deserved more.
Mary nodded. “For doing payroll? How many guys?”
“I’ll keep doing it,” Paul muttered. “It’s not worth your time. I can take you into town tomorrow to pick up applications. I’m sure the grocery store would pay you better.”
He took another bite of steak, but it tasted like old leather. They needed to get their shit straight to take care of Mary. It was time to do the things they’d always planned, not continue scraping by.
“What, you’re not even willing to negotiate?” Mary asked. “Maybe your number is a little low, but what perks can you offer?”
“Perks?”
She grinned. “Garden space? Barn space? Maybe half a beef before winter? I could take those instead of a bigger paycheck.”
“That’s a hell of a deal.” Thomas kicked Paul under the table.
He held back his wince, his pride smarting more than his shin. She had a kind heart, and in her creative way, she helped him save face.
“As the ranch owner I can approve barn space and half a beef,” he said. “As your husband, I’ll till up every flat acre if it makes you happy.”
She held out her hand. “I agree to the terms of employment. When do I start?”
He accepted the shake and though there was work to be done, plans to flesh out, dreams to put into action, he felt like he’d brought a good partner on board to make it all work. “Welcome to the team.”
* * * *
Thomas wiped water vapor from the mirror and still couldn’t see enough to shave. The tiny pitted mirror had to go. He threw his razor in his shaving bag and stowed it on the rickety shelf near the window.
Mary needed better. He looked around the tiny outhouse, bare bulb swinging when a gust of wind hit the north wall. He’d always known the place was a hole, but until Mary stepped onto the property, he’d ignored it.
As soon as he had a job, he’d make improvements. They needed a walkway to the outhouse before winter hit, and if they could scrape together more cash, new plumbing and insulation would help. The contractor who built the cabin didn’t take into account the drainage field and screwed up the whole thing. They had to start from scratch if they wanted better.
Even if Paul’s sale went through… Thomas tossed aside the towel he’d brought out. Making plans they couldn’t see through without a list of conditions would only lead to discontent.
Thomas headed back to the cabin, the late summer night still warm. He’d continue his job hunt in the morning. If he could find any spare time he’d help Paul get his paperwork together too.
When he’d agreed to go along with Paul’s plan, he’d done so nearly certain they would fail. So fresh from school, he’d hoped to have more put together before taking on responsibility. A car, a salary…a means of supporting himself and Mary. He pulled open the door and left it unlocked. The darkness of the cabin eased near the bed where Paul had a single lamp plugged into the wall.
He circled the bed and found Mary and Paul tucked close, fast asleep. She smiled in her sleep, the tiny upturn of her lips the expression she’d worn when he’d started falling in love with her. This was why he’d rework his schedule, so he could see this smile. He pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder and turned off the light.
He and Paul had planned on discussing sleeping arrangements when he returned from the shower, but Thomas headed for the couch. They’d figure out details in the morning. He stretched out on the sofa, the lumpy cushions less comfortable than ever. He flipped the throw pillow and stared at the ceiling. With Mary so close, the couch wouldn’t cut it. He pushed to his feet and stumbled through the dark to the bed. He took the left side, not thrilled to be next to Paul, but it beat being across the room.
Maybe they would shuffle around and Mary would get back into the middle. No matter who he slept beside, Thomas figured he’d better get used to it. When Duane made it back, they’d
Mary nodded. “For doing payroll? How many guys?”
“I’ll keep doing it,” Paul muttered. “It’s not worth your time. I can take you into town tomorrow to pick up applications. I’m sure the grocery store would pay you better.”
He took another bite of steak, but it tasted like old leather. They needed to get their shit straight to take care of Mary. It was time to do the things they’d always planned, not continue scraping by.
“What, you’re not even willing to negotiate?” Mary asked. “Maybe your number is a little low, but what perks can you offer?”
“Perks?”
She grinned. “Garden space? Barn space? Maybe half a beef before winter? I could take those instead of a bigger paycheck.”
“That’s a hell of a deal.” Thomas kicked Paul under the table.
He held back his wince, his pride smarting more than his shin. She had a kind heart, and in her creative way, she helped him save face.
“As the ranch owner I can approve barn space and half a beef,” he said. “As your husband, I’ll till up every flat acre if it makes you happy.”
She held out her hand. “I agree to the terms of employment. When do I start?”
He accepted the shake and though there was work to be done, plans to flesh out, dreams to put into action, he felt like he’d brought a good partner on board to make it all work. “Welcome to the team.”
* * * *
Thomas wiped water vapor from the mirror and still couldn’t see enough to shave. The tiny pitted mirror had to go. He threw his razor in his shaving bag and stowed it on the rickety shelf near the window.
Mary needed better. He looked around the tiny outhouse, bare bulb swinging when a gust of wind hit the north wall. He’d always known the place was a hole, but until Mary stepped onto the property, he’d ignored it.
As soon as he had a job, he’d make improvements. They needed a walkway to the outhouse before winter hit, and if they could scrape together more cash, new plumbing and insulation would help. The contractor who built the cabin didn’t take into account the drainage field and screwed up the whole thing. They had to start from scratch if they wanted better.
Even if Paul’s sale went through… Thomas tossed aside the towel he’d brought out. Making plans they couldn’t see through without a list of conditions would only lead to discontent.
Thomas headed back to the cabin, the late summer night still warm. He’d continue his job hunt in the morning. If he could find any spare time he’d help Paul get his paperwork together too.
When he’d agreed to go along with Paul’s plan, he’d done so nearly certain they would fail. So fresh from school, he’d hoped to have more put together before taking on responsibility. A car, a salary…a means of supporting himself and Mary. He pulled open the door and left it unlocked. The darkness of the cabin eased near the bed where Paul had a single lamp plugged into the wall.
He circled the bed and found Mary and Paul tucked close, fast asleep. She smiled in her sleep, the tiny upturn of her lips the expression she’d worn when he’d started falling in love with her. This was why he’d rework his schedule, so he could see this smile. He pulled the blanket higher over her shoulder and turned off the light.
He and Paul had planned on discussing sleeping arrangements when he returned from the shower, but Thomas headed for the couch. They’d figure out details in the morning. He stretched out on the sofa, the lumpy cushions less comfortable than ever. He flipped the throw pillow and stared at the ceiling. With Mary so close, the couch wouldn’t cut it. He pushed to his feet and stumbled through the dark to the bed. He took the left side, not thrilled to be next to Paul, but it beat being across the room.
Maybe they would shuffle around and Mary would get back into the middle. No matter who he slept beside, Thomas figured he’d better get used to it. When Duane made it back, they’d
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