Longing for Shelter by Alex Jane

Author:Alex Jane [Jane, Alex]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Publisher: Alex Jane
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Seth was rearranging some cans on a shelf one afternoon when he heard footsteps behind him. He sighed, then took a deep breath in preparation to turn and face the confused, angry customer suddenly confronted with a Were in the Feed and Seed that he’d been experiencing all day. Except the person spoke before he had a chance to begin.

“You mind telling me what the hell you think you’re doing?”

Seth slowly descended the wooden ladder then turned to face Malcolm, saying sweetly, “How can I help you, sir?”

The hand resting on Malcolm’s holster dropped loose at his side and Seth couldn’t help but smile at the confusion spreading over Malcolm’s face. Malcolm tilted his head. “Why are you wearing an apron?”

Seth sighed and rubbed the dip just above his chin with his knuckle. “Mr. Jackson thought it might be best. To avoid this situation.” Malcolm frowned. Seth rolled his eyes. “I work here. I don’t know why everyone is so damn surprised.”

Malcolm folded his arms across his chest and nodded. “You’re right. I shouldn't have assumed. I’m sorry.”

It felt strange to have Malcolm act so seriously so Seth just nodded and started to look around for someplace else to be.

“Does this mean you won’t be coming out to shoot tomorrow?”

Malcolm sounded a little sad but smiled when Seth grinned at him and shrugged. “No, I’ll be there. I’m only doing a few days a week to start here, or when Mr. Jackson needs me.”

Malcolm looked relieved and relaxed a little. “How do you like it so far?”

“I don’t mind the work.” Seth turned and picked up the empty crate from the bottom of the ladder to return to the storage place. “I think word is getting around though. Most people coming in this afternoon seem to just want to look at me.”

“It’s to be expected.”

Seth huffed out a laugh. “Yeah, well. I feel like I’m in a freak show.”

Malcolm smiled gently. “But otherwise…”

He must have seen something on Seth’s face, as Seth had to relent and say, “It’s fine. At least—I don’t think Mr. O’Donnell is too pleased that I’m working here.”

Malcolm nodded like he knew this already. “I wish I could say I was surprised.”

“I’m sure it’ll be fine.” Seth was doing his best to stay optimistic, even though O’Donnell had been foul to him all morning before he finally left. The look on Malcolm’s face didn’t fill him with confidence. Still, it was nice to have Malcolm there at all and Seth couldn’t help smiling. “Anyway, forget my troubles. You came in for something. So—how can I serve you today, sir?”

The resulting blush on Malcolm’s cheeks was lovely, if uncalled for, and Seth stored away the memory away to sustain him during those weeks when work or the weather kept them separated. And like the blush itself, the memory took a while to fade.

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