Page 49 of Hand Picked
“Uh. Hey, Luke! You’re… here.” Webb smiled winningly.
“Yes.” I narrowed my eyes. “I live here.”
His grin warmed with true amusement. “So, funny thing. Jerry Walcott—you know, Walcott Roofing?—is going to replace your roof. Surprise! Happy birthday.”
“Thatisa surprise,” I shot back. “Since my birthday is in September and you know perfectly well I don’t have the money to pay for—”
“Webb!” A gruff, heavyset man with white hair and concerningly pink cheeks toddled around the corner of the house. When he saw me, his face split into a broad grin, and he immediately extended his hand. “Luke! Well, hey there. We’ve never been properly introduced. I’m Jerry Walcott—”
“Of Walcott Roofing?” I asked, deadpan.
“You’ve heard of us!” Jerry’s smile grew even wider. “Real sorry to hear about your roof, son. You know, hard slate’ll last you a century, but this one’s seen that and more. Don’t you worry, though, we’ll get you sorted. You shoulda called me sooner!”
I rubbed my forehead. “Mr. Walcott, I—”
“Jerry!” he boomed. “After all, you’re neighbors with my brother-in-law Norm Avery, and that makes us family.”
It did?That was ridiculous, but also… kinda great.
I wasn’t sure what my face was doing, but Webb ran a hand over his mouth like he was trying not to laugh at me.
“The thing is, Jerry,” I began again, “you seem delightful, and I would love for you to do the work, but I’m short on funds at the moment. I tried getting a loan at the credit union, but I haven’t lived in town long enough—”
“Bup bup bup.” Jerry waved my objections aside. “Your man here’s sorted it all out. Convenient thing about marriage, eh?” He winked happily. “Two oars row better than one.”
“But,” I reminded him, “we’re not actually married. We—”
“Oh, well, not yet, sure,” he allowed. “But it’s the next best thing, now that you’re handfasted.” He leaned toward me eagerly. “The wife and I caught the whole story on the news. Never heard of such a thing before, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see other young folks like yourselves revive it. My Ellie cried, Lord love ’er. She’s a sap for tradition, and she’s a sap for love, and when you put the two together? The waterworks start up.” Jerry sniffled, showing that Ellie wasn’t the only sap. “She thought it was so romantical that you two kept it hidden so well for so long, too, just to avoid the gossips. You know, I don’t hold with gossip a’tall.”
I nodded slowly. “Right, no, of course you don’t. But actually—”
“Why, I heard from Miguel, who heard from Evie, who heard from Katey at the diner,” Jerry said avidly, “that you were even denying it after the fact, just to throw people off, which was smart.” He tapped the side of his nose and winked. “But the cat’s out of the bag now!”
“Actually, Jerry, the thing is, Webb and I—”
“—are so relieved that we don’t have to keep up the pretense anymore,” Webb interrupted loudly, pulling me against his side so firmly I let out a littleooof. “And we’re so grateful for all you’ve done. Really. Weowe you one.”
Pretense? What in the heckity?
And since when did we hug?
“You weren’t kidding about the surprise,” I muttered.
“Don’t give it another thought,” Jerry said with a wave of his hand. “Ellie would have my hide if she heard I could help you two out and didn’t. ’Sides, I’m makin’ out on the deal.” He rocked up on his toes excitedly. “I’ll come by for the Case early next week, alright? Gotta get home tonight.”
Webb nodded.
“The case?” I glanced up at Webb, but Jerry was the one who explained.
“Webb’s old Case tractor. We’re bartering. It’s the way we do things around here. You’ll learn soon enough, Luke.” The man patted my shoulder affectionately and made a move toward his truck, only to stop and snap his fingers. “Oh, and if you’re still in the market for a loan, you might check with the credit union again. I’ve got a feelin’ they’ll waive that residency requirement now that you’re making a home here permanently.”
I blinked. “But—”
Webb’s grip on me tightened. “Ellie still working at the credit union, is she?”
“Yep. Twenty-seven years come March.”
Oh.I shut my mouth quickly.
