Page 24 of Soldier's Chrismas Hope
“Are we keeping you from getting started by being here?” she asked him, suddenly realizing what a whole weekend of his time might mean.
“This is the planning season,” he told her. “A lot of guys would spend their time dealing with the taxes or broken-down equipment from the previous year. For me, I’m mostly just trying to put together a list of what I’ll need to do to get the new year started off right.”
“How do you know what goes on that list?” she asked him. “Is there info online?”
“Yes, but online research only takes you so far,” he said, nodding. “I’ve done a couple of classes and read a book or two. But mainly I’ve been hoping to talk to the other farmers around here. They know this climate and soil better than anyone.”
“That makes sense,” she said, nodding.
“I’m trying to get as many volunteer sessions in up at the center as I can,” he told her, looking excited about it. “That way when I need help myself, hopefully folks won’t feel like I’m taking too much advantage.”
Nora was pretty sure no one would feel like he was taking advantage either way. River was such a great guyand from what she remembered, the older farmers all seemed to love to sit around and chew the fat anyway.
But it was nice that River wanted to volunteer. And even nicer that he wanted to farm. As far as she understood it, farming wasn’t anyone’s idea of an easy job, or a highly profitable job, even though it was about the most important job there could be.
Up ahead, the kids had reached the barn and were waiting, their eyes trained on River.
“Are the horses in there?” Pixie asked excitedly as they approached.
“Not now. I already took them out to the pasture this morning,” he told her. “We’re just going to stop and grab a saddle.”
“Okay,” Pixie said, watching him open the door.
He stepped into the dim interior of the barn and the kids followed.
“One second,” he told them.
Nora inhaled the sweet scent of hay that she always associated with horses. When her family had lived out this way, she had taken advantage of every chance to ride.
“Okay,” River said, jogging back to join them, a well-used saddle in his arms. “Let’s head out.”
They all followed him out of the barn and down a path through the trees that ultimately opened up to a snowy pasture.
The horses came cantering over as soon as they heard their visitors coming. Just as River had said, there was a larger horse who was a reddish brown with a little white diamond on his face, and a smaller black and white piebald pony. Their manes lifted in the breeze as theycame closer, and Nora felt her heart grow light just at the sight of them.
Her professional eye couldn’t help noticing that they looked sound and healthy, with bright eyes and thick, glossy coats.
“Am I going to ride the big one?” Pixie asked, sounding exuberant.
Nora was impressed with her. She was such a tiny girl and the horse seemed so enormous.
“If you feel ready to give him a try,” River told her. “His name is Peter.”
“What’s the little one called?” Pixie asked.
“Tinkerbell,” River said with a smile.
“Like me,” Pixie laughed. “I have a fairy nickname.”
“You sure do,” River said.
The horses reached the split-rail fence and River reached over to scratch Peter behind the ears. The big horse snuffled and rubbed his head against River’s chest.
“Wow,” John-John breathed, looking up reverently.
“Would you like to give him a pat?” River asked.
John-John looked like he wasn’t sure, but he didn’t say no.
