The morning stirred with the slow rhythm of footsteps and muffled clatter from the kitchen.
Billy tied the last knot of his boots, glancing toward the door where Artur had just shrugged on his jacket.
"You ready?" Billy asked, pulling his sleeves up.
Artur nodded, rolling his shoulders. "We better be. Jay's probably already found a way to skip out."
Billy smirked, grabbing the basket near the door. "Let's find him before he convinces someone else to carry his load."
They stepped outside without much fanfare—just the natural ease of routine settling between them.
The fields looked longer than yesterday, maybe just in the way the light hit them. Artur pointed to the cart near the side barn.
"I'll get it ready. You go check if Jay's even awake."
Billy gave a mock salute and veered toward the smaller house where Jay had spent the night. A minute later, he knocked once, then louder.
"Jay! Don't make me come in!"
There was a groan inside. Then footsteps. the door creaked open.
