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TESS TILTED HER head to one side, studying her newly arranged display of sample ceramic tiles. She had just added a line of sculpted tiles she really liked. The manufacturer did custom work, too. She didn’t get a lot of customers who could afford the custom route, but once in a while...
“Tess, someone to see you,” Greg called.
“I’m back in tile!”
Aside from the window displays, which included wallpaper, tile and window treatments, the front of the store and most of the square footage was given to samples of wood, laminate and vinyl flooring as well as carpet. One wall was devoted to blinds and other window treatments. Tiles were displayed in a large nook tucked behind the office area, and wallpaper books filled their own room. Customers serious about selecting wallpaper could spend hours back there, leafing through books.
She turned, a welcoming smile pinned into place. When a tall, lean man appeared, she did a double-take.
“Zach.”
He was impressive in his uniform, but no less so in well-worn jeans that hugged the long muscles of his thighs, athletic shoes and a long-sleeved, black, crewneck T-shirt. Each time she saw him, she was startled anew at the vivid blue of his eyes. His aura of intensity wasn’t softened by his friendly smile. He had tamped down the desolation, or maybe only aloneness, she’d seen before. Only shadows remained.
“Nice place,” he said. His gaze having taken her in thoroughly, he scanned the display. “Hey, I like these.” He headed straight for the new tiles, picking up one with beautifully detailed leaves and a rustic bronze glaze. He flipped it over, saw the price and winced. “Well, that’s not happening.”
Tess couldn’t help herself. She automatically went into sales mode. “You could use them sparingly, sprinkled among plain tiles of the same color. I sometimes think the effect is even better.”
Zach set the one he held back in its place and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans, the smile more in his eyes now than on his lips. “I’ll keep that in mind. First things first. The roof, then the plumbing. Not to mention the fixtures, faucets and cabinets.”
“The roof?”
He grimaced. “My new nine-year-old neighbor told me today that his dad says it’s more velvety than the greens at Pebble Beach.”
“That bad, huh?”
“Yep. Actually, I stopped by because I got to thinking you might be able to recommend some contractors or just plain laborers. I’ll probably need help at several stages.”
“Beginning with the roof.” Tess smiled. “Already met your neighbors, huh?”
“The mom and two kids on one side. I said a bad word and managed to shock the little girl.”
Tess laughed. “I didn’t know kids could be shocked anymore.” She nodded toward a doorway. “Come on into my office. I’ll dig up some names for you.”
She stopped on the way to introduce him to Greg. As tall as Zach but lanky, with a likable quality that helped with business, Greg had celebrated his fortieth birthday in January. After blowing out the candles, he had insisted with complete confidence that he didn’t look a day over thirty. He’d just grinned and run his hand over his receding hairline when his wife giggled.
He and Zach shook hands and assessed each other, the way men did, after which Zach followed her into her cramped office, thereby shrinking it further. It was something of a relief to squeeze between her desk and one of too many metal filing cabinets to sink into a chair.
“I see you dazzle your customers with your clever use of a small space,” he commented with an undertone of amusement.
Tess gave him a look. “I don’t let most customers see my office.”
He just laughed.
She reached for her card file. “Do you need skilled roofers or just day laborers?”
He sat across from her, stretching out his long legs comfortably and crossing them at the ankles. “Maybe some of both. I’m a decent roofer, but I don’t want to be the only one who knows what I’m doing. On the other hand, a beefy guy or two to heft bundles of shingles up a ladder to the roof would be welcome, too.”
She thought he had plenty of muscle to do the job. Afraid she might be blushing, Tess concentrated on flipping through the cards, jotting down a name and number when an appropriate one jumped out at her.