"Afraid I’ll take their jobs?" Ashton teased, the corners of his mouth lifting into a faint smile.

"They’re just curious," Elaine replied, her eyes following the way he skillfully sanded the wood. "How do you know how to do all this? Have you done it before?"

Ashton paused mid-motion. "Yeah, I’ve done this kind of work before."

Elaine handed him a bottle of water and gently brushed the wood dust off his face as she settled down beside him. ...