ENDING OF PREVIOUS POST:

After they had made sure the fire had died and carried things to Seth's house, he walked Emma to her home and said goodnight.

As she watched Seth leave, she said, "Wait!"

He turned. "Is there a problem?"

"How early are you planning on getting started in the morning?"

He scratched his chin. "I hadn't thought about it." He glanced at his watch. "It's early. How about seven o'clock? It'll still be cool out. Can you be up by then?"

"I think so."

"I'll call before I come down."

"Thank you." Emma shut the door as she noticed him shaking his head.




TODAY'S POST


Chapter 8 A

Early Saturday morning, Emma had just finished breakfast when Seth called, "I'm on my way."

"Bring your appetite. I have breakfast tacos."

"Sounds good."

Emma stood at the door and waited for him. Once he entered, she said, "Breakfast's ready. Help yourself."

He handed her a can of coffee. "For the next pot."

"I already made one. Think we'll need more?" She opened the refrigerator. "I also made a pitcher of tea."

"Good idea." He took a bite of a breakfast taco. "Thank you. This is good." After a sip of coffee, he said, "My plan for today is to dig the holes and set the posts. The cement needs to dry at least a day before we can continue. I'd like to have the holes dug before it gets too hot."

"How deep?"

"About two feet."

Emma held up her garden spade. "I doubt this will be much help."

Seth went into the garage, returned, and held up a manual post-hole digger. "I think this will work."

Taking a sip of coffee, Emma said, "You have me beat."

Chuckling, Seth said, "It's not a contest."

"I guess that's true, but I want to do my part." She stood and picked up a plate. "I'm finished. When you finish, go on outside and get started. I'll do the dishes and be there in a few minutes. It won't take long."

*****
A little later, Emma stood beside Seth. "What do you want me to do?"

"I haven't seen a hose. Do you have one?" After she answered, he continued, "We'll need water to mix the cement. Would you mind going to my place and getting mine? It's in the backyard, next to the garage."

"Sure."

As Emma walked away, Seth pointed. "Ace, go with her." He hesitated, pulled his keys from his pocket, rushed to her, and handed them to her. "For the garage door. Will you get the wheelbarrow too?"

It didn't take long for Emma to return with the items. Seth removed his cap and used his forearm to wipe his brow. "Would you mix the cement?" When she acknowledged she would, he added, "The directions are on the packages. If there's a question, ask. I don't bite."

"Sure about that?" teased Emma as she went into the garage and tried to carry a fifty-pound bag of cement. Returning she grabbed the wheelbarrow. "It's a little heavy." Soon she brought two bags using the wheelbarrow.

Seth grinned. "Good thinking."

Watching Seth dig, she asked, "How many holes are needed?"

"Thirteen. I want plenty of support. I'm putting them three feet apart. Seven along the long side and three along both the short sides."

"Wouldn't four feet be enough?"

"Probably, but I'm extending the roof by six feet. I think we'll need the extra support. We'll have a twelve by eighteen feet rectangle."

"Cement for the first pole will be ready shortly." Emma began mixing water and dry cement.

She laid down the hose while she used a hoe to mix it. Before long Molly bumped the hose and squirted Seth. "What?" he teased, "I can't believe you did that!"

Emma glanced up. "I didn't."

Seth chuckled as he grabbed the hose. "We're on!"

He headed toward Emma. As he squirted her, she rushed toward him, and they laughed as they battled for control of the hose, still spraying water.

Jake walked around the corner, turned off the water, and chuckled. "Okay kids, enough."

Seth tossed the hose to the ground, greeted him, and then asked, "Glad to see you. Is there a problem?"

"Nope. I heard a fence that's turned into a dog porch was being built and thought I might be needed. I see I'm right. It seems more playing's going on than building."

Seth's eyes darted to Emma's dripping wet face and then crept down. Once they came to her breasts, he turned away.

Emma glanced at her blouse and whispered, "Sorry." She ran inside.

*****
While Emma changed, Jake said, "I see you two shared some flirtatious games."

"I'm glad you came. We can use the help." Seth rammed the post hole digger into the ground.

Jake continued, "There's nothing wrong with having fun."

"Normally, you're right, but Ms. Winters is a child."

"She looked like a full-grown woman to me."

"She just turned twenty-two. She's the same age as my baby sister, Abbey. I'm almost eight years older than her. I should've known better."

Seth dug the next hole and watched through the door for Emma to come from her bedroom. Once she did, on his way inside said, "I'll be right back."

Emma studied her feet. "I only laid down the hose. Molly must've bumped it. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I'm the one who messed up. I'm sorry I got you wet."

"We both participated."

"I won't let it happen again."

She tilted her head. "You'll make sure we don't have fun again?"

"That's not what I meant. I meant I'll make sure..."

"My clothes aren't transparent?" interrupted Emma.

"Yes." Seth avoided eye contact.

"I like that idea."

"Me too."

"Should we get back to work?" asked Emma.

Seth held the backdoor for her. "Probably."

Outside Seth studied the four holes, he'd already dug. "Only nine more to go. This is the hard part." He stared at the roof. "Adding to the roof might be tricky." He faced Jake. "Why don't you and Ms. Winters set up the poles? The cement needs to harden before we can do anything else." He grinned. "You did come to work, right?"

"I did. Emma, help me carry them from the garage."

After two poles were set in cement, Carl joined the group. Once the greetings were over, Seth said, "I thought you had the day off."

"I do. Margie's at her mom's. They're canning tomatoes and green beans. The kids went with her, so I'm free." He held up his post-hole digger. "Yesterday, when you mentioned how many holes you needed, I figured you'd need help. Still doing three feet apart and two feet deep?"

"Yep and thank you." Seth pointed. "Start on that side. We'll meet in the middle."

Jake stood. "Seth, you've been at this a few hours. You have to be getting tired. Help Emma with the poles. I'll take over digging." He took the hole digger from him.

Seth and Emma worked together but avoided each other, so Carl asked, "It's obvious I've missed something. Would somebody explain the elephant swing from the rafters?"

Both Emma and Seth studied the ground, so Jake said, "I guess I'm delegated to address the elephant." He glanced at them both then continued, "They were soaking wet fighting for control of the hose when I arrived. I think Emma was the wettest. Understand what I mean?"

"A little more showed than should've."

Seth growled, "Get back to work."

Carl chuckled. "Sure Chief."

Emma almost whispered, "I'm sorry."

Shaking his head, Seth muttered, "I didn't know a water fight would've caused so much gossip."

It wasn't long before Emma's dad arrived carrying a large box. "I heard a group got together to build this dog porch and thought you'd be hungry. I have a sandwich platter, potato salad, and coleslaw." He glanced over his shoulder. "In the truck's three gallons of tea."

Emma jumped up and hugged him. "Thank you. I'll get the rest."

Jake followed. "Thanks, Keith. I'll help Emma."

When they returned, Pastor Pat was with them, and Emma said, "Look who I found."

"Are you here to help or to eat," teased Keith.

Grinning, Pastor Pat said, "How about a little of both."

Holding a peach Danish, Jake said, "Thanks for bringing my favorite." He handed Carl an apricot Danish.

Seth searched the box. "I don't see my beignets. I feel cheated."

"Sorry." Keith pointed to Emma. "She's our beignet maker. When she's not there, they don't get made. There's plenty. Help yourself to the others. I brought an assortment."

Staring at her, Seth said, "Thank you, but you don't need to make them just for me."

With pink cheeks, she got up and went inside. "Excuse me."

Keith shook his head. "What just happened?"


*****
Character List:

Police Chief Seth Carter - hero and Beaverton's Police Chief

Emma Winters - heroine and waitress at her parents' bakery and bookstore, but just graduated college with a teaching degree.

Carl Jones - Seth's good friend and right-hand man

Susan and Keith Winters - Emma's parents and owners of Winters' Family Bakery and Bookstore

Molly - Emma's almost four-pound Pomeranian

Ace - Seth's German shepherd, a trained K-9

Pastor Pat - Pastor of the Church and Emma's Godfather

Jake Baker - Seth's mentor and Winters' family friend

Ray Hudson - Works at the bakery

Peggy Barton - High School friend, has her eyes on Seth