Mending Fences

Jack got out and walked across the street to get a better look. He tried not to gawk at the woman on the mower, as he signaled with waving arms and then pointed at the sign. He had to know more.

She drove the mower toward him.

Squinting against the glare of a late afternoon sun, he scoped the view of Lake Superior shimmering like a strip of blue tinsel on the horizon. He took a deep breath, wiped his hands on the bottom of his shirt and moved forward. The closer she got, the slower he walked. She was tall, lean and tan. She looked like one of those beach volleyball players he’d seen on cable. All he had to do was sound intelligent and not stare.

The woman carried herself with an air of professionalism that was at odds with the neglected property. She gave him a cheeky grin and extended her hand. “I’m Laura. Wanna buy it?”

He gave her a firm handshake. “Jack.”

She quickly let go and slipped her hands into the back pockets of her denim shorts. Her cell phone hung from a holder clipped to her waist.

“Is it just the barn and not the house?” He kicked at a stone with the toe of his boot. “I’m in the process of relocating and the house I had rented was sold.”

“Wow, that’s a tough one.”

“Yeah.” He glanced at her.

She squinted, too, her hand shielding her eyes. “Sorry, but it’s just the barn. There’s an attached apartment, though. Take a look around.”

“You wouldn’t mind?” Jack had his reservations, but he might as well check it out. If nothing else, he’d met a pretty woman who’d brightened an otherwise frustrating day.

“If you don’t mind me finishing the lawn. Go on in, the door’s open.”

“Perfect,” he said.

Her expression changed as if it just dawned on her that she was alone in the sticks with a pretty good-sized stranger.

Jack gave her an encouraging nod. He might be tongue-tied, but he didn’t pose a threat. Crossing the driveway, he stepped into the barn and flicked on a light switch to a single bare bulb hanging over a workshop area. A few old bales of hay lay stacked in a corner and dust covered everything.

Nosing around, he found a ladder leading to a lower level. He climbed down and noticed cooler air mingled with the smell of stale oats. The walls looked solid and the foundation opened to an overgrown pasture by way of a sliding door.

He found the apartment and entered a big room containing two sets of bunk beds, a loft overlooking a small kitchenette, and a curtained entrance to a bathroom with a shower stall, sink and toilet.

He turned on the faucet. After a minor shudder, cloudy water spewed out, and then ran clear. Even the toilet flushed without trouble. He took the wrought-iron spiral staircase to the loft, testing each step. Sturdy. The loft was big enough for a twin bed and maybe a small dresser, but it would allow his daughter some privacy. She’d have to make do until they had a house of their own built.

Was moving Angie to the U.P. the right thing? His sister thought he was crazy. Angie would surely hate this compared to her frilly bedroom overlooking the river back home in Lansing, but it wouldn’t be forever.

This felt right. And the timing was perfect. He rubbed his neck. Was this God’s provision from out of a jam or just Jack’s wishful thinking?

Looking out the back window of the apartment, he spotted a powder-blue sports car parked near the house. If that belonged to Laura, she had a decent job—probably in Houghton. If she lived here, why’d she let it go?

Outside, he caught the woman’s attention and shouted, “Mind if I take a walk?”

She gave him a thumbs-up.

The property looked good as far as he could tell, but he’d have to see the survey. The gentle sloping field stretched to a small woods, then more open meadow. A slice of Lake Superior shimmered just beyond that.

He could picture his daughter here—riding horses, planting a garden. An image of Angie picking the vegetables they could grow together was all it took. He came around the side of the barn and waited for Laura to notice him.

She drove the lawn mower toward him and shut it off. “What do you think?”

“I’m buying out a vet practice in town, but my goal is to work and live on the same property. I’m not sure if building a home first or the business is more appropriate.”

“You’re a vet?” Her eyebrows lifted, as if surprised. “This place would be perfect for you.”

“I have a daughter, that’s why I wanted to rent. Get to know the area better before committing.”

“I’m not interested in renting. I need to sell.”

Jack rubbed the stubble on his chin. “But should I buy a house or a practice facility? This place would work well as a vet’s office.”

Looking into her blue eyes for guidance he knew she couldn’t give, he noticed her irises were rimmed in yellow. She had beautiful eyes that tilted up at the corners. His mouth formed the words before his mind registered. “What’s your asking price? I’m interested in buying.”

Chapter Two

Laura felt the weight of his stare and shifted her stance. This guy was big, well over six feet. He had an unruly mop of sandy blond hair with more than a day’s growth of beard. He was rough-looking with a lumberjack quality that most women would admire. But Laura wasn’t most women. He had a daughter. “How old is your daughter?”

He beamed like any proud parent, his blue eyes shining. “She’s thirteen and she starts school after Labor Day.”

“There’s not much room in that apartment for a teenaged girl.”

“We’ve had to adjust to tougher things.”

What kind of things?

Laura’s interest piqued. Any self-respecting girl would hate living in a barn.

He pointed toward Lake Superior. “Eventually, I could see myself building on the edge of those woods, as long as they’re part of the twenty acres.”

“Maybe I should call my Realtor.” Laura grabbed her phone and dialed. When her Realtor finally answered, Laura explained the situation.

“I’ll ask.” Laura lowered her phone. “She wants to know if you’ve had dinner?”

He looked surprised. “No.”

“He hasn’t.” Laura held his gaze. “Are you hungry? We can go through the papers over dinner if you have time. You can bring your daughter, too.”

“I have the time, but Angie’s not with me. She’s at my sister’s in Lansing.”

“We’ll meet you there.” Laura disconnected and looked up. “I hope you like Italian.”

“Some of my favorite food.”

“The restaurant’s in the center of town. You can’t miss it. It’s called Gino’s.”

“Mind if I follow you?” he asked.

“Not at all. I’ll get my keys.” Laura headed for the house. She turned in time to see Jack climb into his monster-sized SUV parked across the road. He was a big, tall man with a big truck.