Whose idea do you think it was? Do you think I fantasize about Chris Hemsworth? Hattie said she wanted Thor to watch her fold socks. I’m a supportive fiancé. I couldn’t say no.
Interesting.
Phiny
Hattie deserves better than a 2D man.
At least he doesn’t talk back.
Wade
Unlike the rest of us.
East
Burn that thing before Maggie sees it and thinks we’ve lost our minds.
Chloe
Too late. She already saw it. Hattie sent her a picture. She said, “At least he’s polite.”
I’m crying.
Rhodes
Opal chattered from the back seat of the truck about her day. She went over all of the games at recess and her new friend, who shared her love of drawing unicorns, clouds, and cats. I nodded along with her, half-listening while my gaze swept the grounds, noting East’s group clustered near the front of the gate where they had been reinforcing the fencing. It really was amazing work. Each piece ended in a little spike, and just the thought of someone climbing over and potentially getting impaled made me happy. Sick? Maybe, but they’d deserve it if they tried to break in.
Small towns were great, but that didn’t mean there wasn’t crime or sick-os. If anything, it just made it easier to hide.
The sun was starting towards the tips of the tallest oaks lining the property’s edge as my truck tires crunched across the gravel.
East stood among them, clipboard in hand, gesturing at the stone pillars and the hinges that I knew he was concerned about. There was some rust in spots that he said he needed to fix if the gate was going to work properly, or we’d have to replace it completely.
At the sight of my truck, he raised a hand in greeting as I cut the engine. Opal was already squirming and unbuckling herself before I could remind her to be careful. "East!" she called, already skipping toward him like she'd known him her whole life, which in her world probably felt true enough.
I followed at a slower pace, the faint ache in my shoulders from hauling lumber earlier reminding me that desk work back in Seattle over the past months had made me soft. It felt good to get back to a more physical mindset out here and to do something that made me lock my body into a task.
Once East had finished everything else, I was going to contract with Holt Construction to renovate the carriage house into a gym. Just because I wasn’t going out on jobs regularly didn’t mean I wouldn’t train as hard.
Gate's coming along," East said, nodding toward the workers welding fresh supports into place. “We checked the rest of the fence.” He gave a shoulder roll as if his were hurting like mine. “Should be solid by the end of the week."
Good. The security system would go in as soon as they finished.
“Appreciate it. Opal's been asking about a swing set. Should I order one, or could one of your crews build one while they’re working on the structure off the back patio?”
East chuckled, ruffling Opal's hair as she tugged at his sleeve to show him a crayon drawing from her backpack. “Probably should go ahead and order a kit. We might be able to assemble it together after hours. Pergola first, though—got the lumber stacked out back. It'll give her a shaded spot to play under once the weather warms up." He knelt to her level, examining thedrawing with mock seriousness. "This cat looks fierce. You draw that today?"
Opal beamed, nodding vigorously—I watched her for a moment, the knot in my chest easing a bit at how easily she slotted into this new life, where people genuinely cared about her. Tires crunched again in the gravel, drawing my attention to an approaching SUV as it parked behind my truck.
“I’ve got a consult on the greenhouses with a gardener who came down from Portland,” I explained as East’s eyes narrowed at the vehicle. He was obviously trying to figure out who they were.
He nodded, scooping Opal up onto his shoulders in one fluid motion that made her squeal with delight. "We'll be out here if you need us. Come on, kiddo—let's check on that pergola spot and see if we can spot any fairies in the bushes. I’ll show you where the swing set will go, and you can tell me how high you want to go.”
“Bye! I need to see faeries!” she sang, obviously happy to go off with her new best friend.
It was nice to have these new relationships where my daughter felt comfortable enough to go hang out while I talked to another grown-up. Their laughter faded as they headed toward the back of the property, and I turned toward the SUV, extending a hand as the man stepped out. He was in his late fifties with sun-leathered skin and a clipboard tucked under one arm. "Thanks for making the drive down,” I said, gripping his hand firmly.
“Mitchell Hershnon,” he replied, his eyes already drifting past me to the distant glass peaks of the greenhouses, half-hidden by overgrown foliage. "No trouble. I was happy to come.” He rocked a little on his heels. “I’d heard about this place from a colleague.Historic places like these don't come along often, so I’m happy to be given a chance to give you any help you need.”
