Camille Graves sat on the front porch staring out across the railing at the approaching swirls of dust. For the better part of the sixty years she had been alive she had worked for Doc Barton and his family. She watched as a large red truck approached. The two year drought showed no signs of letting up in the near future and the image of the truck shimmered in the heat waves as she squinted against the sun’s brightness.
“That would be Miss Bryn,” Camille said to herself, as the truck slowed and turned into the drive a few hundred yards away.
Miss Bryn would be Bryn Barton, the Doc’s granddaughter, who was expected to arrive today. Camille had not seen her for almost five years and she was as excited to see the young woman as her Grandfather.
Doc Barton had been the areas veterinarian for over forty years and had built a reputation as the best large animal specialist in the south. He had brought some of the finest American Quarter horses and thoroughbreds into this world, but would soon be passing on his practice to his granddaughter, Bryn, to finally go into full retirement. Since his wife’s passing five years ago, he found he had lost a step or two and just was not able to put in the long hours and late nights like he used to. As he aged, it seemed like more often a prized foal or calf would choose to be born between the hours of two and five in the morning, frequently after many hours of painful labor.
The flash of the hot sun reflected off the truck, catching the attention of Micah Sullivan, Sully to her friends, as she climbed up to sit on the top rail of the corral fence. “Damn Glen, go easy on his mouth will ya?” she barked from her perch.
“Sorry Sully,” Glen said, as he eased up on the reins.
“He’s got the instinct, so just sit back, hold on and let him do the work,” Sully shouted.
It was never easy for Sully to train a new rider. The horses she bred were born with the instinct to herd cattle, but to compete and establish their reputation, they still needed a rider. Sully’s back injury a few years back prevented her from competing as much as she liked, hence the need of a quality trained rider. Glenn was talented and she had been working with him for over a year, but she still had to remind him to give the horse free reins to make the instinctive sharp movements of a cutting horse. All the rider had to do was point out the animal they wanted cut and separated from the herd and then sit back and let the animal do the work.
Sully watched as the truck stirred up a cloud of dust as the owner maneuvered the hulking machine down the drive. Doc Barton had stopped by the previous day and informed Sully that his granddaughter would be arriving today to begin orienting to his practice in anticipation of his retirement. Even though Sully had joked with Doc, she knew the portly old man was weary and ready to retire. Still, Doc Barton was the best vet for hundreds of miles and Sully would miss the comfort of knowing he would be available at the drop of a hat. He did his best to assure Sully that Bryn was very competent and had gained valuable experience working at some of the country’s premier racetracks.
She watched as the truck slowed as it approached Doc’s house.
Sully had taken over the management of Sullivan’s Trace three years earlier, after the sudden death of her father. She was named after her grandfather Micah Sullivan, an immigrant from Ireland who found work as a cowboy in Texas before relocating his small family to Florida.
Micah had an eye for quality horseflesh and began breeding some of the best American Quarter horses in the states. His experience with driving cattle in Texas also helped him train cutting horses and his talents quickly became well known across the southern states. His first grand champion, Sullivan’s Sun Dancer became the root of his stock and had sired numerous champions over the years. With the birth of artificial insemination, the bloodlines would last for many years in the future.
Doc Barton had been out to complete a pre-birthing check on one of the mares that was carrying a foal of the famed Sun Dancer. Much to Sully’s delight, Doc had informed her that the foal would be a colt, and a rather large one that had him worried about the birthing process.
“He’s going to come out half grown at this rate,” Doc had said, as he finished his examination. “I will give her two to three weeks left at the most,” he said as he removed the disposable gloves from his hands. “Bryn will be here just in time to help bring him into the world,” he said with a proud smile.
“Are you sure she is ready to take on your practice?” Sully asked curiously.
Doc chuckled which made his bright eyes sparkle brighter. “She is young, but her education is the best money can buy. Besides that, she still practices some of the timeless methods I taught her when she first graduated,” he added.
“I know you wouldn’t turn the practice over to just anyone,” Sully said.
“Just wait until you meet Bryn before you make a judgment based on youth. She is only two years younger than you,” Doc said with a mischievous grin.
“Point taken,” Sully said, as she returned his smile. In a male dominated world, she remembered the constant doubters who challenged her management of the farm when she first returned to take over.
Doc had been the farm’s vet as long as Sully could remember and it would take some getting used to having anyone else provide medical care to her stock. With a thousand acres and several hundred horses in her breeding stock, Sullivan’s Trace was a large account for Doc Barton and had grown to an invaluable member of her team. Sully planned to send him into retirement with style as she planned to expand her annual Fourth of July cookout with a surprise retirement celebration for Doc. She would still serve up the best BBQ and steaks in the county and would add a fireworks display as well. There was also a very special gift she had ordered for Doc which would be delivered later this week. With Camille’s help it would be a very special celebration.
Bryn slowed as she approached the house. Other than a fresh coat of paint it didn’t look any different than the last time she had been here. That was nearly five years ago when her grandmother had ended her year- long battle with cancer that had eroded her body from the inside out. She could still feel the pain in her grandfather’s eyes as the casket was lowered into the ground and he said his final goodbye to the love of his life. Bryn knew the pain would never leave him completely, but she hoped the spark of life had returned to her grandfather’s eyes.
She smiled when she saw a small figure rise from a rocking chair on the front porch and walk slowly toward the front steps. Camille had been a part of the family forever and had been a rock of support for Doc when his beloved had passed.
Bryn put the truck in park and switched the ignition off. She stepped out of the truck and walked toward the house, a huge smile playing across her face.
“It is so good to see you again, Camille,” she said as she reached to hug her.
Camille welcomed the embrace saying, “I thought this day would never come. Your grandfather has been eagerly awaiting your arrival, but got called away on an emergency a few hours ago.”
“How is he doing?”
“He has slowed down a bit, but still tries to work from dawn until dusk,”
Camille said with a chuckle. “I think deep down though, he is very tired and ready to meet the challenge of retirement.”
“I hope my presence here will allow him the confidence to do just that,” Bryn said, as her arm slipped around Camille’s waist as they walked onto the porch.
“Can I pour you some iced tea?” Camille asked as Bryn sat in one of the rockers.
“That would be fantastic. I have found nothing better to beat this summer heat than a glass of your sweet tea.”
Camille chuckled as she handed Bryn the cool glass. “Just as smooth talker as your grandfather, I see.”
“It must be a family trait,” Bryn said as she smiled and took a long drink.
When she lowered her glass, she looked across the lawn at the heat waves radiating up from the ground. “How long has it been since it has rained?”
“Six weeks and counting,” Camille said. “Every now and then dark clouds form giving us hope of at least a shower, but just as quickly as they form, they disappear without a drop of rain.”
“That must be really tough on the farmers in the area.”
“The corn’s bone dry and the beans are wilting in the heat. Lake levels have dropped dangerously low, so the farmers can’t use the water to irrigate like they have in the past.”
Bryn gazed at the dancing heat waves until the metal clanking sound of a gate rang in her ears in the silence and she looked off to the right.
“Is that still Sullivan’s Trace?” she asked.
“Yes it is. Old man Sullivan died a few years back and Micah returned home to take over the running of the farm and the breeding and training program,” Camille said as she watched Bryn closely.
“I still remember the summer I spent here as a kid and Micah and I became friends only to dissolve once the summer ended and I went home,” Bryn said.
“That was the year your father had surgery wasn’t it?” Camille asked.
“Yes, right after his heart attack. I was twelve years old and my parents brought me here to live with my grandparents while dad recuperated from open heart surgery.”
Bryn squinted against the bright sun and could make out a figure sitting atop the corral fence, leaving her wondering what Micah would be like now. Micah was two years older than she and Bryn had worshipped her that summer. Camille would pack her a lunch and Bryn and Micah would ride horses or swim during the day and darkness would fall before she returned home for dinner.
“How is Micah doing?” Bryn asked curiously.
“She’s doing fine as far as I can tell,” Camille said. “She had an accident a few years ago which left her unable to ride as much as she would like, but she immerses herself in the management of the farm.”
Bryn could tell that Camille too was impressed with Micah.
“Too much so, sometimes I fear,” Camille added.
“Why do you say that?”
“She has a waiting list for her horses a mile long and she doesn’t take time out for herself at all, it’s just work, work, work,” Camille chided. “Just like someone else I know will probably do.”
Bryn smiled, knowing that at least at first she would work long hours until she had fully assessed her grandfathers’ practice to determine their needs. “Once I get into the swing of things, I promise I will try to take it easy.”
“Boy, have I heard that song and dance before,” Camille said, with a deep chuckle.
“Is Sullivan’s Trace still the major customer for grandfather?” she asked.
“Most definitely, he spends a large majority of his time over there,” she said as she looked toward the neighboring farm.
“Good, at least I will be close to home.”
“That you will,” Camille said. “Why don’t you bring your bags in while I tend to dinner,” she suggested. “I expect your grandfather home in an hour or so and I usually try to have dinner ready for him.”
“No wonder he’s so spoiled if you treat him like that,” Bryn teased.
“Your family has been very good to me. After my Herbert passed and I moved out here, they have treated me like family,” she said with a tone of appreciation in her voice.
“You have always been family,” Bryn said as she stood and hugged Camille. “As soon as I finish unpacking I will come down to check on you,” she promised.
“Child, I have been cooking for that old man since before you were born,” Camille said with a laugh. “I know exactly how he likes his food, but you can come and keep me company.”
“As long as I stay out of your way in the kitchen, is that what you are saying?” Bryn asked with a grin.
“Exactly,” Camille answered and disappeared into the house.
Bryn walked out to the truck and filled her arms with luggage to carry into the house. It was a two story home, much too large for such a small family, but her grandfather would not even discuss moving into something smaller. He could not bear to leave the home of so many beautiful memories behind. Bryn climbed the steps and pushed open the door to her old room.
Camille had placed fresh linens on the bed and Bryn walked across the room to place the luggage down at the foot of the bed. She looked at the double French doors and walked over to them. With a quick twist of the knobs she opened the door to a small private balcony that looked out toward the Trace. Just as she had remembered, Bryn smiled to herself. So many mornings were spent sitting in the rocker waiting until the sun rose so she could begin the next grand adventure with Micah.
The thought of her old friend sent a strange sensation of warmth through her body. Surprised by her body’s reaction she shook her shoulders and returned inside to start putting away her clothing.
Sully stepped gingerly off the fence and followed Glen into the stables. “Be sure to give him a good rubdown after you remove his tack,” she said, as she turned to leave the barn.
“Yes ma’am,” he said as he walked the young stallion into the stables.
Sully stopped and turned back toward Glen. “You did a good job today, Glen.”
“Thanks, Sully, that means a lot coming from you,” he said with pride.
Sully returned his smile as she started for the house. _________________ Alli
Last edited by Allison on Thu Nov 26, 2009 4:27 pm; edited 31 times in total
Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:58 am
MysteryGirl Moderators
Joined: 02 Jun 2007
Posts: 3419
Location: I come from a land downunder
YEEEEEEEEEEEE HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!
Finally, a new Alli story
Sounding good already girl!
HugZ, Noni _________________ Be yourself.............everybody else is taken!
Wed Jul 16, 2008 3:09 am
Stormchaser
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 95
Darnit Alli
How the hell am I ever supposed to sleep like a normal human being with you writing as well as you do?
Oh well, there definitely aren't many better things to stay awake to enjoy. _________________ "Life isn't about the number of breaths we take. It's about the moments that take our breath away."
Wed Jul 16, 2008 7:11 am
Jamie B
Joined: 27 Jun 2008
Posts: 28
Location: Texas
Good to see you writting another story for us. Hope to read more soon
Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:54 pm
angelsheart
Joined: 19 Nov 2006
Posts: 496
Location: Nis/ Serbia
You started so many stories and didn t finish them .....
This is a fantastic beginning and so promising mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
_________________ There used to be a grayin' tower all alone on the sea... You became the light on the dark side of me...
Thu Jul 17, 2008 7:11 pm
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
Thanks Noni. Time to write has been very rare lately. Glad you are enjoying so far.
Alli _________________ Alli
Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:05 pm
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
LOL Thanks Storm. It feels good to be able to post again.
Alli _________________ Alli
Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:06 pm
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
Thanks Jamie. I'm glad you are enjoying the read.
Alli _________________ Alli
Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:07 pm
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
Grins at Angel and shrugs...what can I say? I will eventually get back to other stories, but hope to finish a few short ones in between. Have patience with me
Alli _________________ Alli
Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:09 pm
Stormchaser
Joined: 04 Aug 2007
Posts: 95
More please
Hey there Alli, I'm having a rough week. Howz about a good distraction? Keep it coming please. I already love these characters. _________________ "Life isn't about the number of breaths we take. It's about the moments that take our breath away."
Sun Jul 20, 2008 5:31 am
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
Part Two
Bryn finished putting her clothes away and joined Camille in the kitchen.
“Is that your fried chicken I smell?” she asked as she stepped back into the kitchen.
“Fried chicken, rice, gravy fresh tomatoes and corn I picked just today,” Camille said.
“Dear Lord, how will I keep from gaining a ton of weight eating your cooking?” Bryn joked.
“You will be so busy you will burn every calorie off I can feed you,” Camille promised. “Somehow I still don’t think you realize just how large your grandfather’s practice really is,” she said with a grin, as she shook her head from side to side.
“You are beginning to scare me,” Bryn said. “I wonder now if I have bitten off more than I can chew,” she said, a worried frown furrowing her brow.
Camille chuckled softly. “If your grandfather can handle it at his age, I am sure you will be just fine, Bryn, so don’t let my prattling worry you.”
Bryn settled into a stool at the breakfast bar and took up a fresh glass of tea. She was lost in her thoughts and did not hear her grandfather’s approach up the drive.
Sully stepped onto her front porch just as she heard Doc Barton’s old truck turn into his drive. Camille would have dinner waiting for him and he would spend this night getting reacquainted with Bryn. She felt a twinge of jealousy as she stepped through her front door and walked to the kitchen to find it cold and empty. How nice it would be to have someone to cook for her, she thought for a brief moment then shook a painful memory from her mind.
Sully and Alisa had been lovers for three years before her father got sick and she was called back home to run the family business. Alisa had been born and raised a city girl and three months after Sully’s father passed, Alisa decided she needed the city to be happy. Sully walked into the house one afternoon to find Alisa’s bags packed and her lover sitting down at the desk to write her a note. When Sully realized what was happening, her anger rose quickly.
“Were you going to leave just like that, with nothing more than a note?” she demanded to know.
“I didn’t know how or what to say to you Sully,” Alisa said with tears in her eyes. “I am withering away out here and I must leave. I know you have responsibilities here, so I won’t ask you to join me,” she said as she balled the paper in her fist and dropped it into the trash.
Sully felt betrayed by Alisa after all they had shared together. “I thought all you wanted was to be with me,” she said, her anger forcing the words from her throat.
“I’ve changed. I just cannot live with the isolation out here,” Alisa said. “My heart yearns for the sounds of traffic and the rumble of train cars.”
“Let me help you with your bags and you can be out of my life then,” Sully said with venom.
“Sully, please don’t make this any harder than what it is for me already,” Alisa begged.
“It can’t be too hard, if you can just walk out like this with no discussion and no chance of a compromise,” Sully spat at her. Even as the words left her lips, Sully realized there would be no compromise. She would not leave the farm, even for a woman as beautiful as Alisa. She grabbed up the last two bags and strode angrily out to Alisa’s car and tossed them into the back seat.
Alisa had followed Sully outside and stood frozen, her jaw hanging slack as Sully stormed past her without another word and slammed the front door behind her. She turned for a final look, then walked to her car and drove away.
For several months, Sully had sunk into a well of bitterness and self pity at the betrayal she felt. After she had drowned her sorrows in enough single malt scotch, Sully decided her life would go on and she would never allow a woman to hurt her again like Alisa had. She focused all her energy on the management of the farm and did her best to fight off the loneliness that some nights was almost unbearable.
Sully walked to the fridge and created a sandwich for her meal and pulled a cold beer from the shelf. She sat at the small kitchen table and watched as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon. She finished her sandwich and took her beer to the front porch to sit in one of the heavy rockers by the front door. She sipped her beer and watched as the shore of the small lake came to life with the dancing of fireflies.
Glittering bright green and yellow, the small insects floated across the warm night as they danced to entice their mates. Sully could not resist joining them on the lake’s shore and she walked down to take a seat at the edge of the water. She had not thought of Alisa in months and shook her head trying to erase the memories from her mind. The hurt stung anew as she thought back to the last day.
Alisa had taken her breath away the first time they had met with her amazing beauty. Sully had been instantly smitten with her and gave her heart away so easily, the same heart Alisa crushed when she left so abruptly. It had always come down to Alisa’s needs over Sully’s and up until that point, Sully had always compromised her needs for Alisa’s, but when Sully took a stand for her needs, Alisa took the opportunity to flee.
Sully shook her head again. “Get a hold of your heart girl,” she spoke out loud. “She is gone and you are better off without her dominating your life,” she said weakly to herself.
Sully drained the beer and sat back into the deep chair. The moon had risen, full and shone brightly down upon the rippling water. A slight breeze had come up in the early evening, but did little to ease the oppressive heat. A sudden flash of lightning in the distance caught Sully’s attention. Mother Nature would tease them with a distant electrical storm, but refused to send them the rain they desperately needed. Crops would continue to whither, while animals and humans alike wilted in the deadly heat.
Sully closed her eyes and laid her head back against the chair, her ears full of the sounds of the night.
After sharing a delicious meal with Bryn and Camille, Doc suggested he and Bryn step out to the porch for a chat.
“It is so good to finally have you here,” he said, as they took seats in two rockers on the porch.
“It feels good to be here,” Bryn replied. “I look forward to beginning to work with you,” she added.
“There is so much to share with you in the next few weeks,” Doc said. “If you are ready, we will get a start at the office tomorrow morning and check the schedule.”
“That sounds great,” Bryn said as she studied her grandfather’s weathered face.
Doc stared out across the lawn at the lightning flashing in the distance. “Damn, I wish we could get some rain around here.”
“Should I go out and dance a rain dance?” Bryn teased.
“I am almost to the point where I would be willing to do one myself,” Doc answered. “Even the lakes are beginning to dry up around here,” he said as his eyes stretched across the darkness toward Sullivan’s Trace.
“We should make a visit to see Sully tomorrow,” Doc said.
“Sully” Bryn asked?
“Micah hasn’t been called by her first name in years. She was nicknamed Sully late in high school and the name has stuck,” her grandfather explained.
“That is good information to know. What else should I be aware of?”
Doc cocked his head at his granddaughter. “Well, I guess that depends. Sullivan’s Trace is still my largest client, giving me at least seventy-five percent of my business,” he said.
“What’s she like. That summer of our friendship was so many years ago, I can hardly remember what she looks like,” Bryn said.
Doc’s eyes glistened as he spoke of Sully and Bryn quickly picked up on the admiration her grandfather had for Sully. “She is incredible with the horses and her steeds are the most desired cutting horses in North America,” he explained. “She learned well of breeding and training from her father and has lifted the farm beyond what her father had ever dreamed it would be.”
“Married? Children?” Bryn asked.
Doc looked directly into Bryn’s eyes. “No, she has never married. There was a woman with her when she first moved back, but her longing for city life got the better of her,” he said with a grin. “I can’t honestly say, I was sad to see her go,” he admitted.
Bryn sat quietly as she waited for her grandfather to expand on his comment, but Doc remained quiet. She found her eyes drifting over to the large barn which blocked the house where Sully lived apparently alone now.
“Funny though,” Doc said. “When I told Sully you were coming out to take over, she asked the same questions about you.”
Bryn was stunned by her grandfather’s revelation. She had doubted that Sully would even remember her after all these years. She had assumed Sully, who was several years older would have easily forgotten the long legged, pony tailed girl who worshipped her that summer.
“So, what did you tell her?” she asked curiously.
“Oh, I just said you were concentrating on work and waiting for your soul mate,” Doc said with a grin.
Bryn felt her cheeks flush under the dim porch light. She had never shared her brief, limited experience with Rose right after she finished college, but she knew he was very perceptive and read her expressions perfectly. “Was her sly fox of a grandfather attempting to play matchmaker here?” she wondered. He did appear to think very highly of Sully, but how could he really know both women were attracted to other women?
“Nice answer,” Bryn said, as the clock in the foyer chimed loudly.
Doc glanced at the watch on his wrist. “We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow and you must be tired from your travels,” he said. “Why don’t we call it a night and get an early start in the morning,” he suggested.
“That sounds like a good plan,” Bryn said as she stood and stretched before she reached to pick up their glasses.
“I’ll get those,” Doc said.”Go on up and I will see you in the morning.”
Bryn leaned over and kissed her grandfather on the cheek. “It’s good to be home,” she said.
“It’s great to have you here,” he said as he picked up the glasses and moved to hold the door open for his granddaughter. “Camille has breakfast ready by six,” he said as Bryn walked passed him.
“I will see you in the morning then,” Bryn said as she started up the stairs.
“Goodnight,” Doc said, before he watched her disappear up the stairway.
Camille had turned on a small lamp beside the bed in Bryn’s room and she was met by a cool breeze as she closed the door behind her. The door to the balcony was open and a breeze was flowing softly into the bedroom. Bryn felt herself drawn to the balcony which faced Sullivan’s Trace. The moon had risen fully and was shining down onto the small lake.
Sully had drifted off to sleep sitting at the lake and the cool breeze that had come up chilled her awake. She stood and stretched before turning toward the house. A hot shower and clean sheets would be a welcome to her body, she thought as she made her way to the house.
Bryn strained her eyes in the darkness. Maybe it was her imagination, but she thought she saw a figure moving through the dark at the edge of the lake. She relaxed and allowed her eyes to adjust to the darkness. They confirmed that someone, presumably Sully was walking from the lake toward the house. She was excited to meet Sully again tomorrow and watched her until she was hidden by the barn.
Sully’s eyes were drawn to Doc’s house and she saw the silhouette of a figure standing on the second floor balcony. That was Bryn’s room during the summer of her visit and Sully wondered what it would be like to meet her as an adult. She took that thought with her as she climbed the steps to the house in search of a hot shower.
Bryn changed into a light pair of pajamas and selected clothing for the next day before climbing into the bed and turning out the light. She was asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow and her dreams were quick to arrive.
Sully lingered in the hot shower, enjoying the water against her skin as it erased the weariness of the day from her muscles. She dried her body and slipped into a light robe as she walked through the house to turn off the lights. In her bedroom, she pulled the covers back on her king sized bed and draped her robe over the foot of the bed. Her naked skin welcomed the feel of cool sheets as she lowered her body onto the bed. The soft thumping of the ceiling fan lulled her into sleep with her mind still thinking of Bryn and a smile playing on her face. _________________ Alli
Tue Jul 22, 2008 12:58 am
KYle
Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 30
Jippy!!! New story from Allison!!! Can't wait for MORE!!!
Tue Jul 22, 2008 11:37 am
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
LOL Thanks Kyle. I'm working on it.
Alli _________________ Alli
Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:00 am
Allison
Joined: 12 Oct 2005
Posts: 4216
Location: Florida
LOL Thanks Kyle. I'm working on it.
Alli _________________ Alli
Wed Jul 23, 2008 12:00 am
sillywolf
Joined: 09 Jul 2007
Posts: 311
Location: The last frontier
YAY! Alli is writing again! Great story... *sits and waits for more*
Silly _________________ Smile. It makes people wonder.
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