Page 10 of Her Cowboy Christmas
“Careful on the ice,” Cole says, reaching out to take my hand as I wobble.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.Did the bank give you a budget?”he asks as we head inside.
“Keep it under five hundred.The plan is to build it this year, and my boss said he’ll store it at his place for next year’s Winter Festival.”
Cole nods and grabs a cart, leading me down the aisles to the paint.“Do we have a color in mind?”
“Well, white and black for the igloo.For the tables, I’m thinking black, red, and green?”
“The darker colors will look better with the lights.Make them stand out more,” he agrees.
I smile.“Right, good point.”
I peruse the paint samples for a minute, and Cole stands patiently, watching me.
“Which one?”I ask, holding up samples of various shades of green.
“I like that one.”He points to my favorite.
“Okay, I think we’ll get these five.”
He takes the samples from me.I let him handle ordering the paint while I grab paintbrushes, a drop cloth, and a few other supplies.
I keep peeking glances at Cole as he talks to the guy mixing our paint.I remember Larsen’s words and wonder if she could be right.Does Cole like me?Does he… want me?
“Ready for the wood?”
I startle from my thoughts, and my mouth drops open when I register his question.“What?”I squeak.
Cole frowns.
I clear my throat.
“The wood section.Are we heading there, or did you need more supplies?”he clarifies.
“Oh.Yeah, I’m good.Let’s go.”
We head to the plywood aisle and grab a few pieces.By now, the cart is pretty full, so Cole gets another cart for two folding tables and a few more pieces of wood.
“All set?”he asks.
“I think so.I’ll grab the decorations later.”
I pay at the checkout, and Cole insists on loading the truck while I sit inside with the heat on.
“Your place or mine?”he asks as he gets into the truck.
“Mine is closer.”
Once we get the supplies upstairs to my apartment, I unlock the door.It takes us all of two seconds to realize that my place is way too small to carry out the work.
“Um…” I look around, trying to come up with a solution.
“My place?”Cole asks.
I nod sheepishly.“Yeah.Sorry.”
