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“It’s called research and acquiring intel.” He shook his head. “Any soldier knows it’s necessary.”
“I see.” She bit back a smile and told herself not to be impressed.
Zane held up his phone. “This is what I’m going to make.”
Lucy studied a picture of an antique tub that had been converted to a mini spa. It was set in a small garden, and it was just the thing her sister would love. “I’m not saying this will work, but I’m not saying it won’t.”
“Thanks, Lucy.” He picked up the scraper. “I’m going to install it in the apple orchard and hook it up to the water line. I’ll probably build a frame around it, so she can have her iPad and a glass of wine with a bowl of her beloved Cheetos.”
“Make sure you show that to Linc because I may want something similar.”
Zane nodded and looked out across the vast yard. “Do you think I have any kind of chance to fix things?”
“I don’t have an answer to that.” She patted his shoulder. “But if it makes you feel any better, I am rooting for you two to find a way to be together.”
“I appreciate that.”
Knowing that saying more would only cause trouble, she stepped back. “Is Julie around? I brought her a box of books.”
“I think she’s up on the third floor.”
“Alright.” She gave Zane a wave and headed toward the house, hoping that her offer of friendship wouldn’t be rebutted.
Ten minutes later, Lucy stood on the landing of the third floor and called out Julie’s name. “I come bearing gifts.”
Julie walked around the corner and frowned. “Are you sure you have the right house?”
Lucy held up the box. “I heard you were a fan of true crime, so I brought you some books and a bottle of wine.”
“Thank you.” She wiped her hands against her bike shorts. “Is there a catch?”
“No. I just wanted to extend a warm welcome to town.” She passed over the box. “I think we got off to a bad start, and I’d like to fix it.”
“Why?” Julie replied as she set the box down on an antique table.
“Because I believe in fierce lady friendships. I like to hype the women in my life and encourage them as much as possible.” She noticed the look of disbelief on Julie’s face. “You’ve had someone offer this before, right?”
“Not since third grade when Hilary Slatnick gave me a friendship bracelet.”
“Well, then, you are overdue.” Lucy leaned against the banister. “Come join our lady gang and discover how much fun we are.”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course.” She noticed some paint on Julie’s T-shirt. “Are you an artist?”
“Not really. I’m just doing a thing in the hallway.”
“May I take a look?”
“I guess.”
“I have zero artistic talent and admire anyone who can create something out of nothing. I’ve recently taken up beading and macrame, and the results of my efforts are not impressive.” She smoothed out her skirt. “But I enjoy it, so I guess that’s all that matters.” When she received a confused look, she decided not to say more and accepted that Julie's walls would take more than a minute to crumble down.
She followed the woman down the hall and stopped abruptly when the mural came into view. “Oh my goodness, this is beautiful.” She stepped closer to the wall and felt like she was enveloped in a magical ocean. The mural covered at least ten feet and was filled with sea creatures, great and small. “You are a genius.”
“I’m not. It’s just a thing that I like to do.” She ran her hand over a seahorse. “I haven’t been formally trained.”
Lucy took Julie’s hand. “This is too beautiful to be hidden on the third floor.”
