“That’s a fact,” said Clay. “I sure do appreciate you suspicioning that.”
Roen hid his grin behind the mug and lowered it only when he was sure he could school his features. “Yes, well, we are not so different that way.” He observed that Clay seemed pleased to hear it. Roen was not so sure that it was a compliment to either of them, but he did not point this out. “Here’s what I’m proposing, Clay. I want to hire you as my assistant. My odd jobber, if you will. You’ll work for me mostly when school’s out but there’ll be occasions when you will have to miss class. That’s missing class, not missing classwork. There will be plenty of that, and you’ll have to keep up with all of it.”
“You talked to my ma, didn’t you? That classwork is her idea. Sounds like what she would say.”
“I did speak to your mother, and she was clear about your education being important. I agree with her. I’m not hiring ignorance. You learn, or you leave.” Roen didn’t have to ask if Clay understood. The boy swallowed hard as he nodded his agreement. “Good. There are a number of ways you can be of help to me.” He listed the requirements as he had explained them to Lily, this time ticking them off on his fingers. Not only did he have Clay’s full attention, but it also seemed that the boy was committing every tick to memory. When he’d finished, he asked, “Do you think you can do all that?”
There was no hesitation. “Yes, sir, though I admit that it’s got me baffled some thatyouthink I can.”
“Let’s just say you made a good first impression.”
“Huh. That’s interestin’. Ma says that first impressions count for something. I guess I never figured how true that was seein’ as how I get so few chances to make a first impression. What I mean is, darn near everyone in Frost Falls knows me already.”
Roen chuckled. “They’ve known you since the cradle. Is that it?”
“Yep. Bald and wrinkled and red in the face. There’s probably some that still see me that way.”
“It’s a cross we all bear.”
Clay regarded Roen suspiciously. “Are you funnin’ with me now?”
“A little.”
Clay thought about that. “I reckon it’s okay as long as I know it and you don’t mind me funnin’ with you now and again.”
“I don’t mind.”
Nodding gravely, Clay said, “Sheriff Ben doesn’t mind either. I guess I wouldn’t want to work for someone who minded.” He added quickly, “Not that I wouldn’t, you understand, just that I wouldn’t want to.”
“I understand. Then it’s settled? You’re going to work for me?”
Clay sat up a little straighter in his chair and placed his folded hands on the table. “I sure want to, Mr. Shepard, but we have to talk wages. I’d be disappointed in myself if I didn’t mention it.”
“I’d be disappointed in you, too.” He told Clay what his daily earnings would be regardless of the number of hours. “That’s for the first month. You show me that you can do what I think you can, and I’ll double that.”
Clay stared at him. “I don’t feel right not telling you that you’re offering me a man’s pay.”
“I know what I’m offering. I hope I know what I’m getting. Just the same, it’s probably wise not to tell anyone.”
“Sure, and I won’t. Don’t want to give folks cause to think you’re foolish.”
Roen almost choked as he swallowed the last of his coffee. He set the mug down. “No, we don’t want that. Thank you.”
Clay cocked his head toward the front of the house. “D’you hear that? School bell.” He pushed his chair away from the table, stood, and then suddenly sat again. “Are we done?”
“Yes.”
Clay jumped to his feet. “I sure am grateful, Mr. Shepard. You won’t be sorry.”
“I don’t believe I will.” Roen expected the boy to go then, but Clay took only a single step backward before he stopped.“Is there something else?” asked Roen. Clearly there was something niggling at the boy. “Go on. What is it?”
Clay’s shoulders rose and fell on the breath he took in and slowly released. Still, he spoke in a rush. “Do you like my mother?”
“What?” Roen had heard the question but he hardly understood it. “How’s that again?”
This time each word was carefully enunciated. “Do you like my mother?”
“Yes. I like her fine.”
