the plates,” he told her. “I’ll clean up later.”
“I’ll at least put them in the sink.” Macy gathered the two plates and took them across the kitchen. “I’m not one hundred percent sold on the two-story. The main thing I know I want is a large garage with an apartment on the back for Dad.”
Zach paused. “Is your dad okay with that?”
Macy turned, leaning back against the counter. “We’ve had a few heated debates over the matter, but he sees my reasoning. We’re really all each other has, and he still wants to keep his independence. I’ve stayed at home with him long enough. We both need our space, but we also still want to be close.”
Macy was a noble, loyal woman. She’d gone to college on a softball scholarship, but ended up coming home when her mother had a stroke and passed away. Macy always said she’d go back, but she’d started helping her dad in the store and now she was co-owner of the popular business.
Zach admired her for putting her family first, for giving up her dreams without hesitation or complaint.
“We’ll make sure it’s something nice for him,” Zach replied. “I’ll grab my sketch pad and let the dogs out. Go on into the living room.”
“I’ll let the dogs out,” she told him. “You go get what you need.”
Zach hesitated. “Do you know what you’re saying? Those little ones are evil.”
Macy laughed. “I can handle puppies. Why don’t you take a break from potty training and let me deal with this.”
Zach shrugged as he headed from the room. “You asked for it,” he muttered.
As he went to get his sketch pad from the office, someone banged on the front door. Zach froze. If Ms. Barkley stood on the other side of that door, he was going to have to tell her once and for all that he wasn’t interested.
As he made his way to the foyer, he tried to figure out if he’d ever given her the impression that he wanted more than a neighborly “hi” in passing. Apparently she didn’t care or she was just really determined to get him into her bedroom . . . or anywhere else he’d be willing to go with her.
Flicking the lock, he jerked open the door.
“Liam.” Zach gripped the door, shocked to see his brother there. “What are you doing here?”
Liam pushed through and entered the house. “I talked to Sophie earlier. She asked if I’d spoken with you. Then I called to talk to Braxton and he asked if I’d talked to you.”
Zach closed the door and folded his arms over his chest. Nothing like being thrust into revealing the secret. But the truth coming out was inevitable.
“You might as well come on in.” Zach gestured toward the living room.
“Is that Macy’s Jeep out there?” Liam asked.
Holding on to the smallest of the puppies, Macy stepped in behind Liam. “Yes, it is.”
Liam turned, then stared back and forth between Zach and Macy. “Am I interrupting?” he asked, his eyes narrowed.
Interesting. Zach hadn’t known Liam to show much emotion, but apparently he didn’t like the idea of his brother entertaining the hometown hardware store owner.
“I’m working on something for Macy.”
