A farmer. Of course. She could picture it already. Some small patch of dirt, a couple of chickens, maybe a roadside stand selling tomatoes on the honor system. "That's nice," she said.
And the words came out dipped in condescension. Thin and sweet like poisoned syrup. "Good honest work. Small operations like that, they're the backbone of this country, you know? Salt of the earth. " Julian turned his head and looked at her for a long moment.
Something in his expression shifted. Not anger, not yet. Something closer to quiet amusement. Like he was watching someone walk straight toward a cliff they didn't know was there. "Salt of the earth," he repeated slowly, testing the words.
"That's one way to put it. " "I just mean," Haley said, backpedaling slightly without knowing why. "It's admirable. Working the land, simple life. " "Nothing simple about it," Julian said. "Get up before the sun, work till it's gone. Weather can wipe out a whole season overnight.
Bank breathing down your neck the whole time. " He paused. "But I hear what you're saying. " Haley shifted in her seat, suddenly unsure if she'd offended him or amused him. Maybe both. "Family operation," Julian continued. "Three generations now.
Started with my grandfather. Built it up from nothing but dirt and stubbornness. A small, proud smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "We supply grain. Specialty stuff.
Good relationships with some big companies, too. " "Oh," Haley said, only half listening now, her mind drifting back to her own meeting, her own problems. "Yeah," Julian said. "Matter of fact, I'm headed to meet with one right now. Big one. Long-standing contract.
The seatbelt sign chimed off with a soft ding. And the captain's voice crackled through the speakers announcing smoother air ahead. "What's the company called? " Haley asked, mostly out of politeness now, already reaching for her phone. "Halbrook Foods. " Julian said. "Ever heard of them? " Haley's hand froze halfway to her bag.
"And the farm. " Julian added, watching her carefully now, "is called Marrow Family Growers. " The color drained from Haley's face like someone had pulled a plug. Julian leaned back in his seat. Arms folded, waiting to see if she'd put the pieces together on her own. She did. All at once.
Like a wall collapsing. Haley Albert sat frozen. Her hand still hovering near her bag. Her mind racing to catch up with what her ears had just heard. Marrow Family Growers.