Chapter 19

nineteen

JACOB

Staining a deck wouldn’t rank high on most people’s list of things to do on their vacation, but I wasn’t most people.

My visits home had been few and far between. Standing outside, working on the home I’d spent months planning, was more like therapy than hard work.

Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I took a moment to survey what I’d done. Dark wood, gleaming from a fresh coat of stain, ran the length of the upper floor deck. At the rate I was going, I’d be finished by tomorrow afternoon.

Next on my list was sorting through the boxes in the garage. I had no idea what was inside half of them but, by the end of the week, I’d know exactly what I was keeping and what would go to the local thrift store. There might even be a few things I could donate to the tiny home village.

I turned around as a vehicle rumbled up the driveway. Leaning against the wooden rail, I watched Shane’s truck come to a stop below me.

I grinned. After spending too many years away from my friends, it was good to be back. “Aren’t you supposed to be with your new husband?”

“Jonathon’s working so I thought I’d annoy you.”

“If you help me stain the rest of the deck, you can annoy me as much as you like.”

Shane stuck his hands on his hips. “You drive a hard bargain.”

“I learned from the best. I’ll meet you in the kitchen. The least I can do is give you a cup of coffee before you start work.”

While Shane was making himself at home, I covered my roller in plastic wrap. Two pairs of hands were always better than one. And if we finished the deck and garage today, I might be able to twist Shane’s arm into going fishing tomorrow.