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Katherine was exhausted; they were putting plans in place for spring planting and calving. She had made two trips into town for full pickup loads of supplies and was now trying to keep her eyes open during the third dinner with Maxwell Higgins as a guest. She still needed to make it to town for the quad community meeting regarding some new community action items being voted on. She caught herself inadvertently putting her arm down, looking at her watch checking on the time.
Maxwell wasn’t a bad guy at all. She enjoyed his hardworking, dedicated, steady nature in helping develop plans for the farm. He had his spread on the other side of their property and was making a name for himself, trying new endeavors of his own to increase income. He was in charge after having lost his father six years ago, and under his leadership, his farm was expanding and doing well. His family hadn’t been on the land nearly as long as Katherine’s had, as they bought the property only about ten years previously. Maxwell was a decade older than her, and at forty was still not married. This begged the question of what was wrong with him besides the extra pounds that padded his frame. She looked him over from the dark hair, green eyes, and jovial personality and realized it was her. She wasn’t attracted to him in the least and was probably being catty in her assessment.
Maxwell had never made a move on her or even indicated he was interested in her. He appeared to love bouncing ideas off her and her daddy and enjoyed a good argument on the pros and cons of various farming techniques. She kind of wished that a spark could flicker there, it would solve a whole bunch of worries. Unfortunately, despite copious amounts of time spent in his presence, nothing was happening on that front.
“I have to head into town,” she announced, pushing back slightly from her place setting at the table.
“Are you going to the meeting about the new resale shop initiative?” Maxwell asked her.
“Yep.”
“I can’t make it, as I still have a couple of hours of chores at home waiting for me. Please pass on that I am supportive, and I have a good couple dozen workers that could receive help from some services. I believe my workers with kids would especially love the idea of being able to drop off and pick up items free of charge. The food during school breaks and a couple of other services would also be very beneficial to them.”
“People should take care of their own, I don’t believe in handouts,” her father groused.
“Daddy, just because we have been blessed to have never needed help, doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be using what we have to assist those that do,” Katherine interjected gently. “I appreciate and will pass on your sentiments and support,” she directed the response to Maxwell.
“Katherine, don’t you walk out on me,” her father said in a raised voice.
Katherine turned toward him and then to her mother. She could remember just two times in her life where her father had addressed her in such a tone. She didn’t understand this new side to him but hoped her mother knew what was going on. From the pained expression on her face, she realized that was a lost cause. She bent to wrap an arm around her mom and gave her a gentle squeeze, which was returned in kind. After a glance in her father’s direction, she decided against the same gesture for him as she wasn’t feeling it right now and could use the distance before she said anything she would regret.
As she walked from the room, she released the breath she had been holding in. She was worried that if something didn’t give soon, she would have to leave her family farm. She could not be the child that was disrespectful to her parents, but her father’s new behaviors were having a negative impact on her mood and actions.
Glancing at her watch, she knew she needed to get a move on and leave the troubles of home for another day.
