The Farm at Willow Run Creek

Part 18

A stinging reality.....

Sasha dropped Sloan to the airport, "Let me know what happens mom, I'm surprised Jenna hasn't contacted you yet," Sasha stood with her outside the car, "I will, I'm worried, I know it may take some time for her to tell him the truth," She clasped the side of Sloan's face, "Let me know your back to the dorm safely will you?" She asked, "Mom," Sloan looked at her with apprehension, "I will be ok, just because I haven't heard from her," Sloan grasped her mother's hand squeezing it, "Everything is going to be fine, I know it," She smile leaving her unsettled.

"Just a coffee please," Sasha sat in Mulligan's stopping there on the way back from the airport, the waitress brought her a cup she stirred the cream in it gazing out the big picture window. Barbara Gibbs walked in, "Oh hey, miss Addison," She smiled waiving her hand, "Nurse Gibbs," She spoke lifting her cup to her lips, "What brings you in today," She made small conversation as Barbara Gibbs approached the table. "Dinner, Sunday's I don't cook for myself," She replied, "Are you working today?" She asked her thinking of Jenna, "No, why, is everything alright?" She thought Sasha might be ailing.

"Nothing, I was going to stop by and see if Jenna was working, I haven't seen her in a couple of days," She plainly answered trying not to stir suspicion. "She worked yesterday she didn't look happy and she was moody," Barbara noted, "Oh, maybe she's under the weather," Sasha surmised, "No, but Colin had a trip planned to Baltimore, I think they were going to be gone a few days," She explained, the diner bell rang letting her know her order was ready, "There's mine, call her, I'm working tomorrow, I'll let her know you were asking about her, that is if she's there," Barbara parted ways from her leaving Sasha to feel cold and uncertain.

Jose knocked at the back door, "Good morning," He smiled, "Morning," Sahsa grimaced, "I've fixed the back fence to the pasture," He said, "Mr. Trask will be bringing a horse out later," Sasha looked at him strangely, "What?" She was beside herself thinking he just doesn't give up. "Yes ma'am, I'm on my way into town for oats and a couple of bales of hay," He pulled his truck keys from his jacket pocket, "Need anything from the village?" He further inquired. "No, I'm good, thank you, did you feed the chickens yet?" She asked slipping into her jacket, a fall breeze filled the air, "Yes ma'am there are a few eggs left to pick up," He answered walking to his truck.

Sasha waited for him to leave she text Jenna again, but there wasn't a response, the sun beamed into the barn giving way to the freshly painted stalls she noticed one of the stalls had been readied for a horse and the chicken coop cleaned, apples sat in a bucket she lifted one up looking at it she sat it back down walking out to the edge of the driveway. The farm across the road void and dark she lowered her head, "Where are you?" She gruffly questioned out loud. Nothing but the cool breeze whistled through the rows of apple trees their branches swayed gently, summer was at its end and Sasha was left unfulfilled.

Sasha walked along the creek resting on the bank under the old oak tree, the rattling of a trailer coming up the road shook her inner self, "Trask," His truck pulled into the driveway Sasha met him at the trailer, "Jose around?" He asked politely, "Picking up oats and hay," She answered her hands slid into the rear pockets of her blue jeans. "Why the horse?" She questioned as he unloaded it, a beautiful dappled gray mare followed him, "I told you a while back you would need a horse," He looked at her and started walking towards the barn, Sasha followed. "At least it will keep the grass down in the pasture she's ten an older brood mare she's well broke and when your daughter visits she can ride her," He put her in the stall hanging the rope on the outside of the door.

"Thank you," Sasha was meek, "I really don't know a thing about horses," She remarked further. "Jose is one of the best he can teach you everything you need to know," He voiced, "Well, I should go, I have two new mares coming in," He shoved his gloves in his back pocket. "Could you stay for a beer?" Sasha offered, "Maybe another day," He managed a smile climbing into his truck he tipped his hat to her, the make up between them had a beginning.