Knock on Wood

Clara gave a small wave from across the yard, then turned her attentions back to Glen.

"As much as your manly pride tells you that you have to do this all by your masculine self," she began, reaching for a board, "Common sense dictates otherwise."

He was going to protest, but instead sighed and grumbled, reaching for the other half of her board.

{{That's right. Don't even try and argue with a woman.}}

Rudy had sidled out to the cart and heaved a board out, laying it across his wide shoulders. "Thankye kindly for this, Miss," he gruffed, red face grateful. "And fer keepin' the kiddo safe an' whatnot."

Booth stood at the door, leaning heavily on his crutches and staring dolefully at the wood. "I could help with that, you know--"

"Not a problem." Clara said with a grunt, helping Glen lay down a board. "She was an absolute doll."

Hearing Booth, she tossed him a sympathetic glance and went back to her work.

Rudy ducked his head, letting the board drop to the ground with a loud, sharp smack. "Ye stay there, Booth. An' I hope ye ain't standin' on that leg?"

"No, Mother, I'm not," the carpenter muttered under his breath.

Glen and Clara lifted another board between them, and another.

Before long, they'd made short work of the wagon.

A little worn, Clara smiled. "See? Just fine. Not a thing to worry about, my good man." she said, patting Glen on the cheek."

She jerked a thumb at the house. "Come in for a drink?"

Glen nodded. "Sure."

Rudy tossed his last board on the pile, then wiped his red, sweaty face with a thick forearm as he followed the pair inside.

Inside, Lorelei was conversing with Syrus on what to do about Duvall in town. Minikin was playing with Tikkat on the rug, and Booth was... moping.

"Ah, lighten up, Boothly," Rudy laughed, slapping him on the shoulder. "If ye be a good boy, I might let ye help me with repairs."

Clara entered, Glen behind her. She went and got herself, Rudy, and Glen each a glass of water.

"What needs repairing?" Glen asked, taking a sip.

Booth and Rudy turned to glance at Glen, one with a look of resigned acceptance, the other with a grin. "All of it," they said simultaneously.

"Mast shattered, bow and figurehead gone, little left of either port or starboard hull. It's a wonder we made it to land," Booth said wryly.

Glen blinked. "Good lord...do you need help with the repairs? I'd be more than glad to help."

"Much appreciated," Booth replied. "If you wouldn't mind. The more hands, the better, I think."

Clara nodded. "Between the four of us, it'll be fixed in no time."

Glen frowned. "...Four?"

Rudy counted heads. "Cap'n, Syrus, me, Booth, Miss Clara and Minikin, Coran an' Nance, and you. That's nine, last I knew," he told Glen.

Clara grinned, "Even better!"

Glen shifted uncomfortably, glancing at his cousin. "But...Clara...?"

[[Where are the O'Shalleys?]]

{{I KNEW I forgot someone! *fixes*}}

"We'll have her back up to shape in no time," Booth assured Glen, misreading his concern. "The Nott will be shipshape before you know it."

Glen nodded. "Oh, yeah. No doubt about it."

He resolved to have a chat with Clara later.

"There's not much we can do at the moment," Lorelei was telling Syrus. "What with the Nott scuttled, we're sitting ducks. I say we lay low until repairs are made."

Glen took another sip of water. "So, when do you want to start repairs?" he asked Rudy.

"Dunno," the bulky pirate shrugged. "'s up ta the Cap'n, really."

Glen nodded. "Well, I today, I have to tend to some business at the shop, but tomorrow I can leave the help to come up here. I should probably be getting back."

Booth nodded knowingly. "A carpenter's work is never finished it seems," he said lightheartedly.

Glen laughed. "Very, very true."

He smiled. "Well, it was nice to see all of you, and I'll try to be by early tomorrow."

He hugged Clara. "Stay safe. And let me know if you need anything, alright?"

Clara hugged him back. "I will. Thanks Glen."

She pecked him on the cheek, and he bid them a final goodbye, before leaving the house.

"A likeable fellow," Booth commented, watching the empty doorway.

"Good 'ead on his shoulders, that's fer sure," Rudy agreed. "Related to ye, is he?" he asked Clara.

Clara nodded. "He's a cousin. Like I said, none of my immediate family lives out here."

She smiled, "The boy might as well have been my older brother, though. And an extra cautious one, at that. He's forever fretting over me, as if I'm some sort of china doll."

"I kinda noticed that, too," Nance cut in, appearing from wherever he'd been while Mika'd been ignoring him. "Why's he do that?"

"Older siblings are protective," Coran answered, catching his younger brother in a headlock and ruffling his hair. "It's what we do."

Clara smiled, laughing lightly. "And it's the younger sibling's job to do what exactly?"