Page 26 of Grace on the Rocks

“Says maybe you’d give me a job.”

Bryan lifted his chin to peer down at the lad, wondering whetherEòghannhad really said any such thing.

“Is it true you left here when you were my age?”

“How old are you?”

“Seventeen.”

Christ, but seventeen looked young these days. “Aye, it’s true.”

“Why’d you come back?” the boy asked in disbelief.

Bryan leaned on the tailgate crossing his arms. “Doyou know anything about green renovation?” he asked.

“Like green paint?”

“Like environmental s-sustainability.”

Lùcas shook his head.

“Why do you want to work for me?”

“Because you don’t know me, andIdon’t know you.”

Bryan laughed.Heliked the kid.

“Eòghann’ll vouch for me.Beenhelping him with odd jobs for years.”

Eòghann would vouch for aHighlandcoo if it looked at him right.Heliterally only ever saw the good in anyone, like he was born with rose-colored retinas. “I’msure he would,”Bryansaid, patting the kid’s shoulder. “Maynot be able to pay you for a while.”

“Can you give me a room once the renovating’s over?”

A tiny pang hitBryan’sgut at the thought—more because it would mean trading one flatmate for another when he craved only solitude, certainly nothing to do with a desire for his current guests to remain.Buthe could use the help, especially if he was going to finish everything beforeJulesshowed up on the afternoon ferry in three weeks.

“Deal,”Bryanagreed. “Hopin.Youcan come today if your da doesn’t mind.”

Lùcas grinned at him and jumped into the passenger seat. “Hecan spare me.”

As they drove back to the old stone house,Bryanexplained his plans—knocking out the crumbling south wall to install triple-glazed casement windows, building a water reclamation system, and installing hydronic heating under the floors.

“So it’s more than just the panels then?Dasays they’ll run you out of town for those alone.”

Bryan took a deep breath.Countedto four.Letit out slowly.

He’d known in his gut the neighbors wouldn’t like it.Goneseventeen years, but people don’t change that much for the simple reason that people don’t change.

“Really want the job?” he askedLùcasgrimly, but the boy tossed him a wicked grin.

“Wouldn’t mind being run out of town, myself.”

“Good.”Bryanpulled the truck onto the beach behind the house and handed over his phone. “FindaYouTubevideo about installing this lot,” he said, expecting the kid to scoff at his lack of preparation, butLùcasjust snatched up the phone and did as he was told.

“YouTube says it’s not a job for the faint of heart,” he reported back.

“Not my heartI’mworried about,”Bryanmused. “You?”

Lùcas gazed thoughtfully at the gable and shrugged. “Notmy roof.”

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