Primary Colors by Kathryn Shay Page A

long-rooted weed. “More so now that they’re separated. It always drives them crazy.”
    “Interesting.”
    The bright rays beamed down on them. And the rich scent ofloam rose up to her as they worked for a half hour. Nia couldn’t help but think the warm weather was a blessing of sorts
.
    Rafe got the wheelbarrow from the garage and carted the brush to the curb, to be picked up by the city. When he returned, Nia was sitting at a table on the patio. “Can I pour you some?” She nodded to the coffeepot. “I brought milk and sugar and even whipped cream.”
    “You remembered.” He stretched out his legs and linked his hands behind his neck as she poured the coffee. “
Matka
made some
packzi
.”
    “They look like donuts. The Polish kind, I guess.” He studied her, then sat up, leaned over and, with his sleeve, wiped her face.
    “Dirty?”
    “Cute.”
    “Oh, yeah.”
    “Digging in the dirt is earthy. Good for the soul.”
    “You know, I feel connected tonature when I do it.”
    “Me, too. What else do you do with your free time besides keep a garden?”
    “I don’t have much free time. I’m so busy with work and home.”
    “Nothing you do just for yourself?”
    She thought for a moment. “I used to hike. Peter and I went out all the time. We strapped Sal in a baby pack after he was born.”
    “Are those good memories, Nia, or do they make you sadder?”

    “They used to make me sad. In the last year, they’ve made me feel better.”
    “I’m glad to hear that.”
    “Are you?”
    “Yes, Nia Pettrone. I am.”
    oOo
    As he drove back to the city, Rafe was smiling. He could still see beautiful Nia, dirt on her face, some in her hair, confiding personal things. He’d been thinking about her—a lot—since she’d been to his loft and he’d donethe painting. If he was completely truthful with himself, he’d admit he had a hard time thinking about anything else. But today, he believed she’d told him she was overcoming her grief, ready, maybe, to move on.
    As he navigated the roads, he thought of how she came with a lot of baggage. A kid. A close family. He guessed he was ready for that, but he’d never be sure. Anyway, this was the earlystages of their relationship.
    Nia would probably be surprised to think they had one. But they did. And he was determined to see where it led.

 
    Chapter 7
     
    On Friday, Nia took the subway into the city with Sofia. Her sister, who lived and taught in Queens, had a doctor’s appointment with a renowned oncologist in Manhattan. Every three years since she was declared cancer free, Sofia was screened for the disease. Every time, one of her siblings went with her. Sofia took the checkup—with its potential of bad news—inher typical Zen fashion, but whoever accompanied her was a wreck. Nia sat in the waiting room, trying to distract herself.
    Her mind turned to Rafe, to four days ago when he’d come out to see why she’d canceled his lesson with Sal. He’d dug in the dirt with her, understood her punishment of her son and offered to help out. There were so many interesting facets to him. Did she want what hadstarted between them to go further?
    “I’m all done.” Sofia, tall and willowy, with the straightest and lankest of hair, stood before her smiling.
    Nia swallowed hard. “It went well?”
    “Yes, honey, as it has for the last fifteen years. I wish you all wouldn’t worry so much.”
    Nia glanced away from her sister
.
    “Oh, God, I’m sorry.” She plunked down next to Nia. “Of course you worryafter what you’ve been through. You don’t trust the universe anymore.”
    Facing Sofia, she asked, “But you do, Sof. After considerable tragedy in your life.”
    “It was either that or spend that life, which I’m very happy to have ahead of me, in a high state of anxiety. I choose not to live that way.”
    “I love that about you.” Her voice full of emotion, Nia took a deep breath. “I’m justglad you’re okay.” They left the office and