When the City Meets Country

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams, is twenty seven, and has a younger brother Cody, who is his co-owner of Adam's Farm. A farm in which had been in the family for many generations. Their parents had just retired a few years ago and since then, business has been dry. So to help them pay for the land and the equipment to take care of it, Cody came up with the idea of tourists coming around and having a three week tour of the place, stay in their house and learn how the farm works. Tyler rejected the idea from the start, but Cody made the call anyway, owning fifty percent of the place. Eventually Tyler was forced to go along with the idea that he may be able to hide from the people and still get all his work done. Not the case of course, Tyler being the best worker and, to be frank, handsome, he did get most of the attention from the tourists whether he liked it or not.

Today they would be receiving a new batch of tourists. It being winter time here in the south they don't have a whole lot of crops growing on this particular farm although it's still warm and taking care of the animals is a job in itself. Cody had gone down to pick up the new group, two families and a few couples, and should be back in moments with them. Strange how bright and cherry that boy can be with strangers whereas Tyler can't even look at someone with a friendly smile if he hadn't known them his whole life.

Tyler was cleaning the horses stalls, on Cody's command of course. First day here everyone will want to do the fun things like feeding them apples and carrots or learning how to brush them properly. Two things Tyler held close to his heart for doing by himself and he couldn't stand to see some kid brushing them wrong and irritating his horses, he had the tendency to pamper them with such minor things that not all of them were the friendliest of horses around strangers.

When Nolan Dawley first heard about his parents winter vacation plans, he found it insane, ridiculous and trivial. Why would someone want to take a vacation, only to turn around and work again. The time his family had together was slim enough as it was, but now his parents wanted to go off to a farm, to "experience another life" for a few weeks. It made no sense to him. And that idea was quickly followed by the obviously insane lawyer informing his son he was to go with them; that they would have more 'bonding time' on a farm, instead of stuck in the large city. Nolan mentally cursed his family, but said nothing to argue. He knew there was no point in it; that he would be dragged along behind them on their stupid plan. His younger half-sister had practically packed his bags, bubbling over with excitement to get to work and live with horses, and the five of them climbed into their car to start the journey.

The twenty five year old watched as buildings faded into fields, as his precious world vanished, only to be replaced with the familiar red farms he had read about as a child. If it wasn't for the music he brought along, Nolan would have lost his mind on the trip there. His step-mother kept babbling about how wonderful it was the group of them would be able to bond, how this was the first vacation they had together as a family, and his father agreed with her every word. The fifteen year old girl refused to forget the idea that the farm had horses and went so far as to attempt to convince her parents to buy a horse for her. They responded with a swift no, but remained vague on the topic of a dog. And the seven year old boy was left whining in the seat in front of Nolan. By the end of the ride, he was ready to throw himself out of the car head first. Luckily the car slowed to a stop in the long driveway, pulling behind several other vans and cars nearby a small group of people who all seemed to be there for the same reason.

Nolan exited the van like a bat out of hell, only to be met with the scent of wood and farm life. It wasn't displeasing, as he had grown used to it in the car, but his youngest sibling didn't let anyone forget how badly it smelt outside. Nolan was already embarrassed to be around them and quickly slipped away into the small crowd. Their host greeted them happily and lead them to the stable, informing them of their first job; feeding the horses. Something told the brunette that was a set up and it wouldn't be that easy after their first task. Some of the girls in the group were giddy at the idea of being able to feed the animals so early and get to see the horses up close. The boys wanted to see the pigs or cows while many of the adults were just happy to get away from their normal lives in the city, whatever they may be.

As soon as the entered the stable, the younger women brightened up from the chilled air and entered, following behind Cody to make sure they were the very first to feet the strong animals. Nolan's parents were more eager than he had ever seen them to be there and took both Ashley and Sean towards the food being handed out by Cody.

Nolan on the other hand, hung back, his eyes settling on the closest animal with caution and even hidden curiosity. He had never been anywhere near a farm in his life and while he knew even the slightest idea of being interested would doom him for the remainder of the trip, his cerulean blue eyes lightly danced over the long face beside him.