“Absolutely.I’ve seen a few videos of this on social media.We take lots of walks, and I’m training him as best I can, but that’s not going to solve everything.Looking at this, you’d think I leave him outside all the time.”She shrugged.“Can’t hurt to try this.”
He had his doubts, but if she was sure, then who was he to say.It wasn’t his property.“All right.Have you got measurements in mind for me?”
“Yep, I took some last night.I’ll text them to you.”She pulled out her phone.
“Sure, my number is?—”
“I’ve got it.”
She had his number?
She typed something.His buzzed in his pocket a moment later.
He looked at the measurements.Glanced at Rufus to verify.Seemed about right.“How many of these do you want?”
“I was thinking one on the front fence on either side of the house, and maybe two each on the other sides of the fence.”
That was a lot of holes.“Including the back?”There was only forest back there, no road or alley or even a path for anyone to walk up.
She considered it for a moment.“Let’s leave that for now.He’s been barking like crazy at something back there the past couple nights when I let him out to do his business before bed.I was thinking raccoons or maybe foxes or something.Do you think it could be a cougar?”She frowned in concern.
“It’s possible, but the other two are more likely.He stays inside overnight though, right?”
“Of course.”She sounded almost offended.“He’s still getting the hang of living inside, but it’s way safer for him.”
He nodded.“Show me exactly where you want them.”He wasn’t cutting any holes without her express permission on placement.
“Sure.”She walked him around the fence line.“Evenly spaced would be great, but whatever you think is best.”
“You sure about that?”
She cocked her head, gave him a little smile that made his heart kick.“Yeah.I trust you.Are you hungry, by the way?”she asked before the guilt had a chance to take hold.
He blinked at the abrupt shift in topic, still squirming at theI trust youpart.“I’m okay.”
She lifted a perfect, arched eyebrow.“When’s the last time you ate?”
She had him there.It was pretty standard for him to lose track of time completely when he was deep into a project, along with things like hunger and thirst.This custom mantlepiece was his best carving yet, and the most expensive.He’d been working for weeks to ensure it was as perfect as he could make it.
“Okay, I’m a little hungry.But don’t go to any trouble?—”
“I’m not at Mae’s level or anything, but I promise it’ll still be edible.Chicken and veggies okay?”
“Yeah, that sounds great.”He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had made him a homecooked meal.Other than his dad, of course.Maybe it had been Mae.She had a soft spot for wounded things, was always taking people and creatures in and nurturing them.Him included.
“Okay.Rufus and I’ll head inside and leave you in peace so you can do your thing.”
He told himself he should be glad for the space, but he liked talking to her.“Sounds good.But seriously, don’t?—”
“It’s no trouble.Come on, Rufus.You can stare at him intently from inside while he works.”She led the dog to the back porch and disappeared into the house.
Alone, with birdsong filling the sudden quiet, he took out his tape measure and got to work.
I trust you.
He pushed her words from his mind, concentrating on the task at hand.It was one of the reasons he loved his work so much.The deep level of focus and working with his hands helped him combat intrusive thoughts when they crept in.And since Willow’s return, they were creeping a lot.
The job itself was straightforward.Just a matter of measuring to ensure even placement, then making the cuts with his hole saw.It wasn’t something he’d want to do to his own fence, but if it made Willow happy, that was all that mattered.
