Page 26 of Bales and Brawn

“So, how likely am I likely to encounter one?”

“Almost definitely unlikely.”

“I don’t like those odds.” I scan the dark water again, which is starting to flow faster now I’ve nearly finished.

“I might have to do some serious rethinking about this country. Its charm is starting to wear thin,” I mutter, mostly to myself, but the sound must have carried up as I hear a deep chuckle. I glance up and see a smile on Zane’s face. Still rare, though they are becoming more frequent. There’s something else. It must be a trick of the morning sun, or the angle I’m looking from, but there’s a sliver of light in his eye, an impish look I’ve seen on Nova but never him. I didn’t think he was capable. I stumble backwards, a wave of dizziness washing over me. It’s probably from looking up. Yes, it’s definitely that. I almost fall over but manage to catch hold of the rope to steady myself.

“Are you alright?” Zane’s voice is so full of concern it grounds me.

“Yeah,” I reply, feeling anything but okay. I daren’t look up again, and I work in silence until I’m finished.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

ZANE

“Do you want to know what happened the first time I came up here?” I ask Devin as we eat our lunch, sitting on the porch and looking out at the view.

“Let me guess, you got your foot bitten off by an alligator and actually now you stomp around on a wooden replacement.”

“You’re not going to forget that, are you?” I ask, and he shakes his head even though I can see the twinkle in his eyes.

“I genuinely thought you were serious for a minute. I had visions of being dragged under and rolled over.”

“You do know I wouldn’t have you let you go down there if I really thought there were alligators?”

“That’s good to know, boss,” he grumbles without any bite to it, and I can’t help laughing. He turns his face, his eyes dark and all-seeing.

“It’s good to hear you laugh, it suits you.”

I don’t know what it is about Devin that seems to bring out the laughter, but still, it dies on my lips at his words. I suddenly feel exposed and raw, like he’s seen too much.

“Don’t stop,” he says softly, but I can’t laugh now. All thought and the ability to speak has gone. All that’s left is the magnetic pull of his eyes that I can’t look away from.

“So, what did happen when you first came to the cabin?” His words break the spell and kickstart my brain. I take a deep breath.

“I was ten, with my dad and uncle, and of course I was the one sent down to clear the weeds.”

“Naturally,” Devin says dryly, and I chuckle.

“The harness wasn’t the one we have now. It was primitive and too big for me. I overreached for some reeds and slipped straight out of it. The water was about two feet deep that day, and I went under the water. I was soaked from head to toe.”

“Sounds awful.” He shudders.

“It was very scary for a few seconds. I’d gulped down a load of creek water and couldn’t hear them shouting at me as I had water in my ears. Then I managed to find my feet and stand up. I had to tip the water out of my boots once they’d brought me back up.”

“So from that day on, you’ve never been down there again and always found some other poor sap to do it for you?” He grins at me and I realize he’s teasing me, again. I don’t think anyone has ever done that before. I don’t hate it and a warmth spreads through my chest.

“No, the next year I went down again, but I made sure the harness fit.”

“That figures,” he says. I look for a hint of judgement, but see something like admiration instead. I duck my head slightly and swallow round the lump in my throat.

“We should get back to it.” I clear away the plates and mugs from lunch.

We spend the afternoon clearing around the top of the well and removing rocks and boulders that have gotten too close to the edge. If they fall in, they might impede the flow. Still, it takes time, and the light is starting to fade a little before we get to inspecting the railings. They’re necessary to prevent any wild animals from wandering too close to the edge and falling down. They wouldn’t be able to get back out again.

“Maybe we should call it a day. Finish it early in the morning before we ride back,” Devin suggests.

“No, it’s just a couple of rails. It won’t take long between us.”