by T. K. Chapin
Walking across the bridge, up the driveway and into the barn, Levi flipped on the overhead light for the barn. Hopping over the stall, he checked on Betsy and the calf.
“You hungry, girl?” Levi asked, bending a knee in front of the calf. Levi went and prepared a bottle for and got comfortable on a hay bale. Positioning the calf in front of him, he wrapped his arm around the calf’s neck and fed the milk to her. “Good girl.”
“Levi?” Roy said from over at the barn’s entrance.
“Hi, Roy,” Levi hollered back at him.
“You got the feeding under control?”
“Yeah.” Levi could hear Henry asking his grandpa something quietly “… I could use an extra hand though, Henry, if you want to come help.”
“You want to help?” Roy asked Henry. He eagerly ran over to the stall. Levi went over and helped him over. “I’m heading inside.”
“Okay, I’ll send him your way when we’re done,” Levi said.
Turning back to the calf, Levi held the calf still while he handed Henry the bottle. “Go ahead and just shove it into the calf’s mouth.” Henry did just that and the calf began to wiggle a little, but started drinking.
“It’s drinking it!”
“Yeah. Want to hold onto the calf?” Levi asked.
“Yeah!” Henry took over holding the calf, but it wiggled free of his grip and ran. “Dang it…”
“That’s okay. You need to lock your arm into position when you hold the calf and then be sure to be confident. They can sense when you are scared.”
Henry nodded and approached the calf again. “Here little cow… Come get some dinner.” He slowly stepped closer to the calf and then wrapped his arm around its neck. Holding it still, he was able to feed the calf.
“Good job,” Levi said patting him on the back. Henry looked up at him and smiled.
“You should come have dinner with us. We are having fish.”
“I don’t know if I can…”
“Did you already eat?”
Levi hadn’t eaten yet, even though he had planned on coming over after he ate. He came early to see if he could catch a glimpse of Jess all dolled up before she took off on her date. He, even though it was just for a second, thought they were hitting it off up until she announced her date.
“I haven’t eaten… But I don’t want to impose on you and your Grandpa.”
“We have plenty of fish! Come on!”
Levi jumped the stall and helped Henry over. Henry didn’t let him answer his question again; he began pulling him across the driveway and up to the farmhouse. The sun was setting across the fields. The yellows, pinks and oranges painted a gorgeous scene that he hadn’t seen this year yet.
“Hold on…” Levi said. Henry stopped and looked to see what he was looking at.
“What? I don’t see anything.” Henry peered out into the fields. “What do you see? Coyotes? Grandpa said he’s had a few out in the fields.”
“The sunset… It’s awesome.”
Roy startled him slightly when he put his hand on Levi’s shoulder. “That’s by His design.”
Levi smiled crookedly. Roy had always been trying to drop hints to him about God and a big wonderful design. It sounded nice and all, but it just wasn’t for him. He didn’t see it, especially when he lost his little sister Emmie back in grade school. How could a God who loves take someone so innocent and precious away? Why would he allow the ones we love to die? If there was a God, he wasn’t a very nice guy in Levi’s eyes, no matter how many words Roy had otherwise.
“Can Levi stay for dinner?” Henry asked tugging on Roy’s shirt. Roy looked at Levi with his eyes raised.
“Would you like to join us?” Roy asked.
“That’d be nice… If it’s not too much of a burden.”
“Not at all.” Roy wrapped his arm around Levi’s shoulder. “We’d love to have you.”
“Thanks,” Levi said, smiling as they walked to the picnic table that sat near the patio. Levi sat down at the wood picnic table and waited for Roy to finish cooking dinner. Henry climbed up onto the bench of the table and leaned across the table to Levi.
“Do you fish?” Henry asked.
“I do,” Levi said with a nod. “In fact – I’m taking your sister fishing tomorrow.” Roy turned around flashing a surprised look. “…If that’s okay with you, of course.”
“She already talked to me about it… I’m still just a little surprised,” Roy replied.
“Why?” Levi asked.
Roy looked at Henry for a moment. “Could you go and fetch me the lemon?”
“Ewwww! Lemon?” Henry asked. Just then the phone rang, and they could all hear it from outside. “I bet its mom!” Henry got up from the table and dashed inside.
“I like a little squirt of lemon on my fish…” Roy replied, before Henry got inside. Roy came over to the table. “Jess is a complicated girl. She’s been going through some family troubles, she and Henry both.”
“Ahh… I see.”
Roy returned to the barbeque. “But if she’s going fishing… that’s good…. Even if it’s interrupting her going to church tomorrow.”
“Oh, I’m sorry Roy, I forgot tomorrow was Sunday. It’s not just me by the way… it’s me and my friends. We are going to the Mud Hole.”
“That should be fun for her. Even though the Mud Hole is full of sucker fish… I’m glad she’s taking a liking to you.”
“I’m not sure she is; after all, I’m not taking her out tonight…”
“That doesn’t matter. That boy doesn’t spend the amount of time around her that you do. You are a good-hearted man and I’m sure she’ll come around.”
“We’ll see.”
Henry brought back the lemon while he had the cordless phone up to his ear. Setting the lemon down on the picnic table, he began pacing in circles around the front patio as he continued with his conversation with his mother.
Chapter 17 ~ Jess
Arriving a few minutes late, Jess was greeted by a more than understanding Clint. He rose from the bench out by the front doors, and let her grasp onto his arm. She felt like royalty, even though it was just a bar and grill restaurant.
She ordered a Pepsi, and Clint ordered a beer.
“So you’re a drinker?” Jess asked.
Clint laughed as he took a sip of his beer, causing some of it to spill over the edge onto his face. Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he shook his head. “Hardly… I enjoy a beer once in a while, usually when I’m out.”
“Or at a bonfire? I’m only assuming you were drinking there along with the rest of them.”
“Yeah, but that was not typical. My cousin was in town and wanted to go do something, so I took him to Copper’s.”
“Where was he? I didn’t see him.”
“He stayed back at the bonfire with a girl he met… You seem a bit hostile right now.”
“I’m sorry… I don’t beat around the bush. I had an alcoholic for a boyfriend for a while. It wasn’t very pleasant. I won’t touch the stuff.” Clint nodded.
The waitress returned and took their orders. As she walked away, Clint kept his eyes locked on the server.
“Umm… Are you checking her out?”
“No.” His eyes stayed locked on her.
“Then what are you doing?”
“Jill,” Clint shouted across the restaurant to the server.
The waitress came back over.
“Are you cousins with Heidi?” Clint asked looking up at the waitress.
“Yes!” The waitress answered tilting her head. “Do you know her?”
“Yep. I go to Whitworth with her. Class of 2016. I thought I recognized you from somewhere.”
“Crazy! I thought I knew you too! I just couldn’t place your face.”
Clint smiled. “Tell her ‘hi’ for me.”
“Will do!” the waitress said before turning and walking away. Looking back at Jess, he said, “Sorry. I just can’t stand not knowing where I know someone from
.”
“It’s okay.” Jess suddenly felt like this guy wasn’t the typical back hill country type. He was educated at least, given the fact he went to Whitworth. “So tell me about yourself, Clint.”
“Well, I have a place in Spokane and a ranch out here in Chattaroy.”
“Two homes within a few miles of each other? Why?”
“My mom lives in the one in Spokane. I check up on her, take care of the shopping and whatnot. Then the one out here is mine alone. I love the country.”
Jess was baffled that he enjoyed the country life over the city. If it was her, she’d be putting her mom out in the country and visiting her once in a while. “What do you do for work to be able to afford that?”
“Well my Dad bought the ranch a while back. But after he and Momma split up, I got it. For work though, I do cattle auctions. I buy and sell for a meat-packaging company. I also buy and sell for my own herd. Then on the side I work with a few stocks in the stock market.”
“How do you go to college for that?”
Clint laughed. “I didn’t go to college for that. I went for Business Finance.”
“I see. How old are you?”
“Twenty-one. You?”
“I’m eighteen…”
“What college are you going to?” Clint asked.
“I’m not. I’m still in High School, but I’m a senior next year…” Clint looked a little taken back. “I just had an early birthday, I didn’t get held back or anything.”
“I see… Well, I don’t care about it. At least you’re eighteen.”
Jess was happy to hear him say that and smiled. She couldn’t believe Clint was single. Someone so successful, gorgeous and kind couldn’t possibly exist. Sure, his cowboy boots weren’t her usual style, but she was amazed at how much he had accomplished in so little time in college thus far. With so many girls in college, how’d he remain single?
“I have to ask… Why are you single, Clint?”
Clint smiled as he took another drink of his beer. “I just haven’t found the right woman that God has set aside for me.”
She was touched at the mention of God. His words were like milk and honey. “You believe in soul mates?”
“I do. My momma always said there’s a lid for every pot.”
Jess snickered as she thought of her grandmother Lucille saying the same thing through all the years growing up. Her grandmother had her own version though, in which she would say she had gotten a broken lid and had to duct tape it up to make it work right. Grandpa hated her version of the saying.
Through the evening they shared together, they talked about everything, from Jess’s friends back in Seattle to Clint’s passion of snowboarding. As the night wound down, Clint and she were holding hands across the table.
“I have a question for you… When can I see you again?” Clint asked.
“Whenever you want…” Jess said. She smiled and blushed. She hadn’t been treated so kindly by a guy in her life. He didn’t go on and on about his own things as much as he was curious about her and showed a genuine interest in her life. At a few times in the evening, she had even forgotten about her mom and dad’s marital issues, and she was just enjoying the present for a change. It was perfect, it was pleasant, and it was just what she had needed.
Arriving back at the farm, Clint pulled up next to her truck, and parked his own truck in front of the garage. Holding her hand, he walked her up the sidewalk that led to the farmhouse. She smiled as she leaned her head against his shoulder.
“I haven’t had fun like that in a while… It was nice,” Jess said.
“It was pretty amazing getting to know you,” Clint replied.
Coming up to the farmhouse, they hadn’t noticed Levi, her grandpa and Henry all sitting at the picnic table.
“Hey Jess!” Henry said, startling her and Clint.
Jumping, Jess snapped back, “You scared me! Why are you guys sitting out in the dark?”
“Our candle just burnt out and I haven’t gone in to get a new one,” Roy said standing up. Coming up to the two of them, Roy extended a hand. “Hello again, Clint.”
“Roy,” Clint replied shortly. “How’s the farm doing?”
“Good. Levi’s been out here helping me keep it going.”
“That’s good to hear,” Clint replied. He seemed to become uncomfortable and kissed Jess on the cheek. “I’ll see you around, Jess.”
Quickly, Clint made his way back to his truck, got in and peeled out in a hurry. Jess turned to her grandpa and asked, “What was that about?”
“What?”
“Why’d he become so awkward?”
“He tried to buy my farm from me… He told me I was getting too old and offered me more than it was worth.”
“Why didn’t you take it?” Jess asked, confused.
“I’m not ready to give up the farm. She’s been in the family for a long time. Price doesn’t matter.”
“Okay, whatever.” Jess started to the farmhouse and Levi stood up at the picnic table.
“Still on for tomorrow?” he asked.
Jess stopped and turned to him. “Why are you even here? Don’t you have a family of your own to go home to?”
“Umm…” Levi’s words trailed off.
“Jess, we invited him,” Roy said. “Don’t get after him.”
Jess sighed, annoyed with everyone. “Okay. Well I’m not going fishing tomorrow; I have church and then plans with Clint.” Jess knew she didn’t have to go to church, but she didn’t like the butterflies every time she saw Levi, since Clint was clearly the one for her in her mind. Plus it felt wrong spending time with Levi when she was with Clint; that’s not the kind of girl she was.
Jess stormed off to the farmhouse. Why is Levi even here? That’s stupid they invited him. He is the hired help, not a part of this family. Slamming the door behind her, she went up to her room and thought of calling Clint for a moment before remembering there was no signal for her phone, or his. She tossed her phone across the room and screamed into her pillow in frustration.
Chapter 18 ~ Roy
On the walk out to the chicken coop the next morning, Roy looked across the fields up at the hill as the sunrise painted a tapestry of colors.
“Your creation is so beautiful Lord… It never gets old… no matter how much my body might.” Roy’s appreciation for the country life stemmed from his love of God and His creation. He felt the cities were overcrowded and destroyed pieces of God’s beautiful land.
Out in the country, Roy could see the stars, experience the quietness, and truly appreciate God and His creation, something he could have never imagined he could do in the city, and especially not in a retirement home.
Opening the door to the chicken coop, he walked in to see the hens were up and yapping already.
“Bunch of early risers, aren’t ya?” Roy laughed as he dumped the slop bucket from inside the farmhouse into their feeder. They loved the scraps from inside, but they only got them twice a week; the rest of the week they got feeder grain.
After gathering all the eggs, and making his way back to the farmhouse, he was surprised to see Henry was already awake through the windows of the kitchen.
“You’re up,” Roy said, coming into the kitchen.
“I am,” Henry said, shutting the fridge. Pouring the milk into his bowl of cereal on the table, he continued, “I just woke up a while ago and couldn’t get back to sleep.”
“Well I was about to wake you up. We have church.”
“Alright,” Henry replied. Roy poured himself a bowl of cereal and ate with Henry. “I’ll go wake Jess up here in a minute if you want me to.”
“That’s okay, I got it.” Roy finished up his bowl of cereal and headed for the door upstairs.
“Grandpa,” Henry said, standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
“Yeah?” Roy replied.
“You might want this.” Henry pulled a magazine from the kitchen counter. “It’ll shield you.”
Roy
laughed. “I think I’ll be okay.”
Roy continued upstairs. Knocking on Jess’s door lightly, he pushed it open to see Jess still fast asleep. She looked just like her mother did at that age. Hair a wreck and drool dripping onto the pillow she kept her head on.
Walking up to the bed, Roy touched her shoulder softly. “Jess,” he said delicately, while he smiled. Her eyes fluttered open.
“You need to wake up and start getting ready for church.”
Jess sighed. “Really? Do I have to go? You were going to let me ditch to go fishing… Just let me sleep…”
“Yes you have to go. Fishing was the exception; it didn’t mean you can just skip. It’s only an hour out of your week. It won’t hurt you.”
Jess leaned over to the window and looked outside. “How much time do I have?”
Roy pulled up his sleeve and looked at his watch, “About an hour.” Jess collapsed back to her pillow.
“I have plenty of time.”
“Well don’t cha want to shower and eat?”
“I’d rather sleep.”
Jess reminded Roy of Tiffany so much, it baffled him. When her mother was younger, she would sleep until the late afternoon every day if she was provided the chance.
“Be sure to be ready in an hour.” Roy left her room, and went back downstairs.
Arriving at church that morning, Roy’s pastor Johnny Ray was outside greeting people as they walked up the sidewalk to the church. Johnny was an Indian preacher with a passion for the Lord that Roy hadn’t ever seen matched in all his years. He had jet black hair with streaks of silver shooting through parts of it, and always had a slick looking suit on. He didn’t care what his congregation wore, but made sure he himself was always wearing his best for God’s work at the pulpit.
“Good morning Brother Hinley!” Johnny said, shaking Roy’s hand tightly, as he smiled, staring into Roy’s eyes. His pastor had an amazing way of cutting through all the layers of life and looking right at your soul. It was as if he knew exactly what his congregation needed. He brought Roy in for a hug. “How have you been? We’ve missed you here.”
