Eli shook his head."You're wearing a suit, Thano.A suit I'm guessing costs more than I make in a year.You shouldn't crawl around in chicken shit while wearing it."
"I wasn't planning to crawl around in it."
Eli chuckled, and it had tingles spread over Thano's body.Then there was a hissing sound from the kitchen, and Thano shadow walked as fast as he could.Dammit.The water was boiling over on the stove and when he peeked inside the pot, one of the eggs had a crack and a white thread was coming out of it.Fuck.
Before he could figure out what to do, the front door opened and closed.Eli.He sighed and grabbed a cloth to wipe up the water that had spilled over.He had to do better if he was to take care of Eli.
How long should you boil eggs?He tried to remember, but before the oatmeal, it had been a long time since he'd tried to make anything in a kitchen.
A few minutes later, Eli walked back into the house."Two more eggs."He opened the refrigerator and placed them with the others before washing his hands.
Thano grabbed the pot, poured out the hot water, and filled it with cold.He had no idea if the eggs were done, but they had to be, right?Turning around, he focused on Eli."I'll shadow walk to the ranch and find someone willing to drive, then we'll come and get you."
Eli shook his head."Others aren't allowed in town.I don't want anyone shot because of me."
"It's Saturday."
Eli's eyes narrowed."I don't think the rules stop applying simply because it's Saturday."
"You said everything is closed.The sheriff is closed today."
Thano couldn't describe the look on Eli's face, and he didn't know what it meant.
"The sheriff never closes.I don't know if he's assigned anyone to be deputy, but there is always someone working to uphold the law."He was quiet for a second."You're the leader of The Moonlight Ranch, right?"
"Yes."Thano straightened his back.
"Are you the one who set the rules?"
He looked into Eli's eyes."I have the final say.If someone doesn't like it, they can challenge me for the position."
Fear overtook Eli's eyes."For how long have you been a leader?"
Thano couldn't remember."I was fairly new when the lion was killed."
Incomprehension.Maybe Eli didn't know about the lion.
"There was a lion?"
"No, Romeo's uncle, Leo.We allowed him to stay off the paved road.I was the leader then too.I allowed him to stay, I was the one who made sure the deed and the key got to his kin and promised him they'd be safe on The Moonlight Ranch."
"And how long ago?"
Shrugging, Thano plucked a small plate from the stack in the cupboard and grabbed the eggs from the cool water.He handed them to Eli."Romeo was a baby."
"So...thirty-forty years ago?"Eli carefully took the plate and the eggs rolled, or two of them did, the cracked one remained in place."Can you grab spoons?"He pointed at a drawer next to Thano.
Did he need more than one?He grabbed two and handed them to Eli and got a smile in return.Eli curled his fingers around one of them and then handed the other to Thano.Thano stared at it.Was he to put it back?
Then Eli took one of the eggs and held out to him.
"No, they're for you.I ate, remember?"
Eli froze, and Thano mentally cursed himself."Eat up, we have a busy day."Distraction.
Without a word, Eli rammed the spoon into the egg, bending off the top.The yolk was runny and Thano scrunched his nose.Damn."I'm sorry.I should've cooked them longer."
Eli stared at the mess inside the egg."It's okay.Could you hand me some salt?"