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“Looking forward to it,” I replied as I got to my car.
“Me too.” Marcus smiled, and I felt light as air again. “See you soon.”
14
Marcus
“I could work on the cabinets one section at a time, so you’re not totally uprooted,” I said as the three of us stood in the kitchen. I had worked that Saturday morning as usual. Over the past couple of years, I’d sometimes lose track of time, staying until dusk, but today I was home by noon, and after mowing my mother’s lawn, I headed over to Delaney’s.
I’d admit I was surprised that Grant had wandered away from his computer to listen to our plans. Maybe Delaney had told him he needed to be involved? He was wearing a T-shirt that said: Don’t Believe Everything You Read on the Internet. Signed, Abraham Lincoln, and when I told him it was cool, he blushed in an endearing way.
“That’s a good idea,” Delaney said, one arm crossed with the other hand beneath his chin as he considered the options. “We can load our dishes into boxes and swap them out as stuff is finished. What do you think, Grant?”
“Yep, that’ll work.” He seemed to be taking in the sunny-yellow color on the walls, which was a bit dated and didn’t seem to match Delaney in the least, let alone Grant.
“I’ll haul the cabinets to my shop for refinishing.”
The sample colors I’d spotted near the dishwasher a couple of weeks back were a mix of muted and bright colors, so it was hard to tell what direction they were headed with the design. If I had to guess, Rebecca enjoyed bolder choices, whereas Delaney’s were understated.
“Do you have to take them to your shop?” Grant asked. “Couldn’t you work on them in our backyard or the garage if it rains?”
“That’s not a bad idea.” I glanced out the window at the fluffy clouds. So far, the autumn weather was cooperating. “But I don’t want to put you out.”
“You wouldn’t be.” Delaney squeezed Grant’s shoulder. “And that way you can keep work separate from your side project.”
“I promise to play cool music while you work,” Grant said with a grin, no doubt referring to a certain musical we’d recently discussed.
“Well, that seals the deal.” I held out my fist, and Grant bumped it. “Will you also promise to show me your hat collection? Your dad told me how cool they are.”
He dipped his head, but I could tell he was pleased by my request. “I could do that.”
When I glanced at Delaney, his eyes had softened. He’d actually never used those exact words, so maybe I was embellishing. Or maybe I was trying to help bridge the gap between them.
I cleared my throat. “How about we head to the paint store to look at swatches and other supplies? We can take my truck.” I had driven the vehicle I used for Worthy’s Salvage Shop and made sure to clear the front seat for Delaney, knowing we’d likely run some errands to prep for the job.
“Sounds good,” Delaney said, reaching for his house keys.
“Can I tag along?” Grant asked, and I noticed Delaney stiffened briefly, likely more stunned than me.
“Did you finish studying for driver’s ed?” he asked, and now it made more sense why Grant was so interested in tagging along. Did any kid enjoy studying, even if it was to eventually get behind the wheel? I remembered Delaney telling me in passing that Grant was trying to earn his temporary license since he’d bowed out last year, and once he did, Delaney could teach him how to drive. I could practically see it—the tension in the car between them, much like when my mom tried to teach me years ago before my uncle stepped in to help.
Grant stopped short of rolling his eyes. “Yep. I’ve been at it for hours.”
“Okay. You can absolutely come,” Delaney replied, and I was surprised he didn’t ask to see the evidence of his efforts like my mom would’ve. “I’ll let Ruby out before we take off. C’mon, girl.”
Grant slipped into his shoes while Delaney opened the door for Ruby to take a bathroom break. She was obviously getting up in age because she seemed stiff whenever she rose from the floor, and there were little white hairs around her muzzle. No way I’d mention it, though, because that was sure to be a sore subject for both. It was a cruel reality that animals only brightened your life for a handful of years. Might’ve been another reason I’d resisted the idea.
“Can we stop at your salvage shop too?” Grant asked expectantly.
“I suppose we can.” I glanced at Delaney, who shrugged. “I have supplies I can retrieve from there too.”
The three of us squeezed into the front seat of my truck, with Grant between Delaney and me, but neither seemed to mind. The radio was playing a classic rock song, and Grant’s enthusiasm seemed to spur Delaney on. He turned up the music, and Grant didn’t even complain. When I sang the refrain and Delaney joined in, Grant laughed but hummed along too, which made it feel like we were on a fun little field trip.
