Chapter 26

Seth's coworkers were standing in the middle of the living room of the seven-thousand-square-foot house that multiple Porter Construction crews had been working on for six months. They'd all long ago pushed aside any grumblings about the size of the home, the number of rooms, or how particular the client was. All that mattered now was that the house had turned out beautiful, it had already gotten a lot of interest from prospective clients, and it was almost finished.

As far as Seth knew, his work on the house was finally complete. He'd been in charge of the custom cabinetry in several rooms and had finished the largest job the evening before. He was pleased with how the cabinetry turned out. Even better, his boss was too.

"This might be your best work yet," Cal Porter told Seth. Running a hand along the edge of the hickory wood bookshelves, he added, "You finished these built-ins so meticulously, I've half a mind to talk to the warden at the prison and ask him to send more ex-cons my way."

Seth grinned. "If you did that, you might get more than you bargained for. Not every man in the woodworking program does real good in group settings."

"You aren't the only skilled craftsman to come out of there, though, are you?"

"Not at all. Mr. Martin is a good teacher. He's had a hand in training some mighty skilled woodworkers. If you gave some other men a chance to prove themselves, I don't think you'd be disappointed."

"I'm going to keep that in mind." Cal opened one of the cabinet doors. "I can't wait for our clients to see all this. They're going to be very pleased."

"I hope so." Seth was trying to act modest, but he had to admit that he was proud of how everything turned out. He'd worked hard on it—all while his head was full of everything that had been going on at Tabitha's house.

She had been so shaken that it had been hard for him to leave her. He probably wouldn't have left if her sister's entire family hadn't been camped out in her living room.

He'd also felt better after he and Roy had spoken. Though Tabitha's brother-in-law might not ever be Seth's favorite person, it seemed like the man was finally going to be more involved in Tabitha's life. Roy hadn't even flinched when Seth told him that Tabitha needed people she could count on and that it was past time for him to be one of those people. When Seth had called to check on Tabitha the night before, she'd said that Roy and Mary had stopped by that afternoon to check on her. He had been pleased about that.

Returning his attention to his boss, Seth said, "Where would you like me tomorrow?"

"Anywhere but here."

"What?"

Cal slapped him on the back. "I know you were here late last night and came back early this morning to put on the cabinets' hardware. Take the day off."

"You sure?"

"Positive. The crew is going to be finishing up the guest bathroom tile, and I've got two meetings with prospective clients. We can spare you."

"Thanks."

"Not a problem." Already looking at his phone's screen, he started toward the doorway to the next room. "See you day after tomorrow, Seth."

"See you."

Seth took another look at the finished cabinets and shelves, then picked up his tool belt and flannel shirt and headed out as well.

The early evening air had a bite to it. The sky was overcast too. Looked like they were going to get some rain and maybe even sleet. A trip to the grocery store was in order. Slipping on his flannel, he headed to his truck.

He was about to turn toward Marion when his cell phone rang.

He pulled it out of a pocket. "Yeah?"

"Seth, I canna believe that's how you answer the phone," his sister said by way of greeting.

"Melonie, I've just finished a job and am heading to the grocery store. That's as good as it's going to get right now."

"Gotcha. You're tired and you're hungry."

"That about sums it up. What do you need?"

"Well, um, I was just wondering how Tabitha's doing."

This conversation was going to take more than a few moments, so he pulled off to the side of the driveway. "I think she's all right, why?"

"You don't know for sure?"

"I just got off work, remember?" Practically hearing the worry in the silence, he gentled his voice. "Melonie, I called Tabitha last night. She sounded all right then."

"Oh. Okay."

"Honey, what's on your mind? Has something happened that I don't know about?"

"Nee. I mean, I don't think so. It's just that things were so scary when she received those flowers. I felt so bad for her. And then we all left."

Seth was tempted to remind Melonie that just a few mornings ago, she'd been shocked that he'd offered to sleep on Tabitha's couch. "I worry about her too, Mel."

"I'm thinking about stopping by her house again tomorrow but don't want to be a pest."

He made a sudden decision. "Where are you now?"

"Standing in the phone shanty by our house." She sounded disgruntled.

"How about I pick you up and we go pay Tabitha a visit?"

"You don't mind? I mean, aren't you tired and hungry?"

"I am, but I'll be okay."

"I could make you a sandwich," she blurted. "Do you still like roast beef?"

His stomach growled. "If you could do that, I'd be really grateful."

"I'll put in chips too. And a pickle!"

"That sounds even better. Thanks, Mel. I'll be there in ten."

"I'll hurry. Bye!"

Melonie trotted right out when he pulled up at the house.

After waving to their mother, he helped Melonie get settled—and laughed at the small Igloo cooler she was carrying. "What is all that?"

"Two sandwiches, chips, pickles, some of Mamm's corn casserole from last night, and a half of a pumpkin pie."

"Are you eating too?"

"Oh, nee. It's all for you. When I told Mamm what I was doing, she insisted on helping. She said she knew how you liked your sandwich."

"That was kind of her."

"I know she's feeling bad that she hasn't been doing more for you, especially since your visit for supper had to get postponed because you had to work."

Not wanting to bring that up, he let the comment slide. "Thanks for putting all this together. It sounds delicious."

She grinned at him. "You're welcome."

He was still smiling when they arrived at Tabitha's house. Just as he turned off the ignition, the front door opened. She walked out in a loose-fitting denim dress, tights, and boots. Tonight her shiny brown hair fell in waves down her back. Chance was by her side, looking like he'd been taking care of her for years instead of just weeks.

"Hi!" Melonie greeted her as Seth followed her onto the porch. "Seth and I decided to pay you a visit."

Tabitha darted a glance his way before smiling at his sister. "Any special reason?"

"Because we were thinking about you," he said. Taking in her appearance again, he wished he'd taken the time to hit the shower. "You look nice. Are you going somewhere?"

"Nope. I just didn't feel like wearing slacks today. What's in the cooler?"

"Seth's supper," Melonie said.

Two lines formed between Tabitha's brows. "Ah, you came over here to eat?"

"Yeah. I mean, yes, if you don't mind," he said.

"I don't mind. Though, um, it looks like there's a lot there."

"Oh, there is." Melonie giggled. "We even have half a pie."

"Goodness. You brought pie too?"

"I'm pretty sure we have half of my mother's refrigerator." He stopped beside Tabitha and ran his fingertips along her cheek. "It's a long story."

"Come on in and tell me all about it." Brightening, she added, "I have chicken and rice soup. You can have some of that too."

"My supper just keeps getting better and better," he teased. Though it sure was the truth. He'd gone from intending to pick up a frozen meal to eating roast beef sandwiches, soup, and homemade pie.

"I'm so glad I called you." Melonie grinned at him as she stepped inside.

"Me too." He closed the door behind Chance.

They spent the next hour at Tabitha's kitchen table. While Seth ate, the women had some soup and pie and generally made everything brighter.

Best of all, Tabitha seemed relaxed and content. He hoped and prayed the Lord was giving them a taste of what their future could one day be like. Now that all the walls that had been built up around them were slowly tumbling down.