Somebody's Hero. Marilyn Pappano

didn’t speak. “My furniture’s arriving next week, and I’ll be getting rid of some of Edna’s stuff. That way I’ll know where to take it.”

      He still didn’t say anything.

      “I can pay for the stuff for the steps, too. And I’d like to get some paint samples. I really want to paint the house, both inside and out. I’m guessing they sell paint there, too. I mean, what’s the use of lumber without paint to put on it? Well, that’s a dumb question. We’re living in a pile of lumber with very little paint. But anyway—”

      He raised one hand, and she gratefully stopped talking. “Okay.” That was all he said, then he walked around the truck and climbed behind the wheel.

      Jayne stood there a moment, surprised by his easy concession, before turning and hurrying into the house. Lucy was still in the bathroom, the water running in the sink, so she washed her hands at the kitchen sink, then went into her bedroom. “Luce! Hurry up in there! We’re going into town with Tyler!”

      There was nothing she could do with her hair, but she did a quick makeup job—foundation, eye shadow, eyeliner and lipstick. She met Lucy in the hall outside the bathroom, her hair damp where she’d combed it down. Lucy puckered up for a kiss, and Jayne bent, but instead her daughter blew minty-fresh breath full-force in her face. “Better?”

      “Much. Let’s go.”

      Lucy raced across the yard while Jayne locked up. By the time she’d reached the truck, Lucy was already buckled into the center section of the bench seat and swinging her feet, chattering about her very first ever pickup ride.

      Compulsively neat, responsible and endlessly patient. Jayne was learning more about her neighbor every day.

      And appreciating it.