Page 42 of Bales and Brawn

No, no, this can’t be true.

“Did you come from Foggy Basin?” I ask, panting and out of breath.

“Yes, we got in five minutes ago.”

“Have all the passengers got off?” I peer up the steps.

“Yes, they’ve all gone.”

“There was a guy, black hair and beard, did you see where he went?” I look around, scanning all the faces.

“Sorry, dude, I don’t remember him.” The bus driver turns away. I swallow back my disappointment, my hopes and my heart sinking lower every second. I start walking back to my truck. I have no way of knowing where he went or of contacting him. I never needed his phone number while he was at the farm. I navigate my way round a queue at a kiosk and see a familiar shape standing in line. My heart leaps.

“Devin!”

He turns slowly, confusion on his face.

“Zane?” He steps out of the line and stands in front of me.

“You forgot this.”

I hold the hat out to him and his frown deepens. I hope I don’t fuck this up.

“I didn’t come here just for that. I came because I didn’t say goodbye. And the reason I didn’t say goodbye is . . .” I take a deep breath. I need to get this off my chest. “I don’t want there to be a goodbye. I don’t want you to leave. I know I can’t offer you much, and you like to see the country⁠—”

“Yes.”

“But we have big machines and endless skies. And I know you like those⁠—”

“Yes.”

“And Nova likes you, and Arlene and Dad, and I don’t think I can bear it if you say no but I’ll understand. But I wanted to say I’ve fallen in love with you⁠—”

“Zane. I said yes,” he almost shouts.

“What?” I stare at him, not taking in what he’s saying.

“You are enough, Zane. You,” he says firmly. “You don’t have to persuade me with what you think might get me to stay. It’s you I want, Zane.”

“Oh.” My stomach flips and I can’t stop the smile spreading over my face. He drops his sports bag to the floor and steps up to me. He grabs the back of my neck and pulls me to him for a kiss. A chorus of cheers erupts around us and I pull back to see a small crowd has gathered. I look back at Devin, and he’s smiling, his beautiful dark eyes crinkling at the corners.

“We should go,” I whisper, and he nods. The crowd starts clapping and he grins. I pick up his bag and the people part as we walk towards my truck.

“Of course, I also want a drive of that big mower of yours,” Devin says with a laugh.

“Naturally,” I chuckle.

We settle into the truck but I don’t start it up. Instead, I turn towards him.

“Are you sure? About this? I know you don’t like small towns. I’m scared you’ll get restless and need to leave.”

“Zane.” He takes my hand and pulls it into his lap. “I will leave, and you’ll come with me. And then we’ll come back. We can do that. It’s called taking a holiday. And there are so many places I want to show you.”

“I’d like that too,” I reply.

“You have to promise me just one thing,” he says with a serious tone. “Never shut me out like that again. I might not always be able to help, but I can be there for you.”

“I promise. I swear to you I won’t do that.” I lift our joined hands and kiss his knuckles, sealing my promise to him.