“I found this half-buried in the back of the barn,” Josh continued, peeling away the last layer to reveal an old die-cast Farmall tractor. It was in rough shape, with flaked off paint in some places and years of crud built up in others. “I have really fuzzy memories of Mitch playing with this when we were kids, and it was our dad’s when he was a boy.”
Max leaned in to get a closer look at the toy. The tractor had definitely seen better days, but it wasn’t beyond salvaging. The paint was no big deal, most of the corrosion was on the surface and the tires were still in decent shape. He was used to working with brass, not die-cast metal, but it wouldn’t be the first.
“I can do it,” he said.
He barely noticed Josh grabbing the paper as he examined the toy, but he heard the crunch as he shoved it into the trash and then the thump of the lid.
“Get a date?”
Max realized too late his garbage can was next to the fridge, where his bulletin board was hung. He winced as Josh leaned closer, squinting. He knew his friend was trying to read the words he’d struck out.
“Probably a good idea, breaking it into smaller steps,” Josh said, and Max couldn’t miss the amusement in his voice.
“Finding a date seemed less ambitious than finding a wife.”
“Any particular reason why this October is a good time to date?”
Max shrugged, staring at the metal Farmall on the counter. There were still flakes of the original red paint, which would make it a lot easier to match than working from photographs. “Thirty-five seems like an average age for a man to start thinking about starting a family.”
“Did you read that in a book?” When he glanced at Josh, his friend held up his hands in an apologetic gesture, but he was smiling. “Sorry. It just seems a little...logical?”
Max was very familiar with people saying logical in a tone that suggested the word had negative connotations to it. “I just think it’s time to move on to the next stage of my life.”
“I get that. But I’m not sure love is something that lends itself to organizational structure.” Josh helped himself to a soda from the fridge. “I know it hasn’t for any of us.”
“It’s simply a directive to get out and start meeting people, I guess. I’m not going to meet women here in my house.”
“Since the only woman I’ve ever seen in your house is engaged to me, you’re probably right.”
Josh’s fiancée, Katie, was a huge sports fan and had been Josh’s best friend until the guy finally got smart and realized there was a lot more than friendship between them.
“Working from home doesn’t give me a lot of opportunity to meet people.”
“You should go to the Trailside Diner a few times a week,” Josh suggested. “You can meet people, eat good food, and pad my sister-in-law’s pocketbook all at the same time.”
Max laughed. “That sounds very logical.”
“You’re rubbing off on me.” Josh pointed to the toy. “So you really think you can save that?”
“Absolutely. Do you want it to look like it just came out of the box, or do you want it weathered a little?”
Josh shrugged. “You’re the expert.”
“I’d recommend restoring it to like-new condition, and I’ll research the original decals and everything. Then I’d give it a light weathering so it looks like it was enjoyed by two generations, if you know what I mean.”
“Sounds perfect. I’d like to give it to Mitch. As thanks, you know.”
Max didn’t get out much, but he knew Josh’s oldest brother had been the first to return to Whitford when Josh broke his leg and was laid up. When he’d seen what rough shape the Northern Star Lodge was in, both physically and financially, Mitch had rallied the family. Now the lodge was restored to its former glory physically and both the family’s business and the town had seen the financial benefit of their work to bring four-wheelers into town.
Reviewing his schedule in his head, Max calculated how long the restoration would take. “I can definitely have it done by Christmas.”
“This must be a busy time for you and it’s kind of last-minute. I can give it to him anytime.”
“This isn’t my busiest time and you’re a friend,” Max said, and they were words he didn’t take lightly. “It’s not a problem.”
Josh extended his hand and Max shook it. “I appreciate it. I know it’ll mean a lot to him. To all of us, actually. I don’t want to cut into your dating time, though.”
Max recognized the teasing tone and smiled. “I think that’s going to be a slow process.”
“I’m telling you, you should go to the diner. It’s the social center of Whitford. And they make a mean meat loaf.”
“Maybe I’ll stop in there tomorrow. I need to go into town, anyway.” It was a start, at least. Maybe he’d get lucky and meet the perfect future Mrs. Crawford at the town diner.
*