Chapter Twelve
Wyatt
The address led me to a newer subdivision on the edge of town. An area where trees had been felled, and houses had been built shoulder to shoulder along the mountainside.
I parked to the right of the driveway and killed the engine.
Five minutes ago I’d been standing at Vera’s booth trying to ask her out. Now I was the emergency backup for a teenage tree crew. I could see why she was tired.
Ben stood in the driveway, helmet off, gloves shoved into his back pocket. The look of relief on his face when he saw me was immediate.
A tall man in a polo shirt stood on the deck in front of the house, glaring down at me as I approached.
“You didn’t have to come,” Ben muttered when I reached him.
“Sure I did,” I said lightly. “I was bored looking at brochures at the trade show. Another ten minutes, and I was going to buy a hot tub I didn’t need.”
The homeowner came marching down to the driveway. “If you’re with the company, tell him to finish the job. I’m not paying for another visit because he’s incompetent.”
Ben squared his shoulders. “I’m not incompetent. I’m just not authorized.”
Good kid.
I glanced toward the tree in question, studying it. The ground sloped toward the garage. The roots were lifting slightly on the far side.
I was no expert, but that wasn’t a five-minute job. That was a bring coffee, ropes, and three grown men kind of job.
I stopped and looked at the homeowner. “Sir, this can’t be safely taken down by one person. It’s weighted toward your garage, and there are power lines overhead. The crew is coming back soon. They can do it right once they’re here.”
“It’s barely bigger than a telephone pole,” he scoffed. “He’s got a chainsaw. What’s the issue?”
My hunch had been right. If the guy didn’t want to wait for the crew to get back, he probably wanted more work done than what he’d paid for. Probably thought he could intimidate the rookie into doing what he said.
Ben was made of tougher stuff than that. Must take after his mom.
“The issue,” I said calmly, “is that if it kicks back wrong, it takes your garage roof with it. Or the fence. Or the power lines. And then your five-minute shortcut becomes a very expensive insurance claim.” I gave the tree another look.
“And I don’t know about you, but I’ve never met an insurer eager to pay someone for a bad decision. ”
“You’re making this more complicated than it needs to be.”
“Yeah? Let me simplify it.” I tipped my head toward the garage. “Nice roof. Be a shame if a tree fell on it.”
The man crossed his arms. “I’ve dropped trees before, smart-ass.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I replied. “But this is the type of thing that needs to be done right. And right means a full crew with proper tools and rigging.”
“I already paid for tree removal,” the homeowner said. “I expect the tree to be removed.”
“And it will be,” I said. “By the full crew.”
The man and I stared at each other, me standing shoulder to shoulder with Ben. The homeowner’s face reddened as Ben fought hard to look older than eighteen.
There was no way in hell Ben was touching that tree. I’d take him out of here myself if the homeowner didn’t knock it off. Brody shouldn’t long though, Wildrose Bend wasn’t a big place.
Just as I thought that, the rumble of an engine sounded, and I turned to see Brody’s old truck pull in behind my Wild Timber Homes one.
Brody approached at a fast pace, eyebrows drawn low over his eyes. Levi wasn’t far behind. We all knew each other just from being in the same industry.
“Ben, don’t touch that tree. Wyatt, what are you doing on my job site?” Brody barked.
“Let’s talk over here,” I said, gesturing to my truck. “Before your customer decides I’m the tree-cutting police.”
“Come on, rookie. Let’s get these branches cleaned up,” Levi said, guiding Ben away from the homeowner, and back to where they’d dropped the tree.
“Wait a second, what about my tree?” the homeowner said, his voice calmer now that he was facing three grown men rather than a teenager.
Brody held up a hand, a gesture that invited no argument. “Let me handle this.”
He and I walked over behind my truck to talk out of earshot.
Brody planted his feet, hands on his hips. He was a big guy, always in flannel like I was. A long, dark braid hung down his back, a nod to his Indigenous heritage.
“The homeowner was trying to push Ben to drop that tree by the garage, and he didn’t know how to handle it.”
Brody craned his head around to look at the tree I was gesturing to, and his lips pursed.
“I know, he called me while I was driving back.”
“Guy was being an asshole.”
Brody cursed. “Glad the kid didn’t do it. That’s not an easy drop.”
I nodded. “I know. The kid didn’t want you thinking he couldn’t handle things, but he also knew he shouldn’t do a dangerous job. Which, frankly, puts him ahead of about half the grown men I’ve worked with.”
“I’ll talk to him about it. I don’t want someone on my crew to think they can’t talk to me.” He glanced back toward Ben, watching him for a moment with a thoughtful look that didn’t match the usual grumpy-bear vibe. “Kid’s solid. Just green.”
I nodded.
“How did you end up here?”
I looked down at my work boots, kicking at the dry dirt. “He called his mom for advice and…I was with her.”
Brody’s face gave nothing away and he watched me carefully.
“We’ve gotten to know each other recently.”
He remained silent.
“Fine. I kind of have a thing for her. Was going to ask her out before Ben called.”
I leaned against the side of my truck. “Nothing like a potential chainsaw incident to really set the mood for romance. I’m a little out of my depth, though… I haven’t wanted someone to say yes this much in a long time. Should I buy her flowers or something? I don’t know.”
Brody patted me on the shoulder. “I’m over forty and single, same as you.
I’m the last person to take advice from.
Every woman I’ve dated has said I’m a grumpy asshole and moved on.
” He scratched the back of his neck, an unexpected sign of vulnerability I’d never seen on him.
“Hopefully, you have better luck than I did.”
“You’re not dead yet, man. Lots of time for romance.”
He snorted. “Do I look like the wine and roses type?”
I thought of Vera—waiting tables, sanding and staining, and working construction. “No, but not all women want that. Some women prefer a guy who shows up when things get hard.”
“Then ask her out,” he said. “Worst thing she can say is no.”
Little did he know how much that no would hurt if she said it.
He sighed. “Anyway, I better go deal with my customer.”
I nodded and went to find Ben before I left.
When I found him, he and Levi were busily throwing branches into a chipper. I caught his eye and motioned him over.
“You okay?”
He nodded. “You really didn’t have to come.”
“I know. I would have worried if I hadn’t.”
He played with the hem of his shirt. “Mom would have worried, you mean?”
“We both would have.”
“Are you and my mom, like… dating?”
I felt my cheeks heat, which was ridiculous. “No. Just friends.”
“You want to be though.”
Leave it to kids to hit the nail on the head. “That’s between your mom and me.”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He smiled for the first time since I’d shown up. “That’s why you showed up here right?”
I blew out a breath. “I showed up because I didn’t want you to get hurt…if it happens to impress your mom, well that is a happy coincidence.”
He laughed and shoved my shoulder. “I better get back to work. Thanks, Wyatt.”
“Anytime.” I watched him go, knowing things were fine with Brody and Levi here.
Ben may think I only showed up for Vera, but I had shown up for him too. I liked the kid and I didn’t hate the idea of being one of the adults in his life that showed up for him.