Swanson Farms

Chapter 11

Aunt Julie and Uncle Hank stayed in the guest room on the main floor and I kept Bailey with me throughout the night so if she started to cry I could feed her or change her before she woke up Uncle Hank or Aunt Julie.

The next morning Aunt Julie had breakfast made and she and Uncle Hank were sitting at the kitchen table, both chatting quietly. I smiled, in a pair of plaid pajama pants and an old volleyball teeshirt.

"Good morning, did you guys sleep okay?" They both nodded and Aunt Julie handed me a plate full of food,

"We really appreciate you letting us stay here Charlie." Uncle Hank said, giving me a kind smile.

"Honestly, if I had to stay a whole week with Hank's family I might have ripped all my hair out." Aunt Julie admitted,

I laughed, "They're all pretty annoying."

Uncle Hank rolled his eyes, "They're all so stuck up. That includes our wonderful children."

"Why do you think Mom barely says a word? After what Aunt Michelle said when we went to LA Mom hasn't really been comfortable around everyone."

Uncle Hank nodded, "It's understandable. I think Michelle is just jealous that your father is so happy and she got nothing out of life except a big pay check."

"Money isn't everything," Aunt Julie agreed, taking Uncle Hanks hand. He grinned at her and that's when Bailey began to cry. I excused myself and went to change her diaper, putting her in the Mickey Mouse onesie that my mom and dad gave her earlier in the week. It was fleece so it would keep her warmer in the crisp autumn air. When we finished eating and got dressed we went to Mom and Dad's house. They were already dressed and sitting on the porch with their morning coffee.

"Morning," Dad said, nodding,

"Morning Jonathan," Uncle Hank said. My mom smiled,

"Have you all had breakfast?" Mom asked and I nodded,

"Aunt Julie made breakfast for us." She smiled and came over to see Bailey. She rubbed her back and Zach walked out of the house, Jackie close behind.

"Morning everyone!" She said, her hand on her hip. However instead of the ring being on her finger, she had it on a chain around her neck.

"Morning Jackie," I said and she grinned,

"Hey, are you working today?"

"No, what's up?" I asked, before Mom took Bailey smiling and Jackie all but dragged me to the barn.

"I was thinking..."

"Oh boy." I said smirking. She rolled her eyes,

"Ha. Ha. No, I have a new business idea."

"A new one? Well... Dad will be happy with that."

"I was thinking there haven't been very many farms that give lessons in town... And what if... I started to slow down more with the grooming and start a business that gives lessons... Both Western and English."

"Who is going to teach the Western lessons?"

"I did the research... And it turns out that a certain someone used to be big on the rodeo circuit."

"Who?"

"Seth. He was huge in the rodeo circuit."

"What makes you think he's good with kids? Or even wants to teach kids how to ride?"

"Because I'm giving him a good raise and if not... He's fired."

"Jackie our father is a lawyer. I don't think you can legally do that."

She laughed, "I'm just kidding. But if everything goes according to plan his pay check will almost double."

"Well have you mentioned it to Dad or will you mention it to Seth first?"

"I think Seth just so I can make sure he's on board with it. I don't want to get Dad's approval and then it doesn't work and... I don't want to let him down again."

"Jackie you haven't let him down. You created a successful, profitable business and in dad's books that's all he needs to make him proud."

"Yeah yeah... I don't really want to ask him for a big loan... You know? Just... Incase I can't afford something."

I nodded, hugging her, "If you ever need any help you can ask me too, okay?"

She hugged me back and thanked me quietly, and Seth came in clad in dark jeans and a black tee-shirt.

"Girls," He said, nodding towards us, changing into his work boots.

"Morning Seth," Jackie said, "I was wondering how you'd feel about a raise on your paycheck?"

"How much we talkin'?" He asked, and Jackie rolled her eyes,

"Possibly double."

"Yeah right. What do you want me to do? Teach brats?"

"Actually yes, that's exactly what I want. There are a lot of kids in this town wanting to know how to get big in the Western and English side of riding."

He sighed, "I don't teach and I hate little kids."

Jackie rolled her eyes, "So you'd rather be making minimum wage rather than double that? Besides, most of them are teenagers and willing to pay good money for an old rodeo star to teach them the right ropes. Probably."

"Probably?"

"Look," I said, "A lot of these small town guys and girls are willing to do anything to get noticed and get into the rodeo circuit or get big into the English Circle."

"I'll think about it," He said, before going out and starting on his duties.

Thank you to everyone for reading!