A Long Way From Home

Chapter 14

Liv

We saddled up. My best friend was no longer mad and that was a good thing. I couldn't stand having her mad at me for any reason. Maddi is the one person I can trust with everything. I noticed that Alex and Andrew weren't far behind when Maddi hollered out to me "Hey Livvy wanna race?" My face lit up. "On one condition. If I win you gotta stop taking my cookies for a week, and if I lose you get to steal as many cookies as you want. Deal?"

She laughed and said "Its on Liv." The guys started to laugh and trailed behind us as we raced to where Maddi was taking us. Maddi was slowing down just shy of an opening. I was going to win for once. Well at least I thought I was going to. Maddie said "We are here." I looked out at the land in front of me. It was stunning. There was a waterfall cascading down into a lake. The waterfall fell over the opening of beautiful cave. The grass and the trees were so green. It was breath taking, . I was pulled from the beauty of it all when Andy came up next to me and said "Holy Shit." I nodded still not able to talk.

Maddi motioned for us to join her. She was getting ready to jump into the water. "Maddi wai-" but before I could finish she was already submerged in water. She resurfaced and said " Come on Liv the water is perfect. Or are you chicken?"

I hated when she called me chicken. I slid off my boots. I threw them along with my clothes next to Freya. Andy kept staring on like he had never seen a girl swim in her underwear. I jumped. As my skin met the cool water I couldn't believe Maddi had never once spoke of this place. Then again it was hers and daddy's spot so I don't blame her for not talking about it. Alex was next to jump in with us. Andy kind of just stood there watching Maddi and I splash and get along.

He finally joined. I looked at his gorgeous blue eyes and now completely soaked hair. He could have any girl in the school yet here he spends his Wednesday evening with me and my sister. Maddie came over next to me and said "Wanna play chicken?"

I nodded. She swam over to Andy and said "Your my partner. We are going to face Liv and Alex in a game of chicken. Just remember I do not lose to Liv ever so don't give her the win just because you like her. She may be my sister but you if you want to be my other best friend you help me win."

I look at her with a mischievous grin on my face and climb up Alex's back to his shoulders. He grabs on with a strong grip. "Don't worry Liv with me on your team you won't lose." We spend the next 2 hours playing chicken and it rounded out with a tie so the last game was the tie breaker. "Maddi you aren't going to win, just give it up already."

"No, not in a million years. You know I like a challenge." She yelled back. Next thing you know I was in the water. Looks like I lost but its okay. After our game we all got out of the lake, and went back to where the horses waited. Wet and now a little chilled I asked "So now what. Pappy hasn't whistled for us yet and I'm starving."

Maddi piped up with "Liv your always fucking hungry, your going to get fat." I chuckled slightly at her comment. Andy spoke "Fat or not she is just gorgeous." After realizing what he said he had turned as red as the apple tree in pappy's yard. I walked back over to him, gave him a small kiss on his cheek "Jokes on you Mads I don't get fat, and even if I did I do enough heavy lifting to keep the weight off, you bubble brain!"

We laughed. We headed back to the house. Pappy was sitting on the porch in his chair when we rode up. He looked at us and shook his head. "Young ladies where are your clothes? And why for the love of God are these lads in their boxers?"

I held up my outfit that I had been wearing when we took off. "Mads took us swimming at her and dad's spot. Jeez pappy nothing happened!" I called out. He let out a sigh of relief at that remark. We all walked inside to get supper started. Once we were all sat at the table, Pappy made an announcement. "Ok, girls I have some work over the road in Alabama and Mississippi. You know I announce for the rodeos all over the place and I just got the call this morning while you were at school. I know that you two will be safe. The boys know they are welcome here any time. I need you to promise me you'll do your chores and tend to the animals while I'm gone. Work before play."

Maddie said "Of course you know we will take care of the farm while your away."

I was next to speak. "When do you leave and how long will you be gone?"

He smiled. "I leave tomorrow, and I will be gone for at least 2 months. Can you make sure you don't miss any school during this time please?"

We nodded.

*2 weeks later*

It had been 2 weeks since pappy went on the road. Maddi and I had just gotten home from school. Before we did anything else we checked what chores needed done today. Maddi had to muck stalls and feed the cattle. I had to sheer the goats and feed the cats, dogs, pigs, and chickens.

After our chores and homework were done, we called the guys to come over. It didn't take them long to get here. We were going to have a horror movie marathon this weekend. We had just started Countdown when there was a knock on the door. I got up "I got it guys, maybe its the delivery guy with our pizzas. Just stay put." Everyone stayed put while I answered the door. When I got to the door my mouth instantly dropped at the sight of the person behind the door. Slowly opening it so he was in my view I say "What are you doing here?"