Page 10 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
I chuckle as I take the lead from him. “Yeah smartass, I remember.” I head back to the first stall where Samson is standing with his head over the door. “Hey boy,” I say as I hold my hand out, giving him a minute to recognize me. He whinnies and bobs his head, and I can't help but smile. “Yeah, you remember me, don’t you?” I slip the bridle on his head and clip the lead in place. Opening the door of his stall, I lead him out of the barn and into the paddock with Cinder and Brutus.
“Is Aubrey up?” Craig asks when Kenny leads Delilah out.
Kenny chuckles as he unhooks the lead and closes the gate. “You know she is.”
Craig taps my arm as the screen door closes. “Man, wait until you see this.”
“Morning boys,” Aubrey says as she approaches the paddock.
“Morning,” we all reply. Kenny and Craig stand with arms folded grinning as Aubrey stops on this side of the corral. One by one each of the horses line up vying for her attention. I watch in amazement as she greets and gives each one special attention. Before she leaves, Aubrey reaches into the bag she’s holding and feeds each one an apple.
I glance over at my brother and cousin, grins still on their faces. Craig shakes his head, “Isn’t it the damndest thing you’ve ever seen?”
“How long have they been doing that?” I ask as Aubrey joins her husband.
Kenny wraps an arm around her waist and kisses her cheek. “Since the first day she visited the farm. When she went back to Ohio to get things settled to move, they continued waiting for her to show up.”
“I’ve not seen anything like it before. I think you may have a gift, Aubrey.”
Aubrey waves off the compliment and smiles. “I’m glad you enjoyed the show,” she teases. “They charmed me as much as this one did.” She squeezes Kenny’s arm making him grin. Aubrey shrugs. “Now I’ve spoiled them.” She turns, kisses Kenny, and waves her hand toward the barn as she walks back to the house. “I’m going to finish up breakfast. Get to work boys, you know the rule, never keep the pregnant lady from food.”
Craig laughs, “Yes ma’am, we’ll be in shortly.” He walks into the barn and begins filling the feed bags.
Kenny shakes his head and smiles as he watches his wife walk back to the house. Once she is safely inside, he turns back to the barn.
I smile at the happiness and love I see between Kenny and Aubrey. I fall in step beside my cousin and clap him on the back, “You got yourself one helluva girl there.”
He nods his head in agreement. “Can’t imagine my life without her. Come on, let’s get started on these stalls.”
Once we finish the stalls,we head into the house for breakfast. Stopping in the mudroom, Kenny, Craig and I remove our boots before washing up. “Mornin’ Aunt Jane, Uncle Ken,” I greet as I await my turn at the sink.
Aunt Jane wraps her arms around my waist and hugs me, “It’s wonderful to have you back with us.”
“It’s great to be back,” I say, returning her hug.
Uncle Ken smiles as Aubrey teases me. “And look at you, removing your boots without being reminded.”
I laugh, knowing my cousin is going to have his hands full with this one. “I practically grew up in this house, I know better than to track dirt in on Aunt Jane’s floor.”
Aunt Jane and Aubrey look at Kenny. “You didn’t tell him?”
Kenny shrugs. “It hadn’t come up.”
Aunt Jane rolls her eyes skyward as Uncle Ken chuckles. “Kenny and Aubrey live in this house now. Ken and I live in the original house.”
My eyes bounce between my aunt and uncle. “No kidding? Does that mean I can wear my boots in the house now?”
Aubrey answers my question quickly as I make my way to the sink. “No!” I laugh and she levels a glare at me while trying to hide her smile. “Don’t you give me any trouble, Cameron Hutchinson. I’ll make you do dishes.”
I dry my hands and toss her a wink. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Uh-huh,” Aubrey hums as she carries a plate of biscuits to the table.
Once we’re all seated around the table, Uncle Ken says grace thanking God for my safe return to the family and farm. When the prayer ends Aunt Jane squeezes my hand.
Growing up on the same property, Uncle Ken and Aunt Jane were practically a second set of parents to me and Craig. It didn’t matter to them if we were their children or not, they were our champions as much as they were Kenny’s. Of course, they also had no problem doling out punishments when needed. There’s no question, I love my parents, and I’ll visit them as often as possible in Arizona, but this farm is home. Blossom Creek is where I belong and where I want to build a life.
While we eat, Craig asks, “Is there anything pressing that needs to be done this morning?”
