#warfare 2

John's ears perk up as he hears a familiar babble on the other side of the fence. It's a nice summer's day so working outside seemed like a good idea. The little girl he's been hearing for the past few months waddles herself through the hole in the fence before her mother can grab her.

Her big eyes look up at him, a stick in one of her hands. She babbles a bit more before hitting the bottom half of the plank, mimicking the movement of his hammer driving in a nail. He chuckles at her attempt, halting his work as an flurry of apologies come next, a woman stepping into his yard to retrieve her daughter.

"I'm so sorry. I should've been more watchful." You apologize, hauling the toddler up on your hip. "She's faster than she looks when she gets curious."

"No trouble at all." John reassures you. "Don't mind the company. Last tenant had a dog that chewed up the boards so I'm fixin' them up."

You pause a moment, taken back by the smile and sparkle in his eyes. You clear your throat, extending your free hand to introduce yourself.