Page 18 of Resilience on Canvas

“That’s fine,” he said. “Goddamn black blizzard from hell.”

“I’ll shovel!” Henry blurted out.

His voice reminded Robert of an overly excited puppy.Goodness, that was endearing. It was strange how endearing it was.

“Thanks, Hen.”

“And, well...” Clara’s lock of hair was practically knotted up now. Robert’s muscles tensed as he waited for her to continue. “I think one or two of the cows might not have survived. Which means we won’t make even a penny from them. I couldn’t bring ’em to the barn myself. I was with May and the twins and—”

Robert interrupted her. “Clara, I figured that might happen. Don’t worry about the money. I might be workin’ in Henry’s store soon. Bringin’ home a few extra cents every week.”

“Dried food, too,” Henry said. “I mean, you can take some cans home, too. After yer shifts.”

“Wow, that’s... God, that’ll help a whole lot,” Robert said, wonderstruck.

“Goodness!” Clara exclaimed. “Maybe we’ll have enough to replace May’s shoes soon. Oh! And Thomas’s pack for school!”

Henry’s sweet smile widened, and Robert’s breath caught.

Damn, that Henry Sherwood really was a fine man.

Clara said, “I can only imagine how tired you both must be. And we can’t handle none of the work on the farm ’til mornin’. Should we go to bed, maybe? Thomas and Peter are sleepin’ in my room with May, so you two can share Robert’s.”

Robert and Henry looked at each other. Even in the low light of the lamp, Robert could see that poor Henry’s face was reddening. Probably Henry was thinking back on how Robert had been resting his feet in Henry’s lap earlier. Or maybe the man could sense the strange thoughts that had been flitting through Robert’s head ever since.

“I promise I won’t be using you for a pilla,” Robert said, trying for a playful tone.

Henry huffed an uneasy-sounding laugh.

“Alright, well, that’s good,” Henry replied, his voice cracking once in the middle.

Clara smiled. “Well, I better head off to bed now.”

“Night, Clara,” Robert said.

“G’night,” Henry echoed.

And then Robert and Henry were alone. Henry still had a nervousness about him. He was chewing on his lip, his eyes fixed to the floor. Robert knew he had to fix it somehow. He took Henry by the sleeve.

“Dammit, Henry,” Robert said, pulling him forward, the lamp swinging in his other hand. “Don’t tell me I ruined this new friendship of ours by puttin’ my stupid feet up on yer lap earlier. Ain’t like I’d beentryin’to cuddle up on you back there. I wasn’t even awake!”

Henry stumbled forward. Once they were in lockstep, Robert released Henry’s sleeve, and they continued toward the bedroom.

“Are we really friends?” Henry asked.

Robert nearly laughed. He had chastised the man, andthiswas his reaction?

“Why wouldn’t we be?” Robert said. “Or are you only friends with women?”

“No! I can be friends with men, too.”

“Alright, then we’re friends,” Robert said, pushing Henry into the bedroom. He pointed toward the bed on the left. “That’s the bed the twins normally sleep in. It’s yers tonight.”

“Are you sure?”

“Well, you ain’t sleepin’ in mine,” Robert said with a sarcastic laugh, though his stomach tumbled strangely as the words left his mouth.

Dammit, what was wrong with him?

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