Love or Lust

She threw herself across the bed and placed her soft face in her delicate hands and her long curly auburn hair fell to the sides. She then rolled to her side. Perplexed, she let out a frustrated sigh. “Do I love him or don’t I?” she said, feeling puzzled. She of course, was talking about Buck Brady, the most handsome farm hand her daddy had ever hired that she could recall. Buck had been working there for the past 3 years. He began asking her for a date a few months after he was hired by her daddy. Randy Calhoun, wasn’t going to allow it of course, she was his only daughter and had been his rock when he thought he was going to lose it all. There had been a fire a couple of years back and almost everything he had, had been destroyed. His insurance covered everything but rebuilding was hard and had taken its toll on him. ” Don’t worry, daddy…it’ll all work out just fine, you’ll see” Katie would say. Her father loved her reassuring tone and her encouraging words. He just didn’t want to fail her, didn’t want to let her down in any way.
It was a hot May morning. The Sun was blazing almost as soon as the cock crowed. “Time to get up and get these chores done.” Randy said tiredly. He yawned and stretched and tried to pull himself together to go down and get his first cup of coffee. Katie was already downstairs fixing breakfast as he staggered through the kitchen. ” I wondered if you were going to be joining me” she said with a smile. I’ve got your favorites almost finished and a nice hot cup of joe.” she went on. “What would I do without you girl?” he said as he pulled out a chair and sat at the table. “Well, I would reckon that you wouldn’t have any french toast and coffee in the morning.” she giggled. He had loved her laugh since she was a young girl. At twenty-one years old, he still loved it just as much. They sat and talked over a couple of cups of coffee before Buck made his way to the door. Katie got up and went to the door. Opening it, the sun poured into the foyer of the farmhouse. There he stood. Six foot one, muscular build, dark hair and a great smile. “Reporting for duty ma’am.” Buck said as he smiled and tipped his hat. Katie chuckled as she invited him in and offered him a cup of coffee before work. ” Did you hear about the County Fair that’s coming through town?” Buck asked as he sipped his coffee. ” I think I recall hearing something about that.” Randy said. ” Oh I just love fairs!” exclaimed Katie. Her dad knew all about it. He remembered taking her to fairs as a child and they would stay for hours just listening to music and watching people. Sometimes, people watching was their most favorite part. He began thinking to himself that it had been many a year since they had actually been to a County Fair. The fire that came through and tore up his farm pretty much secured no fun being had until things were re-established. Now, there really isn’t any reason for them to not go back. “Do you happen to remember when that fair will be arriving?” Randy asked Buck. “Well, I would reckon it would be on a weekend here soon.” He replied. Katie’s heart leapt for joy. She may be twenty-one years old but she still loved a good time. Besides, what is she, an old hen?

“Well gentleman, this work ain’t gonna do itself and those chickens are getting louder by the second wanting their feed.” Katie said, as she stood up and began clearing the dishes. ” Yeah, I guess your right peach.” Her father said motioning for Buck. The day was long and hot and the chores endless. Feed the animals, clean the stalls, gather the eggs, milk the cows etc. She couldn’t help but watch him out the window as he helped her father gather hay to load on his pick-up truck. A smile tickled the corners of her mouth as she thought of how romantic it would be to watch the stars as the music played in the background at the fair. His arms wrapped around her waist as she lay her head back on his shoulder. She was obviously so lost in her mind that she didn’t hear her dad round the corner. “Hey Katie.” he said. He surely snapped her out of her dreaming, so much so that her whole body shook. ” My, my, what are we thinking about so intensely there darlin’?” he said as he came up beside her. ” Oh, it’s nothing dad, you know me. I get lost in my own world at times.” she said sheepishly grinning. ” Well, if that answer helps you sleep better at night peach, I guess I’ll have to agree with you.” he replied. He walked to the counter to pour he and Buck a tall glass of fresh lemonade as they took a break for a few. Wiping his brow, he let out a long sigh and took a nice long drink of his lemonade. Buck came around the corner just then and leaned on the counter beside him. ” Is this fresh squeezed lemonade?” He asked with a smile. She couldn’t help but smile. She actually didn’t know why she was smiling. All he did was ask if the lemonade was fresh squeezed. Her dad noticed it and answered the question for her. ” Sure is Buck, freshly squeezed every day.” he said casting a glance her way. She cleared her throat and walked to the refrigerator to grab her peach tea. ” If’n you’ll excuse me gentlemen, I’ve got laundry to tend to.” she said, and hurriedly left the room.

A few days later, Katie was making her way to Merriman’s Fresh Market to pick up a few things and saw the sign for the County Fair that had been hung on a storefront window. She grinned when she saw that it was only a week away. “I can’t wait.” she thought to herself. She kept walking and daydreaming as she made her way to Merriman’s. ” Good Morning Katie, it’s great to see you!” Mr. Merriman always greeted his customers with a smile and a giddy tone. He had owned that store as far back as she could remember. He was a man in his fifties, broad at the shoulder, lean at the hip and was starting to grey. “What’ll it be for you today, young lady?” He asked. ” Oh, I’m just here to pick up a few odds and ends is all.” Katie replied. “Well, you just let me know if I can help you with anything.” Mr. Merriman said smiling. She made her way down the aisles to the flowers. She loved the way they stood out against everything else in the store. Reds and yellows and lilacs caught her eye as she approached. She made sure to have fresh flowers at their house every day. The whole house was filled with a sweet aroma. She gathered her items and a few bunches of flowers and made her way to the front to check out. “Will this be all for you today?” Mr. Merriman asked. “Yes, that’ll do it for today.” Katie said smiling. She was rummaging in her purse to get her wallet as the someone opened the door and rang the bell.

There he was, Buck Brady in all his handsome glory. She tried to gain her composure. After all, he worked for her dad and she couldn’t let on that she liked him. Mr. Merriman however, had seen her eyes sparkle and her cheeks tint pink as soon as she saw him.”Well, well, if it isn’t Miss Katie Calhoun.” He said flashing his great smile. ” Stammering she said ” Ye-ye-yes, I’m just here for a few things and some fresh flowers for the house.” She hurriedly paid Mr. Merriman and made her way to the door. She didn’t know what it was about him that made her feel like a school girl again. Maybe the way he looked at her or smiled at her, whatever it was, she was powerless. She made her way over to him and her eyes met his and her knees went weak. She managed to compose herself long enough for a brief goodbye before leaving. ” There’s something about her, something I just can’t put my finger on.” Buck said to Mr. Merriman. ” But, I’m sure it something you want to know, isn’t it Buck?” Mr. Merriman said with a smile and a wink.