The Pride of Howard County

by Kevin Bachman

  Chapter 26

  John was working long hours even though the farm was now almost a third smaller. He had managed to get the crops in the fields and had sold almost all the cattle except one bull and few of the cows. He had also sold the horses which broke his heart but he just didn’t have the time to take care of them. He was at a crossroads, either he’d have to hire help or change careers.

  Terry was now spending several nights a week at the farm and while he, John and Abby drank their morning cups of coffee together around the breakfast table Abby would tell Terry, “I don’t know why you don’t just move in.”

  At first, it seemed like such a drastic move and both he and John didn’t want to rush into anything. Terry was also concerned how that would affect his kids and then there was Beth and how she would react.

  And so, he sat down one evening and wrote a letter to his ex inviting her to come for a visit and meet John and Abby and see the farm. He explained in his letter that he wanted to include her in any decision that would affect their children. Thankfully time had dissolved most all of the harsh feelings and they were now able to have rational conversations about such things.

  At first, Beth didn’t want to go but once she gave it some thought she realized it would be the right thing to do as a mother.

  Beth phoned Terry from the car when they were getting close and Terry guided them the last couple of miles. He paced nervously on the porch as they pulled into the drive and of course a very pregnant Lucky sounded the alarm that there were intruders on the farm.

  Beth and her new husband, Frank had left the kids at home with a sitter to keep things as uncomplicated as possible.

  The Rogers farm was an impressive site to anyone and Beth was no exception. She had heard the kids talk about how magical the farm was and now she was beginning to understand.

  Terry met her at the car to keep Lucky and Muncie from bothering them too much.

  “If you will pet them briefly they will leave you alone,” he told them, and sure enough they did.

  The conversation wasn’t warm or cold it was just basically necessary. The usual, “How have you been?” “Oh fine, how about you?” Terry felt like a real estate agent obligated to show them around. Beth was a city girl and things like chicken coops and barns didn’t really register with her although she did find them intriguing.Abby came out onto the porch and introduced herself with a warm smile and hardy handshake. Abby was impressive to anyone, likeable and professional. Beth liked her from the start and of course Frank was taken with her beauty.

  John was cutting hay when he received the text, “They’re here,” and so he finished the row he was on and headed for the house. He pulled into the drive on the tractor looking very much like any other farmer one might see. He killed the motor and climbed down from the John Deere dusting himself off. He took off his muddy boots before going inside to find everyone sitting around the table in the kitchen drinking iced tea.

  After a few moments of fake smiles and upright conversation everyone began to relax and soon the men were in the living room watching a football game and Beth and Abby were in Abby’s office looking at the family photo albums. They all sat down to a lunch of Pizza and bread sticks. Afterwards they sat on the porch and talked themselves out until Beth and Frank decided it was time to get going.

  Terry’s fears were never met and he moved in a couple of months later.