Page 13 of Ghost's Obsession

“That’s what I hoped you would say,” I tell him, unable to hide my relief.

“Are you two planning to do the labor yourselves?” Rick asks.

“Yes. That’s the plan,” I say. Ghost is going to be hands on, making most of the decisions for the build. I’m responsible for the design elements and managing inspections. I also know how to swing a hammer.”

Rick gives Ghost a look and a wink. “Better hold onto this one. She’s gonna be worth her weight in gold by the time this build is over.”

I freeze for half a second, surprised to hear Rick’s compliments.

But Ghost doesn’t miss a beat. “I’d never take Heather for granted.” he responds smoothly.

Hearing Ghost’s reply makes pride well up in my chest. I feel seen and valued for the first time in a long while.

By the time Rick pulls away in his truck, the sun has crept higher. The air is just warm enough to make the garage feel like we’re working in an oven. I peel off my hoodie and shove up my sleeves, already sketching out the new wall measurements in my head.

Ghost is quiet as he drags the old plywood and leftover framing lumber into a rough pile outside. I follow behind him with a roll of heavy-duty trash bags, scooping up nails, splinters, and debris from the far corners of the floor and yard, surprised that I missed so many pieces when I swept up earlier.

***

We work in companionable silence. I’m finding that the silence isn’t awkward or weird with Ghost. It’s comfortable. It’s nice to not to feel like we have to fill every moment with mindless banter.

And Ghost is a hard worker. He just keeps moving, with no wasted motion. He’s a bit like the Energizer Bunny. And when he switches up tasks it’s clear that he’s been thinking of what needed doing ahead of time. He seems like a guy who’s always ten steps ahead of everyone else. I like that about him.

I’m sweeping near the front door when he comes back in from carrying out a stack of old pipes. That’s when our arms touch in passing. We barely brush against each other, but it’s enough to make me stop mid-sweep. I just stand there like a big fool, staring up at him.

He’s closer than I thought and smells like sawdust, soap, and warm leather. My skin prickles where our arms touched. Neither of us step away.

“Sorry,” he says, a little too late. His voice is deep but softer than before. He quickly glances away.

“It’s fine,” I tell him, not wanting him to feel any kind of way about accidentally brushing against me. For something so small, this seems like an inordinately big deal.

We both look at each other for a second too long and then my stomach rumbles loudly. I cringe on the inside, remembering that I’ve only had a granola bar all morning.

His eyes immediately drop down to my stomach, and he asks, “You want to break for lunch?”

I simply nod, because what can I say? I’m clearly hungry. My damned stomach gave me away.

The big biker asks, “What do you normally eat for lunch. Is a sandwich okay?”

“Sounds good. I usually have sandwiches or soup. I trade them off, having one or the other pretty much every day.”

A grin spreads across his face. “Back in two minutes.”

Sure enough, in no time at all, he comes back with a brown paper bag and some drinks in a cooler. He sets it all on the table and motions for me to join him.

“Wow, this is a surprise. What did you make for us?”

“Turkey on sourdough, chips, and apples. Is that good with you? If not, we can order out.”

“God no, this is perfect, I tell him enthusiastically.

We sit on the fold-up chairs he’s brought in, just like we did the week before.

“Where’d you learn to do this kind of work?” Ghost asks, before taking a bite of his sandwich.

“I started as a helper for my grandfather when I was sixteen. He was a contractor. I learned how to hang and finish drywall as well as paint right off the bat. My grandfather started relying on me more and more once we figured out that I was good at organizing his normally chaotic worksite. I got interested in design and planning, and the rest just happened.”

He chews, then nods. “Makes sense. You’re good at it.”

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