Primary Colors by Kathryn Shay Read Free Book Online

was sketchy, as he had to know the subject of the painting before he could go into detail. Swirls of pink bled out from the deepest tone to the lightest. Brushstroke after brushstroke followed.
    It wasfour in the morning before he got to the flesh tones. At 8:00 a.m., he was done. Quickly, he pivoted away from it for a minute, knowing when he turned back around, he’d be disappointed. Never in his life had he completed a painting in one sitting. And his gut told him that there was no going back to rework this one
.
    “Go on, Rafael,” he told himself. “It won’t be the first canvas you trashed.”

    When he faced it again, his jaw dropped. He’d never expected this.

 
    Chapter 6
     
    The sharp sound of hammering and of shingles slapped down onto plywood filled the early Monday morning air. Wrapped in a fall jacket, as early November had turned cool, holding two cups of steaming coffee, Nia headed outside to watch the roof take shape. They would finish this phase today, so the interior could be worked on in the colder weather. Paulina, onthe ground with a clipboard, was taking notes. Probably sensing her twin near, she looked up
.
    A smile broached Paulina’s mouth. “Oh, God, do I need that.” She hurried over to Nia. This morning, her sister’s face was relaxed and happy, rouged by weather. Her hard hat partially shaded her eyes, but Nia could see they were filled with satisfaction. At the completion of another phase of the building.And because of Adam Armstrong
.
    “Here you go.” She held out the cup of strong black coffee they both preferred
.
    “Thanks, sis.” Paulina sipped. “Hmm. There was no time for any caffeine this morning.”
    “It was a zoo.” They’d woken up late, Sal couldn’t find his backpack, Tommy had been cranky and Ben was sullen. The boys had just made it onto the school bus.
    Paulina stared ahead. “Iwonder what was wrong with my guys.”
    “Did you ask?”
    “Yeah, while they got dressed. They said ‘NOTHING!’ in capital letters.”
    Nia laughed. “They’re kids. They’re entitled to have moods.” She nodded to the music hall. “I can’t believe we’re almost done with the outside.”
    “Yeah, I like this phase.”
    “You like all the phases. You were cut out for this kind of work, Paulie.”
    “I know. Interestingly, Adam feels the same about his designs.”
    “A match made in heaven.”
    “I’ve come to see that. Hey, it was fun with Rafe at dinner that night. He’s a great guy.”
    “I’m afraid we’re taking up too much of his time.”
    “Nia, he wouldn’t have stayed for dinner if that was true. I think he genuinely likes Sal.”
    “Oh, I think so, too. He had a rough childhood, whichmade him sensitive to kids like Sal.” She hadn’t told her twin about the kiss on her forehead that night or the full-body hug when he brought her home after the rainstorm. For one thing, she didn’t want Paulina to get ideas about the two of them. But also, she’d forgotten what it felt like to be in a man’s arms, and the experience had left her nostalgic, wanting that again. And torn, of course, aboutaccepting it from another man.
    Reaching out, Paulina grasped her hand. “It’s all good, sweetie. Just enjoy it.”
    “I am.”
    Her phone buzzed. Nia slid it out of her pocket. When she saw the caller, her pulse skyrocketed. “Benjamin Franklin Elementary. Oh, my God, I hope nothing’s happened to the boys.”
    Paulina stiffened. “Answer it.” Her voice was hoarse.
    “Nia speaking.”
    “Mrs.Pettrone, this is Carrie Anderson from your son’s school?”
    “Yes, Mrs. Anderson. Has something happened?”
    “Everybody’s physically safe, but you and your sister need to come over to the school.”
    To Paulie, she said, “They’re okay.” Into the phone, “Why?”
    “Your three boys were involved in a fight after they got off the bus. I think it started on the ride over.”
    “Who did they fightwith?”
    “Each other.”
    “We’ll be right there,