Page 24 of Forever with the Farmer's Daughter
Finished with our meal, I look down the bar. As Mrs. Lawrence steps out of the kitchen to take our plates, I notice what appears to be an ice cream machine. “Mrs. Lawrence? Is that an ice cream machine?”
She follows my line of sight. “It is. Hasn’t worked in years though.”
“Mind if I take a look at it?”
She picks up the plates and wipes down the bar. “Not at all.”
I stand and walk behind the bar making my way down to the broken machine. I plug it into the wall and check a few connections. Certain it can be fixed, I unplug it, walk to the kitchen and push open the door. “Mrs. Lawrence?”
She turns to me and smiles. “Well, what’s the verdict?”
“I’m pretty sure I can fix it. If you’re okay with it, of course?”
“That would be great, but you should know we can’t afford to pay for parts or labor.”
“Oh no, ma’am. I’m not expecting any sort of payment. I would, however, like to barter with you.”
“Oh? What do you have in mind?”
* * *
“Morning, boys.”Aunt Jane greets us as Craig and I follow Kenny into the kitchen for breakfast.
“Morning Aunt Jane, Aubrey,” we reply while we wait our turn to wash up at the sink.
Uncle Ken settles into his chair with a fresh cup of coffee. “You boys up for a ride today?”
“Yes, sir. What do you have in mind?”
“We need to move the cattle into the other pasture.”
Craig dries his hands as I begin to wash mine. “Sure thing Uncle Ken. Cam needs to brush up on moving cattle anyway.”
I know he’s jerking my chain, but I take the bait. I glance over at my little brother as I rinse my hands. “And why’s that?”
“I figure you’re going to need to know how to handle cattle before you marry Sam and move on to the dairy farm.”
I dry my hands, replace the towel and settle into my chair as I notice Aubrey trying to hide a grin. “I think you may be getting a little ahead of yourself, seeing I haven’t even asked her out yet.”
Craig waves a dismissive hand. “Details. In fact, Aubrey, isn’t Sam coming over today?”
“She is,” Aubrey says as she sets the biscuits on the table and takes her seat. “We’re having lunch and she’s going to quiz me on Alabama law.”
Craig elbows me in the side and grins. “There you go, your opportunity awaits.”
“Okay you two,” Aunt Jane says wrangling us to attention, like when we were kids. “Let’s continue this conversation after we say grace.”
“Yes ma’am.” Craig and I reply in unison.
Aunt Jane smiles as she holds out her hand signaling all of us to join hands so Uncle Ken can say grace.
As we begin to pass the food, hoping to change the subject, I begin the conversation. “So, we’re moving the cattle, to reseed the pasture?”
“Yeah,” Uncle Ken says as he spoons gravy onto his plate. “If the weather holds off, we’ll get it plowed by the end of the week.”
I nod in agreement, “Shouldn’t be a problem.”
Samantha
