Date: Tue, 30 Oct 2007 00:15:59 -0500
From: Retta Michaels <rettamichaels@gmail.com>
Subject: Rural Love - Chapter 4

Rural Love


By


Retta Michaels


Disclaimer:


If you are under the age of 18, or live in a locale which cannot legally
read these stories, please leave. Your presence here jeopardizes those of
us who can legally read these stories. Please come back when you can
legally read the stories and we will all be glad to have you.


Note from Retta:


My writing schedule is hectic. I'm trying to post as many as Nifty will
allow. For those who wish more of my writings, please take a look at my
other stories. I'm trying to post 2 short stories a week as well as
updates to my continuing stories.


Chapter 4


The next morning, everyone got up and as soon as breakfast was done, we
got prepared to go to town.


I was upstairs when I heard the telephone ring and didn't pay it any
mind. When I was dressed in my town clothes, I came back down to see Aunt
Paulette speaking with Uncle Nick. Apparently, the fire chief and the
state guy who investigates fires was going to be over at the farm today.


Aunt Paulette said, "Billy, when they're done, they'll want to speak with
you. I've been told to have you prepared."


I said, "Am I going to be in trouble?"


Aunt Paulette said, "No, hon, they're just wanting to ask you some
questions about what happened the night before the fire."


I said, "O.k., because I don't want to be in trouble."


Aunt Paulette hugged me and said, "Billy, don't you worry your mind about
that. I just wanted you to know what was happening so it didn't take you
by surprise when we got over there."


I said, "Well, after that, can I go to my bedroom and see what I can get?


She said, "Billy, if they say we can't go in, then we can't. "


I said, "Well, I hope we can."


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, go over and put on your coat. We're going to go
to town now."


Aunt Paulette stood up and Uncle Nick put on her coat for her. She told
him thank you, and then we were on our way out to the truck.


Driving into town, I said, "Uncle Nick, those houses over there are
already built, could we get one of those for Jr to live in?"


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, those are called manufactured homes. I was
thinking one of those would be a way of getting them a place to live in
fast, but I've heard a lot of people complain about the fit and finish of
them isn't what they hoped over the long run."


I said, "Well, as long as we have them someplace to live now, they can
move in. After a while, we can get them something which will last
longer."


Uncle Nick said, "Let's see about one of them some other time as we need
to get to the auction barn to get the cattle delivered to our place."


We drove through town and went to the auction barn. Aunt Paulette said,
"I'll stay in the truck, you two hurry along."


We went in and went to the office where I got the auction number. The man
was there who gave me my number. Uncle Nick went over to him to tell him
we needed to have the cattle moved to his farm.


The man replied he was glad we had came in as he needed to know how we
wanted everything delivered. We had the bull, cattle, the buffalo, as
well as the alpacas all coming to the farm.


Uncle Nick told him to bring the bull and the cattle first and then we'd
find a place to put everything else.


The man told him he'd gladly have it done and Uncle Nick told them to
bring them by at 4 pm.


We then went out to get into the truck and drove to the atv dealer. When
we got there, they had a bunch out front. The store salesperson came out
and said, "May I help you with something?"


Uncle Nick said, "We're needing to get him a RTV 700."


The man said, "Isn't that a bit big for him?"


Uncle Nick said, "Well, he's going to be needing to pull some wagons
loaded with hay and feed around the farm, so rather than getting him a
tractor, I think this will be safer."


The man said, "A wagon loaded down will be too heavy for that...the
tongue weight would lift the front wheels off the ground. My suggestion
is to get him something a smaller tractor."


Uncle Nick said, "The roll bars are good enough. I want him absolutely
safe."


The man then said, "Well, here's what I suggest. We have them Bobcats
2300 over there. It's an enclosed roll cage. It can be equipped with a
wide variety of options which can make it user friendly on a farm. We
have one on a horse farm and they're real satisfied with it."


Uncle Nick said, "I want him safe. So, put a cab on it and make sure he
has heat."


I went around looking at all of the different items they had while Uncle
Nick picked out what he wanted me to have. The Bobcat which was a skid
steer was neat. I played on it while Uncle Nick finalized the deal with
the man.


Uncle Nick came out and said, "Billy, would you come in here for a
moment?"


I went in and he said, "Billy, the man's going to come out on Saturday
and bring the Workcat with him and teach you all you need to know about
it. Is that o.k.?"


I said, "Sure, is it going to be like that one out there?"


I showed the man the one I was referring to and he said, "No, it's going
to be like this one over here, except it's going to have an enclosed
cab."


I said, "So, it's going to be like a pickup truck!"


He said, "Yes, except one you can use on the farm and the other you have
to have a license for on the road."


Uncle Nick looked happy about the decision, so I didn't pursue it any
further.


We loaded in the truck and Uncle Nick told Aunt Paulette what he'd
chosen. She looked apprehensive, but he said I'd be safe, so she was o.k.


We then headed over to the farm & home store and Uncle Nick ordered up
some feed for the livestock. While he did that, I stayed in the truck
with Aunt Paulette.

While we were in the truck, I said, "Aunt Paulette, is it always going to
be this busy?"


She said, "Billy, right now it's busy, but things will settle down once
we get everything situated. Nick has just taken on an extra load and he's
wanting to make sure everything goes good for you."


I said, "Well, he knows I love him no matter what, doesn't he?"


She said, "Billy, it's because we love you we're doing all this. Your
grand dad instilled in him a sense of responsibility which drives him to
the point of exhaustion sometimes. He'll need our help and I'm going to
do everything I can as I'm sure you will too."


I said, "I'll help every bit I can, I'm just afraid I don't know
everything."


She laughed and said, "Billy, I don't know it all either, but I'm sure
Nick will be patient with us."


Uncle Nick came back out and he said, "Billy, I ordered you a couple of
barns while I was in there and some gate fencing for corrals. That way,
you'll have a good head start. The man said he'd pour concrete and get
everything built so all we have to do it decide where it needs to be."


I said, "Uncle Nick, wherever you think's best is fine with me."


He laughed and said, "Billy, you'll help me to decide this, but I'll
speak with you about it when we go to the farm later. Right now, we have
to go meet Mike and then we're all going to go out and look at that
farm."


We drove to the diner downtown and as soon as we pulled up, I saw Jr..
Instantly, I was excited.


Aunt Paulette saw how excited I was and chuckled. She said, "Billy, wait
until we stop the truck before you get out."


I waited, but some people can be so slow!


As soon as we parked, Aunt Paulette and Uncle Nick got out. Me, I was
already out and Jr was there to greet me. The smile on his face was as
big as mine.


We all went into the diner and Aunt Paulette greeted Mike's wife Amy. I'd
never met Jr's mom before and she looked real pretty. Between Mike and
Mrs. Johnson, I sure could see where Jr got his looks.


Jr and I went over and sat at a table which was just for two people. He
said, "I already ordered yours and I got mine too."


I said, "Chicken strip sandwich with ranch and swiss cheese?"


He smiled and said, "Yes, and I had them cut it in half so we could
trade."


I said, "What did you get? I hope I like it this time."


He said, "I got their corn dogs with french fries. You got onion rings."


He smiled and I said, "This is neat, we can each have twice as much as we
normally would choose."


I went over to Uncle Nick and asked to have some money for the jukebox.
He fished out some change from his pocket and handed it to me. He said,
"Did you get ordered?"


I said, "Yeah, Jr already ordered for us. He knows what I like."


He smiled and said, "Let Jr pick some of the selections on that jukebox."


I ran over to get Jr and we went to the jukebox. We found out we had
enough change for 7 selections. I said, "O.k., we each have 3 selections
and we get to pick the last together, so tell me what you like and the
ones we agree on, we'll pick as the last one."


As it turned out, Jr and I liked most of the same songs. We picked 5
which we liked together and then he picked one and I picked one. As they
began playing, we went back to our table.


He smiled at me and said, "Daddy says you're going to have a whole lot of
decisions to make here shortly."


I said, "Uncle Nick is going to be doing a lot of that. He's already got
me a Workcat ordered and ordered the barns today. Tomorrow, I think we're
going to go pick you all out a house to live in."


I said, "Excuse me, I'm going to go remind Uncle Nick about that."


I went over to Uncle Nick and whispered in his ear, "Remember to tell
them we need to pick out them a house tomorrow!"


He smiled and said, "Billy, I'll tell them, don't worry. Go enjoy Jr
while you can."


I whispered in his ear again, "See if it's alright if Jr stays all night
tonight"


Uncle Nick said, "O.k., you go over there now. "


I went back over and when I got there, our food was on the table. I
smiled at Jr and said, "Why didn't you tell me it was here! I would have
come running!"


He laughed and said, "You were over talking to your Uncle Nick. I'm not
supposed to disturb other people's conversations."


I said, "I wanted him to see if you could stay all night tonight."


We ate and sure enough about half way through, we traded plates. This
time, he picked good tasting food, so both of us enjoyed the meals."


He said, "I wish we could do this at home. This is fun."


I said, "Me, too. Maybe when you get moved to the farm, you can eat half
your supper at your house and I can finish eating it for you. You can
come over to finish eating mine!"


He laughed and said, "I think that'd be neat, but I don't think my
parents would let me."


I said, "Yeah, I know what you mean, so maybe we'll just have to trade
off eating at each other's houses. Did I tell you I asked if you could
stay all night tonight?"


He smiled real big and said, "Really! That'd be great!"


Quick as a flash, he went over to his dad and I saw him talking with him.
He turned to his mom and then got a real big smile on his face and came
running back over.

He said, "They said, I can!"


I said, "Good, we can play Tonkas in the shower!"


He smiled and said, "You like playing with them too!"


I said, "Oh yeah, they won't let me play outside in the rain with them,
but they'll let me play with them in the shower. It's the same."


He laughed and said, "We'll have to get all our toys together when I get
moved over there and then it'll be like having twice as many!"


I said, "I never thought of that, it will be great!"


We then compared toys we each had until it was time to leave. I didn't
realize it, but the man who had Ragin' Dawn was now there and wanting to
take us out to see that farm.


Everyone went out and Jr rode with us. We sat back and played Nintendo on
the t.v. in the truck. When we pulled up at the farm, I saw the name was
called Dawn Ranch. It had a big picture up above the driveway of Ragin'
Dawn, or it looked like him.


I mentioned it and Uncle Nick said, "That's Ragin' Dawn's daddy. His name
was just Dawn"


I knew better to discuss bulls in front of Aunt Paulette, so I told Jr,
don't discuss bulls in front of women. They sure get upset!"


Jr said, "That's crazy! Why don't they like to talk about bulls?"


I said, "I don't know, but I got told we could only discuss bulls out at
the barn."


I looked up at Uncle Nick and his face was red and he was trying not to
laugh. He kept looking over to Aunt Paulette but I couldn't see her face.
From her ears, I could tell her face was red too. She looked at Uncle
Nick and said, "Don't you say a thing Nicholas!"


Uncle Nick laughed and I said, "I don't know, but I mentioned semen at
the table last night and Aunt Paulette nearly had a conniption!"


Jr said, "Oh man, you didn't!"


I said, "Well, I didn't know!"


He said, "No wonder."


Aunt Paulette said, "Boys, I can hear you!"


I said, "Sorry!"


Jr said, "Sorry, I didn't know Billy was so dumb!"


She chuckled and said, "I told him to ask your daddy what it was, but out
at the barn! Nick's definitely going to be there too."


Jr smiled and his face was red and I knew he wanted to say something, but
couldn't."


We finally stopped driving and when we got out, I saw the farm was really
nice. The barns were beautiful.


The man, Mr. Anderson, was really nice. He had a tractor all hooked up
with a hay wagon on it and told us all to climb aboard. He started
driving and soon, we were way out in a field. He stopped and pointed and
said, "That's your boy's calf over there. That one's name is 'Gray Dawn',
the other over there, if you buy the farm, I'll throw in. His names is
'Delta Dawn'. My grand daughter named him."


We continued to drive around and occasionally, we'd stop and he'd show us
something else like the ponds, and where the fence lines were. I wasn't
really paying attention, but the idea of fishing in the ponds sure
sounded fun. I mentioned it to Jr and he agreed. He said, "Daddy says
having lots of water on the farm is going to be imperative."


I said, "What's that mean? Can I say that word at the table?"


Jr smiled and said, "Can Billy say imperative at the table?"


Aunt Paulette said, "Yes, that's acceptable ...and while I'm on that
subject Mike."


Mike turned to look at Aunt Paulette. Then she said, "When you go to
teach Billy words, you need to tell him 'semen' is not an acceptable word
to use at the supper table!"


Everyone busted out laughing and Mike said, "Billy, we've got to have a
talk son."


I said, "Yes sir."


He said, "Words I use in the barn, stay in the barn. O.k.?"


I said, "Well, I didn't know what it meant, and still don't!"


Mike laughed and apparently Mr Anderson heard too as he was really
laughing.


We got to a gate and Mr Anderson said, "Guys, this gate adjoins the next
piece of property. Wilbur Thompson owes it. He's told me to show it to
you. Now, it has approximately 400 more acres than mine, but we've always
ranched it together. It runs the full length to the back of your farm
over there and goes all the way to the county road over there. I'm pretty
sure it ends where yours does at the creek."


Mike and Uncle Nick looked at each other and smiled. I said, "That's good
right?"


Mike said, "Nick, what do you think?"


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, what do you think?"


I said, "I'm asking you!"


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, that will give you way more than you need over
here. You'll have the largest ranch in the county and it will all be
adjoining. The price is really good. Let's just wait and see what all it
has on it."


Uncle Nick and Mike were really looking over everything. Each was making
comments and Aunt Paulette was really writing in the spiral notebook. Amy
seemed to be making comments to Aunt Paulette and Jr and I were playing
in the hay.

We got to the next farm and pulled in. Uncle Nick said, "Mike, the barns
over here are all brand new. That hay barn has to be the biggest."


Mike said, "Wilbur sells a lot of hay. If you buy this farm, you won't
have to feed as much this winter."


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, come here. I need to speak with you."


I went up and he sat me on his lap. He said, "Billy, The farm of Mr.
Anderson's is a steal for the price. Mr Thompson's is a really excellent
deal. If I were you, I'd snatch the deal."


I said, "Uncle Nick, you do whatever you think is best. You know I'll
help you all I can, right?"


He smiled and said, "Billy, when we get out to talk with Mr Thompson, you
tell him you'll take the deal but we can't sign until next week, o.k.? I
think I need to speak with a lawyer first and make sure your daddy had
your farm incorporated. If not, we've got to get you incorporated real
fast. It will save on a whole lot of taxes."


I said, "Is Mr. Anderson incorporated?"


He said, "I don't think so. A whole lot of the farmers hereabouts don't
believe in it. Nowadays, it's the only way to go as it saves a lot of
money on taxes. That's probably why Mr Anderson has to sell."


I looked at him and said, "Why don't we tell him?"


He said, "Billy, sometimes, people hear what can help them and still make
the decision to not do it. I'm sure he's heard."


We pulled up at the Thompson farm house and stopped. Everyone got out and
Mr. Thompson came over. He shook Uncle Nick's hand and Mike's. Jr went
over and looked into the barn and I was about to go too when Uncle Nick
put his hand upon my shoulder."


He said, "Mr. Thompson, this here is Billy Jacobs. His parents had the
farm out back there."


Mr Thompson said, "That was a terrible tragedy. I sure hated to see that
happen to them good people."


Uncle Nick said, "Mr Thompson, Billy here inherited quite a bit of money
and he's the one who is looking at your farm. Mike and I are just going
to be working for him. The deal today is going to be with him."


Mr Thompson, looked surprised and said, "Well, Billy, I'm going to speak
with you like an adult. The terms we're discussing are adult terms."


I said, "Well, Mr Thompson, then we have to go to the barn."


He looked like he wanted to laugh and looked up at Mike and Uncle Nick,
and said, "O.k., we have to go to the barn."


We went to the barn, and I said, "Wow, look at all that hay!"


He said, "Billy, this farm has brought me in a lot of money in hay sales.
It's all free and clear of debt, but the tax burden is what is bringing
me to my knees. I have the option of incorporating, or I have the option
of selling. Corporate farming isn't for me. It goes against everything
I've ever believed in. To me, it says I answer to an accountant rather
than the good Lord and I'm not about to do that.


Mr Anderson has told me the deal he is making with you on his farm and if
you want, I'll sell you this one for the same price."


I said, "Mr Thompson, could we sign the papers next week as I have to
speak with my attorney."


He smiled and said, "Billy, you're a young whippersnapper and I'm sure
you just starting out in farming could get used to corporate farming. Us
old timer's, well, we're made of different stock. I'll wait to sign the
papers if you'll shake on the deal."


I shook his hand and said, "Uncle Nick, what's the price?"


Uncle Nick said, "Billy, you have enough."


Mr Thompson said, "I'm sure glad his parent's thought of him."


Uncle Nick said, "Us too."


He said, "Mr Thompson, the night of the fire, did you happen to see
anything out of the ordinary over here?"


Mr Thompson said, "No, can't say that I did. Why?"


Uncle Nick said, "Well, we're still trying to figure out who called in
the fire call. Billy didn't do it and his parent's were asleep."


Mr Thompson looked alarmed and said, "I see what you mean. Out here, if a
fire gets called in, then someone has had to seen it. That's suspicious."


Uncle Nick said, "Yes, that's why I was wondering if you happened to seen
anything."


Mr Anderson was standing close by and said, "Wilbur, didn't you say you
saw some tracks out in your back pasture which didn't belong to your
tractor and ask me about it shortly thereafter?"


Wilbur looked at Mr Anderson and said, "Why I sure did. Let me get my hat
and I'll take you all out there."


He grabbed his hat and suddenly he was moving fast. Mr Anderson said,
"Boys, I sure never thought to put two and two together until you said
something, but I'll tell you now is there's any shenanigans going on,
whoever did that is going to answer to some back road justice and just
pray they can get to a marshall." He looked really upset.


We all climbed upon the wagon and Mr Thompson led the way in a nice new 4
wheel drive. We got to a back gate and stopped. Everyone got out and he
took us to the gate. He said, "There's the tire prints. They don't belong
to nothing I got."


Mike took a look at them and said, "Those belong to an ATV, but they have
both turf tires and ag tires on it. See the waffle print with the imprint
of the paddles?"


Uncle Nick said, "Mr Thompson, when you get back to the farm, could you
call the fire chief and tell him what we have here. The state fire
marshall is over there at the farm investigating, and I'm sure they'll
know who to get ahold of to investigate this." .


Mr Anderson came over and said, "Boys, I'm sure sorry we didn't think of
this sooner. It just makes me plum tankard to think something like this
could have happened."


Uncle Nick said, "We're not even sure it's the same thing, but I know
they didn't have an atv over there and you all don't, do you?"


Both of the men shook their heads no and Mr Thompson said, "I can't even
think of anyone around here who even have one. I know I haven't given
permission to anyone to be on my property."


Uncle Nick thanked him and said, "We'll be back with you next week on the
papers, but thank you for your help."


I shook Mr Thompson's hand and we climbed back in the wagon. We drove to
Mr. Anderson's farm. When we got there, we all climbed off the wagon and
I went over to shake Mr Anderson's hand. I said, "Mr Anderson, I really
appreciate you helping us. The same deal goes for your farm. I have to
wait until next week to sign paperwork. Just as soon as we know something
from the attorney, Uncle Nick will get ahold of you. O.k.?"


He smiled and said, "Billy, I appreciate how you do business. You listen
to your uncle because he's teaching you how things should be done."


I felt happy about the compliment and said, "Mr Anderson, thank you. I
really appreciate the compliment, and I'm sure Uncle Nick does too."


He said, "Billy, if you ever learn one thing, know this... your great
grand pappy and your grand daddy both were honest upfront businessmen.
They never took a dime more than what they needed and they always made
sure the other person was satisfied. I've done business with both and
believe me, I've never regretted a decision I made in dealing with them.
I'm real satisfied you're getting my farm as I know it's going to someone
who deserves it."


I said, "Mr Anderson, is it possible I can come over and bring a tape
recorder and have you tell me some stories about them? I don't get to
learn from them and mama died, so the only person who knows is Uncle
Nick. He's helping me all he can but I'd like to know other people's
opinions too."


Mr Anderson said, "Billy, anytime you want, you can come and talk with me
and I'll tell you all I know. I'm sure Wilbur would have some stories
too. They cleaned out a lot of fence rows together."


He patted my head and we all got into the truck.


Note from Retta:


Hi all. As you can see, we have ourselves a mystery going on here. Will
they find out if the tire prints lead to something substantial? or, will
it just lead to a dead end? Stay tuned to the same Rhett channel and
we'll see more soon.


Writing this story has brought about a lot of memories for me. In a lot
of you readers, I see it has too.


When I started writing it, I had no idea it would bring about the
feelings it has for everyone. To me, the boys had their story to tell and
little did I know it was going to turn into the story it has.


Interestingly, I was raised on re-runs of Lassie, the Hardy Boys, Fury,
The Lone Ranger, and Leave It To Beaver. I'm trying to set the tone of
this story to be a modern day equivalent. I hope I'm striking those
chords.


Please write and let me know what you think.


From My Keyboard To Your Heart,

Retta


RettaMichaels@Gmail.com

Copyright Notice - Copyright © October 2007 by RettaMichaels

The author, RettaMichaels copyrights this story and retain all rights.
This work may not be duplicated in any form, media, - known or unknown ^Ö
without the authors' expressed permission. All applicable copyright laws
apply.



Disclaimer: All individuals depicted are fictional, and any resemblance
to real persons is purely coincidental