The Crossing Trilogy

Chapter 7

7

“Wow!” Sydney stood in the driveway staring at the farmhouse. “The roof looks great.” She walked around the side of the house with Jax. The equipment building had a new roof as well, and the damaged boards on that building and the barn had been replaced. Jax's crew were using a backhoe to pick up discarded roofing and wall materials from the ground, dropping it into the bed of a dump truck.

“We're hauling away the roofing debris. Tomorrow, we have a couple of commercial dumpsters coming in and we'll be able to clean up as we go.” Jax said.

“Even unpainted, the buildings look better already. You got a lot done while I was away.”

“How was your trip?”

“Very successful. I accomplished a lot. So what's next?”

“Even though the foundation is sound, we discovered the house is slightly tilted towards the back. Over the years, the ground and house settled in that direction. It's quite fixable, using jacks and levelling it off.” Jax shuffled through a folder and pulled out a paper. “Here, this is the additional cost for the work and materials.”

Sydney studied the paper. “That's fine. I was fully prepared that there could be more costs involved with an old house like this one. And it certainly needs doing.”

“Okay. We'll get started on that this afternoon. When that's finished, we'll move into the house and start with the attic.”

“I'd like to go in the house and take some pictures before you get started. It would be so awesome if I could have an album following your progress.”

“Go ahead. The house is empty right now.”

Sydney headed to the front of the house. A horn honked and she looked to the road to see a pick-up driving out of the driveway of the neighbouring farm. She waved at Arne Jensen. He'd lived on that farm his whole life, having been born and raised there. He'd worked the land; first with his parents who were gone now, and then with his wife, Mary. Sadly, Mary had died years ago from a fatal heart attack. Arne still worked the farm. It was all he knew.

Arne pulled into her driveway and opened his window. “Well, well, haven't you grown up since I saw you last.”

“It's been a long time for sure. How are you, Mr. Jensen?”

“Please, it's Arne. I'm well, thank you.”

“I was so sorry to hear about Mary. It must have been a difficult time for you.”

“That was a long time ago, dear. Life goes on. Your grandmother was a good friend to my Mary. Back in the day, we were the closest neighbours to each other.”

“I guess, it was all farmland with huge acreages. I'm glad when they allowed owners to subdivide agricultural land, they put five and ten acre lot restrictions in place.”

“So how is your grandmother. Is she moving back to the farm?”

“Nan's fine. She's not moving back but she'll be down to visit once I'm moved in. I'm sure she'll pop over to see you.”

A door slammed shut inside the house, which startled Sydney. She glanced towards the house perplexed, knowing it was empty.

Arne drew her attention. “It would be nice to see her again.” He nodded at the house. “Big renovations going on.”

She looked back at the old farmer and smiled. “Yes. I'm really excited about the progress. I can't wait to move in.”

“You planning on living here on your own then?”

“I am. And running a home-based business. By the way, the house is now in my name. I'll get the lawyers to draw up a new lease on the hay fields. Same terms if that's what you want.”

“Sure thing. It'll be nice to have a neighbour again. If there's anything you need help with, anything at all, don't you hesitate to call me. Okay? Now I'm off to an appointment in town.”

“Thank you. Talk soon.”

Sydney watched him leave and waved back at his arm extended out the window. She entered the house and wandered around taking pictures. Another door slammed shut upstairs and she climbed the stairs. “Hello?” No answer. When she reached the hallway, she noted the bedroom doors were shut. She opened one and stepped into the room that had been her mother's many years ago. Instantly, the door closed hard behind her.

Sydney spun around, heart in throat. What the hell? She opened it and peered into the hallway. No one there. Okay. There's a reasonable explanation for this. She went back into the bedroom and stared out the open window. Of course. Sydney rummaged through her shoulder bag. “Where are you? I know you're in there…aha.”

She took the pencil lying at the very bottom of the canvas sack and turned away from the window. She bent down and placed the pencil on the floor. It rolled in the direction of the door just as Jax entered. “Oops, watch out for the pencil.”

Jax stopped and looked down. He raised his head up and stared at her in surprise. “Were you checking up on me to make sure I was telling you the truth about the tilt? I assure you that Rhyder Contracting has a high standard and a great reputation in this community.”

Sydney felt her face get hot and knew she was blushing. “Oh Jax, don't be ridiculous. Of course I believe you. I heard doors slamming up here and I was trying to figure out why. I realized the doors and windows are all open and there's a breeze blowing through. It didn't seem enough to slam the doors, so I was seeing how big the tilt was as a contributing factor.”

Jax looked at the door. “I see your point. Definitely, with the door on a tilt, it wouldn't take much of a wind to slam it shut.”

“Mystery solved. I was starting to think the house was haunted.”

They both laughed.

“I came up to tell you that the dump truck is gone. I'm heading to town to pick up the jacks and materials we need for the foundation repair. I was wondering if you'd like to join me for lunch first.”

Sydney hesitated. “Jax, I don't want to blur the lines between us. Right now we have a business arrangement and …”

“I'm talking lunch not a date. I'm on my lunch break right now and you will probably head home to eat something too.” Jax threw his hands up. 'This is just about food…and I'm starving.”

She laughed. “Okay. I'll follow you back to town. Where do you suggest?”

“The Rattlesnake Grill, it's on the river a couple of blocks south of where you're staying. They have the best salads and grilled meats.”

“I know where it is. If we get separated, I'll meet you there.”

They descended the stairs and headed out the door to their vehicles. Jax pulled out of the driveway and drove down the road. Sydney felt good. Reconnecting with Jessie and her neighbour, Arne went a long way to make her feel right about returning to Stoney Creek. She thought of Jax. We can be friends like he is with Jessie. She smiled. He's pretty easy on the eyes too.

She turned the rear-view mirror towards her head to check out her make-up and hair and caught the glint in her eyes. Instantly, she reset the mirror and pursed her lips. No, no and no.

* * *

Sydney took in the decor of the restaurant while waiting for the server. “I love the brick red, turquoise and mustard yellow colours. So southwestern.” There were big clay pots of ferns and cacti affording the tables some privacy. The huge room appeared smaller and cosy.

Jax looked out the glass windows.“It suits our arid climate.” He nodded towards the Okanagan River flowing south. “The river is really high and deep at this time of year.”

“Do people tube down it to Osoyoos like everyone does in Penticton?”

“No. They are different sections of the Okanagan River but they are like two different rivers. This end is far too dangerous. Have you ever done the Penticton run?

Sydney smiled. “No. But that sounds like my kind of fun.”

“There are places along the way to stop for picnic lunches. Tell you what, come summer I'll arrange a group of friends. We'll float down the channel, stop for lunch and have a swim in the lake when we get there.”

“But how do we get back to our vehicles?”

The waiter arrived and Sydney ordered a Mediterranean salad and grilled salmon steak. Jax ordered a garden salad with a t-bone steak.

“We'll leave the vehicles at the entry point. Usually there's one or two who don't do the river. They bring the drivers back to the car park and they return to pick up everyone else down at the lake.”

“And what about lunch?”

“The ones who don't do the channel bring the lunch to a designated spot downstream at a pre-determined time. Once we return to Stoney Creek, we usually meet at a pub for a few beers and dinner. Makes for a great day with friends.”

Their food arrived and they were silent for a few minutes as they dove into their food.

“Mmm…you're right,” Sydney said. “The food is wonderful.”

“Told you. So what do you think? Are you up to a day on the channel?”

Sydney looked up at Jax. Making new friends was a good thing. “I can't wait.”

Jax picked up his water glass.“Here's to a hot summer.” He grinned and winked at her.

Warmth spread through her body and she was certain it had spread to her face. She clinked his glass and took a sip of water. Immediately, she dropped her eyes and dove into her salmon. Damn him with his expressive blue eyes and dimples. He looks like a young Chris Pine.