[Kentucky Brothers 01] - The Journey by Wanda E Brunstetter Page B

or should I continue with the cabinets I was working on yesterday?” he asked.
     
    “You can work on the cabinets, and if you’re not done when I finish with this door, I’ll help you with ‘em.”
     
    “Okay.”
     
    Titus and Nelson worked in silence the rest of the morning. Shortly before noon, Allen showed up. “Thought I’d better come by and see how you’re doing,” he said, thumping Titus on the back.
     
    Titus groaned. “With the exception of a leaky roof, a scraped-up leg, some problems with mice, and a trailer that needs lots of repairs, I’m doing great.”
     
    Allen’s thick, dark eyebrows met at the bridge of his nose. “I’d let you bunk in with me, but my house is on the other side of Hopkinsville. With my job taking me all over the place right now, I wouldn’t have time to bring you to work every day.”
     
    “It’s okay. I’m sure the trailer will be fine once it’s fixed up.”
     
    “My grandpa’s out right now, telling folks about the work frolic we’re planning for this Saturday,” Nelson said.
     
    Allen smiled. “That’s good to hear, and I’ll be there to help out, too. In fact, I’ll go over to the trailer when I leave here and do some measuring so we’ll know how much roofing material will be needed.”
     
    “That’d be much appreciated,” Nelson said. “With your carpentry skills and ours, I’m sure we’ll get the job done twice as fast.”
     
    “Speaking of carpentry skills, I’ve just contracted to build a new house on the other side of Hopkinsville, and I’d like you to make the cabinets and doors for it,” Allen said.
     
    Nelson nodded enthusiastically. “Sure thing. We’re always glad for any work that comes up.”
     
    “Great. I’ll be by to discuss the details with you as soon as I hear from the homeowners about what type of wood they’d like.” Allen turned toward the door. “See you both on Saturday.”
     

     
    Suzanne had been working on Esther’s quilt most of the morning, but she hadn’t accomplished a lot. That was probably because she kept glancing out the window at the birds swooping down from the trees to get a drink of water from one of the birdbaths in their yard. She hated being cooped up in the house on such a warm spring day, but if she didn’t work on the quilt, she’d never get it done in time for Esther’s birthday.
     
    Suzanne made a few more stitches, glanced out the window again, and was surprised to see Esther walking across the lawn toward the house. Not wanting Esther to see the quilt, she put her needle down and hurried outside.
     
    “I hear there’s going to be a work frolic on Saturday to fix up the old trailer where Titus is staying,” Esther said when Suzanne joined her on the lawn.
     
    Suzanne could tell from Esther’s eager expression that she planned to go to the frolic. “When we found out that the >trailer needed lots of repairs, Grandpa decided to schedule the frolic,” Suzanne said.
     
    Esther bobbed her head. “He came by our place this morning and told us about it.”
     
    “I assume you’re planning to go?”
     
    “Oh jah. My folks will have to work at the store on Saturday, but they said I could go to the frolic to help out.” Esther smiled. “If I get the chance to speak with Titus alone that day, I may work up the nerve to ask if he has a girlfriend.”
     
    “You don’t have to do that now,” Suzanne said. “I already asked.”
     
    Esther’s eyes widened. “You—you did?”
     
    “I said I would, remember?”
     
    “Oh, that’s right. Guess I didn’t figure you’d follow through.”
     
    “When I drove him home from the store yesterday, he was talking about his family, so I asked if he had a girlfriend in Pennsylvania.”
     
    “What’d he say?”
     
    “He used to have one, but doesn’t now.”
     
    Esther grinned. “So maybe he might take an interest in me.”
     
    “Could be. He’s sure not interested in me.”
     
    “How do you