The Spigot,
Chapter four
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| WATERCOLOR BY ELAINE |
Mel leaned against the door as Philippe turned and disappeared down the darkened street.
When she went inside, she got a drink of water, trying to clear her head. Was it the dancing and the wine, or was she falling for Philippe? She imagined him pulling her close, kissing her deeply and long.
But he hadn’t. Why? She pondered this as she readied herself for bed. The window was open, and the sound of the running spigot lulled her to sleep.
On Sunday she unpacked more boxes, mostly art supplies and a few of her most valued paintings which she promptly hung. She also found some precious trinkets that were her mother’s, now hers. A large silver swan that she loved she placed on the coffee table. Soon the interior of her home had a more personal, lived-in look.
Steaming coffee in hand, she sat on the bench in her garden, deep in thought. What was next for her in this new life? Could she earn a living as a full-time artist? Was Philippe going to be a part of that life?
“May I intrude on your thoughts. I knocked on the front door. I thought I might find you out here,” Philippe said, putting his hand on her shoulder.
“You startled me,” Mel said, turning to face him.
“Mind if I sit with you awhile?”
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| together in the garden watercolor by Elaine |
“No, of course join me.” She paused. “I was just thinking about you.” She felt a flush of color rise in her cheeks. “Oops!” she thought.
“You were?” Philippe was surprised. “And why is that?”
She realized she needed to respond with something sensible. “I… I was thinking how much you have done to make my house so comfortable,” she managed. “And in such a short time.”
“I am happy you are pleased. That is why I dropped by. To go over the final plans for the back yard… your studio with a view!” He pointed to the landscape that rolled out before them, like Joseph’s coat of many colors.
“We can continue the work tomorrow. I wanted to go over the plans to be certain that I captured your vision. We will take the old shower unless you want to keep it. We can also get rid of the running spigot and put in a proper artist’s work sink. “He paused to give Mel time to think. “How does that sound to you?”
“I certainly do not want to keep that shower, now that you installed a lovely new one inside!” She laughed. “As for the spigot, please do not take it away! It is part of the lore of this house! “She was surprised by her vehemence.
“Ok. We keep the spigot. Here is a sketch of the new studio which will take up most of the back of your house.” Once again, he paused. “And most of your back yard, but, of course, we will not touch this garden sanctuary.”
“I like your plan, Philippe. It will be perfect. The Carrara marble patio will make a perfect place for entertaining as well,” she smiled at him.
“Good. Then we will start tomorrow. Just be aware it will be quite a dirty process as we dig up your yard to lay a foundation for the studio and patio! Noisy, too. Hope you are prepared for that,” he added.
“That’s okay. I remember when my parents added a new wing onto our house. It was a huge mess for months.”
“I do not think our construction will take more than a week. Your artisan shelving and cabinets are already in the hands of an incredibly talented artisan carpenter. Not only will the units be useful, but, more importantly, they will be beautiful.”
Mel beamed.
Philippe rose to leave. “One more thing … if I find buried pirate treasure, then you won’t mind if I keep it?”
“Now, you’re just being silly.”
They laughed at the joke together. A kiss on the cheek, and he was gone, still laughing.
Mel overslept the next morning, wakened by a tank tearing down the house. She leapt out of bed and ran into the kitchen where she was met once again by the aromas of bacon and coffee.
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| Coffee is ready Watercolor by Elaine |
“Breakfast is ready. The door was unlocked. Hope you don’t mind,” Philippe said, turning toward her.
Mel in her nightgown was caught off guard. He pulled her toward him and planted a kiss on her lips. “sit down,” he said, smiling broadly. “Coffee is ready, just the way you like it.”
“What …” Looking for the right words, “Is breakfast everyday included with the purchase of the house?” Mel didn’t know whether to be annoyed or happy.
“Would you like it to be? he said, putting a cup of coffee in her hands.
Confused, “I … uh”
“I warned you about the ruckus. Sounds like an armored tank, doesn’t it?”
Utterly confused, Mel sat at the table for petit dejeuner with this man who perplexed her. What gave him the right to enter her home unannounced … kiss her lips?
Want to know what happens next? Read chapter 5 in two weeks!
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