Shamrock Ranch

Chapter 8 The River

Penny looked at the 4wheeler and wondered if it would be easier to learn to ride than a horse. It wasn't alive and well it was also closer to the ground. Holton watched her.

"What were you thinking of doing?."

"Could you teach me to ride it?" She asked, watching him.

"You are way too short. Maybe when you are older."

She hated it when people called her short and in response to his statement she folded her arms at him glaring hard. If he had said anything else she wouldn't have said too much on it but he didn't, so she stomped her foot.

"That's....that's bullshit," she said, "You were probably already riding one when you were younger than me. So," she paused at seeing his facial expression. Then looked down instantly, thinking about her words, "Sorry. Never mind,"

They, Holton and Rowdy, were supposed to fix up the fences soon by the far river though he then turned that glare to Penny.

"Penelope," he said sternly, "Look at me." she did, "Did you just swear at me?" His voice was calm, but stern. His grey eyes watched her. Penny's face paled and looked away, anywhere but at him.

"I...I'm s..sorry, it..just slipped out."

"You swear like that again and I am telling Luke, you get me?"

"Yes, sir." She said, feeling that she ruined her chance she turned around and started towards the house. Maybe she could find something to do. Though she didn't really want to be inside all too much today. Tears started pricking her eyes. Stupid!

She bit her lip, and ran into the house. Going up to her room before she threw herself onto the bed and started crying. He hated her, and she just ruined her chances for anything! Feeling that Holton hated her now. After a minute or so she sat up picking up Warren and snuggled him to her chest. Burying her face into him.

A soft knock on her door. Holton probably told Luke, and she wanted to just cry. Now she was in trouble. Which brought on more tears and sadness. She pressed her face into a pillow now and hiccupped a sob. Not answering the door.

"Penny?" Holton said opening the door she saw him and turned back around. Holton sighed seeing his defeated little sister her eyes were red, and she was playing with the bear. Refusing to look at him. He felt a bit sorry for her since he had asked Luke to teach him once before and well, he had been shot down that day too. He had felt bad since she ran off before he could reconsider, and Rowdy scolded him a bit reminding him about that time.
He walked over to the bed and sat down.

"Alright, listen you need to not be using words like that. You haven't done it all week that I am aware of, so I am giving you one warning on the matter," She turned to look at him, her eyes still sad. He hated seeing her sad like this.

"If I hear it again, I'm washing your mouth out, and then I'll still tell Luke," he said and then smiled at her, "Now then, I can still teach you to ride today, but no more swearing. Understand."

"Yes sir," she said a little hopeful coming to go riding with him and smiled a little at him.

"Alright, are you ready to go? It might not be fun for you cause I do need to work,"

"I still wanna go,"

"Okay let's get going. You can leave your jacket if you want it's not that cold."

Holton pulled her into a hug.
"I love you, pipsqueak."

"Not little."

"You are to me. And you'll always be my baby sister. Come on let's get going so we can finish before dinner."