Page 3 of Curses and Cornstalks
I’m in over my head, and I haven’t even gotten my hands dirty yet.
Aunt Bonnie cooks a casserole for dinner and serves us homemade sweet tea—easily the best I’ve ever had—before we turn in for the night. When I finally make it to my room and shut the door behind me, I exhale a deep sigh of relief. I’m grateful for the solitude and take my time unwinding from the long day.
My body is exhausted, begging for sleep, but my mind reels as I toss and turn for a while. Slivers of moonlight sneak in through the blinds, landing on the foot of my bed, which wouldn’t bother me if I didn’t feel the same tightness from earlier.
There's something strange in the air surrounding Cold Springs, and I can't put my finger on it.
After several minutes concocting rampant theories, I manage to convince myself that it’s just the change of scenery. I’m used to the hustle and bustle of the inner city, the constant noises and hectic energy.
Out here, it’s unusually quiet. Unsettlingly so.
Clearly, my body is trying to compensate for the lack of stimulation.
That has to be it.
Hopefully, after a few days, I’ll get used to the serenity of this place and finally be able to get some rest.
Then, maybe, the strange feeling will go away.
Chapter Two
Cassie
I expectto be woken up at the crack of dawn to help with morning chores, but to my surprise, I’m allowed to sleep in until breakfast. The smell of cooked bacon draws me out of bed, and I dress quickly in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. There’s no sense in getting dolled up if I’m going to get dirty and sweaty, and I’m not keen on ruining any of my good clothes.
After breakfast, I figure we’ll head out to the barn to start filling troughs, but Madelyn shakes her head adamantly when I ask.
“Poppa’s handling it today,” she explains. “I’m going to show you around town, and we’re going to pick up some things from the market.”
After psyching myself up all morning for physical labor, the news is a welcome relief. I’m not looking forward to being gawked at by the townspeople or the prospect of introducing myself to countless strangers, but it beats farm work, that’s for sure.
Besides, they’re bound to stare anyway. I might as well get it out of the way.
“We can take my truck,” she says, holding up her keys with a pink pompom keychain.
“A truck?” I don’t recall seeing one yesterday, but I was probably too overwhelmed to pay much attention.
“It’s parked out back.” She grins. “We could take your car, but?—”
I shake my head. “No, no. Your truck is fine. I’ll just grab my jacket.”
After rummaging through my room to find where I abandoned my hoodie, I grab my cell phone and wallet in case I decide to buy anything while we’re in town. I don’t have a ton of savings, but it’s enough to get by and treat myself every now and then.
Luckily, my aunt and uncle are letting me stay in exchange for helping around the farm, but I might have to break down and find a job eventually to cover other expenses.
Not that there are many options for work around here. And I doubt many, if any, are looking for a bartender.
By the time I make it to the porch, Maddie is pulling a shiny red pickup truck around the side of the house. It rolls to a stop near the steps, and she waves for me to join her.
“This is nice,” I say as I climb into the passenger seat. It has black leather interior with shining silver details.Much nicer than my beat-up Honda.
“Thanks. It was my graduation present.”
Even though I’ve only been out of school for two years, it feels like forever since I walked across the stage for my diploma. It was a string of luck that led to buying my first car, the one my ex crashed into an oak tree, and if it hadn’t been for the insurance payout, I wouldn’t even have one now.
Madelyn’s lucky. I hope she’ll never know how hard it is to struggle for the things she needs or how it feels to rarely get the things she wants.
“Are you okay?” she asks as we roll down the dirt driveway and head toward town.
