Page 9 of Bales and Brawn

“I do. I’m no great singer, but it’s fun all the same.”

“Sandy and I sang two songs each and one together.”

“I would have loved to hear that,” I reply, which appears to be the right answer by the width of his smile.

“You should come to the next one.”

“Maybe I will.”

“You know who doesn’t like karaoke?” Nova whispers so loudly that it’s not a whisper at all. But I lean in anyway.

“Who?” Though I think I can guess.

“Zane. Sandy and I tried to get him to join in but he wouldn’t. He’s so bor-ing.”

I can’t help but laugh at the way he says it, and he joins in.

The familiar prickle of disquiet makes my hair stand on end and I look up. Zane is staring at me from across the other side of the truck bed. His face looks so dark I almost expect an eclipse.

“Is everything loaded?” His voice is sharp enough to cut steel.

“Yes sir,” I reply and shut the tailgate. His jaw must constantly ache from how tight he holds it. I get another glare before he climbs into the cab. It looks like those donuts will be commiserative after all.

“I don’t think your brother likes me,” I say to Nova as Zane pulls out of the yard.

“Zee doesn’t like anyone, except me.” He almost dances back into the feed store, and I follow him, chuckling at his nickname for Zane.

We have a long list of tasks so I start working through them, and I make steady progress until Zane returns a couple of hours later. He strides on his long legs towards the office.

“Devin,” is all he says, and I move to follow him. I almost want to add another “yes sir,” but he doesn’t look like he’d take it in good humor and I’ve already allowed my mouth to get me into enough trouble. I’ll save those comments for the in-crowd chat with my brothers. He sits at the desk.

“Shut the door,” he commands, and I obey, standing in the only space available, wedged between the door and the filing cabinet. We’re so close I could reach out and touch him. I wonder why he’s called me in. Probably to let me go. He’ll probably be very blunt about it too.

“—so, starting Monday for six weeks.”

“Sorry. What?” I realize I’ve been in my own head and missed what he’s said.

“Six weeks. You said you only wanted something temporary.”

“You’re offering me the job?”

He gives me an exasperated sigh, which I can’t really blame him for.

“Yes, starting Monday for six weeks. If you still want it.”

“Err, yes. Thank you.”

He nods as if that settles it.

“I was sure you were going to fire me.” My surprise makes my mouth run, and I wince a little. His face fills with a frown.

“Why? I need help and you work well. The customers seem to like you. Six weeks will give me a chance to find someone permanent.” He says it as if it’s the most logical solution, which I guess it is. But I still can’t quite believe he’s hired me.

“Thank you,” I say again, and then nearly jump out of my skin when there’s a tapping on the door behind me. I spin round to see Arlene holding a tray with a teapot and some mugs. I open the door and move out of her way.

“I thought you boys might like a tea break.” Arlene says and squeezes past me to put the tray down.

“That’s perfect timing. I have some donuts to share. We can celebrate since Zane just hired me.”