Country Life

Chapter 2: A Day In Town: Part 1

Just as the sun came up Millie had fallen asleep with her head on Jordon's lap. He gently stroked her hair as soft sounds of contentment escaped her lips. He didn't mind because he knew that she needed the rest. It was too bad he would have to wake her soon. They had much to do, and with Charlie still on the loose there was no telling what would happen. Jordon was just thankful that his contact with Dora hadn't been severed.

Not much time had passed since Millie fell asleep did Reese emerge from the barn. "Hey, Jordon," he said as he wiped the sleep out of his eyes. He stretched to get the kinks out from sleeping in one position too long. "So, did you and Millie have a secret rendezvous?"

Jordon's face went blood red at the thought of Reese's insinuation. If Jordon was anything it was a gentleman. There was no way he would ever take advantage of a girl, especially given the state that Millie was in last night.

"Hey, I was just kidding, Bud," he said and laughed. Jordon did too but not as genuinely as his friend.

Millie was just starting to wake up when she looked up to see Reese standing over her. The morning sun was beading down its warm rays, a sign that it was going to be a hot day.

"Is it morning already?" she asked with a yawn as she stretched her body. There was a slight whine in her voice. Millie had never been a morning person and was always a bit cranky even when she did manage to get a good night's sleep.

"So is everyone else awake?" she asked as she smoothed down her hair. It had grown quite a bit since their first time trip and she was going to cut it, but Jordon commented that he had liked it long. So she kept it that way.

"Not yet," Reese said as he looked over at the shop. "They won't have much longer to sleep though. We don't want Mister Baker to think we're bandits. That would be a bad first impression."

Within the hour everyone was awake and ready to start the day in this foreign world. All but Jordon was nervous about the prospect of living in the south in 1850, but knowing that the shop keeper was in danger meant they couldn't leave until they were sure history was back on course. Plus, there was Charlie to deal with. If they were here that meant he was too, and until they could deal with him permanently the world wasn't safe.

"So, what's our first move, leaderman?" Millie asked in a slightly sarcastic tone.

"Well, Baker should be coming to open his shop soon," he said, trying to map out a plan in his mind. "The problem is there's six of us, and he might get overwhelmed, especially after we tell him about the arson attempt and that his cover might be blown."

"So, what do you suggest?" Jordon asked, but by the look on his face he already knew."

"I think me and you should talk to mister Baker while Denny and the girls..."

"Check out the town," Millie cut in, her voice taking an exuberant tone. She grabbed Jenny and Cree hand and led them out into the street.

"Keep them out of trouble," Reese said to Denny who only rolled his eyes.

He ran off towards the girls when Jordon let out a long breath. "Who going to keep him out of trouble?" he asked, but Reese stayed silent which seemed like an eternity before bursting out laughing.

To Be Continued...