Summer Sweat (Spruce Texas)

“I’m sorry,” I tell him.

He nods. “Turtle … probably started with the animals.”

“Yeah, he did,” I assure him without even knowing.

Harrison speaks with his eyes still closed. “Turtle is … exactly the type to just pick up others’ slack without asking. Even if he seems like he’s stoned off his butt twenty-five-seven.”

“Twenty-five hours a day, yep,” I say, going along with it. “We can have Mars-length days if you want, it’s all good.”

He peeks an eye open. “Mars has twenty-five hours a day?”

“The only subject I did great in for whatever reason.” I pull him closer. “Look, I was havin’ a tough night. You were just makin’ sure I was okay. I crashed on your floor.”

He gives me a look. “What’s this?”

“In case anyone asks. You have nothing to worry about, okay? I’m your responsibility, so it makes sense. Hell, we’re basically best friends now.” I give him a reassuring squeeze of his arms. “Sound legit to you? Sounds great to me. Good cover, too, for why we’re around each other so much lately.”

“Cover …” Harrison sucks on his tongue for a moment, then sighs. “Alright. I’m going.”

“Everything’s alright, I swear.”

“Sure.” He gives my shoulder a halfhearted pat, takes a deep breath, then sees himself out. I stay at the door for a second before going on my way, too.

Why do I get the feeling today’s gonna be a long day?

For a moment, I’m in a panic as I hurry out to the animals. But upon inspecting them, I’m relieved to find them tended to. From the pigs to the chicken and the sheep, everyone looks happy and fed. I spot Turtle near the toolshed, where he seems to be toying with a machine part of some kind. He spots me, gives me a mild nod, then continues his work. The others must be out in the fields.

Feeling like everything is in order, I decide to push away all of my worries and carry on, looking for something to do.

With such a late start to my day, it isn’t much longer before I spot some of the others trotting back from the fields on horseback for lunch. Emmalea spots me near the paddocks and gallops right up to my side. “Well, well, you’re an early starter!” she calls out.

I wince. “I know, I’m sorry, I just—”

“I mean, to wake up and start your day before any of us were even awake? And after staying out late for your sister’s big party?” She lets out a laugh. “Boy, I want a sip of whatever magic coffee you drink that gets you up so fast.”

I blink. Wait a sec. “Oh, well, I—”

“Don’t sweat it.” Lea swings off her horse and hands me the reins. “Take care of her. I need to go start lunch. Fred’s in a mood today and doesn’t wanna do the cookin’. I swear, I round everyone up so much, I oughta be named the damned forewoman for keepin’ this place goin’ some days.” Then off she goes.

And I’m left with the horse, staring at me from the side of her long face. I swear there’s a hint of suspicion in her eye, like she knows what we’ve done in the horse barn, but won’t say, because she’s a super cool horse who keeps secrets.

Did the others even notice I was gone?

Well, when a cover story writes itself and falls into your lap, who are you to try and change it?

Soon, I’m hanging out on the front step of the bunkhouse in the small sliver of shade the wall provides at this time of day. I’m not-so-patiently waiting on Harrison to come back. He’s later than usual, which wouldn’t normally bother me, if it wasn’t for the day and current circumstances.

That’s when I hear murmuring around the corner, coming from Harrison’s cabin. It throws me, since I didn’t think he’d have come around the back way to his place. Curious, I creep along the side of the bunkhouse and poke my head out. I spot Harrison and Gary in the middle of a conversation on the porch. Harrison has a pensive, serious expression, no smiles, and after every few words that Gary says to him, Harrison nods. I can’t make out the words, but Gary’s tone doesn’t sound altogether harsh or reprimanding, so I have to assume it isn’t anything bad.

Of course, Gary never sounds harsh or reprimanding, so I guess even if it is something bad he’s come over here to chat with him about, I’d never know.

Quite suddenly Gary seems done. He pats Harrison on both of his shoulders, says something else, then turns, heading off the porch and walking away, likely back to the main house. Harrison is left standing there, his face still tense and expressionless.

I waste no time and make my way across the yard. Harrison looks up when he sees me approaching, but his face remains cold.