Lonestar Homecoming by Colleen Coble Read Free Book Online

like that. I consider it an asset. It’s another layer of senses. Studies show many babies and children have the ability to taste or see sounds.”
    â€œYou’re kidding! What does sound taste like?”
    She decided not to get into specifics. “It might be how some metaphors came into being. Such as the night being like black velvet. The simile combines sight and touch.”
    â€œSo what do you see and taste?”
    â€œAll of us are different. I see shapes and colors when I hear music. And I sometimes taste sounds.” And voices , she could have added, but she didn’t want to go there. “So hearing your favorite music helps me picture a design that would be pleasing to you.”
    â€œMy favorite music artist is Alan Jackson.”
    â€œDo you have a CD in the house? I haven’t actually listened to any of his music.”
    â€œI have it on my iPod.” He fished a small Shuffle out of his pocket and handed it to her. “It’s all Jackson.”
    She hated seeing music for the first time with someone watching. If only she’d figured out a way to get the information without telling him. She held the earbuds close to her ears and played the first song. “Gone Country” blared into her ears. Flashes of color exploded in her vision.Terracotta and periwinkle flowers erupted on a gray-green background. Lowering the earbuds, she handed the iPod back to Michael.
    â€œYou know just what to do now?” His eyes held sharp interest.
    She nodded. “I think so. For the living room, I’d—”
    He held up his hand. “No, don’t tell me. I’m just going to let you do it. I want to see what you come up with.”
    â€œBut what if you hate it?”
    â€œHas anyone ever hated it?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œThen I won’t either. It’s in your hands.”
    â€œThat’s scary.”
    He grinned. “Rick knows a neighbor with a crew cab truck for sale. I’m going to go buy it this morning.”
    â€œI’ll jot down some ideas.”
    â€œWhen I get back this afternoon, let’s take the kids to town for ice cream. I’ll drop you at the hardware store and you can get paint. There’s a small furniture store right next door. Get what you need.”
    She managed to maintain her composure, though inside she was dancing.The house was like a tomb. No color, no life. But that was about to change. “Budget?”
    â€œI’ve got five thousand dollars saved.Will that do it?”
    â€œI can stretch that to do the whole house.”
    His eyes widened. “No kidding?”
    She nodded and glanced around. “I can make curtains, and slipcovers for the sofa. Same with bedding for the kids’ rooms. I can paint those old beds and dressers. Paint is cheap.”
    â€œWhat about this lousy floor?”
    She glanced around the kitchen. “This will take more money than anything else. A new floor and counter will cost, but I can tile it for much less than buying something prefab.”
    He studied her face. “You changed the minute we started talking about this. Five minutes ago you were a frightened mouse. Now your color is up, and your eyes are sparkling.”
    She laced her fingers together. “It’s something I know.”
    â€œSounds like it.” He pulled out his phone. “I need to call your references now. Can you give me a couple?”
    She nodded and dug out her cell phone, then jotted down two numbers on an old envelope. “This is the day-care director’s number. And the next number is my last client’s. Please don’t tell them where I am, though. Just in case Cid—” She shut up at her own mention of Cid’s name. Michael was smart enough to make a note of it.
    She fixed herself some cereal while he stepped into the other room and made the calls. Her references would be stellar, at least. She was a good employee. She’d work her fingers