Charles looked at her and went into the house. He picked up the book and gloves from the library and went back to the porch.
When he returned Caroline asked, “What are you doing Charles?”
“I’m going to read to you if you’ll let me… or is that a bad idea?”
“No. It would be nice if you would read to me.” She smiled. So, he put the gloves on, opened the book and started to read to her.
She really enjoyed listening to him. She was a very good audience. He paused as if he was going to stop; she asked him to continue reading. So, he did. She listened intently to every word as if it was the most fascinating story she had ever heard. Finally he stopped. She sat up. “Why did you stop?”
“Because you’ll want to read it for yourself…”
“Oh, I was enjoying listening to you read. I like your version.”
He closed the book, and together they walked to the library. Charles set the book down on the table with the gloves.
“Are you thirsty?” Caroline asked.
“Yes, let’s get a drink.” They went to the kitchen and Charles poured each of them a glass of lemonade.
Bev and Margaret were cleaning up. Margaret asked, “What have you two been doing?”
Caroline looked at Charles. She half turned to her grandma and said, “We were on the front porch.”
“Oh. It’s a good evening for sitting on the porch.”
Caroline and Charles sat down at the table. Bev and Margaret joined them.
Carson and Al had wandered onto the front porch. They sat back in their chairs and began talking about the day. Walter pulled up in his pickup truck. Carson and Al waved. He waved back. The men stood up and walked to his truck. Walter asked if there was a time he and Carson could get together to go over the paperwork for the farm from the week. He also thought they might want to walk around the farm and see what Carson wanted done. Carson looked at Al.
“Well, is this as good a time as any for you, Carson?”
“Would you want to go now?”
“I’ll inform the ladies.” Al returned to the house and disappeared inside.
Carson told Walter he’d meet him at the barn. Carson went to get his truck. When Al came back, he got into the truck and they drove to the barn. They took a short cut through the back acreage of the farm. It was bumpier than Al remembered. “Wow, Carson. This is kind of fun old man.” They laughed. Carson kept driving until it smoothed out and a worn road appeared. Carson continued on until they reached the barn and saw Walter waiting for them. They got out of the truck and went in the barn.
Walter came over and said, “I want to know your opinion about buying another tractor. This is a good one, but she is an older model and takes too long to complete the job. We could go to the Farm Supply Store and pick up a newer utility tractor that is more versatile, but only if you want. It is your decision Mr. Jones.”
Carson had told Walter about the conversation he had with Al the previous night about Al’s tractor giving him trouble. He turned to Al. “Al, if I purchase another tractor, could your acreage use this tractor? It’s reliable and accomplishes the job.”
“Well sure, I guess so. What would you be asking for it Carson?”
“Well, if I go with Walter tomorrow morning and we decide a newer model tractor at the Farm Supply Store in town is what we need, then I won’t have any use for this old girl. I can’t say I’d get that much for her at auction anyway so, she’d be yours. I can drive it over.”
“Carson. I don’t know about you just giving her to us.”
“Well, take it or leave it. I can’t say there have been many times I have had a chance to give you and Margaret something useful. I’d like to see her be put to work and taken care of. What do you say?” Carson said smiling at his old friend.
“Free is free. You don’t get many bargains in life like that. If I were you I’d take the deal,” Walter said.
“Thank you Carson. If it works out for you, this tractor will be more reliable than the one I am currently using.”
Carson nodded, then turned to Walter and said, “Let’s take a walk around. Do you have a list made up?”
“No, but I can have Gretchen prepare one for you,” Walter said.
“Are you out of money in the account at Country Farm and Home Town Bank?”
“No, not even close… I would just like the purchases approved.”
“Use your best judgment on what we need and when. If you still have enough funds, we shouldn’t have a problem. Will the supplies put us over budget, is that why you’re inquiring?”
“No, we are in good shape. I’ll get you an accounting tomorrow morning and we can review the supply inventory when we inspect the tractor.”
“Okay. Well, let’s have a look. Walter, go ahead and lead the way.” Walter took them around the barn first. Then, they drove to the bee shack to inspect it. After that they drove off to check on several of the outbuildings.
“I’ll have things accounted for you in the morning, Mr. Jones.”
“That will be fine Walter. Thank you. I’ll see you at 8:00 A.M. Can you arrange the schedules with everyone who is working tomorrow so you can be gone for as long as we need?”
“Yes sir,” said Walter. They shook hands and returned to the barn.
Al and Carson left Walter to make the notes he needed. One of Walter’s boys entered the barn. Walter joined him and they went to work on the assignment for the morning’s business.
This time Carson went a different route back to the farm. He took the long way using the road. When they arrived back at the farmhouse they walked to the front porch and sat down. They began discussing the farm and the things Walter had shown them. Carson asked Al if he would want to accompany them as they inspected the new tractors in the morning. Al thanked him for offering, but said he couldn’t go. He had made plans with one of his vendors and he didn’t think he could reschedule.
Margaret came to the porch to see how the farm meeting had gone. They talked about what Walter had said. Al told her Carson was going to look at a new tractor in the morning.
Bev came out and joined them. She asked, “Carson, have you asked Charles to go with you in the morning? I think it would be a good learning experience for him to go with you.”
“No. I haven’t asked him to go but it is a good idea. I’ll ask him if he is interested.”
Bev told Carson that buying a newer model tractor would be a good decision. Bev then turned to Margaret and asked if she wanted to go around back to watch Charles and Caroline play croquet. Margaret agreed and they walked around the house.
Caroline and Charles were still playing. Caroline was very serious as she was taking her turn. Charles was pretending to look around impatiently as if he was tired of waiting. He feigned a look at an imaginary watch on his wrist. She knew he was teasing. She laughed at him and smacked the ball. When Bev and Margaret came around the corner Charles looked over at them. While he was distracted Caroline nudged the ball into a better position.
“Hey you two, who’s winning?” Bev called to them. When she said that Charles looked back at the game and he laughed because he knew Caroline had cheated.
Margaret said, “Looks like fun.”
Carson and Al had followed them around the house. Carson jabbed his elbow in Al’s side. “Hey Al, want to play?”
“I sure do!” Al replied and strolled to the rack get a mallet. Carson joined him. Bev and Margaret followed.
Carson looked at Charles. “How about you and Caroline starting over? What do you say?”
“Sure, but why don’t we give Caroline a head start?” He smirked at her. She playfully punched him in his shoulder.
While he was rubbing his shoulder she turned to Carson and said, “That is the best idea I’ve heard all day.”
So, they started over. It was fun and everyone had a good time. The adults were mischievous to each other, but all in good fun. The game ended with Charles winning anyway, Bev came in second, and C
arson came in third. Caroline, even with her head start came in fourth. Margaret had trouble with her ball and came in fifth. Al came in last because Margaret hit his ball out of playing range. It was impossible for him to catch up.
Charles walked over to talk to Caroline. Caroline folded her arms, narrowed her eyes and told him, “I’m challenging you to a rematch at the picnic.” Charles wrinkled his nose and laughed. The two of them continued to tease each other as they cleaned up the equipment.
Carson asked Al to help him with the grill for dinner. Bev and Margaret went into the house to get the meat platter for the guys. Carson and Al fired up the grill by the garage. They lounged on chairs and talked while they grilled. It wasn’t long until the smell of barbecue filled the air. Margaret had fresh corn on the cob in foil for them to cook as well. Bev and Margaret went back to the kitchen to finish preparing the meal.
Charles and Caroline were sitting on the back porch talking. The sun was starting to fade and the crickets were beginning their evening song.
Bev and Margaret were setting the table as Carson and Al brought the food from the grill inside. Charles and Caroline followed. Once again Bev set up the table in the kitchen for Charles and Caroline. Charles was secretly glad they were eating separate from the adults. He was enjoying her company.
After dinner Charles and Caroline put their plates in the sink and went to sit on the back porch. The sky was a beautiful mixture of reds and purples. Charles was sad to think that Caroline would be going home tomorrow. He would miss her company and her quirky sense of humor. It seemed like they had a lot in common. He was already looking forward to seeing her at the picnic.
Bev came to the back door and asked if they wanted dessert. Charles and Caroline followed Bev into the kitchen and prepared bowls of ice cream and cookies. They took their dessert back to the porch and enjoyed the evening weather. It wasn’t long until the sun finally set.
Al came to the back door. “Caroline, it is almost time to go. When you finish we will need to be leaving.”
“All right.” Caroline looked at Charles and smiled. Then, she looked down at her empty bowl.
“Well, I’m not done yet!” Charles said. They laughed. “I’m going to walk you home, if you want.”
“Yes, I would.” It was kind of awkward sitting in the moonlight with her at that moment. They just sat there and looked out into the darkness.
Margaret came out. “How was the dessert?”
“Fine,” they said in unison. They took their bowls inside.
Margaret said to Charles, “I’ll let your grandparents know we are ready to go.” She walked out of the room.
Both Charles and Caroline put their dishes in the sink at the same time. As she sat her bowl down, he leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. She smiled at him. They walked to the library. Charles picked up the book and gloves from the library table for Caroline.
“It won’t be the same as when you were reading it to me,” she said.
He smiled as he said teasingly, “Well, just pretend I am still reading it to you then.” He carried the book as they walked to the living room where Margaret and Al were getting ready to leave.
Carson saw Charles with the book in his hand and said, “Charles, I need to talk to Al some more about farm business. I’m thinking about buying a new tractor. Would you like to go with me tomorrow?”
“Sure,” Charles said.
They all walked together to Margaret and Al’s farm. Charles walked Caroline to the door and gave her the book and gloves from the library. She took the items and thanked him. She turned to Carson and thanked him for letting her read it. “I’ll take good care of it Mr. Jones and I will return it as soon as I finish.” She smiled.
“If I don’t see you tomorrow Caroline, I’ll see you at the picnic,” Charles said. “Okay. Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.” He turned to walk down the steps as she turned to go inside the house.
Carson, Bev and Charles walked back to the old farmhouse. When they arrived Bev called Margaret and told her they made it home safely. They talked for a minute.
Charles and Carson sat at the table across from each other. Carson told him about the meeting with Walter and Al earlier in the day. He told him about the improvements Walter had suggested. They discussed the pros and cons of buying a new tractor. Charles was excited to go with Carson in the morning.
It was time for bed so Charles told Carson goodnight. He went to the library and picked up the glasses, journals and the notes he made earlier. He walked to his room and got ready for bed. Charles put his glasses on and began to read the journal. The holograms lit up his room. When his eyes grew tired he put the journal and glasses on the nightstand. He rolled over and dreamed of what it would be like to be a Sojourner. It was an interesting dream because Caroline was a Sojourner in it too.
Charles awoke to Carson beside his bed. “If you would like to go Charles, you will have to roll out of bed and get ready. We have about twenty five minutes before we have to meet Walter at the Farm Supply Store.”
With a groan Charles sat up and eased out of bed. He wasn’t quite ready to leave Caroline in his dream. The wooden floor was cold on his bare feet and Charles wished he had worn his socks to bed last night. Charles looked through his things until he found what he wanted to wear. Then, he got ready for the day.
He met Carson in the kitchen. They ate English muffins with honey, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit with orange juice to drink. When they finished breakfast, Carson and Charles picked up their jackets. They said goodbye to Bev who was sewing in the living room. Both men gave her a hug and a kiss before leaving.
Carson and Charles got into the truck and started out. The sun was shining and there was a cool morning breeze. The Farm Supply Store was across town. They talked the whole way about what should be done. When they arrived Walter was already there. They got out of the truck and walked over to meet him. They all shook hands.
“The tractor I was thinking about recommending is right over there.” Walter pointed to the red tractor. They walked over. Walter was telling them, what Marty the owner had told him, about the tractor. “He will probably be out soon to talk to us. We should start it up and drive it around to see what you think Mr. Jones.”
“It looks good to me Walter, how much did you say he wanted for it? It’s brand new… Did Ed look it over?”
“It was within our budget. Ed and I came here and inspected it last night. His opinion was that it was fit as a fiddle and purred like a kitten,” Walter said.
“Good enough for me.”
Marty was talking to an employee. He stopped and finished his conversation with the customer in the parking lot before coming their way. He had a smile on his face. As he came to a stop he held out his hand to shake Carson’s hand saying, “Hello, Carson. How have you been? It has been a while, maybe three years, since I’ve seen you.”
“How have you been Marty? It has been a while. Since Walter takes care of everything I guess I don’t have to get out much anymore.”
Then Marty shook hands with Walter and Charles. “This must be Molly’s son,” Marty said looking at Charles. He shook his head. “How old are you now son?”
“I just turned fifteen.”
“Good to see you. I went to school with your mom.”
Then Marty turned to the tractor and put his hand on it. “Carson, have you been able to look her over? Ed came and checked everything out last night.” Ed was the best mechanic Marty had ever seen. He wished he could hire him. “I brought the keys, how about we fire it up?”
“Okay, give the keys to Charles,” Carson said. Marty tossed the keys to Charles. Charles climbed up in the driver’s seat with a big smile on his face. He started it up. Carson asked Charles what he thought of it. Charles nodded his head.
Carson turned to Walter. “I think you picked a good one. If you are still sold on her then we’ll take it.”
Walter told Marty he’d meet him inside to take care of the paperwork
. Then, he told Carson he’d call Ed from inside and have him come and get it.
Marty thanked Carson and told Walter he’d meet him in the office when they were ready. Marty shook Carson’s hand and then Charles’ hand before he walked back to the store. He stopped and talked to a local farmer in overalls and a ball cap who pointed in the direction of the tractor. Marty smiled and shook his head. The farmer and Marty talked a minute longer before Marty went into the store.
A salesman came out to talk to the farmer. They walked over together to look at the tractors that were still available.
“Hello Carson,” the farmer said. “You beat me here this morning. I guess I’m too late to buy this one.”
“Well, you have to get up pretty early to beat Walter here.” They talked about their farms and the new market Gretchen was getting ready to open up in town. They shook hands before the farmer and the salesman walked on discussing the other tractors.
Walter took out the list from the day before and they discussed it. Carson made a couple of suggestions. Then they said goodbye as Carson and Charles turned to leave.
On the drive home the whole conversation was about the new tractor. They passed Ed on the way, with his younger brother.
When they arrived on the farm Carson said, “I’d like to go down to the barn for a minute. Would you like to go with me? I could use a hand with the old tractor.”
“Sure.”
When they pulled up to the barn the old green tractor was sitting out. Carson and Charles got out of the truck and walked over to the tractor. The keys were in the ignition.
“That’s odd. That isn’t like Walter to just leave the keys in the ignition and the tractor out. They must be working on it,” Charles said.
“No, I’m going to drive it over to Al’s farm. I thought maybe you’d like to ride one of the horses over. You haven’t had a chance to ride lately.” Charles jumped at the chance to ride his favorite horse. They went to get her in the pasture and brought her into the barn and saddled her. Carson told Charles to follow behind the tractor on the way to Margaret and Al’s.
When Charles trotted up the gravel driveway and around to the back of their house, he saw Caroline on the back porch with Margaret. Caroline got up and ran over to the horse. Charles pulled the reins to stop the horse.
The Xidoran Prophecy Page 13
