“Thanks, but—” Ivy started.

“Actually, you showed up in the nick of time,” Phoebe interrupted. “I was just sitting here worrying about how we’re going to raise that new ridgepole for the roof with just the two of us. We need two sets of hands to hold it in place, while the third person does the nailing.”

“But…” Ivy protested.

“I’m game if you’re game,” Ezra said.

Ivy had to admit the work went much faster with a third set of hands. Within an hour Phoebe and Ezra had the old roof repaired, and patched with spare sheets of tin Ivy discovered in the toolshed.

As the unskilled-labor portion of the work crew, Ivy spent the rest of the afternoon fetching tools and material, and pitching in where needed.

By four o’clock, the sun was rapidly gliding toward the western horizon as Ezra and Phoebe put the finishing touches on a new wire-enclosed run for the chickens and Ivy nailed up the old galvanized nesting boxes and spread clean straw around the floor of the coop.

“We did it,” Phoebe said, stepping back to admire the refurbished henhouse. “Not bad, huh?”

“You did it,” Ivy corrected her. She glanced over at Ezra. “The two of you, that is. I was the weak link in this outfit. I don’t know how I can ever repay you. Either of you.”

Ezra laughed and looked over at Phoebe. “Most of the credit goes to your job foreman. I just did what I was told.”

“Teamwork makes the dream work,” Phoebe said modestly. “But I wouldn’t say no to something to drink.”

“Oh Lord!” Ivy exclaimed. “I’m a terrible hostess. Come on inside. I’ve got hot cocoa, wine, and a bottle of good bourbon. I’ve even got a quart of eggnog in the fridge. And popcorn!”

“I should probably be going,” Ezra said, but his expression said otherwise.

Phoebe gave Ivy a not-so-subtle head shake.

“Please stay,” Ivy said. “Really.”

“I’m just gonna put my tools back in the truck, and then I’ll meet you two inside,” Phoebe said, turning back to the construction site.

Chapter 11

“Want me to grab some firewood?” Ezra asked as they approached the front porch.

“Good idea,” Ivy said. “I had no idea old houses could be this cold. And drafty.”

She held the front door open as he entered with an armful of logs.

“My house is probably about the same age as this one, and I can tell you from experience, you probably don’t have much in the way of insulation here. Last year was my first winter living there, and I thought I’d freeze to death,” Ezra said. “The first thing I did with the commissions from my first few closings was invest in a heat pump and blown-in insulation.”

He pushed the fireplace screen aside and arranged the logs. “Got any kind of kindling?”

Ivy pointed to a worn basket she’d retrieved from the toolshed. It was full of twigs and pine cones she’d scavenged around the property. “Here you are. I’m just gonna go fix drinks. What would you like?”