Page 44 of High Frequency

“Yeah, but I’m around, I’ll be working from home, so call if you need me.”

I’ll be working, but I’ll also be packing up Aspen and my things. I’ll be moving to the ranch this weekend and Mom is getting in on Sunday. I’ve got a lot going on, but hopefully after the weekend things will settle down a bit.

When I get behind the wheel of the Jeep, I quickly call Pippa.

“I’m on my way. Do you need anything from town?”

“No. I was just about to call you to see how long you’d be. We’re heading over to Nella and Fletch’s for dinner. Do you want to come?”

“Thanks for the invite, but I think I’m going to pass. I’ll quickly pick up something for myself and be home shortly. I’ve got some stuff to do tonight.”

“No rush. See you in a bit.”

I’m thinking pizza.

Maybe I’ll get an extra-large one, pick up some beers as well.

Dan

Not bad for two guys putting in a day’s work.

We’ve got the mudroom and the downstairs full bathroom right next to it framed in. We were also able to get a head start on the small walk-in pantry on the opposite side of the kitchen. If we can get up the two walls of the family room at the back of the house tomorrow, I’ll be a happy camper. It’ll leave two days to make a dent in the upstairs. I have three bedrooms, one bath on the left, and then the primary suite to the right of the stairway to frame. That’s never gonna get done in two days, but there’s always next weekend.

That reminds me, I need to confirm with the window contractor to see if he has all my windows and doors. He’s scheduled to be here on Monday, but he was supposed to confirm. Once he’s done and the house is sealed, I can get the electrician in here. The sooner the better. I’m limited to working during daylight, but once I have electricity, I’ll be able to work at night as well.

“Looks pretty good,” JD shares when he walks in.

He’s been helping me load the power tools in the back of my pickup truck, which is, unfortunately, something we’ll have to do until I can store them here safely.

“Yeah, we made good time.”

I pick up one side of the compressor while he lifts the other end, and we carry it outside. Once loaded, I close the tailgate and close and click down the cover.

“Is that all?”

“You left your cooler on the porch,” JD points out.

Right. Ama had it ready and packed with food and drinks this morning when I was heading out. I brought a couple of camping chairs and we sat out on the porch for our lunch break.

“I’ll grab it.”

I start heading up the porch steps when I hear JD behind me.

“Looks like you’ve got company.”

I swing around and see a familiar Jeep coming up the driveway.

I watch as Sloane pulls up next to my pickup and gets out. I notice her cheeks look a little flushed.

“Hey.”

“Hi. I took a chance and brought pizza and beer. But both will keep if I’m interrupting something,” she quickly adds.

“No interruption,” JD answers for me. “I’ve got plans tonight, so I was on my way out.”

He doesn’t mention those plans are with his couch and a baseball game on TV, like he told me earlier, but I’m not about to out him. Not when he’s doing me a favor by making himself scarce. Any of the other guys might’ve stuck around on purpose, just to piss me off.

“If you’re sure…there’s plenty for everyone,” Sloane assures him, grabbing a large pizza box and a six-pack of beer from the passenger seat.

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