Page 2 of Bales and Brawn

I dip my head and wait until she returns to talking to Evelyn, then I reach for a cookie and take a bite, letting the warm buttery taste crumble on my tongue. The sudden bang of a door makes me almost choke on the cookie, and I raise my eyes to see Zane’s tall form filling the doorway. His eyes sweep the room before they land on me. I swear his lip nearly curls as his brows darken.

“Hey, you’re back. How did it go? Come and join us for tea. The cookies are fresh out of the oven.” Arlene doesn’t give him any time to answer as she sets down another mug. Zane hasn’t moved, his gaze is still fixed on me.

“This is Devin, he’s come about the job,” she adds brightly.

Zane’s eyes narrow to small points, devoid of light.

“No.”

CHAPTER TWO

ZANE

I back out of the kitchen, through the back porch, and I almost make it to the gate in the walled yard.

“Zane?”

Aunt Arlene’s voice holds a hint of steel which stops me in my tracks.

“What’s going on?”

How can I tell her that coming home to my kitchen, my family, and seeing the dark-haired stranger sitting there, drinking tea and eating cookies, made the red mist come down. I can’t even explain it to myself.

“Nothing.” I stick my hands into my pockets and shrug.

“Didn’t it go well in town?”

“Yes, it was fine. Hudson and Jack were great and we talked about how we can accommodate the needs of the town without treading on each other’s toes, and I learned some of the lines they stock so I can direct folk there if needed.”

“Then why were you rude to Devin?”

“I don’t know, I just don’t like him.” It sounds lame to my own ears, but it’s the truth.

“So you already know him?”

“No, it’s just a feeling.” One that confuses me. My eyes are drawn to him like there’s a magnetic pull, and it makes my insides churn. It’s unsettling and I don’t like it, therefore I don’t like him. Arlene gives me a look like she doesn’t believe my crap, and I don’t blame her.

“So you’re not going to find out anything about him to see if he’d be suitable for the job?”

“ No.” I press my lips together and Arlene crosses her arms.

“Let me remind you that it was your decision to take over the feed store and move it here, and you have a delivery on Wednesday. Also, have you forgotten that your dad has an appointment at the hospital that day and I won’t be here to take him as I’ll be out of town. I promised I’d help Uncle Buck’s sister look at a new condo. I’m the only family she has left now.”

I sigh. I had forgotten Arlene would be away for a couple of days, and about the delivery. There’s no way I’ll leave Nova to handle it alone. There’s at least a hundred and fifty sacks of feed to be stacked as well as some other heavy items, some troughs and gates I’d ordered. I really could do with some help, this week at least.

“Okay, but if he’s unsuitable, it’s still a no,” I say reluctantly, and Arlene gives me a nod. I lean against the wall as she disappears and returns a minute later with the stranger in tow. Immediately, the unsettling feeling returns and my stomach churns, but I ignore it for now.

“Devin, Zane would like to talk to you,” Arlene says pointedly, and I feel like I’m back in fifth grade being made to apologize for stealing Kevin Farley’s pen, which, for the record, I didn’t do. I glance at her but it’s clear she’s not going back inside the house. Then I look back at Devin. He’s shorter than me, but broader. Arlene was right, he does look strong. But his dark eyes, which seem as deep as the well over at Lover’s Butte, are wary.

“Who are you? What are you doing in Foggy Basin? Why do you want a job?” I fire at him.

“Zane!” Arlene says sharply. I know I’m still being rude, but I can’t help it. He makes me want to snap.

“My name’s Devin Brookes. I’m originally from England but I’ve been over here for seven years. I’m a long-distance truck driver but currently unemployed. I didn’t want to stay in Sacramento, so I figured I’d look for work elsewhere. Foggy Basin seemed as good a place as any.”

His accent is smooth, quite melodic compared to the North Cali tones I’m used to, and completely at odds with his wide frame and heavy-featured face with its black beard and soulful eyes.

“Why aren’t you looking for a driving job?” My interest is piqued a little.