Page 17 of Pretty Relentless

“Tonight? I don’t think you need to be climbing ladders in this weather,” I tell him.

He looks up, hands on his hips, as he considers our options. “You’re right, but I need to at least see what the damage is. Then we’ll board up your window so it doesn’t blow in or break more. With the roof blocking it, I don’t think it will, but the wind is supposed to keep up all night, and I don’t want to risk it. We’ll board it from the inside.”

I swallow hard, wishing there were another way to fix the damage, but I know there isn’t. Not at this point of the evening, with limited visibility and resources and the weather not playing nice. “Yeah, okay. I think I still have some sheets of plywood in the garage,” I state.

We go to the garage and retrieve the ladder and plywood. It’s not a full sheet, but it’ll work for tonight and should cover most of, if not all, the window. I help Dad by holding the ladder as he climbs up to assess the damage. “Good news is there doesn’t appear to be damage to the trusses or braces. I think the old poles were rotting and snapped under the weight of the snow.”

I sigh, trying to shield my eyes from the wind as I hold the ladder. “Okay. Why don’t you get down now before you fall.”

He chuckles, carefully climbing down the ladder. The moment his feet are firmly planted on the ground, he shakes the gathered snow from his head and refolds the ladder. “All right, let’s get inside so we can help protect the window. You can call the contractor tomorrow for an estimate.”

His words finally register, causing me to stop in my tracks. “Contractor?”

He glances back, pausing in the middle of the driveway. “Yeah, contractor.”

Images of Gavin filter through my head, like a parade of the town’s hottest guy. “Umm, I guess I just assumed I could hire you.”

He chuckles again, continuing on his trek to my garage. As soon as we’re inside, he informs me, “I can do small cosmetic repairs, but I’d prefer you have a professional look at this one, Ava Grace. Besides, Gavin’s good.”

I nod, my throat suddenly dry at the thought of having Gavin here…in my house. “You’re right. I’ll give him a call Monday morning.”

“Tomorrow, sunshine.” His words are adamant and full of concern. “With a potential roof issue, you don’t want to wait.”

“But…it’s Saturday tomorrow, and he might have his daughter,” I counter.

“I understand that, but I’m sure Gavin has contingencies in place where his kid is concerned.Myconcern is my kid,” he informs me with a gentle smile. “Andmy kidneeds to make sure her roof isn’t going to cave in on her.”

I sigh, knowing he’s right. Plus, it’s supposed to keep snowing this weekend, which means the build-up on my roof will continue. The last thing I’d want is more damage and a potential water leak. “Yeah, okay. I’ll call in the morning.”

“Thank you,” he says with a smile. “I’ll text you his cell phone number.”

“Thanks for coming into town to help me,” I say, as he hangs the ladder back up on the hooks.

“Of course, sunshine. You can call me anytime.” He gives me a big hug before going for the piece of plywood he pulled from the back wall. I retrieve my hammer and some nails, hating the fact we’re about to put holes in my walls or trim, but understanding it’s necessary. Wisconsin winters can be brutal at times, and the last thing I want is for the weather outside to come inside.

We manage to get the wood in the house, and after taking off our heavy winter attire and pulling my couch out from in front of the window, I hold the board in place while my dad secures it to my trim. “Since the window will need replacing, I think it’ll be easier to also change the trim than to try to reuse it and fill the holes. I’m sure Gavin can do that, but if not, that’s an easy project for us.”

Dad and I have worked together on most of the upgrades to my house. I did hire my brother-in-law to do the plumbing and heating stuff, but otherwise, Dad and I have tackled the rest. I adore spending time with him, especially working side by side. It reminds me of when I was younger and working on the farm. While my sister did her share of chores, she preferred to be inside with Mom, whereas I made sure I was outside, running alongside my dad.

“That should hold until Gavin can come and take a look,” Dad announces once the board is secured in place. “You know you can come spend the night at my house if you’d prefer.”

I flash him a smile. “Thanks, but I’m okay here.”

He nods before putting on his coat and boots and collecting the hammer and nails. “Offer’s always open. You need me, call.”

“I will. Thanks, Dad,” I say, giving him one more hug.

“All right, I’m gonna head home. I’ll lock up the garage when I’m done in there,” he announces, walking toward the back door.

“Love you,” I say, giving him a kiss on his scruffy cheek, which tickles my lips.

“Love you too, Ava Grace. Let me know what Gavin says.”

“I will,” I confirm, waving as he exits my house, locking the back door behind him as he goes.

Just as I flip off the kitchen light, I hear a shovel scraping the ground. A quick glance out the kitchen window confirms what I already know. My dad is finishing my shoveling. It doesn’t surprise me, since he’s spent the last five years going above and beyond for my sister and me. Ever since Mom passed away, he keeps himself incredibly busy. I’ve always thought it was easier for him that way, as opposed to sitting at home in the big house they used to share, surrounded by the quiet and memories.

I listen as he finishes up his snow removal and returns the shovel to the garage. I peek out the kitchen window and watch as he exits, making sure the door is secured before he leaves. I run over to my phone and type out a quick message, hitting send before he pulls out of the driveway.

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