Second Harvest

Roy leaned around the hind quarters of the mare. "Because Abe, I want to know the filly's breeding stock. The colt will tend to grow up and be just like her mother." Roy smiled up at Sara. "They're both great animals and healthy. How much do you want for the filly?"

"I'm asking thirty dollars." Sara's voice was hesitant, thinking she might be asking too much.

"That seems more than fair. Is she weaned yet?"

Standing with the fence between them, Sara and Roy played with the young filly as it nibbled on Roy's fingers.

"She's weaned and eating as much as her mother, but like all children, they're never far from the teat."

Turning his face, Roy blushed from embarrassment. "I'll take her," he mumbled.

Roy's humble reaction attracted Sara. Roy was the silent, strong type and Sara was too young to spend the rest of her life alone. I need to be cautious, she thought. In her nervousness, she tried some light banter.

"For another five dollars, I'll throw in Abe too," Sara joked.

"Maw!" bellowed Abe.

Sara tickled Abe, who giggled and ran away. "Abe, you're the man around here. I'd never sell you."

Then Billy spoke, "Maybe for a hundred dollars."

Everyone had a great laugh. The boys started running again. Roy began to feel more at ease and saw that Sara was friendlier as well.

"What's wrong with your well Sara?"

"I can't figure it out. It stopped pumping, and we need it working. I use it to water the fields." Sara pointed to an area behind the house.

Roy saw a large field of wheat, corn, and barley growing in the area. The plants were about six to ten inches tall. "That's a beautiful garden. You water the plants with the well?" Roy asked with an unbelievable tone.

"Not at the moment Roy, and if we don't get water on the plants soon, I'm going to lose my harvest this year."

"If it's okay with you, I'll take a look at it?"

Sara stuck out her arm. "Fine by me, be my guest."

The two worked side-by-side on the well for several hours. When the sun was about an hour from sunset, Roy called it quits.

"I think it's the main pump. It appears to be worn out and won't hold pressure. When Mr. Riddle lived here, he wouldn't buy quality parts. He'd always find something used or cheap."

"So, you knew the Riddle family?

Roy's expression became serious. "Their son and I were good friends. Stanley and I met when we were about Billy's age."

"I only knew about Mr. Riddle. Poor man lost his mind and moved back east somewhere."