Arran bid Ellie goodbye, found his way around the side of the house, and with more of a struggle than anticipated, climbed the wobbly ladder.
The view took on an even more spectacular appearance without trees blocking the horizon, but it also highlighted how exposed their position was.
And high.
A welcome cool breeze wafted over the tops of the trees, bringing the scent of pine... and a little waver to Arran’s stance. He pressed his feet into the roof to attempt to ground himself. Which sounded ridiculous when on a roof.
“Good to see you, Arran.” Luke walked toward him as if simply stepping across pavement instead of a slanted rooftop. “We can certainly use another hand up here.”
“Seems that’s what I’m here to do.”
Luke rested his palms on his hips and studied Arran from cap to boots. “Well, you look the part.” One of his dark brows rose. “I reckon the right attitude will take a little longer.”
The wink he added at the end somehow doused the edge of Arran’s discomfort. “The work is that rigorous, is it?”
A measuring look, which somehow made Arran stand a bit taller, crossed Luke’s face and his grin widened. “You may walk funny for a few days, but I have high hopes you’re gonna be just fine.” Luke held Arran’s gaze long enough to hint that the man’s words meant something a little deeper than not plunging to his death, and Arran embraced his current situation with a bit more hope than a moment before.
Could this man take him at face value? Even knowing his past as Luke did?
Luke’s honest confidence somehow transferred over to Arran.
Perhaps his brother-in-law wasn’t such a bad sort after all.
“That’s Dave.” Luke waved toward a burly man nearby, hisginger hair and beard in contrast to Luke’s darker features. “If I’m not around, he can answer your questions, but don’t expect a conversation. He’s not much for talking.”
Dave nodded and turned back to his work.
Luke started across the roof, presumably for Arran to follow... with much less confident steps. “He’s taking over the business while I’m in Skymar with Ellie next year.”
At one point, as Arran unknowingly veered too close to the edge of the house, Luke grabbed him by the arm and tugged him away.
“Careful there.” He patted Arran’s shoulder. “I promised Ellie I’d take good care of you, so you’d better watch your step.” He chuckled and led the way at a slower pace. “The rest of the team is working on another project south of town, so it’s gonna be the three of us until Charlie joins us after lunch.”
The three of them? For an entire roof? Arran’s gaze trailed the length of the space. Was that normal?
Another breeze drew his attention to the kaleidoscope of autumn color.
“Not a bad view for a workday, is it?”
Arran pulled his gaze from the horizon. “Not at all.”
“As long as that pretty view doesn’t pull you too close to the edge.” Luke waved toward Dave again as the man moved over the roofline, hammer in hand, body bent as if searching for something. “Since we already stripped the roof, we have to search for loose nails, roof damage”—he raised a finger with each item—“or rot that may need repairing before placing on the new roof.”
Arran didn’t fully comprehend all the word choices but got the basic meaning.
At least he hoped, because the last thing he wanted to do was prove more imbecilic than his actions had already shown.
He stifled a groan.
Brilliantly imbecilic. He ought to write a book:How to Make Ten Imbecilic Choices Within Three Hours in a New Country.
Luke pulled a hammer from the tool belt around his waist. “Ever swung a hammer?”
“A few times.”
“Welp, this is a great way to get warmed up.” He gestured with the hammer toward the massive roof. “Just go along this side. If you see any nails sticking out, you’ll either drive ’em back in so they’re flush with the roof or pull them out if they’re loose.” He pressed the hammer into Arran’s outstretched hand and reached into the front pocket of his tool belt. “Here are some nails if you have to replace any.”
Maybe Arran overestimated his skill set. Walking on a roof poised atop a mountain, attempting to locate loose nails without falling to his death as the breeze gave a mocking ruffle to his hair, tempted fate.
