Country Boy vs. City Girl

by Shanna Hatfield

  Josh ran up and tugged his dad back behind him. “Pop, get back!”

  By now, the flames were about the size of a campfire. In the dry wheat, the whole field could be on fire in a matter of minutes. Trying not to panic, Josh pulled his water jug out of the combine and dumped it on the flames. It sputtered then roared back to life.

  Yanking a shovel off the combine, he started digging around the fire for all he was worth, dumping the dirt on the flames and trying to keep the fire from spreading. Big Jim recovered from his initial shock enough that he jumped in the truck and backed it up then pulled out a shovel and began helping Josh put dirt on the fire.

  When Jake pulled into the field on his return trip from town, he barreled out of the truck, grabbed Big Jim’s shovel and worked with a fury nearly matching Josh’s. By the time they had the fire out a spot about the size of one of the trucks had burned. The smell was awful and made their eyes water.

  Gasping for air, Josh leaned on the shovel and mopped at the sweat running down his face with his arm. What could have been a disaster had ended much better than he expected. Thank goodness Jake showed up when he did. Jake had his hands on his knees bent over trying to catch his own breath. Both their faces were streaked with soot and dirt. Josh reached over and clasped Jake’s shoulder.

  “I can’t thank you enough for jumping in to help,” Josh said, hoping Jake knew exactly how grateful he was for his efforts.

  “You’re welcome,” Jake said, still waiting for his breathing to return to normal as he grinned up at Josh. “Here you’ve gone and got your pretty face all dirty.”

  “Well, you won’t be winning any beauty contests today either,” Josh teased.

  It was then Big Jim collapsed on the step of the truck.

  Josh ran over to him, followed closely by Jake. “Pop, are you okay? Pop?” Big Jim was pale and his skin felt clammy when Josh touched his face. Josh fanned his face with his ball cap.

  “Pop, don’t you go doing something dramatic now. We’ve had enough fun already today.”

  “I won’t, Joshie, just need a breather for a minute.”

  Josh dug his cell phone out of his pocket and called Callan. “Callan, can you come get Pop? We’ve had a little excitement and I think he really needs to go back to the house now.”

  “Sure, Josh, is he okay? Do I need to take him to the doctor?” Callan asked, sounding worried.

  “No, I think he just overdid and needs to rest,” Josh said, watching the color come back in his dad’s face. “Say, you wouldn’t be game for driving a truck for a while, would you?”

  “Um… I…well…” Callan said, then released a sigh. “Just give me a minute and we’ll be there.”

  “Bring some water with you, please?” Josh begged before Callan hung up.

  Jenna and Callan pulled up in Josh’s pickup a few minutes later. Seeing Jake and Josh standing above Big Jim who was still slumped on the truck step made them both more than a little concerned.

  “Hey girls,” Big Jim said when they pulled up nearby and got out of the pickup, taking in the scorched spot of the wheat field and looking at Josh, openly curious as to what had just happened. “You missed the show.”

  “I’d say we did, Daddy,” Callan said, giving him her arm as they walked toward the pickup. “You know, I’ve been wanting to drive this ol’ grain truck and the boys are holding out on me. Would you mind if we traded spots for a while? Jenna and I have lunch well in hand, but she could still use your help while I play out here. What do you say?”

  “Well, that sounds like a deal to me, sweet daughter. I was about ready for a break anyway,” Big Jim said as he climbed into the passenger side of the pickup. Callan dug out a couple of water jugs, two wet towels and some sandwich bags filled with cookies. Jenna leaned near Josh and whispered, “You can fill me in later.” She and Big Jim waved as they drove toward the rest of the crew with refreshments before returning to the house.

  Jake and Josh both kissed Callan’s cheek when she handed them the cold, wet towels that they wiped on their faces and necks. It not only removed the dirt and soot, it was also cool and refreshing. They wasted no time in consuming the water and the cookies before they turned to give Callan a once over.

  She traded her shorts, tank top and sandals for a pair of Josh’s jeans, cinched up with a length of ribbon, one of his old shirts and Jenna’s boots. Thinking she’d be spending the day inside, she hadn’t worried about dressing for work outside. Being a good five inches taller than Jenna and a size or so larger, she couldn’t wear her clothes, even though their feet were the same size. And there was no way Callan was going to drive the truck wearing anything less than jeans and a long-sleeved shirt. She’d seen Josh, Jake and Clay itching like mad from the wheat chaff and dust.

  “Aren’t you the Miss Farmer of the Year fashion plate?” Jake teased as he tugged on Callan’s borrowed ball cap.

  “Don’t you get lippy with me buster,” Callan said, pushing the hat back up. “You can take me like this or I’ll go back to the house.” Looking at what had most certainly been a fire, she waved her hand toward it and asked, “What caused this?”

  “Pop,” Josh said, running his hand through his hair, shaking out dirt and soot. Even with his ball cap on he was covered from head to toe. “I broke down and was digging in the tool box to see what I could find. When I walked back around the combine, he seemed to stumble over something and dropped the cigarette lighter in the wheat. It literally burst into flame. I dumped my water on it and then started shoveling like crazy. Pop was trying to help. He may have had a heart attack if Jake hadn’t jumped in when he did.

  The three of them walked over the charred area and found the cigarette lighter. Josh picked it up in his gloved hand and then set it on the dash of the truck. He’d worry about fixing it later.

  “You know what the best part of the whole thing is, Cal? He fixed the problem,” Josh said feeling angry at the destruction that his dad had almost caused, but also proud at how he still managed to make the needed repairs.

  “Yep, that’s Daddy,” Callan said, pulling up her jeans and tightening the ribbon tie. “This looks like it is going to be a very long day, so if you want me to help, let’s get the show on the road. And just so you know, the first load, I’m stopping by my house so I can change. Now somebody show me what to do.”

  Callan rode with Jake while he filled his truck. He gave her detailed instructions on what to do when she got to town before he turned her loose in the truck Big Jim had been driving. She fell in line behind the combine and did just fine. Before she quite knew it, her truck was full and she was heading down the highway. Callan stopped on the way to town to change, unable to make herself appear in public looking like she was dressed for some hillbilly costume party. Arriving at the grain elevator, the guys working it were surprised to see her instead of Big Jim, but after giving them a brief explanation, they helped her unload and soon had her on her way back to Josh’s.

  She and Jake got down a good rhythm of alternating loads and just when she thought she was going to die of heat and thirst, Josh said it was time for the noon break.

  They sat around the big farm table in the dining room enjoying the air conditioned coolness as well as a lively lunch conversation. Big Jim was back to his normal jovial self and Jenna seemed to be holding out well. She would have to take a nap before she even thought about trying to get dinner ready.

  Everyone pitched in to do the dishes and Callan suggested they put a roast in the slow cooker so Jenna wouldn’t have to worry about the main dish, which they did, leaving Jenna free to rest for a few hours. Big Jim sat down in Josh’s recliner and was soon asleep.

  The crew gathered up plenty of cold water bottles and snacks before heading back out. Jenna was standing on the porch giving Josh one last hug when they heard Jake yelling and watched him fly out of his truck, jumping around a bit before Clay broke into uproarious laughter, taking off his hat and slapping his leg.

  “Got ya!” he hollere
d at Jake, who was white as a sheet and looking angrier by the minute.

  “That is so not funny, man,” Jake grumbled, glaring daggers at Clay. Walking over to Jake’s truck, Josh couldn’t help grinning when he saw the rubber snake Clay had wound around the gear shift.

  “It’s a little funny,” Josh said, trying unsuccessfully to hide his snickers. Jenna pinched his arm which just made him laugh out loud.

  “Score,” Clay said, giving Josh a high-five.

  “Be warned, you’ve just started a war,” Jake said, leaning in the truck and using a screwdriver to dislodge the rubber snake, tossing it in Clay’s direction before climbing in his truck and heading back to the field.

  Josh picked up the snake and threw it in the garbage. He knew if Jenna came across it later, she’d scream her head off, forgetting it was fake.

  As Callan walked out to her truck with Clay, Jenna heard her say, “That was so mean, Clay. Funny, but mean.”

  <><><>

  Jenna took a two-hour nap and woke up feeling refreshed. Wandering out toward the kitchen, she saw Big Jim sitting in the recliner watching television.

  “Hi, Pop. Did you get some rest?” she asked, leaning over to kiss his weathered cheek.

  “I sure did, honey. Do you need some help in the kitchen? I’m pretty handy at peeling spuds,” Big Jim said, getting out of the recliner with a few creaks and cracks in his joints.

  “I’d love some help,” Jenna said, hooking her arm through his. She enjoyed spending time with Josh’s dad. Margo, Josh’s mother, was never very pleasant to be around and had passed away not too long after she and Josh got together, but Big Jim was one of the most sincere, kind people and he lived to make someone else’s day. Jenna thought his name was somewhat misleading. Even with his shoes on, he wasn’t quite as tall as her five feet four inches. What he lacked in stature, though, he more than made up for in heart.

  “If I set you up at the counter peeling potatoes, I’ll work on putting together a couple salads and whip up some biscuits. How does that sound?” she asked as she got out a large bag of potatoes and a big pot.

  “Sounds dandy to me,” Big Jim said, sliding onto a barstool and picking up the peeler she set down.

  They kept up a friendly conversation and soon had the meal nearly ready. Big Jim helped her unload the dishwasher from lunch and they set the big farm table for dinner.

  “Just think, this time next year, you’ll have two high chairs pulled up to the table,” Big Jim mused as he laid down silverware at each place setting.

  Jenna stopped and looked at him. She hadn’t thought that far ahead, but she was really starting to look forward to having these two babies. Would they be boys for Josh to train in all things farming or girls for her to pamper like princesses. Maybe one of each. That would be fun.

  “You’re right. Next year everything will be different, except you’ll be right here keeping them entertained while I cook,” Jenna said with a smile.

  “I certainly hope so, honey. I can’t wait to meet these two very special babies,” Big Jim said, looking wistful. “You know, I never expected to be blessed with my sweet daughter and Joshie. They were both wonderful surprises. Then when Clay and Callan couldn’t have children, that was a disappointment, but it worked out so well with them adopting Audrey and Emma. And now you and Joshie are going to give me two more babies to dote over. I don’t think it can get any better than that, can it?”

  “Not when you put it like that Pop,” Jenna said, giving him an impulsive hug. He seemed more frail to her than he had before, but then she supposed that was to be expected considering the fact he was 80.

  “Well, where is everyone? I’m about ready to belly up to another good meal,” Big Jim said, looking out the window.

  “They should be in soon. Josh planned to be done by six so they’ve got a few minutes yet,” Jenna said noticing the clock read 5:40.

  <><><>

  Josh was grinning broadly as Jake and Clay hauled the last two loads into town. Climbing down off the combine, he walked over to Steve and shook his hand warmly where he stood next to his own combine.

  “I don’t know how to repay you for this,” Josh said, waving his arm at the newly harvested field. “It would have taken me all week if not longer to get done what we accomplished today. Thank you so much.”

  “You are more than welcome, Josh. You come and help us all the time. The least we can do is give you a day of our time and a few pieces of equipment to use.”

  “Well, you’ll come have dinner with us, won’t you?”

  “Absolutely. I heard Callan mention berry pie and Jenna said something about chocolate sheet cake. You don’t think I’d miss that, do you?”

  “Nope,” Josh laughed.

  By the time they got to the house, Callan had washed up, changed her clothes, and was helping Jenna put food on the table. Tyler went home since Laken was working the closing shift at her store and he needed to be home with their kids. Clay and Jake soon arrived and were laughing good-naturedly as they came in the door. Apparently the snake war was temporarily forgotten.

  After giving thanks for the meal and the blessings of the day, Josh again thanked everyone for their help. The conversation moved onto the final cutting of hay, school starting, Jake’s new job and, of course, the upcoming arrival of the twins.

  “Have you started thinking of names?” Callan asked Jenna.

  Picking out names hadn’t occurred to Jenna at all. “Well, I hadn’t really got around to it yet.”

  Jake laughed. “You only need to pick out boy names. I already told you, we’re having boys.”

  Clay slapped Jake on the back and couldn’t keep from ribbing him. “We? What’s this we business? I’m pretty sure you weren’t involved at all in any part of these babies coming to be.”

  Jake turned an annoyed glare at Clay, “Josh and Jenna said the babies could call me Uncle Jake. So that means it is my business.”

  “Oh, I see,” Clay said, trying very hard to look and sound serious. “And I suppose you have grand plans of teaching them all about farming and ranching and how to be expert snake handlers.”

  Jake let out a long-suffering sigh and leaned around Clay, looking at Callan. “Tell me again why you wouldn’t wait to marry me and instead spend your days having to tolerate this joker? Please, tell me why, Callan?”

  When Callan and Clay wed, Jake served as their ring bearer. He thought she was marrying him and his little 6-year-old heart was broken when he found out she was in fact marrying Clay. It had been a running joke for years between them that she should have waited for him to grow up.

  Callan let out a wonderful, warm laugh and winked at Jake. “Well, I couldn’t help myself. This cowboy swept me off my feet and captured my heart completely. What’s a girl to do?”

  “Wait for me, that’s what,” Jake said, feigning an indignant look. He smiled when Callan leaned over and gave Clay’s cheek a kiss and hand a squeeze. Some day he hoped to find someone to love as completely as Clay and Callan loved each other. For now, he’d keep himself entertained by trading jokes and barbed comments with Clay.

  “So Cal, if you ever decide you want to give up your event planning business, I’m still looking for a hired hand,” Josh said, raising an eyebrow in his sister’s direction.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I think I’ll pass. One day in the trenches is more than plenty to suit me.”

  “You did a really good job,” Josh said. “Thanks again for your help.”

  “Well, I will deny it if anyone sitting here brings it up again, but it was kind of fun,” Callan said with a pleased smile. “For one day.”

  The group laughed and continued on with their good meal and animated conversation.

  When the dishes were done and everything put away, Steve drove the combine back to the ranch followed by Clay, Jake and Josh each driving a truck. Callan would drive over her car so they could pick up the girls and Jenna would drive over to bring back Jake and Josh. Big Jim gave both Call
an and Jenna a kiss and headed back to his retirement center when the other men drove down the lane.

  “Thanks for a great day, girls. Call anytime you need help or someone to liven up the place,” Big Jim called as he sauntered out to his car.

  “Will do, Daddy,” Callan called.

  “Drive safe, Pop,” Jenna said. “Thanks for keeping me company.”

  Callan put her arm through Jenna’s as all the men left and they went into Jenna’s sitting area, decorated in soft blues with chocolate accents. Josh called it her girlie room, which was fine with her. It meant all things greasy, smelly and remotely resembling manly men stuff stayed out of her room.

  “Well, we’ve got a few minutes to sit and rest before we need to head over. It will take Steve a while to get the combine back to the ranch,” Callan said as she sat down with two glasses of cold sweet tea.

  “I can’t believe Pop set the field on fire,” Jenna said with a look of astonishment. “That could have gone so badly. I’m feeling rather blessed, not only by our family and friends, but that things turned out so well.”

  “I know just what you mean. I really think Daddy is starting to show his age. How did he do in here this afternoon?”

  “Oh, fine, I think. I slept for a couple hours after lunch and I think he must have slept most of that time, too. He helped with dinner and was his usual talkative self. When I hugged him, though, he seemed kind of frail,” Jenna said, putting her feet up on the couch and holding the tea glass against her throat. Sometimes she got so hot she thought she would literally melt.

  Callan held up a magazine and fanned her. “I thought the same thing. I guess we’ll have to keep a closer eye on him. He does so well on his own I think I forget to pay enough attention to him, getting so caught up in the rush of our lives.”