Moving On by Annette Bower

for his yard sale.”
    “Today!”
    “No, tomorrow.” He clipped Molly’s lead to her collar. “Why so excited?”
    “I won’t miss it. Today I have to wait for George from the hardware store. He said he’d drop by either in the morning or afternoon.” Anna jumped up. “I can’t follow a man dressed like this.”
    Molly raised her head. Her tail thumped against the deck. Anna’s mouth dropped open. Nick motioned to the dog to stay and smiled at her obedience. “Good girl.” He moved to open the door. “Is there anything in particular you’re looking for at a garage sale?”
    “Yes, but it will take too long to explain. Is there a specific place most people post their sale signs?”
    “Check the power pole at the post office. You’ll find everything you need to know.”
    As Anna picked up the tray and slid past Nick through the open door, he chuckled. “Come on, Molly. We can take a hint.” With a wave, he turned the corner and was out of sight.
    Anna tucked her hair under a baseball cap. In her mind she already had a list of questions about the house. The roof? The foundation? The insulation? The wiring? The heating system? Her chest tightened but she was familiar with the signs of anxiety. She did not need to be worried until she had all of her information.
    Hoeing weeds would definitely occupy her time. Anna wandered into her garden.
    Finally, mid-afternoon she heard someone whistling a tune and then a beautiful piece of wood appeared edging past the house, just before George appeared.
    “Where would you like me to drop this?”
    “Hello, George.” She pointed to the edge of the bushes. “I’ve made room in my garden shed. It will be out of the elements and after you tell me about my house, I’ll decide where to put it.”
    “You know it can’t stand on its end for too long.” He seemed passionate about his supplies.
    “It won’t. I have a pattern I’ll begin to work on soon.” She pushed open the door to a shed with neatly arranged shelves, gardening tools hung on the wall, and a dirt free floor. “I appreciate quality wood as much as you do.”
    He stood it against the wall. “Okay, then. Time to look around.”
    He tucked her ladder under his arm and carried it to the deck. “I’ll get up on the roof and you can come up so you know what I’m talking about.”
    “All the way up? Who will watch the ladder? Isn’t that a safety regulation?”
    “I’ve been up on roofs all my life.”
    “Well, not my roof. Don’t move a muscle. I’ll see if Herman can come over.” She ran next door and knocked.
    Herman called, “Hold your horses.” He came to the door, carrying a glass of water. “Hi, Annie. I see George’s truck out front.”
    “Yes, he’s here but he wants to go onto my roof and me to come with him.” She craned her neck toward her house to make certain George wasn’t climbing the ladder.
    “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of heights?”
    “No, but I would like someone on the ground in case we need help. Can you come over and use my cell phone to call for help, if we need it?”
    “Sure. I’ll bring my portable, it has the emergency numbers on speed dial.” He opened the door, phone in hand, and they crossed to her deck.
    “Hi, George.” Herman waved. “You take care of this girl up there now.”
    George mumbled and touched his finger to his cap. He had his feet on the rung and his hands on the rail. “You coming?” he asked Anna.
    She waited for him to place his foot over the ladder and onto the roof before she climbed to the top, copying his movement and stepping onto the roof safely. She looked around. “Wow, the view is spectacular.”
    “We’re not here to stare at the water. We’re here to see if there’s any place water will come into your house.” George scanned the shingles on the periphery and bent down for a closer inspection around the chimney. “You’re one lucky lady. This roof has ten to twelve years left in her.”
    Anna grinned.
    “We