Page 21 of Herds and Hooves

“How long does it take to heat up?”

“Not long, five or ten minutes, but the interior takes about twenty to be at a good heat.” Keith shoved in a few pieces of metal. “I know we discussed trying to make a knife, but I want to talk to Dante first. He’s doing classes in knife making and I could use some advice.”

“Who’s Dante?” I asked.

“Local knife maker. What are you going to make?” Hank asked.

“I think the two of you should get to swing the hammer and get a feel for it.” Keith handed me a hammer and showed me how to use blacksmith’s tongs to hold the end of one of the pieces of metal he’d put into the fire. “You’re going to pull this onto the anvil and just hit it a few times. You’ll feel the metal start to give and when it becomes harder to work then put it back in and heat it up.”

“What am I making?” I asked.

“Nothing. Just play with the metal for now.”

I took hold of the tongs and carefully moved the red-hot piece of metal to the anvil before picking up the hammer and swinging it. It landed with a thunk and I felt the metal give just like he described. “Wow, that is pretty cool.”

“Yeah, it’s a great stress release,” Keith said and watched as I took another swing.

“I might need to stop by more often,” I said without looking away and decided I needed to heat the metal again. I shoved it back into the fire and turned to hand the tongs to Hank. “Your turn.”

His eyes lit up like I’d given him a block of gold, and I ignored the eye roll from Keith. “I’ve wanted to try this for a while.”

“I’ve tried to get you to do it for months,” Keith said.

“Yeah, but you’re a little intimidating,” Hank said with no heat and a lot of honesty.

A laugh escaped me and Keith met my eyes with the same look he had that day at the hardware store. His huge arms folded across his chest showing them off and hitting me way differently than seeing him that day had. Now I knew he wasn’t really a big muscular menace. He was hot and a really nice guy. “I try to be, but apparently it’s not working so much anymore,” he finally said.

Hank looked between the two of us still holding the tongs. “Okay to go?” he asked.

Keith shook his head and relaxed his arms. “Go ahead, Hank,” Keith said, and watched as Hank carefully took out a different piece of metal and proceeded to pound the hell out of it.

Eighteen

Keith

Hank was having the time of his life while I was growing anxious for time alone with Bart. Who looked a little too relaxed leaning against my workbench watching Hank like he was seeing something both amazing and life altering. Until he glanced at me with that fucking smirk. I now knew that smirk. He knew he was getting to me, and he loved it. And as long as I didn’t have to admit it to him, I loved it too.

“What are you making?” Bart finally asked Hank. Sweat poured down his face as he pounded that piece of scrap metal so much, I wasn’t sure there was any of it left.

“I’m waiting for the metal to show me what to make,” Hank said, serious as all get out.

“You’re what?” I asked.

“I heard that on one of those knife making shows.”

“Is it showing you anything?” I asked and looked at the nearly destroyed piece of metal a little closer.

“Not yet, it must need more work,” Hank said and held it up to look at. “Could be a modern art piece.”

“Yeah, could be,” Bart agreed.

After another hour of the back and forth, lots of pounding, and even more discussion, Hank was worn out enough to be ready to give it a rest. “Well, I guess I’ll take off. I’m sure the wife is wondering when I’ll be home. You guys have fun and be sure to show me anything you make. Do you mind if I take this?” He held the piece of metal he’d worked on like it was a delicate treasure, and I guess to him it was.

“You go right ahead. I’ll make sure I have more scrap metal the next time you come by.”

“Thanks so much, Keith, this has been great fun. Nice meeting you, Bart. Look out for this one,” he said and jerked his thumb at me on his way out the door.

“See you later,” Bart said before casually setting down the hammer he was holding and sliding up to me. “Hey.”