Tidal Patterns (Golden Shores Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

one very obvious seam to try to pry it up. His investigation led him to discover four different wallpapers. The scorer pierced through the top layer of paper before he sprayed down the section with vinegar and lifting chunks of paper off the wall.
    The monotony and physicality of his actions lulled him into a rhythm. He didn’t know how long he worked and didn’t even hear Phil’s return. He jumped when his buddy clapped a hand on his shoulder from behind.
    “Wow, you’ve gotten a lot done in here,” Phil said as his eyes darted around the room.
    Mark stepped back to survey his work. Along three walls, he’d removed everything down to the plaster. But on the fourth wall, he’d barely been able to cut through the first layer. He found it incredibly frustrating.
    “Yeah, it’s slow work,” Mark replied, sighing as he dragged a hand through his hair. “But I’m getting there.”
    “It’s time to stop for the day, I’m afraid.”
    “Already? What time is it?”
    “Lunchtime. And then Charlie has to take a nap. Trish picked him up from preschool and he’s already at the table.”
    “I hate to leave it looking like this.”
    He hated letting anyone down, especially the people who would never do that to him. Only a few of those existed, he reminded himself.
    “You know where we live. You can come back. Or maybe I’ll surprise you and I’ll get it finished,” Phil teased, chuckling.
    In a long friendship, they’d had plenty of time to learn each others strengths and weaknesses. Phil’s strength was his engaging personality. He could put anyone at ease and welcome them. Mark’s was determination and hard work. He’d never turned his back on a challenge or an opportunity. So why am I dragging my feet on this one?
    “Come on, you’re dripping with sweat and the entire apartment feels like a swamp. I want to get the air conditioning back on,” Phil told him.
    He nodded his agreement and turned to close the two big picture windows and gather his tools. Wandering back down the hall to the bathroom, he soaped his arms up to his elbows. Tiny flecks of wallpaper clung to him but were easily washed away. He changed back into his work clothes and balled up the dirty shorts and shirt. By the time he made it back to the kitchen, Trish and Charlie were already seated at the table.
    “Sit here! Sit here!” Charlie told Mark, waving wildly to the chair closest to his high chair.
    “Okay, I will, thanks for saving me a seat buddy,” he said, giving the little boy a wink.
    Charlie attempted to wink, but succeeded in blinking both eyes rapidly several times.
    “How’s school going?” Mark asked, while Trish got up from the table and filled plates with sandwiches and chips. She put one in front of every man and Charlie’s eyes grew as round as saucers when he saw the salty snack on his plate.
    “Yesss,” Charlie replied.
    Mark chuckled. He’d never been around kids much, but he’d grown fond of his conversations with Charlie. The little boy took everything in life so seriously and earnestly; including snack food.
    “Do you like your teachers?” he asked, trying again with a question he could answer easily. He remembered Charlie only gave one or two word answers.
    “Yessss,” Charlie replied, nodding his head up and down.
    “That’s good. School is a lot of fun,” he agreed.
    “Thanks for coming over to help,” Trish interrupted. “We really appreciate it. I’m at my wits end with fixing up this old place. I don’t think it’ll ever be done. We’ve already been here for two years and it looks like it hasn’t been two months.”
    “You have a lovely home. It takes time and there is always something that needs your time and money.”
    “So, what’s been going on? Why did you have to go in early on your day off?” Phil asked, firing his questions without hesitation.
    He turned to his buddy. He wouldn’t expect anything less from Phil than to immediately get to the point.
    “Things are picking up