Soon after that, he remodeled and turned the garage into a big bedroom for me. That began my love of all things construction, because he let me help with every step of the remodel.
He wasn’t normally one for long, drawn-out conversations. He showed his feelings by actions. Having me help on the remodel project had been his way of connecting with me. And it had worked. I loved the work. But still, even though Ash wasn’t an overly chatty person, he was being awfully quiet even for him.
“Why the silent treatment?” I called down through the engine block.
The clanking of his wrench paused. “No reason.”
I let him work for a few more minutes, only the sound of metal clanking on metal hanging between us, then I hung the light on the engine block before grabbing his spare creeper. I slid under the truck beside him. “Seriously, Ash. What’s going on?”
He sighed and turned his head my way. I smiled at the smudge of grease on his cheek. Grease had been a way of life since I moved in here. I’d moved out a few years ago, but still the grease remained.
Ash rolled out from under the truck, so I followed and sat up to stare at him as he got up and cleaned off his hands. “I heard about the gym,” he muttered. He tossed the now dirty rag back on his workbench, but kept his eyes averted.
Ah. I should’ve guessed. Nobody knew how to keep their mouths shut here in Black Claw. “Yeah, so?”
“I hate you going on these jobs alone. What would I do if something happened to you?” He set his gaze on me, that dad-stare that made me squirm in discomfort.
“I’m fine, Ash.” After a quick eye-roll, I hopped off the creeper and took his hand. “I’m not in any danger. Besides, I always have my pepper spray in my belt or bag. I’m careful.”
“I’d feel better if you hired someone,” he said. He squeezed my hand, imprinting his worries for my safety there. “You’re successful. Become a manager.”
That had always been my plan, but I still didn’t want to stop working myself. “I’ve been thinking about that, actually. But I’ve only had my little business going for two years and only recently have I started becoming busy enough to consider taking on a part-timer.”
“It’s not just having someone to help you or go with you on jobs,” he said. “I worry about you exhausting yourself. You’re young. You shouldn’t be working so much that you can’t go out and have a little fun.”
Hiring someone to help wasn’t the worst idea, but I wasn’t ready yet. I’d appease the old man, though, at least to get him off my back. “Okay. I’ll hang up a sign at the office.”
Ash beamed at me, the grease on his cheek creasing into the wrinkle there. “It’s not that I don’t think you’re capable. I trained you!” He puffed out his chest proudly. “I know you’re damn good.”
“Of course I am.” I laughed at him and handed him a clean rag. “Now wipe your face, old man.”
We had a nice visit. I made us some lunch while he cleaned up the mess he’d made in the garage, then I had to go stop by and pick up a part for a stove I had to fix at my friend and biggest client, Abby’s rental houses.
By the time my sister, Melody, texted me, I was ready to call it a day.
Drinks tonight. Meet me at the bar at 8. No excuses.
It was Friday night. Why shouldn’t I go out? I checked my app and made sure I had no appointments booked in the morning, then blocked myself off. If anyone tried to schedule anything, it would put me down as busy. Then before hopping in the shower, I sent a text to my best friend, Beth, inviting her along. She replied she was in as long as she could bring her friend Abby.
The more the merrier.
I sent that text, then started getting ready. I’d been feeling a bit lonely lately. Maybe I’d finally come across good one-night stand material at the hole-in-the-wall bar in Black Claw.
Yeah, right. It hadn’t happened yet. It wasn’t likely to happen now. Still, skinny jeans and a button-up might fool someone, and it was a far cry from my baggy work clothes. I shrugged and went with it.
Knowing full well I planned to drink, I called a rideshare to take me to the bar, then scheduled one for later in the evening to take me home. I wasn’t sure if Beth and Abby planned to drink, but I knew Melody would. We’d both probably end up at my place, passed out. By the time I pulled up, the place was already pretty busy.
“Hello!” My three friends were already there, as well as Abby’s sister, Harley. “Nice to see you,” I said warmly. We’d been to a couple of girls’ nights together but hadn’t really bonded otherwise.
“I hope you don’t mind me crashing,” she said. “But I had to have a moment without kids or men. They’re worse than a pack of dragons.”
Abby and Beth burst out laughing. Melody and I gave each other a confused look when they laughed harder than the joke warranted. “No worries,” I said. “I love a full table at girls’ night. Besides, all of you are dating Kingstons, so hopefully no guys will bother us.”
Melody looked at my friends, who she’d only met a few times before. “All of you?” she asked, incredulous. “I knew about Beth and Maddox, but wow.”
Abby nodded. “Yes, I’m engaged to Jury, and Harley is with Stefan, who is an honorary Kingston.”
Someone started up the old jukebox again, so we had
