Page 45 of How to Love Your Neighbor
He swallowed, looked back and forth between them, and stepped to the side. “I don’t doubt it.”
Morty ambled up the steps, slower than usual, making Grace worry. Of course, if she asked, he’d blow it off, so she’d just observe and see if his hip or foot was acting up.
He gestured to the guy with a thumb. “This is Shane. He’s my gift to you.”
Grace crossed her arms over her chest. “While that’s very kind of you, I was hoping for a puppy.” She smiled at Shane. “No offense.”
He laughed. It was a good laugh. Like his smile. “None taken. Puppies are definitely cuter but I have a few skills they don’t.”
Her forehead creased. Morty barked out a laugh. “Attaboy! Some things are worth bragging about.”
Shane ’s cheeks went a pale shade of pink. “Not what I meant. Can we please have a complete restart?” He stepped forward. “I’m Shane Dade. John’s son. I’m in construction and renovation.” Hepointed to his truck, which clearly read DADEFORYOU. “Morty’s asked me to take care of your back porch, knocking out a wall, and any minor repairs that need to be done.”
Grace looked at Morty, her grin widening. He waved his hand at her. “Don’t make a big deal out of it. I plan on being over here and don’t want to fall through that death trap back porch.”
“Uh-huh. How very self-serving of you.”
He nodded, smiling at her. “That’s right. A man’s gotta do what’s best for himself.”
She stepped forward, despite his look of worry, and wrapped her arms around him. “I won’t try to talk you out of it since you won’t listen, so instead, I’ll just say thank you.”
He patted her back. “Good girl. Thank me properly by making me some coffee now while Shane unloads his truck and regains his composure.”
“Hey. I’m composed.”
Morty shook his head. “Kids these days have no game. Telling her you’re her gift. Sheesh.”
Grace put a hand to her mouth to cover a laugh. Morty’s tone was so disappointed that even Shane laughed.
“I’ll try to do better, Morty.”
“Don’t want to end up alone, you’ll need to.”
Before Grace could head indoors, Morty stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Glad you aren’t being too stubborn to agree.”
She smiled, her heart full of love. “I’m growing as a person.”
While Morty chatted Shane’s ear off as he worked, Grace dug holes along the fence that separated her yard from Noah’s. It seemed like a good place to plant the flowers, which would bloom gorgeously. She measured the space between each hole, taking her time because she wanted to enjoy the project. It might havebeen overkill as far as apologies went, but she never would have spent this much money on flowers.
Between that and Morty footing the bill for the deck repair and the wall removal, she was nearly giddy with ideas. When she’d played around with designs this morning, she’d had the wall dividing the kitchen and living room in place because she thought it’d be a long time before she could make that change.
She was feeling so good about her yard, about her decision to keep things platonic and neutral with Noah, about Morty doing something so sweet. Basically, she was walking on plenty of sunshine when she went into the house, grabbed some drinks, and brought them out to the guys.
Across the fence, she saw two guys working on the palms. They had a truck parked outside the back gate. Another guy was strolling up the side of Noah’s yard, paying particular attention to the fence.
“About time. I’m dying of thirst out here,” Morty said, grabbing a can of soda from her hand.
She gave him a wry smile. “You keep saying your feet work just fine. You know where the fridge is.” She passed the other soda to Shane.
He smiled, used his forearm to wipe his forehead. It was going to be a hot one today.
“Thanks. Appreciate it.” He popped the top, drank half the can down.
Grace looked at Morty. “See? That’s how manners work.”
The old guy just snorted out a laugh and leaned back in the lawn chair.
Her gaze wandered to the guy strolling her fence line. Curiosity wrinkled her brow, making her miss what Shane said.
