The Howards

Chapter 7

My phone won't stop ringing. I groaned, fishing for my phone and picked up the call, "Whoever is calling, you better have a damn good reason for messing up someone's sleep,"

Rick chuckled, "Feisty. Not a morning person huh?"

I glanced at my clock. The blinking red neon lights showing its seven in the morning, "For christ sake, Rick. It's seven in the morning, did you burn down your room?"

He laughed, "Randall is out for work with dad. Karina is having her classes today. Mum is at work. I'm alone, lonely and sad."

"None of my business, Maverick. I only had two hours of sleep,"

"What did you do? Robbed a bank?"

I snorted, my eyes still closed, "I was reading New moon,"

I could almost feel Rick frowning, "The whole damn book?"

I nodded unconsciously then realised he couldn't see me, "Yeah. What do you want?"

"Come hang out with me. I want to bring you to a place,"

I sighed, "Is it good?"

"Yes, you might have mentioned to me once or twice. Wear comfortable footwear. Bring extra clothes. I'll come and get you in an hour," Then he disconnected.

••••

"Tell me tell me tell me! You are not dumping me in the midst of the forest and make me walk out myself, are you?"

I have been pestering Rick to tell me where he is bringing me to. But he did not waiver at all. He just kept smiling as he drive through the bumpy road.

A house with white picket fences begin to come into our view. I gasped at the beautiful view. Horses, zebras, cows and there are even deers running across the field.

"Rick, is this a farm house?"

Rick is grinning from ear to ear, satisfied at my reaction, "It's my old house. After my parents passed away, our neighbour took over the farm."

He parked his car by the house. As we are getting out of the car, a lady in her mid-fifties came out to greet us, "Oh, come here, Maverick Howard. Let me take a good look at you,"

Rick pulled her in for a hug and gave her a kiss on her cheek, "It's good to see you again, Lauren."

Rick held my hand, pulling me towards him as he introduced, "This is Eleanor. And, El, this is Lauren. She is taking care of this farm now,"

Lauren pulled me in for a warm hug, "Nice to meet you, young lady. I've heard so much great things about you,"

I blushed. Rick smiled and putting on his Ray-ban, "Alright Lauren, I know my way around."

"Of course you do. Go on, have fun. I will prepare some snacks for you kids." Lauren smiled before turning back into the house.

••••

Rick brought me into a barn.

"Karina told me you got rid of the cougar. She said your late dad taught you how to. Are there cougars here?" I asked while I watched his muscles tensed up as he moved a wooden door out of our way.

A sudden stench rush out from the barn and I flinched.

He noticed and chuckled, "Get used to it. We used to have two cougars behind the farm."

"Horses! Do we get to ride them?" I asked, feeling excited.

He smiled, "Yeah. Now, let me introduce my old friends. This is Hunter. He is the strongest and the oldest here." Rick is petting Hunter's back and smiled, "Want to say hello?"