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or the way his little sister wouldn’t stop gawking

at him. What was she, fifteen?
    “Could you pass the

salt?” Then there was this guy, Kelly. He was cool,

sort of laid back. Tristan slid him the salt. Luke remained quiet and

meticulously cleaned his plate. The girl kept staring. His new boss grunted and

nodded on cue whenever Mrs. McCullough threw his name into whatever she was saying and so the meal went on.
    After dinner, Mr.

McCullough disappeared and the girl helped Mrs. McCullough with the dishes.

Luke seemed anxious to get back to work on the floor. When he stood, so did

Tristan.
    “Thank you for the

meal, ma’am.”
    Luke’s mom turned and gifted him with a wide smile. “Of course, love.

Livin’ with my sister and all, you’re like family now.” She slapped his cheek.

It didn’t hurt. It was sort of an affectionate tap. “You come by any time and

I’ll feed you, dearie.”
    He smiled. It ha d been a long time since he’d felt as welcome, if

overwhelmed, as the McCulloughs made him feel. “Thank you.”
    He followed Luke back

to the barn and the moment they left the house he muttered, “Sorry about that.

My family’s—”
    “Really hospitable?”
    “I was gon na say crazy, but yeah, we can call it that.”
    “Luke, wait!” They

both turned as his little sister came tearing out of the house. She skidded to

a stop beside them and batted her eyes at Tristan. “What are you guys doing?”
    “Working. So unless

you wanna help , go away.”
    “Oh, Luke,” she said,

swatting his arm. “I’ll help.”
    Luke frowned. “You’ll

be in the way, Shei-Devil. Go play.”
    “I’m not a kid, you

dick.”
    Whoa. Tristan did a

double take. This one had a mouth on her.
    Luke continued

walking. “Go home, fart lic ker.”
    She scampered after

him. “Please let me help. I promise to behave and actually work.”
    “No, Sheilagh.”
    She stomped her foot.

Tristan followed several feet behind, not wanting to get involved.
    “Damn it, Luke. Why

not?”
    “I told you why. Now

take off, kid.”
    She didn’t seem to

flinch at the way her brother talked to her, but Tristan was a little taken

aback. Here was this great family and Luke didn’t seem to want any part of it.

Why?
    As Luke disappeared in

the barn he turned and Sheilagh’s smile widened as

her gaze connected with his. She skipped back a few paces and took up walking

by his side. “He’s always like that. I’m Sheilagh.”
    “I’m Tristan.”
    “I know. We met last

night. So you’re a college graduate? That’s pretty cool. By the way, I’m

seventeen, not twelve like my dickbag brother treats

me.”
    Oh boy, a whole seventeen.
    “How old are you?” she

asked.
    “Twenty-five.”
    “So we’re only, like,

seven years apart.”
    “Eight.”
    “Not really. I’ll be

an adult in ten months. I’m almost seventeen and a half.”
    Jesus. Whe re the fuck was Luke?
    “Since you’re new

around here, if you ever want to do something, I could do it with you—I

mean—I’d be happy to show you around. Town.” She frowned and he did the same.

Only adding to the awkwardness, she announced, “I’m allowed out ‘til eleven.”
    Luke returned and

Tristan had never been more relieved to see someone before in his life.
    “You still here, kid?

I told you to go home.”
    “We’re talking,

scrotum breath!” she snapped then turned and sweetly batted her eyes at

Tristan. “So, lik e I was saying, if you ever wanted

to catch a movie or something…”
    Aw, Christ. Glancing

back at Luke, Tristan saw that he was preoccupied taking measurements. Hiding a

grimace he pasted on a smile and said, “That’s real sweet, baby girl. I’m gonna

be busy gettin’ settled and working, but if one of

those times ever come up where I need a nice girl to show me around, I’ll be

sure to come find you.”
    Her lips parted and

she blinked up at him in what seemed like astonishment.