have a great day.” I could literally hear the shit-eating grin on my mom’s face. Jaxon laughed, and I elbowed him in the ribs. I didn’t find anything about this funny. I was mortified.
As much as we wanted to spend the day wrapped in each other’s arms, we knew we both had work to do. We got dressed and went our separate ways. He went out to get the four-wheeler that we got stuck in the mud yesterday, and I went to the barn to meet with the farmhands about the big cattle sale coming up next month in Joplin, Missouri.
This sale was always the most important sale of the year. It was where the best cattle were sold and if you didn’t get there and get first dibs, you were stuck with the second best options. Second best was not good enough for the Harper Farm. We had to be there early and schmooze at the big Cattle Baron’s Ball the night before the sale.
It was about a three hour drive from Kipton to Joplin, so I usually took Jake with me and we would stay up there for the whole weekend. Every year, I would make Jake go to the Ball with me. I think he hated it a little more each year. Maybe this year Jaxon would want to go with me. We could spend the whole weekend alone. Wouldn’t he surprise the hell out of all of those cowboys that tried to get in my pants every year? I was pretty sure that I had convinced all of them that I was gay. I had tried really hard every year. I still always ended up with at least one drunk cowboy following me around all night and Jake threatening to kick their ass.
It was about time for me to head home for lunch, so I jumped in my jeep and headed that way. When I got home I had a message from Sammy’s school saying they needed me to come in and meet with the principal. I immediately returned the call and asked what was going on. The secretary informed me that Sammy had an incident at school today, and I would need to come in to discuss it with the principal at three o’clock.
“There is no way I can make it in today. I have a big conference call this afternoon, and I won’t be able to get away.” This conference call was regarding the cattle sale. I had to coordinate with a few other farms regarding which herd we wanted to try for. I couldn’t miss it.
The lovely older woman informed me that someone would need to come in to the school today or Sammy would be suspended from the fourth grade for three days. She said I could send my mom, dad, or anyone, but someone would need to come in.
I called my mom but she had driven into town and wouldn’t be back in time to go. She let me know that dad was with Uncle Max fishing and wasn’t expected back until tomorrow.
There was a knock at the door. Jaxon was standing on the front porch. I told him what was going on.
“Uncle Jake and I can go Loralei. I don’t mind at all and I don’t have anything I have to get done this afternoon. Do you think it would be okay if we went?”
The secretary just told me I had to send someone, and Jaxon and Jake would actually count as two someone’s. Even though I don’t know Jaxon that well, yet, I had known Jake my entire life. Jaxon is his nephew, and he wouldn’t let him be around me and the kids if he was a bad guy. I could do this. They could take care of this for me.
“I would really appreciate it, Jaxon. I’m not sure what’s going on, but Sammy is always getting into trouble, so it’s probably nothing major. Thanks so much for doing this for me.”
He grinned and pulled me towards him. “Maybe you can think of a way to pay me back later, maybe over dinner or a drink, after the kids go to sleep?”
I shook my head, “You’re a bad influence on me, Jaxon!” He agreed to meet with the principal and find out what my little monster did this time and then bring Sammy and Mags home.
Jaxon
I was happy to help Lor out. She was in quite a bind and I was glad that I could be there for