“Where do you want the dirt we remove?” Howie inquires thoughtfully. I hadn't thought about that.
“Uh, maybe we just start a pile over there?” I point to a spot in the clearing that isn’t too dense with trees but where the dirt won’t be an eyesore.
“That should work.” Howie nods in agreement, then heads back to the trailer and begins unhooking the chains on the machine. I asked Howie to help because I’ve seen him operate this kind of equipment before when we all pitched in to renovate the park in Mage Square. I know he knows what he’s doing, and I definitely don’t. In a matter of minutes, he’s inside the backhoe and driving toward where the walkway meets the cabin porch while Max and I watch.
“This seems like a lot of work for a date, big brother.” Max slaps me on the shoulder.
“It’s not just for one date. It needed to be done, and now I have an excuse. I plan on her sticking around, and she deserves something nice,” I rattle out. Frankly, I’m glad I finally have a reason to use the place.
“You love her?” Max asks, reaching in the cooler I filled to grab two beers and plopping into a camping chair.
I sit down next to him and take the beer he offers, popping the tab and sucking down the amber liquid. “I think so, yeah.”
“You’re not sure?” he pries.
“I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life. She’s the one who’s hesitant.” I take another sip, hoping to wash down the acid that stings my throat when I think about her not being my person.
“Nah, she’s the real deal. She’s just scared,” Max says confidently.
“How do you know what she is?”
“Have you seen the way she looks at you? It’s like you hung the moon for her. It’s kinda gross actually.” Max laughs and shakes his head.
“No, she doesn’t. I mean, our chemistry is off the charts, I know that. But she holds back emotionally. She’s not sure about me,” I push back.
“Who’s not sure about who?” Bridget asks, walking up to where we’re sitting and helping herself to a drink.
“Sam doesn’t think Olive’s that into him. But as someone who knows how scary it is to love something that you have the potential to lose, you just need to give her time,” Max answers her and explains where he’s coming from with his hockey career on the line, all with a smug look on his face.
“You’re kidding, right? The girl looks at you like you literally hung the moon. It’s kind of gross.” Bridget bristles a little, and Max busts out laughing.
“Did you plan that?” I ask.
“Plan what?” Bridget glances between Max and me.
“You literally just said the same thing he did, almost word for word.” I point my beer bottle at her accusingly.
“Nope, it’s just the truth, big brother. Calling it like we see it.” She shrugs.
“Almost all cleared, fellas. We need to bring the sand in. I’ll dump it, and you can spread it,” Howie shouts at us over the rumble of the backhoe.
“Time to work.” Max and I stand, abandoning our drinks and grabbing some rakes and work gloves.
Bridget heads back inside and we work mostly in silence while Howie continues to drop loads of sand on the two-hundred-foot-long path. We spread it evenly, leveling the sand out between the steel edges we placed. The project is going a lot quicker than I expected. The three of us working together helps.
When we finish spreading the sand, we check to make sure it’s level before beginning to lay the flagstones. They are heavier than they look, and by the time we’ve managed to lay half of them, we’re all exhausted.
“I know you didn’t have to help do this on a random Wednesday, but I appreciate it. I couldn’t have done any of this without you two,” I say, sitting down on a log that’s lying near the path.
“Not a problem, Sam. Feels good to be doing something other than tapping kegs,” Howie says as he places another stone.
“Yeah, Coach will count this as at least two days’ worth of weight time. It’s nice to be in the fresh air,” Max chimes in, finding a spot a few feet down from me.
“She’s going to love it,” Howie adds, grabbing another stone. I had no idea how hard of a worker he is. He hasn’t stopped once. “That is, if we finish.” He gives Max and me a pointed look. I guess there’s no break time when Howard is around.
A while later, we lay the last stone on the walkway, and Howie dumps the remaining sand over the top. Max and I use large brushes to fill the cracks and tamp everything down. Bridget comes out on the porch to take in the view.
“This looks amazing. I didn’t think you’d finish today, but it’s incredible. Now the only thing you need is a swing overlooking the water and some lights strung from the trees to light the path. Want to see inside?”
