Into the Sunset

Barn Chores

Chapter 1

Kathy’s POV

“Beep! Beep! Beep! Beep!” I groaned as I reached over blindly as I fumbled with the switch on my alarm clock. I sat up and swung my feet over the side of the bed, my feet landing on the cold hard wood floor. Walking over to my closet, I yawned. My closet door opened with a squeak and I grabbed a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. I threw my waist length brown hair into a bun and walked down the stairs. It was quiet just like every other morning. I threw my boots on and walked outside to start the morning chores. There was two weeks left until I started my freshman year and I would be rushing to get the chores done. The smell of hay and the sounds of horses stomping their feet met me as I walked through the barn door. A loud neigh came from my right. I turned to see my mare throwing her head up and down, impatient for her breakfast. “Calm down Shadow.” I mumbled walking to the feed room. As I walked in, I ran into a small body. “Sorry Court, I’m not really awake this morning.” I say to my little sister walking past her. “That’s okay. Guess what? The hens laid five eggs! That’s one more than yesterday!” she chirped. Courtney was always so bubbly, even in the morning. “That’s great.” I say. “Did Dustin leave for work?” “Didn’t you notice his truck was gone silly?” she asks, pushing past with a bucket of chicken feed. I shook my head even though she was already walking down the barn aisle. I filled up the buckets with the grain and started my morning chores of feeding the horses.

“Courtney!” I hollered. I was in the barn still, after thirty minutes and I still couldn’t figure out where Dustin moved the water buckets to. That was all I had left to do, then I could go in and stuff my face with bacon and eggs. “Yeah?” she asks walking in. “Where are the water buckets? I guess Dustin moved them and I can’t find them anywhere.” I groan searching under the shelves. “You mean these?” she giggles. I look over my shoulder to see her holding the yellow water buckets. “I watered everything for you since you looked so tired and all. C’mon, let’s go eat.” she says grabbing my hand. “Thanks Court.” I smiled as I gripped her hand in mine and started walking to the small farmhouse that was my home. Sure the paint was peeling on the porch, the dog almost tripped you every time you walked out the screeching door, and when the wind blew it sounded like it was going to fall over, but it was still home.

It was around noon and I had stuffed my face with about three plates of bacon and eggs. Yes, I eat like a man, but I still have a petite figure. Thank the lord. Instead of laying around the house and being lazy, I decided I would go outside and ride Shadow. I threw my boots back on and headed out to the barn. As I was reaching up to grab my saddle on the rack, I felt something weave between my legs. I looked down and saw the orange tabby cat that stayed in the barn. “Hey Tabby.” I said bending down to scratch her behind the ear. She meowed before bounding off towards the loft. I smiled as I walked down the aisle to Shadow’s stall. She saw me coming and let out a loud snort. “Someone’s just really impatient today.” I laughed. Patting her lightly on her neck, I hoisted the saddle over her. I quickly slipped the bridle over her head and hooked the lead rope on and led her out of the barn. When we were out of the barn, I climbed on her and headed for one of the many pastures we had. Clucking my tongue, and squeezing my legs, I pushed Shadow into a trot. We trotted through the pasture that needed to be cut. I sighed, knowing that I would have to ask Dustin to do it. We needed the hay and I can’t cut the field. Dustin was always busy though. If he wasn’t working, he was out with his friends or sleeping. I clucked my tongue and pushed Shadow into a full canter, wanting to feel the wind in my hair. I gave her full rein and she took off even faster, taking me through the woods that connected with the pasture.

An hour later, I was leading Shadow back to the barn when Dustin pulled up in his big, black Dodge. He hopped out and I quickly waved. “Dustin!” He looked over at me and smiled. “Hey sis!” he said coming over and walking beside me. “You’re home early?” I questioned. He sighed and ran a hand through his dark brown hair. “Yeah well, when the boss comes in and yells at you and five other employees and tells you guys to go home early for no reason, you don’t question it.” he said. I looked into his blue eyes. “Well, the back pasture really needs to be cut…” I trail off, hoping he gets the hint. “I’ll cut it then.” he states glumly, heading over to the red tractor, parked beside the barn. “Thanks!” I holler. I put Shadow in her stall and head inside. “Kathy! Mom’s going to the grocery store. I’m going with her. Do you want to come?” Courtney asks as soon as I step foot in the door. “Um, can I change clothes first? I just got done riding.” I ask. “Sure honey.” mom says as she walks in from the living room. She offers me a small smile and grabs a water from the fridge. “I could use a small break anyway.” she says. She tips her head back to get a drink from the water bottle, her short brown hair flowing back. When she looks back at me I look into her green eyes. She makes a shooing motion with her hand for me to go get dressed. I smile back at her and head up the stairs. Poor mom. Ever since my dad died, she had been doing all the work around here that she could. That’s when Dustin started working to help pay for everything and I started barn chores with Courtney. Well, she did the whole chicken thing. When I got upstairs, I quickly changed into jean shorts and a tank top. It was awfully hot outside. I took my hair out of the bun and brushed it through. Thankfully, my hair was naturally straight so I didn’t have to do that much. I walked over to my mirror and quickly through on some eyeliner and mascara to my bright green eyes. I put my boots back on and headed down the stairs. Yes, I wear boots with shorts. I’m from a farm, what do you expect? “Ready?” mom asked as I stepped into the kitchen. “Yep!” I reply. We all head outside and climb into my mom’s silver car. I look out over the fields and see that Dustin is sweating his butt off in the pasture. He had only cut about a quarter of the field and was looking tired already. Mom sighed when she saw him. “Kathy, what would you think if I told you I was thinking of hiring a farmhand?” she said, not breaking eye contact with the road. “Can we afford that?” I ask quietly. “Yes actually. With Dustin working, me working, and cutting the hay, we are doing good. And when the pigs get big enough to butcher and then selling a few of the bigger cows at the fair in a week. I think it would be a good idea.” she says simply. “Sure. It’ll probably be a lot easier. Especially when school starts.” I say, nodding in agreement. “I’ll interview some people for in a few days. I’ll make sure that they are fit to work here. And they have to get used to dirt.” “Yes!” I laugh. “The pigs are absolutely filthy!” We all laugh including Courtney. “I still take care of my chickens. Chickens are my thing.” Courtney says, her tone going from fun to dead serious. Mom nods as she pulls into the super market parking lot. Time for groceries.

“Kathy!” Dustin’s voice drifted down the hallway. I poke my head out of my doorway. “Yeah?” I holler back. “I’ll take care of the evening feeds for the horses tonight. Get your butt in bed!” he says. I smile at his thoughtfulness. “Thanks!” I climb back into my warm bed and pull out my cell phone to text Jessica. I haven’t seen her since school let out and I was feeling a little guilty that I hadn’t had any contact with her either. “Hey!” I sent. She probably didn’t miss me though. She may be my best friend, but she was, as some people say, ‘popular’. She was the normal kind of popular girl you would expect. Blonde hair, green eyes, cheerleader, football boyfriend. Then, there was Crystal. She was in the same boat as me. Unpopular, farm girl, country, laid back, but she was absolutely hilarious. After waiting about an hour or so, and not receiving a text back from Jessica, I turned off my light and crawled into bed. I pulled the covers up to my chin and curled into a ball. It didn’t take me long until I fell into a peaceful slumber.

*****

Hey guys! This is the first chapter of our first book. This is a shared account. Please comment, vote, yeah, do whatever.... Or not, that's okay too... :(

-Alexis&&Alisha :D