“I have the right tools. But there are a lot of little pieces.” Brandt refused to admit defeat. “I’ll get it.”
“I think this will go faster if we work together. I’ll hold and you do the screwing.”
“That’s what she said,” Brandt joked without thinking. Not surprisingly, Shane arched an eyebrow, mouth quirking in something short of a smile. Oops. God, after this mess, Brandt might never be able to joke about sex again. “Sorry. Anyway...let’s try that idea.”
“Sure.” Shane grabbed one of the big crosspieces and held it steady. “Paint looks good in here. You did this room too?”
The ivory was the same as the guest room, the sort of neutral color that always enticed buyers, but the clean and fresh look did make the small room seem more spacious.
“Yup. I was working on the sunroom when you arrived with the baby.” Brandt got the first few screws in without issue. Shane had been right—the extra pair of hands were a decided help.
“Sorry. We ruined all your plans.” Sighing, Shane looked away even as his hands stayed steady.
“Nah. I’ll get the painting done.” His voice was light because two more crib pieces screwed together, and finally, a rectangle shape was achieved. Victory would be his.
“I can help. I’m probably not as handy as you, but I’m not opposed to work.” Shane was way too appealing when he was firm and direct like this. There was an old-fashioned air to that trustworthy vibe he gave off that made him feel like some classic movie hero. “Tell me what you need.”
Now that was a dangerous question. Because the more time they spent together, the more Brandt needed to know what made Shane tick, what could make all that careful sincerity unravel, what might drive them both wild. But that need was best given wide berth, like encountering a bear on a hiking trail. Back away slowly and try not to show he was rattled.
“I’ll let you know,” he said quickly.
“How did you get so handy anyway? You’ve got quite the toolbox.”
This time Brandt stopped himself before a flirty retort could escape. Be serious for once. “I scraped the tools together over the last decade. Sales. Estate auctions. Trades from people needing work done. Started with a drill and screwdriver set my last year in foster care before I turned eighteen. I was in a group home. The couple that ran it were all about life skills and had us helping to rehab the old building that housed the facility.”
“That sounds like it could be interesting.” Shane’s tone was deliberate, like he was trying to avoid passing judgment on Brandt’s experiences, and that sort of care was appreciated, made Brandt keep talking.
“It wasn’t bad. I was in worse situations at other times, that’s for sure. I showed a knack for fixing things, I guess. So I got the drill as a birthday present that year.” As far as memories went, it wasn’t a terrible one, the big cake and the other kids in the group home gathered around, pile of homemade cards and the unexpected gift. “And then when I moved out, I was able to get some construction work here and there while I started getting my certifications for firefighting.”
“You always knew you wanted to work in wildfire?”
“Nah. I wanted to be a regular firefighter. Same as other little kids who get obsessed with first responder jobs, I guess, but I never outgrew it.”
“Bet you were a cute kid.” Shane didn’t look up from the piece he was steadying which was just as well as Brandt had no clue what to make of the compliment.
“I don’t know about that. Anyway, then I found that the city wasn’t really for me. Too loud. Too crowded. Moved to a smaller area, and one of the community college classes I took was about wildfire fighting. I got work that summer on a line crew down near Klammath Falls. Met some smoke jumpers while working a fire and that was it. I knew what I wanted to do.”
“That’s awesome. The first time I took the stage was like that. Scared out of my mind, but still right where I was meant to be. Never wanted to do anything else after that.”
“Man, now I wish I’d heard you at that music fest near Grangeville.” Actually, there were other things Brandt regretted more about that weekend, things best not explored right then. “Shelby said you’re something on stage.”
“Something.” Shane laughed, that rattly one that made it seem like him enjoying this conversation was a surprise to them both. “I suppose she’s right. I’m not the best showman, though, not compared to the big names. I struggle at doing small talk with the audience, but I’m working on that. However, when I start to sing...”
“The earth moves?” Brandt teased as he secured another board in place.