Chapter Four
Friends and enemies.
Jane sat at the table in the corner watching Maru, Penny and Sam play pool, they were terrible but entertaining.
"You should play a round, Maru said taking a swig of her drink.
"No that's ok, i'm sore and tired and would rather watch." Jane replied sipping her wine. She stood, and began making her way to the restroom when a man stepped in front of her blocking her way.
"Hey there, you must be the new farmer, you know I could till your soil." He said slowly scanning her from head to toe. The smell of alcohol on his breath.
Jane grimaced, "No, I can manage on my own thank you." She made to step past him but he continued blocking her way.
"I'm sure you can manage-"
"There you are, I brought your drink." a man's voice said, Jane as well as the stranger turned.
Harvey stood, drink in hand, concern in his eyes.
"Oh thank you." Jane said, stepping past the stranger. Harvey walked with her until they were out of ear shot. "Thank you." She said again with a sigh.
"Looked like you needed a hand, happy to help." Harvey said, turning to walk away.
"Wait." Jane shouted after him, "Would you like to join us?" She asked, gesturing at the game room.
He followed her gaze then returned it to her face, his green eyes full of kindness. He blushed saying "I would love to but, I'm afraid I have to get going, early start tomorrow. See you around." He nodded and left.
Smooth Jane, what if he isn't interested, what if he is married.
Jane relieved herself before returning to the group.
"The trailer is small but not too stuffy, I do wish I could have my own place though." Penny said brushing a strand of ginger hair behind her ear.
"I don't have much now, but you are welcome to come stay on the farm anytime I wouldn't mind."
The four of them talked and played late into the night they even convinced Jane to play a round of billiards with them. They were packing up their things when a group of men strutted into the saloon.
"I'm sorry lads, the saloons closing for the night, come back tomorrow." Gus the owner behind the bar said.
"We're thirsty, with all that work we are doing to get the store open for you." One of the men said. Leaning on the counter.
"Your store isn't wanted here." Someone said, Jane scanned the room, it was Pierre, the shop owner.
"Well too bad give it a month and our new store will be everyone's one stop shop in all the valley." The man said.
Gus handed the group some beers saying "Here are your drinks now, get out, come during business hours next time."
The men grabbed their drinks and shuffled out the door, as did most of the other guests. Pierre just sat at the table with a solemn expression on his face.
"I will lose my customers." He mumbled to himself.
JOJAmart, Jane realized, they were coming to the valley.
"Anyone worth their salt knows where the best place to shop in this town is, and it's not JOJA mart, I'll tell you that right now." She said to Pierre. He smiled, lifting his drink slightly. Jane nodded back and started the walk back to the farm.