Quiet returned as the blade spun down, but I made sure that he was well-clear of the table before I made my presence known.
“Knock, knock,” I said.
Several seconds passed during which Randy didn’t respond, and I realized he was wearing heavy enough ear protection that he hadn't heard me.
“Knock, knock!” I shouted.
He startled, then turned while pulling off his earmuffs. He held up a finger. “Be right with you.”
“No prob.”
He made a tour of his shop, checking that everything was turned off. Then he paused by the open door to hang his apron and set his respirator on a shelf.
“Step back?” he asked as he picked up a waiting pack and slung it over his shoulders.
I blinked and took several steps back out of the building.
“Thanks,” he said as he followed, then leaned back in to hit the button to lower the door without tripping the sensor. “I hope you weren’t waiting long.”
“I just got here,” I replied as we started walking to Russy’s run. “Hope I didn’t interrupt.”
He chuckled. “I was just working on some odds and ends until you got here.” He paused by the gate. “Mind if Russy joins us?”
“Sure.”
“Time to walk the land,” Randy said to the dog as he opened the gate.
Russy barked an acknowledgement and fell in beside Randy as we headed past the workshop and up the mountainside.
“So I keep meaning to ask,” I started, “how’d you decide to name him Russy?”
Randy chuckled. “Technically, his name is Russet.”
“Russet?” I stopped walking and stared at his back until he stopped and turned. “Like the potato?”
He grinned, the expression lighting up his face. “Exactly. He looked like a potato when he was a pup, and it stuck.”
I started laughing, then doubled over with it. “Is that why all the guys at the mill call him Spud?”
“That’s the reason. Everybody there knew him in his puppy phase, since Jim was the one I got him from.”
“Jim?” I asked as I managed to recover from my laughter.
“I guess you never met him,” Randy clarified. “He retired right before you started.”
“Oh, I guess I’ve heard the name around.”
“Good man,” Randy said as he started walking again. “Worked there for a long time. It was sad to see him go, but he’s probably enjoying every moment with his mate.”
“Did you know his mate, too?”
Randy shook his head and slowed as we reached a marked tree. “I only met him a few times. But Jim always talked about him. To him, Miles might as well have hung the moon.”
He paused. “It was really sweet. Life… kids… and Jim still loved him like they were in that honeymoon phase.”
“That sounds nice. I hope to have a relationship like that when I’m ready to retire.” I paused. I knew it was bold, but I hoped Randy would be a bit more willing to open up. “What about you?”
He stiffened, and I cringed—knowing I’d pushed too far. “I…”
