Page 28 of Share with Me

“Sleeping in.”

“Could you do me a favor?”

Uh-oh.

“I need you to check on the reno on Second Street. If you get there at six, you can see if they put down the bathroom tiles properly.”

“Did you say six?” Brinley glanced at her watch. “Don’t you have Toby to do that sort of checking for you?”

“I want you there before Toby gets there.”

“You don’t trust him anymore?”

“I do, with my life even. In fact, he was the one who saw that I was having a stroke. He called 911. He saved my life.”

“But you want me to micromanage your GC.” Brinley knew her Dad too well. She’d been tagging along his pet projects since she was a teenager and Dad was trying to build up Brooks Renovations, Inc. Basically he flipped old houses, renovating them in period style in the process. Since his stroke, he had to hire a general contractor, Toby being his third and, hopefully, the one to keep.

“Well… He wouldn’t mind you on the job site.” Dad pressed his temple again. “Bring a box of Dunkin’ Donuts and all will be well.”

“I think he’s a Krispy Kreme sort of guy.”

“And how would you know that?”

“He told me.”

“When?”

“I can’t remember. Why?”

“Just wondering.”

“Dad, I’ve known Toby since we were in high school.”

“He has a girlfriend.”

Brinley rolled her eyes. “We’re talking doughnuts here. Nothing personal.”

“Let’s keep it that way. I don’t want anyone breaking your heart again.”

“I’m a happy single at the moment.” Brinley retrieved her iPhone from her purse. “Oh, lookee there. Nothing scheduled at the crack of dawn except life-saving sleep.”

“You can take a nap later. Will you do this for me?”

Brinley considered it. “You know I love this stuff.”

In a corner of her luggage she’d brought with her for the holidays was her tool belt. She brought it every time she came to Sea Island.In case Dad lets me go to the job sites.

Dad flinched.

“What’s wrong, Dad?”

“This headache. Comes and goes.”

Brinley glanced at her watch. “What were we thinking, Dad? It’s almost midnight. Let’s get you to bed.”

“I guess I could go to the job site to see how Toby is doing.” Dad struggled to get out of that big old chair.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll go.”

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