“I forgot how peaceful it was here.”
Salzy snickered.“Except for the noise of the interstate.”
“Even that’s not all that loud.”
Salzy nodded.They sat, rocking, looking out.“Now,” Salzy started, “What about Mike?It sure looked like he lit your candle.”
Jamie looked over at the Hispanic man, his teeth gleaming white in the darkness.“That has to be one of the best-looking men I’ve ever seen in my life.”Jamie took a big gulp of his beer, turning his attention out towards the fields.“And he could break me like a twig.”
“So you going to ask him out or what?”
Jamie’s head whipped around so fast his vision blurred.“What?And him stomp me like a bug?”
Salzy laughed.“You could do it during dinner tomorrow night when there’s lots of people around.”
“He could still punch me in the face and kill me.”
“Nah.”Salzy chuckled, sipping his beer.“He doesn’t seem the type.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Jamie drained the last of his beer.“When you ask Terry Hanson out, I’ll ask Mike...I don’t even know his last name.Anyway, you ask Terry out and I’ll ask Mike out.”
Salzy stuck out his hand.“Deal.”
Jamie shook his hand.“I’m going to regret this, I just know it.”
“Want another beer?”Salzy asked, smiling.
“Naw.”Jamie stood up.“I’m going to call it a night.I’ve got a busy day tomorrow, and so do you.Need to get these steps finished up, and Joesph will be here sometime tomorrow morning.”
“I guess you’re right.”Salzy followed him inside, letting the screen door slam behind him.
Jamie turned and slugged him in the shoulder.
“What the hell, man?”Salzy yelled, rubbing his shoulder.
“That’s for letting that door slam.I’m gonna break you of that habit.”Jamie scowled.
Salzy stuck his tongue out.“You’re a big ol’ meanie and I’m going to tell mom!”
Jamie just about pissed himself laughing as he pushed Salzy out the door.“Good
night.”
Salzy smiled, still rubbing his shoulder.“’Night.”
Jamie found it hard to get to sleep.Part of it was the heat.Part of it was about how well the staff meeting went, and part of it was...Mike.”
* * * * *
Jamie was in the kitchen, making biscuits when the kitchen staff came in.“Morning all,” Jamie said, greeting the three men.
“Mornin’,” they each responded.
“Another grand day in paradise,” Dexter said, his dark skin already glistening, proof of the rising temperature outside.
“It’s gonna be a hot one,” Walter said as he turned the exhaust fan to high.
Timmy pulled on a sweatband, then his ball cap, and quietly set about getting his prep work done for the day.
