Page 25 of Off the Trail

“Yep,” he says. “I’ll show you.” He walks to the edge of the slab, then scrambles down a little embankment. Brooke follows, then so do I. From below, I can see the concrete is two levels—the ground floor we were just standing on, then a large basement level with its own foundation. It’s open to the elements right now.

“How will this be closed up?” I ask.

“We’re going to put in barn doors, that way it can be completely opened up if need be. There will be a garage above, but this could be considered another garage space. Of course, eventually it’ll house the heating and water and electrical systems, too.”

“What a cool idea.”

Blaze talks for a while about the various plans and designs. I haven’t read architectural plans in a hot minute, but when he pulls up the architect’s rendering on his phone, it helps me visualize how they’re going to get from here to there. It’s clear he’s thought everything through and is super excited about it.

“And here’s where you can have a little patio with a view of the lake, maybe have your morning coffee,” he says to Brooke, who gives him a faint smile. There’s something off about her response, which seems a little reserved. But I just met the woman, so maybe I’m reading her wrong.

“So tell me again how this is going to happen?” I say. “We’re into October already, and apparently we could get snow any time.”

“I know. My contractor is a little short-staffed at the moment,” Blaze says, sounding slightly anxious. “He’s doing the best he can. I’d help out more, but work keeps me surprisingly busy.”

And I’ve been the one keeping him busy lately. He didn’t mean it that way, but it still makes me feel self-absorbed.

“But it’s okay,” he says, forcing a cheerful smile. “We have at least a month or two before we could see any kind of real winter weather.”

A month doesn’t seem like very long when there’s so far to go. It’s not a small house. But what do I know? I took one woodworking class in college and worked two seasons of construction. I’m barely a rookie when it comes to this stuff.

“So, what do you think?”

“It’s going to be incredible, B,” Brooke says. “Anyone would be ecstatic to live here.”

There’s something about the way she says it that makes me wonder if she’s being completely honest, but Blaze seems satisfied. He calls for Misty, and we head back the way we came. I fall into step beside Brooke, while Blaze is up ahead with the dog.

“I don’t have any siblings,” I say to her quietly. “But if I did and one of them was building me a house, I’d be pretty impressed. Maybe a little overwhelmed.”

“Blaze is very impressive,” she says, smiling at me with even white teeth. I remember Blaze told me she’s a dental assistant. “He’s a really good guy. And a good brother. He’s given up a lot for me.”

She sounds a little sad at the last part, but it’s clear the two of them care about each other a lot. “Well, I know if he did, it’s because he wanted to. Blaze isn’t the kind of person who does things because he thinks he should—he does them because they’re the right thing to do.”

“You’re right,” she says, glancing at me with approval. “But that doesn’t make it less of a burden, you know?”

It’s not clear which burden she’s talking about—the burden he carries taking care of her, or her burden of gratitude over being taken care of.

“Thanks for letting me tag along,” I say to her, yet again feeling like I’ve intruded on their family weekend.

“Oh, I’m glad you’re here,” she says. “Blaze knows everyone, but he should have more friends.”

“I’m just visiting.” I may be drawn to the guy, but I’m only here for a brief stay.

“Yeah, but there’s not a lot of people he connects with. Anyway, I’m glad you came over. It’s his day off, and I’ve got to go out for a while.”

“His day off?” I’m an idiot for not realizing sooner. “Am I—shit, I’m totally imposing.”

“No, you aren’t,” she says firmly. “If you’re here, it’s because Blaze wants you to be here,” she adds, reflecting my own logic back to me.

We’re back at the house before I can respond.

“I’m going to head out. Do you want me to pick up something for supper on the way back?” Brooke asks.

Blaze glances at me. “Sure. Why don’t you call before you order something?”

Will I still be here at dinnertime? Would it be creepy if I were? I literally have nothing else on my agenda and hanging out with Blaze seems like the best possible way to spend my time.

“Sure. So nice to meet you, Shawn,” Brooke says warmly before collecting a bag, a jacket, and a pair of keys that no doubt go to the practical small SUV I saw parked outside next to Blaze’s truck.