6
An hour later, Adrian was almost sure the rail yard had been the smart, observant boy's idea, was coming to think that the magic that fate had hinted at, was already here - had been for a while. It was just too young, too raw, to really be useful yet.
"So what's this box for?" Charlie asked as they moved to the Mess line for bowls of soup and fresh biscuits.
Adrian grinned at him. "I thought you'd ask long before now. Line it with a garbage bag from the truck and put a note on it. Set it by the cans. 'Food only'. It's for the pregnant dogs."
The boy had just finished and joined Adrian at the table when excited voices echoed, causing people to turn and look. A small group of talking men came by, helping a bloody Doug towards the medical tent, and Adrian grinned wryly, shaking his head as he and the boy went back to eating. He had underestimated Kenn. He wouldn't do it again.
A second group of noisemakers arrived a couple minutes later, Kenn happily in their midst.
"Damnedest thing I ever saw."
"Shoulda seen it!"
"Two hits! Just two hits!"
"Broke it. I heard it snap."
Kenn was saying nothing, just grinning as they got in line, and Adrian looked to Charlie, noticing how he'd tensed. "Ready?"
The boy immediately got up, and they slipped out before Kenn was even halfway through the long, loud line.
Their next stop was the new livestock trailers and even newer vet, Chris. The Utah man had only been out of the QZ for a week and hard at work most of that time - alone, because of his surly attitude and smart mouth.
"Anybody home?"
There was movement from inside, but no answer, and Charlie raised his hand to open the semi's faded white door.
"Not a good idea boy, but you do what you want."
Charlie dropped his hand, and they turned to see the tall, thin veterinarian step out of a nearby tent, his neat white coat and handsome face not hiding the frosty green eyes of a born loner.
"Star's in there giving birth. She's not in the mood for company."
Adrian stepped over to him. "You see them yet?"
Chris tossed a small, white bag into the teenager's hands. "One, normal as far as I can tell. When she's done, we'll knock her out and run the blood work."
"Good." Adrian shook his head at the offered envelope. "Kenn's job now. He'll be by."