Page 218 of Hidden Nature

“If you really don’t, maybe you want to go by and take a look. I know the rosy pink won’t work, but you could paint them a deep coral, even red. They’re in excellent shape and priced to sell. So I asked Deke to put a hold them. Just in case.”

“Coral,” Sloan murmured.

“You’re more than handy enough to take care of that. And they have some nice little tables. You need small-scale. You’d want something on the other side of the porch for balance. Maybe a plant stand or a small glider or porch swing.”

“I was going to look for chairs, then I didn’t take the time. These would work great.”

“If you’re not too busy, you could come with me, drop these pieces off at Hideaway, then go back to Deke’s. I’ve got the truck.”

She hadn’t finished her Saturday routine, and when she had, she’d planned to settle in her office, go over the missing investigation from the beginning.

But.

“Let me grab my purse and a jacket.”

“You’re doing such a good job on this house, Sloan.” As she waited, Elsie looked around. “I’m so happy you found a place that makes you happy. And Drea’s going to look at another house today. Drea and Theo. I’m so grateful to have both my girls close. Happy and close.”

Swinging on a jacket, Sloan walked out with her.

“Tell me what’s next for you.”

“I think the patio.” Sloan climbed in the passenger side. “Might as well finish the exterior and have the rest of the spring and summer to enjoy it. Which means…”

“Patio furniture.” Elsie wiggled her shoulders, rubbed her hands together. “Oh, boy! Jackpot Saturday for me!”

As she pulled out, turned, a car slipped in behind them.

“A pretty little patio scaled to the house, then you’ve got enough yard for a birdbath, maybe a bench.”

“Nash is in love with me.”

Sloan didn’t know why she just blurted it out that way. Maybe because it stayed nestled inside her like a secret since he’d told her.

“Yes, baby, I know.”

“How do you know? He only told me a couple nights ago.”

“Because I love you, too, and I’ve got eyes. I knew he was…smitten’s not the right word for Nash. Theo, but not Nash. I knew he was intrigued and attracted right off. And like Theo with Drea, the smitten and intrigued went deeper.”

“I’ve got eyes. I’ve got really good, observant eyes, and I didn’t see it.”

Elsie’s smile spread slow and warm. “Because you had a blind spot from being in love with him. He’s a good man, and God, he suits you.”

“You think?”

“I don’t have to think when I know. Theo and Drea, they’ll be giddy for a while, keep walking a foot above the ground. Then they’ll come down and make a good life together. You and Nash have your feet planted. You’re one-step-at-a-time people. Drea and Theo are leap-right-in.”

She made the turn around the lake, then into the parking slab of the rental.

“It didn’t give you a littlehmmm? Drea, Theo, me, Nash?”

“It’s nice and tidy, isn’t it?” Elsie said, and made Sloan laugh.

By the time she got out, the trailing car had continued on. Shehelped Elsie carry in the new-old pieces, and carry out what her mother decided to replace.

“Now the fun begins,” Elsie declared, and drove into town. “Spring’s settling in. Still too soon to plant—but not for pansies. A pretty pot of pansies would look so good on your porch.”

“You’re going to have it decorated before I can blink.”

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