Page 27 of The Breakdown

“Benny and Greer get three squares a day. It’s part of their pay and part of the deal we made with their folks. ’Sides, those two, they don’t know the first thing about cooking. So if they don’t eat here, they eat junk, and they show up to work looking like strung out skeletons and performing just as bad. Doesn’t do us any good when they’re like that.”

“I guess not.”

“You come on over now when you’re ready.”

“I can help you now,” Natalie said. “If you like.”

“Why, sure, child. I’d love the company.” She opened the door. “Might as well bring that contraption with you so you can show Vaughn.”

“Right.” Natalie closed her laptop and carried it with her to the door. She and June headed out back to the main house.

“We’re having pot roast and taters for supper. I needed something to just cook in the slow cooker while we worked.”

“Sounds delicious,” Natalie said. They entered the house via the back door and she inhaled. “Smells yummy too.”

June laughed. “Yummy. You’re too cute, child.”

Natalie felt herself flush. They came to the kitchen. It was sparkling clean. June had done a good job of cleaning up after the mess of the tacos at lunch. “Uh, where should I put my computer?”

“In here.” June led them into a dimly lit living room, clad with a dark leather sofa and matching chairs. A large wooden desk sat nestled in the corner. June left the folders on the desk and turned to her. “You can leave it here,” she said motioning her over. Natalie placed the laptop on the desk and followed her back into the kitchen where they both washed their hands. June pointed to where the dishware and silverware were and Natalie set the table with cloth napkins and all. She retrieved glasses and filled them all with ice and cold brewed tea while June readied the pot roast and boiled the potatoes to mash. Soon it was time for dinner to be served and Natalie saw the boys approaching from out the kitchen window.

“I sure am excited to see what Vaughn thinks of that finished website,” June said as she poked at the roast with a large fork.

Natalie glanced over at her. “Oh, it’s not finished. I still have to add the photos.”

“Photos?”

She’d forgotten to mention the photos. That they weren’t going to use the stock ones. “Yes, of the ranch. Vaughn said she had some. She just had to find them.”

June stopped poking the meat. “She did, did she?”

“Is something wrong?” What was it about those photos?

“No, nothing’s wrong.”

“Vaughn had a similar reaction,” Natalie said. “She got up and left suddenly. So, I assumed there was something about the photos she didn’t want to discuss.”

June put the lid back on the slow cooker, but she didn’t turn to look at Natalie. Instead, she unfolded and refolded a dish towel. “Vaughn’s a photographer. Or used to be. She was a damn good one too. Won some awards and such a long time ago.”

“That’s incredible.”

“It is. It was.”

“What happened?”

She finally faced her and her wrinkled face was slack with sadness. “That’s a story for another day, Natalie dear.”

Natalie felt her pulse beat in her neck. There was definitely something about the photos. Something bad. She felt guilty for asking. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have asked.”

“It’s alright, child. You didn’t know. Just…don’t ask Vaughn, okay? When she gives you those photos, don’t ask about them. Just…it’s a big deal her giving you those.”

“I understand.”

“No, child, I’m afraid you don’t. But I don’t expect you to.”

Benny opened the door and bounded in, his face red and slick, his hat-hair mussed and sweaty. “What’s for supper, Miss June?”

“Sit your scrawny ass down and you’ll find out.” She swatted him with the dish towel and he hollered and hurried to his seat. Greer quickly followed suit, only he stopped to give June a sweaty kiss on the cheek.

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