Chapter 18

“You’re a good man, Barry.” Jake patted Barry’s shoulder. “You did real good.”

Barry wasn’t so sure.

“Come on, bud, we need to get this food inside.”

* * * *

As Barry put away the groceries, he quizzed Jake on exactly what his duties were, what time meals were expected to be served, and which were his half days off.

“Because there’re only essential chores done on the ranch at weekends, you can take off Saturday and Sunday afternoons and evenings. You can take another half day during the week. It’s up to you which.”

That seemed reasonable to Barry. “So what do you guys eat when the cook isn’t working?”

“We cook for ourselves.”

Barry snorted. “Not in my kitchen you don’t.” Odd that he already thought of the space as his.

“There’s a small kitchen over in the bunkhouse. But usually we get takeout, TV dinners, or maybe go into town. Although there isn’t much for us there. No gay bars of course.”