Free Labor of Love by Rachel Hawthorne Page A

burden.”
    â€œI imagine it would be hard to see things, to know things,” Jenna said. “It’s hard enough just knowing the little bit she told us.”
    â€œAll right, people!” John yelled. “Five more minutes and we need to get back to work!”
    â€œSo much for the Big Easy ,” Sean said.
    We all smiled.
    â€œYou got that right,” Tank said.
    Amber smiled at Sean, then dropped her gaze to watch a centipede walking between herfeet. Her cheeks turned red, like she was embarrassed to have Sean’s attention. Or maybe it was just the heat, which was turning us all red.
    The day was only half over and I wanted a shower already. With lots and lots of soap. A bubble shower. I smiled at the thought of filling a shower all the way up with water and swimming in it.
    â€œA dip in a pool would be nice right about now,” Brady said.
    And I had a vision of him in the water-filled shower with me, and we were cavorting around like seals or something. Way too much imagination.
    â€œOokay!” I said, standing. “Think I’m ready to get back to work.”
    I started the exodus from the curb. Everyone crumpled up the sandwich wrappers and tossed them into a nearby trash bin. Then we went back to picking up the debris brought out of the house and putting it into a wheelbarrow. When it was full, the guys hauled it over to the curb and dumped the stuff there.
    â€œI think we’ve got the absolute best team out here,” Jenna said.
    She was using the time when the guys went to empty the wheelbarrow to catch her breath. Okay, we all did. But her gaze followed them a little more closely.
    â€œSo you really like Tank,” I said, although my voice went a little high at the end, and it came off sounding like a question.
    â€œYeah, I do. And I think Brady might be the one Saraphina was talking about for you. It’s obvious that he likes you.”
    â€œOr I could just be convenient. You like Tank. He hangs out with Tank. I hang out with you. It’s just serendipity.”
    â€œCome on. He’s here, helping us, just like Saraphina predicted.”
    â€œActually, you sort of orchestrated that, by inviting them. And Sara didn’t say anything really happened with me and the guy. She just said she saw him.”
    â€œ Whatever . We could all have so much fun together!”
    I know she thought I was being difficult,stubborn. And maybe I was. But I’d learned the hard way that you can’t tell by looking if a guy is destined to hurt you. From the outside, they all look nice.
    Â 
    By about two o’clock, I was hot, sweaty, and ready for another break.
    â€œAll right, people,” John called out, from atop his ladder. “Can I have your attention?” He made sweeping arm gestures, trying to get us all to come closer.
    Jenna, Amber, and I sort of migrated together.
    â€œWonder what’s going on?” Jenna asked.
    I shook my head. I didn’t have a clue.
    â€œWe’re making great progress, people,” John said. “But we worry that if we work you too hard, you won’t come back.”
    Everyone laughed.
    â€œSoooo…you have the rest of the afternoon off.”
    Applause, a few roars of approval, and some whistles followed that announcement.
    John waved us into silence. “For anyonewho’s interested, Sara arranged a swamp tour! The bus will be in front of Sara’s shop in about”—he made a big production of looking at his watch—“forty-five minutes. Whether you go to the swamp or just hang loose, enjoy your afternoon. Tomorrow morning come back ready to hit it hard again!”
    People began to disperse.
    â€œHmm. Swamp,” Jenna murmured. “What do you think? Do we want to go to a swamp?”
    â€œI watched an old movie called Swamp Thing with my dad once. That’s all I know about them,” I said.
    â€œA swamp seems like such an icky thing,” Amber