Page 42 of Tinsel & Tools

He nodded. “I can spare an hour and help.”

“Cool, thanks.”

Gavin set the knife in the sink. “I’ll finish here and bring you two out some coffee, if you’d like.”

“I could go for some,” Ryan said.

“Me too.”

“How do you take it?” Gavin asked me as though he didn’t know.

“Cream and sugar if you have it,” I replied.

“Black for me,” Ryan added, already rubbing his hands to warm them.

Gavin walked to the coffee maker that, like everything else, needed to be replaced. “I’ll get some brewed.”

“Thanks.” I headed down the hall with Ryan following.

“The Tap later?” he inquired.

“I’ve got an early morning.”

“You always have an early morning,” he returned, amused.

“We’ll see.” I used to go every Tuesday, because Dad and I usually didn’t take calls until at least nine, but starting at the inn at seven in the morning was rough.

We stepped into the cold and Ryan pulled on his gloves. “What do you need me to do?”

“Put a clear mark every sixteen inches from this end all the way across.” I pointed to where. “I’ll line the hanger to your mark, you keep it level, and I’ll nail.”

We got to work, and a few minutes later, the front door opened with Gavin holding two cups of coffee. “Thanks.” I grabbed a mug from him. “We’ll be out here a while.”

He nodded and slipped back inside, the door closing fast to keep the warm air in.

We put down another board, then another, and kept going until Ryan’s phone buzzed. He checked the screen and let out a breath.

“Tow just came in. I have to go bring in a pickup that slid into the ditch.”

“No worries,” I told him. “We got further than I would’ve alone.”

He stripped off his gloves and shoved them into his jacket. “Text me if you want a hand later. If I can come back, I will.”

“I can handle it, but thanks.”

He started down the walk, glanced over his shoulder, and gave me a quick grin. “Put your name in tonight. People want to hear you sing.”

I gave him a look that said I didn’t need the reminder. He laughed and headed for his truck.

Dad pulled in a few minutes after Ryan left. He climbed out, zipped his coat, and headed my way.

“You already finished the framing?”

“Shop was slow for Ryan. He came and helped for an hour.”

“Good use of it.” He tapped the rim board and sighted the corner. “You get it square?”

“Yeah, corner to corner matches.”