After he left, promising an estimate within forty-eight hours, Kate stood staring at the massive trunk. In daylight, she could see what Ben had done: the ropes still attached at strategic points, the way he'd guided its fall. Without his intervention, the tree would have crashed through the eastern wing.
“Impressive,” Tom said, joining her with coffee. He'd stayed another night, claiming the roads were too bad to drive to Boston, though Kate suspected other motives. “Ben knew what he was doing.”
“He always does.”
“That bothers you.”
Kate took the coffee, grateful for its warmth. The morning was cold and damp, everything still dripping from the storm. “It doesn't bother me.”
“Sure it doesn't.” Tom studied the tree. “You know, most people would be grateful when someone saves their building.”
“I am grateful.”
“You have a funny way of showing it.”
Before Kate could respond, they heard vehicles in the drive. Three pickup trucks pulled in, and Kate recognized several of Ben's crew. Ben himself got out of the lead truck, chainsaw in hand, dressed for heavy work.
“What are you doing?” Kate called.
“Removing your tree.” He was already assessing the trunk, directing his guys to positions. “Should take most of the day.”
“I can't pay for this. Not yet.”
Ben looked at her with something like exasperation. “I'm not asking you to pay.”
“I don't need charity.”
“It's not charity. It's neighbors helping neighbors after a storm.” He turned to his crew. “Jake, start with the crown. Mike, get the chipper ready.”
Kate watched, frustrated, as they began the methodical process of reducing the massive oak to manageable pieces. The chainsaws roared to life, drowning out any further protest she might have made.
“Let them help,” Tom said quietly beside her. “It won't kill you.”
But it felt like it might. Every act of kindness, every moment of care from Ben, felt like another brick removed from the wall she'd built around herself. Soon there'd be nothing left to protect her when he inevitably left, moved on, found someone less complicated.
Dani appeared with a tray of coffee and sandwiches for the crew. She'd made them herself. Kate could tell. Not Marcy's usual style.
“Boys need fuel,” Dani said cheerfully, offering food to the workers who accepted gratefully. Jake smiled at Dani who smiled back. Kate rolled her eyes, realizing her sister’s motivation wasn’t completely altruistic.
Kate retreated to the office, burying herself in paperwork. But she could hear the chainsaws, chipper, and voices of men working together to solve her problem without being asked. Through the window, she caught glimpses of Ben directing the work, completely in his element.
Around noon, Lillian arrived.
She stepped carefully around the debris in the parking lot, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the damage. Today she looked frailer than usual, using a walking stick Kate hadn't seen before.
“I heard about the storm damage,” Lillian said, finding Kate in the office. “Is everyone all right?”
“We're fine.”
“The tree?”
“Ben's removing it.”
“That's generous of him.” Lillian sat carefully in the chair across from the desk. “The repairs are covered by insurance, I assume?”
“Most of them.”
“And the rest?”
