Saving Grapes - Madeline Kirby Page 0,64
can give it a try, anyway. I can always run back and get the car if I need to .”
Ben started leading Thom toward the café Chuck had taken him to when Thom was in the hospital. “You know, lunch is kind of a date.”
“Not a proper date, though. I’m talking about going somewhere special, or doing something. Like a play or dinner or even an afternoon at a park. Not grabbing lunch after my doctor’s appointment.”
“Okay, okay. You plan a date, and I’ll be there. Anything you want.”
“Not until I’m out of this sling, though.”
“Fair enough.”
As they pulled into the drive leading up to the house, Ben saw Ross’s truck at the job site.
“Ross is here. Do you want to stop and get an update?”
“Yeah. Let’s get it over with.”
Ben laughed. “Poor Ross.”
“Poor Ross my ass. I think he must be a sex addict.”
“I think he’s lonely.”
Thom turned to look at Ben. “Seriously? Ross, lonely?”
Ben shrugged. “You tell him no, I tell him no. I know someone in town who would tell him yes, but for some reason Ross doesn’t ask. I never really see him do much other than work. I don’t know, I get the feeling part of it is an act to cover up how lonely he is.”
“Geez. You need to stop talking or I’m going to start feeling sorry for Ross and the world will tilt on its axis.”
Ben laughed and put the truck in park, cutting the engine. “Don’t move.” He jumped down and ran around to the passenger’s side to help Thom down.
“I don’t need help getting out of the truck.”
“I don’t want to take any chances that you’re not able to get upstairs tonight.”
“Fine. I can’t argue with that.”
Ben helped Thom down from the truck, and hovered while Thom got his balance on the rough ground. With one arm around Thom’s waist, he led him over to a makeshift table where Ross was going over the plans with another man in a hardhat.
“Hey, Thom. Ben,” Ross greeted them as they approached. “Lookin’ good there, Thom. You’ll be chasin’ Ben all over the house before you know it.”
“Don’t you ever give it a rest, Ross?” Complained the other man at the table.
Ross rolled his eyes. “This is Randy. He’s the lead electrician. Randy, this is Thom Caldwell and Ben Loomis.” The men shook hands, exchanging greetings.
“So, is Ross driving you crazy, too?” Ben asked Randy.
“Not like you mean,” Randy replied.
“Nah, Randy’s as straight as they come. Terrible waste if you ask me.”
“No one’s asking, Ross.” Randy told him. “I’d better get back in there. Thom, Ben, good to meet you. Watch out for Ross, he’s in a special mood today.”
“What’s up, Ross?” Ben asked after Randy had gone into the building.
Ross shrugged and turned back to the plans on the table. “Nothing. Don’t know what he’s talking about.”
Ben and Thom exchanged a look. Something was eating at Ross, but it was clear the big man didn’t want to talk about it.
“How’s construction coming along, then?” Thom asked.
“Ya want me to show you or tell you?” Ross asked, nodding at Thom’s cane. “I can give you a tour if you’re up for it.”
“Let’s give the tour a shot. We can cut it short if we have to.”
Ross handed them both hardhats and they made their way across the yard and into the open side door of the new structure. Inside, the concrete floor was level and free of debris, so it was easy walking for Thom. They followed Ross around the interior as he pointed out where walls and doors and tanks would eventually be located.
He led them back outside to the worktable. Sorting through plans, he pulled out the survey.
“Look, I know you said you wanted the option to add a brewery,” he looked up and Thom nodded. “But I just don’t think it’s going to work the way we talked about. Not as a separate building, anyway. You wouldn’t have room left for parking or an outdoor space.”
“I was afraid of that,” Thom said. “Do you have any ideas?”
“If we enlarge this structure, expanding it a bit in this direction,” he outlined the area with a finger, “you can have both in one building. Add a second story, and move the offices, lab spaces, and tasting room upstairs. Put a glass wall on one side of the tasting room, overlooking the tanks and operations – customers would love it. Parking would move here, along the side, and you can have