Cowgirl Boots: a Cinderella Story

Prologue

I waited on a light blue chair outside the hospital room.  Mother was inside, and all I knew was that she was very sick, and too tired to talk.  I wanted to see her so badly, but not even my father, who sat beside me, was aloud inside right now.  The adults all tell me she'll be fine soon, but I heard them talking about it.  They said she can't hold on any longer.  I'm not sure what it means, but I think it's bad because Father was crying last night.  I wish they would just tell me. 

But they didn't.  Mother died that day, and I have grown up without her.  I remember just enough to miss her, yet not enough to grieve for her.  I was six at the time, now I'm sixteen.  I take care of the livestock while Father works on machinery on the surrounding farms as well as taking care of our own.  My best friend since childhood, Benjamin, started working for Father when we were fourteen, since then, I haven't had to do any field work, except for the days when Benjamin is sick, and I've had time to train my horse to barrel race.  Oh, how I love to speed around those barrels, then run flat out all the way home!  

I already brought the cattle out to pasture and fed the chickens.  All I have to do now is clean out the horses' stable stalls while they eat grass in their small pasture.  Benjamin is taking care of the water troughs today, so I can train Thunder, my horse.  Thunder in a silvery grey quarter horse.  Father gave him to me for my fourteenth birthday.  I grabbed the shovel and put it in the wheel barrel, pushing it to the the first stall in the stable.  I'm not going to bore you with the details of cleaning out horse stalls, round penning Thunder, making and cleaning up lunch or making lemonade for Benjamin, who worked in the field all day, so let's just skip to the part of the day when Father came home for supper.  Benjamin had gone home and I had prepared supper, pizza, Father's favourite.  I cut the pizza as Father washed his hands and face.  When he came out of the bathroom, we sat down and prayed.  

"Dear heavenly Father, thank-You for this food You have provided for us.  Thank-You for providing safety for us throughout the day and for giving us energy.  Please help us to never forget Your faithful grace.  Amen."  Father prayed.  

I raised my head and met Father's gaze, smiling.  

"Would you like lots of pineapples or lots of bacon?"  I asked, gesturing to the two different halves of the pizza.  

"Bacon please."  Father answered, returning my smile.  

I gave him his requested side of the small pizza and I took the other side.  

"Iris, I'm going to bring a special guest to dinner tomorrow night.  Would you mind cooking up something special?"  Father told me.  

"Sure, Father."  I assured him, "what kind of food do they like?"  

My brain spun with different possibilities.  Who was it?  Would they like steak or pasta?  Stir fry or Indian food?  

"She enjoys pasta and salad."  Father replied. 

"She?"  I asked, "who is it, Father?"  

"It's Alicia."  Father told me, "I'm planning on proposing."  

Father has been dating a woman named Alicia, I haven't met her yet, but they've ben dating for almost a year now.  I'm not sure if I approve, but Father hasn't asked for my approval.  

"Oh."  I replied, "I'll make sure to make it extra special then.  Do you want me to eat in the kitchen?"  

"No, I want you to approve of her before I propose."  Father explained quickly, "I want you to be happy, Iris."  

I smiled at him.  

"I'll be sure to make dessert as well then."  I assured him.  

If Father is thinking of remarrying, then she can't be horrible, right?   

HEY GUYS, I HOPE TO UPDATE EVERY WEDNESDAY!  STAY TUNED AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS EXTREMELY CLIQUE BOOK! :)