Page 4 of Country Charm

I let out a heavy sigh. I do love those girls, cows or not.

Lynn is our eternal sweet girl. She was the first to get married. The first to apologize if something happened, even if she didn’t need to say sorry. Her pranks were always the lightest. Honestly, the glitter could have been her because it’s a cute prank. Georgie, Mary, and I, we tend to be more tenacious. Our jokes on Lynn though are our most tame. We don’t want to scar the poor girl.

One year, when she was turning twenty-three, we set up a stuffed animal in the road and hit it on our way to the bar for her birthday drinks. She cried for thirty minutes, and her mood for the night was ruined. We all vowed then that our pranks on Lynn must be less… cruel.

I’m a little surprised the girls did something so simple this year, but maybe we are all winding down in our old age.

Chapter Three

Hunter

The market is booming. The summer months bring people from all around. City slickers even come out to spend a quiet weekend and enjoy seeing how small towns do things. And maybe their definition of quiet is different because, in my eyes, our town is quite loud.

Ever since Harrison and my stupid talk, I couldn’t get the idea out of my head. Maybe he had a small point. Having a partner could make things better. I’m not saying things aren’t good, but maybe they could get even better from here.

Last night after we ate dinner, we video-called our parents. They seemed to be enjoying Washington, but more than that, we could tell they were enjoying spending time together.

My parents were married and had both of us by my age. I know I’m not old or behind, but I’m also not getting any younger. Prioritizing taking over the farm and making sure it was running smoothly had been my goal for so long. What’s next for me?

“Hey, Hunter!” a high-pitched voice calls over the stand. I lift my head and see a familiar face approach.

“Hey, Franny,” I regard. She is a good-lookin’ girl. Short, thin, with a narrow set of hips, she has straw blonde hair and warm brown eyes.

I can say I like all those things about her. Franny is also a pinch too lazy for my taste. She’s the kind that likes to watch her brothers take care of things around her parents’ shop. She gets huffy whenever the shop gets busy and has to get off her phone to help out. I’m looking for someone who is more than just pretty; she has to be tenacious, driven, maybe even a little stubborn.

“You need any soaps or anything? Our stand is moving so fast today, I don’t think Mama brought enough!” She leans against one of my tables. Her cutoff shorts show her thin legs and I look down at her pristine boots. I can't imagine them walking through dirt, mud, or wet hay. When my eyes move back to her face, she grins thinking she just caught me checking her out.

“Nah, thanks, Franny. If I need something, I’ll come by the store and get it there. I hope y’all sell out today.” My dismissal of her offer makes her pout for a moment, but she catches it.

“Well, if you do head to the shop, you make sure you peek into the window for me first. I think I’d be able to help you find your best options.”

“I appreciate it, and will keep that in mind.” I feel bad for kind of leading her on, but my pop raised me to treat girls as equals, and gently. They don’t need to feel bad when they’re making an effort at something.

“You know, you have my number, you could just text me too. Ya know to see if I’m at the shop… or not.” She’s turning as red as the tomatoes on my stand.

“Thanks, Franny.” I smile.

She makes a quick exit and gives me a small wave.

Watching her go makes me scan the crowds. A lot of people walking these markets have someone with them. Especially the out-of-towners.

I don’t think I particularly want to date a girl from my hometown. Too much history, too close to home.

I’ve taken plenty out and never felt a pull to them. Not the kind of pull my parents have for each other. That’s just the kind of thing I’m looking for. I know city people like to use those dating apps, so maybe there could be one of those things for me.

Jake is manning the tables fine since the morning crowds have died down. We’re mostly sold out, so I think it wouldn’t be a bad time to relax. Leaning against the bed of my truck I watch the town and my stand. For me, this is a slice of paradise.

“Hey, Jake, you got a girlfriend?” I ask.

The boy almost drops a head of lettuce. “What, sir?”

“Ya’ know, a girl who you date regularly? You’re old enough for that, right?”

“Yes, sir. I only have my permit. Girls like guys who have cars or can at least afford to take them out for a movie and some grub.” He fills the bag for a customer, hands her the change, and then turns back to me. “I need to practice driving more, but Ma brings the car to work, so I can only practice with my buddy Brady and his brother.”

“So, for young kids having a car and money are sort of the selling points?” I rub my stubbled chin.

He laughs. “Sir, for any age I think having a car and money are selling points. So, since I don’t have either of those, I don’t have a girl.”

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