Swanson Farms

Chapter 5

The next day Jackie called me rather early.

"Where are you?"

"I'm at the bakery..?" I said softly, wondering why in the hell she was asking such a question.

"Yeah well Seth didn't show up today and now I'm so short staffed, I'm willing to go over there and fire his ass and send a bullet through it."

I sighed, "Just give me half an hour and I'll be home, alright?" Jackie gave a quick answer then hung up and I called Hannah, asking if she would be able to come in early for the day. Thankfully Hannah agreed and showed up giving me an extra few minutes to make it home before Jackie had a fit. Dad was working on a case when I got home and Mom was out taking care of our own horses.

"What are you doing home, hun?" He asked when I passed the office carrying Bailey.

"Seth didn't show up today and Jackie is pissed." I got changed out of my dress into a pair of jeans and a purple shirt, tying my hair back.

"Well I'll watch Bailey for you." I smiled gratefully at him and handed him Bailey,

"Thanks Dad!" I quickly went outside and started the days work, not even bothering to stop for a lunch break as I was already a couple hours behind. I forgot how much work went into the farm when I started working at the bakery full time.

By six everything I needed to do was done and I felt exhausted- I don't know how Jackie did that and groomed dogs on a daily basis. I went to see my own horse, a buckskin paint horse, named Mickey Mouse. She was only five, but I knew I hadn't been around a whole lot.

"After supper, you and I are going to ride to the forest."

Zach's car came down the driveway and I walked out of the barn, probably looking like a mess. He grinned,

"Damn, someone finally decided they're a red neck after all?" He said laughing. I rolled my eyes and shoved him,

"Shut up."

"Jackie said Seth didn't show today... Think he's still pissed at you guys?"

"I think he's pissed at the world and taking it out on the wrong people. He was waiting for a reason like that to get pissed."

"Hey, angry at the world, tall, rugged, and handsome, sounds like your type." He said teasingly.

"I don't like him." I said, and he rose one of his eyebrows,

"Really? Then why did you bake him cupcakes and try to apologize?"

"Because he's mad at my family and you of all people should know I hate it when people are mad at me." Zach sighed and held the door for me as we went into the house. Mom looked at me as she sat at the table.

"Your father has steaks on, you better go and get a shower." I nodded and went to check on Bailey but she wasn't in her crib. I looked out the back door and didn't see Dad holding her and I wondered where the hell she was.

As I walked by the den for the second time I saw Jackie in there feeding her.

"Hey, she was pretty cranky when I got in and Mom was talking to Aunt Margret so I thought I'd feed her since you helped me out a lot today."

"Thanks Jackie." I said, sitting beside her,

"So what are you doing about Seth?"

"If he's not here first thing tomorrow he's fired."

"Is that really necessary?"

"I can't depend on someone who thinks it okay not to show up for work. He didn't show up and didn't even call to let me know he wouldn't be coming."

"But he thinks we're looking down on his family."

"You should go talk to him Charlie."

"Me? Why me?" I asked, reaching to take Bailey back once Jackie finished feeding her.

"Because I'm pretty sure he has a thing for you."

"Yeah but he's an asshole. Have you even met him?" Jackie sighed,

"You're my best friend Charlie. I know you better than anyone and I know you like him. I'm pretty sure that he likes you back, okay?"

"Well what else am I supposed to do? I've tried to apologize and I tried baking him cupcakes and he didn't even take the cupcakes!"

"I don't know what you should do, but I know you shouldn't let this chance pass up. Sometimes you have to take a risk."

Jackie was right. I didn't know for sure if Seth liked me, but it couldn't deny that I had feelings for him... And he was the first man that didn't judge me for having a baby.
"I just... Don't know what to do or how to get his attention. He's different than all the other guys that grew up around here. I don't know what to say or what to do with him."
"We can always ask Zach... He's a boy." She said in a matter of fact tone.

A silver car pulled down the driveway and I glanced out of the window, looking back at Jackie with a questioning glance. She shrugged and I took Bailey from her, walking down the stairs to see Mom outside already, outside in her apron, her hands on her hips. However her hard expression softened when she saw an elderly couple a woman her age get out of the car, and not too long after Seth stepped out of the car.

"What are you doing here?" Jackie asked, and Seth rubbed the back of his neck nervously, a few tattoo's peeking out from under his shirt.

"I came to apologize." He said gruffly and his grandfather cleared his throat, "Ugh." Seth said, rolling his eyes, "And I was wondering if you could give me my job back..."

Jackie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. I nudged her, whispering quietly, "do it for the tattoo's..."

Jackie sighed, "Fine. But I'm running a business- not a daycare. Got it?" Seth scoffed and his mother nodded for him.

My mom looked at Miss Hunt, "I'm truly sorry for what I said about you Meredith. I was wrong to say that."

Miss Hunt nodded, "You're right, you shouldn't have, but I'll forgive you."

Dad walked out, looking at them, "Would you like to join our family for dinner?"

Mr. Hunt nodded, "Thatwould be lovely, thank you."