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Brendan couldn’t help it and did laugh at that. “Colorful” was the closest Tina ever got to an insult. Brendan wasn’t even sure she knew how to swear.
“She’s a hard worker,” said Brendan, shocked at the defensiveness in his voice. He cleared his throat before he continued. “And it’s been rough out here for her, I guess. She doesn’t exactly have time for niceties.”
There was an amused silence from the other end. “Well, I’m glad you’re getting along so well with her.”
“I wouldn’t saygetting along.”
“What would you say, then?”
Brendan knew she was baiting him, enjoying herself immensely, but he couldn’t stop himself from rising to it.
“We’re cordial.”
“Cordial.”
“Yes, cordial.”
“Well, I’m glad you’recordialtogether.”
“I don’t really see what’s so funny,” he huffed.
“No, I know you don’t. That’s why it’s funny.”
“Care to share the punch line?”
“No. Not really. I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Let me know when you do.”
“You’re being weird. I’m going back to my lunch now. Bye.”
“Don’t get tetanus, please,” she said in lieu of a farewell.
“I’ll try my best.”
Brendan hung up as the front door opened behind him and Nicole walked out with coffees in hand, once again having made him one. He couldn’t help it and smiled as he took it from her.
“Who was that?” she asked, not ashamed of her curiosity.
“My sister. She’s been very supportive, but she secretly thinks I’ve lost my mind.”
“Well, if she can’t talk sense into you, then what hope have I got?”
“Less than zero.”
“Yeah, I figured.”
They drank their coffees in silence, savoring the last of their lunch break, and for the first time the quiet wasn’t strained, it was comfortable.
CHAPTER9
NICOLE
It didn’t take long for the storm to roll in. Nicole had looked up while they were herding the cows into the sheds for their afternoon milking, and the sky had maybe been a little dreary but mostly clear. Soon enough, though, both she and Brendan heard the tap of rain on the tin roof, scattered at first, until the heavens opened up and sent down a deluge.
Brendan looked out at the water barreling off the edge of the shed roof with the open-mouthed wonder of a kid, while Nicole stood beside him, hands on her hips, dreading the trip back to the house.
“Do we need to do anything for them with this weather?” said Brendan, shouting over the noise of the storm and nodding over his shoulder at the herd.
Nicole shook her head. “They’ll stay here.”
