places change her life? Taking a steadying breath, she dropped her purse on the ground and lowered into one of the swings. She pulled on the chain and bounced a couple of times, testing it. Thankfully, it seemed sturdy and strong enough to hold her weight.
“ I’d like to rebuild this playground.” Jackson dropped down into the swing beside her, grimacing at the rusty iron chains. “Meaning this is a two-project offer, if you’re willing.”
This is a surprise. “I’ve never heard of decorating a playground before.”
“ In this case, it’s helping with the selection and placement of the equipment, colors to use, that sort of thing.”
“ So, you want me to take care of the esthetics while you take care of the logistics?”
“ Right. I’ll take care of getting the permits, licenses and other legalities if you’ll help me with the rest.”
She hesitated. “Need I remind you, I’m an interior decorator, not an...exterior one. I’m not sure what a project like this would involve. Have you talked to the town engineer and planner?”
“ We’ve been in preliminary talks and there’s an initial planning meeting set up in Town Hall at the end of next week.”
“ Then I’m sure they’ll be able to give you all the direction you need.”
“ Okay, I’ll tell you another thing about me.” Jackson blew out a sigh. “I stink at fundraising, and I was hoping you’d be willing to help.”
Ah, there it was. The bottom-line reason he needed her for this project. The thing Jackson couldn ’t know was it intimidated her. “I’ll tell you another thing about me ,” she said. “I’m not the best with people.” She hesitated. “Interior decorating allows me to work one-on-one for the most part. I like that.” Pushing off from the ground, Serenity started to swing and Jackson followed suit.
“ I saw the way the locals in the coffee shop watched you today,” he said. “They admire you, and I’d venture to say they’re protective of you. Kind of brings that fierce loyalty you mentioned into play.”
She pondered his comment as they passed each other on the swings. “I think rebuilding the playground is a very worthwhile project, Jackson, but the obvious question is, why are you doing this? Isn’t it enough to move to a new town and set up your practice? That’ll take a huge chunk of your time, as it is.” He kept pace beside her on the swing, but Serenity slowed, not putting much effort into it as her mind worked overtime.
Surprising her, he chuckled. “I like to get involved and plug into projects as I see the need. Obviously, the need is here. If I find I’m getting in over my head, one thing I do very well is recruit.”
“ I can see that. But where did you come up with the idea for renovating the playground? Surely you weren’t walking around this neighborhood and stumbled upon it?” Stopping her swing, she lightly kicked a piece of broken pavement with her foot to reinforce her point.
“ Actually, Charlie mentioned it to me.” Jackson stopped beside her.
“ I see.” Charlie had been busy. “I’ve known Charlie as long as I can remember,” she said. “When did you meet him?”
“ A couple of days ago. He stopped by the office to leave something for Doc Rasmussen. We got to talking and ended up having lunch together. He’s a great guy with a wealth of wisdom.” He made a “V” with two fingers and positioned them between his brows. “It’s all in the eyes, you know.”
“ Good assessment, and I completely agree. Charlie retired from his accounting practice a few years ago. I’m sure you could recruit him for the playground renovation, too.”
Jackson ’s grin was slow and easy. “Already done. He’s the one who suggested I ask you .”
“ Let’s look at this objectively.” Serenity caught his curious glance as he passed by on the swing. “You hardly know me and vice versa. Why would you invest such an important job in a stranger?”
“ First of all,
“ I’d like to rebuild this playground.” Jackson dropped down into the swing beside her, grimacing at the rusty iron chains. “Meaning this is a two-project offer, if you’re willing.”
This is a surprise. “I’ve never heard of decorating a playground before.”
“ In this case, it’s helping with the selection and placement of the equipment, colors to use, that sort of thing.”
“ So, you want me to take care of the esthetics while you take care of the logistics?”
“ Right. I’ll take care of getting the permits, licenses and other legalities if you’ll help me with the rest.”
She hesitated. “Need I remind you, I’m an interior decorator, not an...exterior one. I’m not sure what a project like this would involve. Have you talked to the town engineer and planner?”
“ We’ve been in preliminary talks and there’s an initial planning meeting set up in Town Hall at the end of next week.”
“ Then I’m sure they’ll be able to give you all the direction you need.”
“ Okay, I’ll tell you another thing about me.” Jackson blew out a sigh. “I stink at fundraising, and I was hoping you’d be willing to help.”
Ah, there it was. The bottom-line reason he needed her for this project. The thing Jackson couldn ’t know was it intimidated her. “I’ll tell you another thing about me ,” she said. “I’m not the best with people.” She hesitated. “Interior decorating allows me to work one-on-one for the most part. I like that.” Pushing off from the ground, Serenity started to swing and Jackson followed suit.
“ I saw the way the locals in the coffee shop watched you today,” he said. “They admire you, and I’d venture to say they’re protective of you. Kind of brings that fierce loyalty you mentioned into play.”
She pondered his comment as they passed each other on the swings. “I think rebuilding the playground is a very worthwhile project, Jackson, but the obvious question is, why are you doing this? Isn’t it enough to move to a new town and set up your practice? That’ll take a huge chunk of your time, as it is.” He kept pace beside her on the swing, but Serenity slowed, not putting much effort into it as her mind worked overtime.
Surprising her, he chuckled. “I like to get involved and plug into projects as I see the need. Obviously, the need is here. If I find I’m getting in over my head, one thing I do very well is recruit.”
“ I can see that. But where did you come up with the idea for renovating the playground? Surely you weren’t walking around this neighborhood and stumbled upon it?” Stopping her swing, she lightly kicked a piece of broken pavement with her foot to reinforce her point.
“ Actually, Charlie mentioned it to me.” Jackson stopped beside her.
“ I see.” Charlie had been busy. “I’ve known Charlie as long as I can remember,” she said. “When did you meet him?”
“ A couple of days ago. He stopped by the office to leave something for Doc Rasmussen. We got to talking and ended up having lunch together. He’s a great guy with a wealth of wisdom.” He made a “V” with two fingers and positioned them between his brows. “It’s all in the eyes, you know.”
“ Good assessment, and I completely agree. Charlie retired from his accounting practice a few years ago. I’m sure you could recruit him for the playground renovation, too.”
Jackson ’s grin was slow and easy. “Already done. He’s the one who suggested I ask you .”
“ Let’s look at this objectively.” Serenity caught his curious glance as he passed by on the swing. “You hardly know me and vice versa. Why would you invest such an important job in a stranger?”
“ First of all,
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