Page 3 of Bales and Brawn

He winces slightly and drops his eyes. But to his credit he raises them again to speak.

“I got a DUI and lost my job. I’m on a twelve week program until I can get my license back.”

“You’re a drunk?” I blurt out and turn to Arlene. “He’s a drunk. I told you this was a bad idea.”

She rolls her eyes at me and faces Devin.

“Are you a drunk?”

“No ma’am. It was a one time mistake that will never happen again. I haven’t touched a drop since, not even beer.”

Arlene looks back at me waiting for my response, but he carries on in his damn English accent.

“Look, I’ve learned my lesson. It cost me my livelihood and I’m doing what I can to get it back. I have six weeks left of my program. My savings ran out and I could do with some work until I’m done. After that I’ll be back on the road. I don’t like to be tied down.”

“Seems unreliable to me.” I’ve never been fond of drifters. I can’t imagine not being with my family.

“I’m just telling the truth.”

I sigh again. His honesty increases my sense of disquiet.

“Have you any experience of working in a feed store?” Arlene frowns at me again for my tone, but if it bothers Devin, he doesn’t show it, and I can’t help but respect him a little for that.

“No, but I’m strong, honest, and good at following instructions.”

That’s pretty much all that’s required.

“I don’t know⁠—”

“Zane,” Arlene cuts in. “Think about Wednesday.”

She’s right. I don’t have a lot of options right now, and he’s only looking for temporary work so it would buy me some time to look for someone else.

“When could you start?”

He looks startled that I might have changed my mind.

“Immediately, tomorrow. I would have to go back to Sac every Friday for my session, but I’m available for the rest of the time.

“How about a week’s trial?” I ask and he nods. We agree on a pattern of Monday to Thursday and also a Saturday. He also seems okay when I tell him how much the wages are. When we finish he holds out his hand to shake. Is this a British thing? I take it anyway, and his large warm hand grips mine. For the first time he smiles. The flash of white teeth against the contrast of his black beard mixes my inside up even more, and I drop his hand quickly. For my dad and Nova I can put up with this for a few weeks. I’ve never shied away from responsibility when it comes to my family. Even when I had baby Nova to look after when mom died. This should be a lot easier.

“See you tomorrow,” I say, and walk back toward the house to get away from those deep, dark eyes that see too much.

CHAPTER THREE

DEVIN

All I receive from Zane when I arrive five minutes early on Monday morning is a curt nod. I bite back the urge to say something and instead follow him around the feed store as he points out the different sections, where everything is kept, and also some of the less common products in case anyone asks. He talks fast, as if he wants to get it over and done with as soon as possible. I haven’t got a hope of remembering it all, but I’ll figure it out as I go along. It doesn’t look too challenging. I never excelled at school but I’m not stupid.

“We have a large delivery on Wednesday and we have to fit in a line of alpaca feed, so I want you to move all this to the far corner.” Zane points to around thirty sacks of feed and a few troughs and buckets.

“Sure,” I reply and make a start. He watches for a few minutes, his face in its usual dour look. I endure his scrutiny until like always my skin starts to itch.

“Don’t you ever smile?” I mutter as I walk past him for the fifth time carrying a sack. I curse myself as soon as the words are out.

“What?” he demands through gritted teeth.

“Nothing,” I say.