Page 17 of Tide and Seek
“Still.”She sighed.“Neighbors are supposed to look out for each other.I failed miserably.”
Max waved her off.“Don’t be silly.It all worked out.”
“I guess.”
We were distracted when a tall man in khaki work pants and a red Coastal Pest Solutions polo appeared at the edge of the deck, a clipboard tucked under one arm.He wore a red ball cap over sandy-brown hair that was streaked with silver at his temples.He had the wiry build of someone who spent his days climbing ladders and hauling gear, his face sun-bronzed and lined at the corners of his blue-green eyes.
“Morning, folks,” he said easily, offering a quick smile as he tugged off his ball cap.
“Hey, Ethan,” C.J.said brightly.“You’re here earlier in the month than usual.”
He laughed gruffly.“Yep.Mr.Westbrook called me about his ant problem.I figured I’d just do my thing at all the homes while I’m here and save myself a trip.”
“That seems very sensible.”She nodded.“Max, you’ve probably never met Ethan.He replaced Carlos about six months ago.You’d already left for Rainy Dale.”
Ethan glanced at Max and then stepped forward, offering his hand.“Nice to finally meet you, Mr.Thornton.Are you back to stay?If so, just let me know if you have any special pest concerns you’d like me to tend to.”He tipped his chin toward the house.“Ant season’s been brutal this year.I’ve had call after call about how the darn ants are marching in like they own the place.Damp summer’s got the colonies stirred up.”
Max grimaced.“I did see a few in the kitchen this morning, but nothing too terrible.”
“I’ll take care of it.I think I know where they’re coming in on the outside of the house,” Ethan said cheerfully, shifting his clipboard from one calloused hand to the other.
C.J.sighed.“I had a few ants in my kitchen this morning too.”
Ethan’s expression was sympathetic.“Whole colony’s got ’em bad.Spiders too—big ones, sneaky little bastards.Guess they’re after the ants same as us.Anyway, I’ll just hit the baseboards and the crawl space, keep ’em out of your hair.”
Max shuddered.“Yes, please.”
Ethan met my gaze, giving an apologetic smile.“Sorry, didn’t mean to ignore you, I’m Ethan.”
“No worries, I’m Royce.”I shook his hand, smiling.
“Nice to meet you both.”Ethan tugged his ball cap back on.“I’ll just spray around the outside of the home.Won’t take me long.”
“Of course,” Max said.
Ethan hesitated.“Uh, maybe I should spray inside too since I’m here.Haven’t done that in a while.”
Max frowned.“Do you mind if we postpone that?Sometimes I’m sensitive to bug spray.Would it be rude to ask you to come back and do the inside once I’m gone in a week?I don’t mind paying extra for an additional trip.”
Ethan’s jaw tensed but then he smiled.“Nah, I can put it off.No need to pay extra either.I’ll just swing back around next week on my route.”
“I appreciate that,” Max said.
Waving Max off, Ethan said, “We don’t want you breaking out in hives, right?”He laughed.“My wife is sensitive to insecticides, so I get it.”
“Hey, speaking of your wife,” C.J.said, “didn’t she just have surgery?How’s she doing?”
Ethan sighed, and his expression became more serious.“She’s a real trooper.There were a few complications when she came home, but she’s stable now.”
“Must have been hard with her in the hospital, seeing as you have two small kids.”C.J.’s tone was empathetic.
“My sister’s helping out, thank goodness.”He rubbed the back of his neck.“Still, I won’t lie and say it’s been an easy week.But things will get better.They always do.”
“I admire your positive attitude,” I said.“Hope your wife continues to heal quickly.”
“Thanks.”Ethan’s smile was warm.“Anyway.”He cleared his throat.“I’ll get back to work and let you folks enjoy the beautiful morning.”He headed toward the side of the house, his boots crunching on the sand.
“That poor man,” C.J.said softly.“He works nonstop.He comes out anytime anyone in the colony calls.I think he’s even working off the clock just to be accommodating.I need to remember to give him an extra good Christmas bonus this year.He’s earned it.”
