The Register

Chapter 4: Painting

Liam's stop at Lowe's was efficient. We drove around to the back of the store where there were several loading docks. "I'm just going to leave the truck running," he said, hopping out. "That way, you can enjoy the air conditioning."

"Nonsense!" I argued, turning off the ignition and throwing his keys to him. I hopped out of the truck and walked around to where he was standing. "We don't need to pollute the air on my account."

With a grin, he responded, "All right then." Damn, I knew from then on I'd be trying to make him smile all the time because his was so endearing.

Liam gave a receipt to a Lowe's employee dressed in cargo pants and a red vest that bore the name of the store. The man then disappeared into the back of the store with another red-vested employee and Liam opened the tailgate. Before I knew it, the truck was filled with boxes upon boxes upon boxes, almost all the exact size and shape. "Curtain rods," he informed me as two men laid the last box in the truck bed.

"Ahh," I teased. "I was thinking we were coming here for something more manly like a chainsaw."

I could tell that he was amused by my deliberate stereotype, this time releasing a small laugh in addition to his stellar smile. "Not sure if you know this, but most people don't use a chainsaw when they're renovating a house. Maybe when they're building it from scratch, but we're way past that point."

I climbed into the passenger seat once again. Instead of dropping me off at WalMart while he had gone to Lowe's, I had decided I wanted to go to Meijer and Liam decided to come with me. There were no Meijer stores in California and I had actually missed the place more than I realized. He went off to find a few things when we arrived, and then he met up with me in the freezer section. We chatted haltingly while I chose some things to at least get me through the weekend. I had to stock up on staples like spices and baking supplies, but I figured I'd do it a little at a time and see how fast I went through food once I started working at the inn and eating on occasion with the Styles family. Of course, I had to find ice cream; that was an essential item that always had a dedicated space in my freezer.

"Yes! Hudsonville is on sale!" I cheered, carefully perusing the available flavors.

"Are you going to pick one?" Liam teased gently after about three solid minutes of me just looking.

"I'm going to pick more than one," I laughed. "But I still can't decide. This ice cream is the best! Have you tried it?"

"Can't say that I have."

I put my hands on my hips and cocked my head. "You grew up in Michigan and you've never tried Hudsonville ice cream? Shame on you!"

He matched my pose, saying, "Well, in my defense, I spent some of my most formative years in a boarding school in England."

"That explains the English accent then," I bantered.

"Well, that and my mother is from England as well."

"I see," I said. "How about this? You pick a flavor and I'll pick one? Then you can try some when we get back." It dawned on me that I may have been flirting but I made no attempt to stop.

"What if I choose a flavor you don't like?" He asked.

"Impossible!" I answered, shaking my head. "But if that truly happens, then you're welcome to take the whole container home."

He leaned in close and began musing, "Hmmm, do they have sushi flavor?"

"Ew," I said, making an exaggerated gagging noise. "I like sushi but never, never  mixed with ice cream."