Page 27 of Arranging Ayra
“Good to have you on our team,” Jai said as he patted my shoulder.
“If I could pass everything by you, it would make things so much easier,” Cindy added.
“Enough sucking up,” I said with a laugh. “We’ve got work to do.”
We paired up, working two to a window. I again worked with Jodi who proved a pro at putting up curtain rods, ensuring they were sturdy and straight. Within the hour we had four windows properly dressed.
“We’re almost finished with this last one,” Cindy called as she and Jai put the finishing touch to the last drape then climbed down the ladder.
“I can’t imagine why Keely would have preferred the golden curtains,” I said, gazing at our handiwork. “The red is so fiery and gorgeous.”
“Just so you know,” Cindy said. “If she chews me out about them, I’m pointing my finger directly at you.”
I nodded my acceptance of that possible outcome.
“Now,” she went on with a clap of her hands. “All that’s left is the placement of our simple, yet elegant wreaths.” She pulled them out of the large box in the corner. “Hmm, a little blander than I expected.”
“We could add a few sprigs of red berries,” Jodi suggested.
“Good idea,” I said, happy to see her growing more and more confident.
I grabbed a few sprigs from the craft bag that had been brought into the room and strategically placed them in the two larger wreaths.
“Good. Now,” Cindy said. “Where do we put them?”
“I’d say about seven feet up on that wall,” Jai said. “And one there and another one up there,” he added, as he pointed out prospective spots.
“Since you’re so good at this,” Cindy said with a laugh as she set a wreath over his head and around his neck. “You can start with this one.”
She turned to Jodi and set a smaller wreath on her head. “Find a spot for this smaller one.”
“What about me?” I said, pouting like a child.
“Sorry. Nothing for you.”
“I’ll give you mine,” Jai said, taking the wreath from around his neck and setting it on me as I tried to slap it away.
Jodi giggled which prompted Cindy to chuckle which then had Jai and I laughing.
“Come on, guys,” Cindy said. “We have to work.”
We all fell silent for a guilty second, then burst out laughing even louder.
“Well, you guys sure are having fun,” Keely called out as she walked in.
We all zipped up as if our mother had caught us doing something bad. Discreetly setting our wreaths aside we stood stiff, side by side, waiting for her reprisal.
“At ease, soldiers,” she said with a snicker. “I didn’t mean to come in and ruin your fun.”
“Of course not,” I said relaxing my suddenly tense shoulders. “You just startled us, that’s all.”
“Well,” Keely said. “When you’ve had enough of your fun and games, come join us in the living room. Barn and I went out to get some pizza and we’re going to watch an older version ofPride and Prejudice.”
“Sounds great,” I said. “We’ll be right there.”
“In the meantime,” Cindy said. “What do you think of what we’ve done so far?”
Keely’s response was a simple thumb’s up as she walked out.
