Starlight and Sawdust

Together, they worked to get the exhausted heifer and her new calf loaded into the trailer Hank had brought out. It was slow going, but they managed it, Hank and Caleb doing the heavy lifting while Arlo helped guide the animals and keep them calm.

By the time they got back to the barn, the sky was just beginning to lighten in the east, the stars fading into the grey light of dawn. They settled the heifer and calf into a clean, dry stall, then stood back to admire their handiwork.

“Well,” Hank said, breaking the comfortable silence. “I think we’ve earned a cup of coffee.”

Caleb nodded, but Arlo hesitated. “Actually,” he said, “if it’s all right with you, I’d like to stay out here for a bit. Keep an eye on them.”

Caleb frowned. “You don’t have to do that. I can—”

“I know,” Arlo said, already settling himself on a bale of hay outside the stall. “But I want to. You go on in, get cleaned up. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”

Caleb hesitated, but he was too tired to argue. “All right,” he said. “But don’t fall asleep out here. It’s cold.”

Arlo just smiled. “I’ll be fine.”

As Caleb walked back to the house, he couldn’t shake the image of Arlo sitting there in the dim light of the barn, his city clothes rumpled and stained, his face soft with wonder as he watched the newborn calf take its first wobbly steps. It was a side of the man he’d never expected to see, and it left him feeling unsettled in a way he couldn’t quite name.

He took a long, hot shower, trying to wash away the blood and grime of the night’s work. But even as the hot water sluiced over his skin, he couldn’t shake the memory of Arlo’s hands, steady and sure as he helped guide the calf into the world. He couldn’t forget the way Arlo’s voice had softened as he talked to the heifer, the genuine care and concern in his eyes.

It was a far cry from the arrogant, condescending man he’d met just a few weeks ago. And it made Caleb wonder, for the first time, if maybe he’d judged Arlo too harshly. If maybe, just maybe, there was more to the astrophysicist than met the eye.

He was still mulling it over when he stepped out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist. Arlo was just coming in the back door, stamping the mud off his boots.

“They’re both doing great,” he said, his eyes widening slightly as he took in Caleb’s state of undress. “The calf’s nursing like a champ.”

Caleb felt a flush creep up his neck, suddenly self-conscious. “Good,” he said gruffly, grabbing his clothes from where he’d left them on the couch. “Thanks for your help tonight. I appreciate it.”

“Anytime,” Arlo said, his gaze lingering on Caleb’s bare chest for just a moment before he looked away. “I, uh, I should get cleaned up too.”

“Right,” Caleb said, nodding a little too vigorously. “Bathroom’s all yours.”

He retreated to his bedroom, his mind a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. He was tired, yes, but it was more than that. For the first time since Arlo had arrived, he felt a flicker of something other than irritation or resentment. Something that felt dangerously like respect.

He pushed the thought away, telling himself he was just exhausted, his defenses down after a long night. But as he lay down in bed, his body aching with fatigue, he couldn’t help but acknowledge the truth.

Dr. Arlo Byrd, with his fancy equipment and his talk of the cosmos, had gotten under his skin. And Caleb had a feeling that things between them were about to get a whole lot more complicated.

The next few days passed in a blur of work and exhaustion. Caleb had expected things to go back to normal after the calving, but something had shifted between him and Arlo, a subtle realignment of their relationship that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.

Arlo was still up at all hours, still muttering to himself about atmospheric anomalies, but now he made an effort to keep the noise down, to clean up after himself in the kitchen. And Caleb found himself going out of his way to make sure Arlo had what he needed, whether it was a warm meal waiting for him when he finally stumbled in from the field or an extra blanket on his bed on particularly cold nights.

It was a quiet kind of truce, fragile and new, and neither of them seemed willing to acknowledge it out loud. But it was there, in the way Arlo would sometimes catch Caleb’s eye over the dinner table and offer a small, tentative smile, in the way Caleb would find himself lingering in the kitchen in the mornings, waiting for Arlo to emerge from his room so they could share a cup of coffee before heading out to their respective tasks.

It was during one of these shared coffee moments that Arlo brought up the supply run.

“I, uh, I need to go into town today,” he said, his gaze fixed on his mug. “I’ve got some equipment that needs repairs, and I’m running low on a few things.”

Caleb nodded, taking a sip of his own coffee. “I’ve got to go in myself. The feed store’s got a delivery coming in, and I need to pick up some supplies.”

Arlo looked up, surprised. “Oh. Well, maybe we could, uh, carpool? Save on gas?”

It was a practical suggestion, and Caleb found himself nodding before he could overthink it. “Sure,” he said. “We can take my truck.”

If Arlo was surprised by the offer, he didn’t show it, just nodded and took another sip of his coffee. “Great. Thanks.”

They finished their coffee in silence, then went their separate ways to get ready. Caleb found himself taking a little extra care with his appearance, shaving off the worst of his stubble and putting on a clean shirt. He told himself it was just because he was going into town, but he knew that wasn’t the whole truth.

The drive into town was quiet at first, both of them staring out the window at the passing scenery. But as they got closer to the outskirts of town, Arlo cleared his throat.

“Caleb,” he said, his voice hesitant. “I, uh, I wanted to thank you. For letting me stay at the ranch. I know it wasn’t your choice, and I appreciate you being so…accommodating.”

Caleb glanced over at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. “It’s fine,” he said gruffly. “You’re paying rent, aren’t you?”

“Well, yes,” Arlo said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “But I know it’s not just about the money. You’ve been…kind. In your own way.”

Caleb felt a flush creep up his neck, and he turned his eyes back to the road. “Don’t go spreading that around,” he muttered. “Wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation.”

Arlo laughed, a soft, warm sound that Caleb felt all the way down to his toes. “Your secret’s safe with me,” he said.

They fell silent again, but it was a comfortable silence now, the tension between them eased. When they pulled into the feed store parking lot, Caleb found himself surprisingly reluctant to end the moment.

“I’ve got to pick up a few things here,” he said, nodding toward the store. “If you want to go on to the electronics shop, I can meet you back here in an hour.”

Arlo nodded. “Sounds good.”

They parted ways, Caleb heading into the feed store while Arlo set off down the street toward the other side of town. Caleb took his time picking out the supplies he needed, chatting with the owner, Jim, about the weather and the price of hay.

“So, I hear you’ve got a scientist staying out at your place,” Jim said casually as he rang up Caleb’s purchases.

Caleb stiffened, wondering how word had gotten around so fast. “Yep,” he said, keeping his tone neutral.

“Heard he’s one of them queer folk,” Jim continued, his tone still casual, but his eyes sharp and watchful. “You know, a fag.”

Caleb felt his blood boil at the ugly word, but he forced himself to stay calm. “I wouldn’t know anything about that,” he said, his voice tight. “He’s a paying guest, that’s all.”

Jim chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, just be careful,” he said. “You know how folks around here can be. Don’t want no trouble.”

Caleb gritted his teeth, biting back the angry retort that rose to his lips. He just nodded, paid for his supplies, and left the store, his mood souring with every step.

He found Arlo waiting for him by the truck, a small bag of equipment at his feet. “Hey,” Arlo said, his smile fading as he caught sight of Caleb’s expression. “Everything okay?”