“You see this stair wainscotting? That color is the closest I could find to the natural color we should be going for.” When Colton remained quiet, I began slowly flipping the pages, showing him the other examples that I found using the same stain color. “What do you think?”

Instead of answering, Colton placed the brush gently on the top of the can and turned to face me. “You really enjoy this, don’t you?”

“Enjoy what?”

“Bringing things to life. It’s why you enjoy event planning. Taking an idea and watching it come alive. I can see why you were so excited about buying this place.”

“Well. . .um. . .”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. You should just know that I appreciate all the work you’ve put into this.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, safely securing the pictures back into the binder. “So, do you think you have something like that color?”

“Maybe not exact, but something close. But let’s look at all of them. You never know if inspiration will strike.”

Agreeing, I watched as he laid down the four other stain colors. Two struck me right away and I let Colton know the ones I favored. Thankfully, he agreed and we closed up the rejects.

As we cleaned up the mess, I suggested we take the stained pieces inside before we made a final decision to see how they would look in the space. Colton was hesitant since there was no electrical yet, but there was enough sun from the day where we could get an idea of what it would look like.

We gathered everything outside because of the impending storm that was approaching faster than I had expected. Driving back home was going to be hell. I’d never enjoyed driving in the rain, let alone a storm of this magnitude. Even though my parents were literally next door, I was already growing anxious, but I tried not to let Colton know.

“Let me start the generator really quick, just in case we want to see what it looks like under lights.”

“That’s a good idea,” I said as I followed him inside with the molding tucked under my arms and two stain cans stacked in my other hand.

Soon the house filled with the sound of buzzing from the generator as it kicked in as I made my way back to the library. The sound of my shoes pattering on the floor meshed with the buzz, reminding me of the clatter of a gentle rain. Glancing out one of the large paned windows, the angry clouds closing in reminded me that the storm was going to be anything but gentle.

I could hear Colton’s heavy footsteps advancing as I set the items in the library.

I should probably text my parents and let them know where I am, I thought to myself.

Colton didn’t say anything as he moved the molding toward the window to see how they looked in the natural light.

“What do you think?” he asked, taking a step back and almost barreling into me as I came to examine our choices.

I set the binder on one of the open shelves of the bookshelf and narrowed my gaze at the two pieces. One of the colors spoke to me like a siren’s call and I could only hope that Colton felt the same. The other reminded me of spilled red wine that had dried on an oak floor.

It wasn’t my choice to make, so as I glanced up at Colton, I waited to hear his response. Though I was willing to fight tooth and nail for him to consider my choice.

His eyes darted back and forth between the two. Those powerful hands and rough, callused fingers rubbed against the scruff of his chin as he considered his options.

“It’s got to be the one on the left, right?”

My eyes grew double their size at his suggestion. “What?”

“Yeah. Clearly, the redder stain is the obvious choice. Look how lively it is in the space.” Colton’s hand splayed out as if his choice needed no explanation.

“I’m sorry, but are you serious right now?” I asked, fists balled on my hips as I stared him down. “You cannot tell me that you think the stain on the left is a better choice than the one on the right?”

“What? You’re joking, right? The left is so much livelier.”

“Colton. That stain looks like dried blood on the floor. You cannot stain your entire library that color.”

“You’re right, I can’t stain my entire library that color.”

“Colton, we need to have a serious discus. . .wait, what?”

“I’m just messing with you, Autumn. The left looks awful in here. The one on the right is the best one,” he said with a chuckle, the joy from his joke illuminating his face. I loved his smile and I wanted nothing more to see it every day.

Shoving his bicep with all the strength I could muster; I frowned when the man barely budged. “That was mean. I thought you were going nuts, Colton. That color is awful.”

“It really is. I immediately knew it was wrong for this space, but I couldn’t help but play a joke on you a little bit.”

“Well, at least I know you don’t need your eyes checked. Let’s turn on a light to see how it looks.”

Colton quickly moved the molding we chose away from the window and under one of the lamps he’d brought into the space. It was a floor lamp that looked like it had spent some time in a bachelor pad or two.

Even under the gross white light, the color looked amazing.

“Nice job, partner. I think we have successfully chosen a stain for the entire house.”

Gleefully, I bounced in place while I clapped. “This is so exciting! I can’t believe we made such a big decision already.”

“I like that, you know,” Colton said as he set down the wood against the pile of sheets and turned to face me.

Calming down, I asked, “What’s that?”

“That you said we,” he replied as he stepped closer until our bodies were inches apart. His deft fingers reached out and quickly untied the straps of the toolbelt wrapped around my waist while never taking his eyes off mine. He was going to kiss me again. I could see it in the lusty haze in his eyes. I was certain it mirrored my own. We were alone in the house I’d dreamed of living in with no one to interrupt us.

Except for Mother Nature.

Lightning and thunder cracked outside the house, startling both of us.

“Shit, that was close. I need to cut off the generator and gather any loose items from outside.”

“Let me help.”

Quickly, we dashed from the house and I grabbed any loose buckets or tools I found sitting outside and tucked them into the house for safety. Just as I did my last pass around the house, the sky opened up. Within seconds my clothes were soaked through and I was certain my blonde hair was nothing more than a gross rat’s nest. My waves had a way of betraying me whenever they got wet.

“Autumn!”

I heard my name from behind the house and I scurried from around the front as I called out Colton’s name. I wasn’t sure he could hear me over the sound of the thunder clapping in the sky.

Twice I tripped in the mud, my clothes now covered in muck as I found Colton anxiously looking around as he hollered my name.

“Autumn!”

“Colton! I’m here!” I yelled back. The relief on his face when he saw me would be something I would never forget, but as lightning lit up the sky, I was going to have to think about that at another time.