Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74730 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 374(@200wpm)___ 299(@250wpm)___ 249(@300wpm)
“Wren.” Sean’s tone was patient. “I told you. I’m working on the carriage house tonight. Denver’s helping.”
“Pretty weird date.”
“It’s not a date.” Sean flushed, looking far too guilty. “Now, head inside with your siblings, and for God’s sake, take the turtle with you.”
“Turtle?” I asked Sean in a low voice.
“Found in the yard. Wren wants to monitor its eating habits. Maybe find a second turtle and conduct dietary experiments.”
“Of course.” I blinked. Funny kid, but I liked how indulgent Sean was of their quirks.
“Come on, let me show you the mess we’re dealing with.” Sean led the way to the carriage house. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“You didn’t. It was fun watching you with the kids.” I rather enjoyed Sean’s wide eyes. I was surprised at me too. “How are they doing with…everything?”
“It’s okay. You can say Montgomery’s name. It’s not an off-limits topic around here.” Sean kept his tone upbeat as he opened the wooden door for the carriage house, which was stuck and took a bit of rattling. “And kids are amazingly resilient creatures. Maren’s back at college, finishing up the spring term. Rowan’s got a big part in the school production. Wren’s up to their usual experiments and research. John is the quietest one. I worry about him the most, but they’re all hanging in there.”
“Good.” I wasn’t sure what else to say. It wasn’t a loss I had a deep familiarity with. Having never had something was different from having had that bond and then losing it. “And Eric?”
“Good days and not-so-good days.” Pausing his efforts to open the stubborn door, Sean shrugged, but the lines around his eyes and mouth tightened. “He’s still sleeping on the third floor in Maren’s old room. He let me have the first-floor primary bedroom, and that’s part of why I want to get the carriage house fixed up. Give us more options as far as space. Another friend is due to arrive this summer after he processes out of the army.”
“It’s kind of cool how your whole friend group has pulled together.” Another thing I didn’t have experience with. I’d always been mystified by people with decades of connection, especially with friendships versus family.
“Yeah, that’s just how we roll.” Sean exhaled as the door finally swung open. “We’ve known each other since community college right after high school. Eric had an ad up for roommates for an apartment he’d found near the college. I wanted out of my parents’ house in the worst way, and the rest was history.”
“I’ve had roommates here and there. Can’t say as I’ve stayed in touch.” My mouth twisted, an odd sense of guilt or perhaps shame slithering up my spine, making my saliva turn bitter. I swallowed hard, but the taste remained.
Sean hesitated partway inside the darkened building. “Well, friendships can be hard to keep going for sure.”
Afraid he might be about to offer me friendship tips next, I waited while he fumbled for a light switch. Our different life experiences only underscored our lack of a future—Sean was a ride-or-die type, always one of a tight-knit crew, while I rode alone. I wouldn’t know the first thing about being the sort of friend Sean needed. Sure, I could try, like the drive earlier, but sooner or later, Sean would need something I couldn’t give.
“Lights!” Sean crowed as an ancient ceiling fixture flickered to life. The interior was less garage-like than I’d expected, with finished walls and ceiling. The tons of boxes, trash, and layers of dust, though, said it had been years since the space had been anything more than storage.
“This is an…interesting space.” On the far wall, a whimsical set of stairs led to a small loft area where more boxes lurked. To the left of the door where we’d entered, a single line of old-fashioned wood cabinets created what was presumably a kitchenette. A wood stove lurked on the other side of the door, another unexpected homey touch, not that I’d advise firing the thing up.
“Yep. Under years of dirt and oddball items, there are some neat features.” Sean flipped another light on before gesturing to a door near the stairs. “Some previous owner even put a bathroom in the back in the seventies.”
“Nice.” I wasn’t someone with a remodeling gene. I could be handy with a toolset, but I lacked the vision for transforming spaces. Out of necessity, along with preference, I usually rented furnished spaces, but the gleam in Sean’s eyes said he was the type to crave DIY projects. He’d mentioned his Seattle house a few times with obvious pride. He’d undoubtedly be a homeowner again someday, a thought which made my stomach give a weird flip.
Not wanting to analyze my reaction, I quickly set my toolbox near the front door.
“Put me to work.”
“You’re letting me give orders?” Sean sounded utterly delighted.