Page 10 of Tank

“Much of the time. I think about Aunt Daisy and now I often think of her stories and her teasing. She loved to laugh and play tricks on us. Nothing mean, not ever. I still miss her, but she’s in a better place and watching over us all.” Ariel expressed.

“That’s a better way to think of it, but I believe it’s still too soon. The wound is still raw.”

She patted her on the shoulder. “It will get better. I’ve always found it helps to be busy and you are.”

Missy laughed. “Can you be too busy?”

“That will get better too. Things will settle.”

It wasn’t long and she had to go. There was a pickup full of fencing and a shower to unload. The barn had little in it and the roof and floors were solid. The shower could go in the top floor. That one would get done first. She was a typical kid growing up round Ariel in the summers, especially. Construction was no mystery to her.

Missy would work on her house and the barn apartments through the week and reserve the farm work for mainly the weekend when Tank was working on it too. Her writing would have to fit in whenever it could. Ariel seemed to make that work. Of course, Ariel could do things she couldn’t hope to do.

The shower and fencing was unloaded in their proper places and it was time to cook supper. Some of the tenants were home, Jag for one. Tank wasn’t in sight and she wondered if he’d gone to see Ariel. she got supper started making roast and leaving it to cook as she went to work an hour in the top level of the barn. Once she cleaned it up, she decided on where the bathroom would go and marked it off.

There were pipes and other needed items, just not the big ones except for the shower. She began to lay the pipes and almost lost track of the time. Heading back to the kitchen, she took a deep breath and knew the roast was nearly done. That’s when she got to work on the salad. Tank came in the door, and she looked up as his eyes caught mine.

“What you got cooking, good looking?” He said and they both laughed.

That’s when Jag showed up with a ten-dollar bill in his hand. Lucky me. She thought. At least she was earning some pocket change. “I’m not late, am I?” He asked.

“No, it’s not quite done yet.”

”What can I do?” Tank asked.

“Could you please set the table and put the tea out?”

“Anything to please.” Tank said.

She put the salad on the table then pulled the roast out. That’s when she took some short cuts and just put serving spoons in everything and set it on the table. Heating some rolls up in the microwave, she set them there with butter as well.

“Time to eat guys.”

Jag looked lost and after Tank and she loaded their plates, they helped Jag get his loaded too. Maybe Jag only ate out? He certainly seemed helpless. Everyone used the washer and dryer but him. Maybe he sent his laundry out. His room was a mess most of the time, but he’d paid Doris a twenty to clean it. She’d said it was bad enough not to be worth it.

He gave the impression of being independently wealthy. Jag had said he worked nights, but he didn’t seem to be on any schedule at all and was here more than anyone but her. Maybe his job was spying? He certainly seemed to be doing enough of it in an obvious way.

They began to eat, and she had to admit the meal was good. The roast fell apart easily, and the rolls melted in her mouth. As soon as the meal was done and cleaned up, she planned to get back to the barn. It didn’t take her long. The surprise was when she had to run downstairs for something, and she almost tripped over Jag.

“I’m sorry. I’m not familiar with this place and I was exploring.” He looked embarrassed but tried to smile.

She shot him a look loaded with disbelief. “You should go to bed. Nothing exciting is going on out here. No secret rendezvous or underhanded plans.”

“Just curious. What are you doing?”

“I’m getting an apartment put in here and then one below.”

“Why would you even do that?”

“This is a family farm. When Grandpa got ill, I quit my job and stayed with him nearly a year trying to ease things for him. Originally, I hoped he might get better, even live with the cancer long term. It was too late when they found it and it was aggressive. When he died, things were hard for him. I think he might have tried to live longer because I didn’t want him to die. The pain was terrible. Finally, I told him I understood.” Her voice broke as she relived that pain. “He died moments later.”

“I understand.” Jag offered before he rushed away. It amazed her that he had listened to her story at all. It made most people uncomfortable to hear about that kind of loss.

Getting back to work, she got lot done. Apparently, her grandparents had thought about putting something in the barn since lots of electrical and plumbing supplies were there. Now she was ready to quit and she hurried to her room running right into someone. It was Tank. He caught her so she wouldn’t fall and stared down at her. His head lowered as they both seemed to be in a trance and he kissed her. It was soft and filled her with want.

“Sorry I ran into you.” She said her face red as fire.

“Me too.” He said and he let her go. She scurried away.

How had that happened? Not that she hadn’t thought about it. Goodness, she had many times since she’d met him which hadn’t even been that long ago. It looked like he’d thought about it too. The bear was so incredibly sexy. He was all she thought about as she showered then threw on a nightgown. Now he was all she’d dream about as she settled into bed.

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