The Country Girl: A Lesbian Romance Page 2

  The other two women added their hands. “Agreed,” Jane and Laura said together.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jane closed on the house the day before and she was meeting Millie at what was now her house. She pulled into the driveway and waved to Nicole when she got out of the car. Millie pulled in behind her and got out of her truck with a folder.

  “Hi Jane,” Millie said as she approached.

  “Hey, Millie. What have you got there?” Jane asked.

  “I’ve been making some drawings while I waited for you to close on the house. Let’s go inside and I’ll show you my ideas.”

  Jane followed Millie as she opened the folder and took out the plans. Millie explained what she was going to do with the first floor: what walls would come down and how everything was going to be insulated and new water and electrical installed.

  “So if you’re in agreement with the plans, I’ll apply for the permits.” Millie returned the plans to the folder. “Alice will stop by in the next couple of weeks so she can draw up landscaping plans for you.”

  “I can’t wait to see what the two of you do to this place,” Jane said excited.

  “The garage will be the last thing we do. This way you can move into the house while we’re working on the garage.”

  “When do you think you’ll be able to start?” Jane asked.

  “Hopefully, within the next two weeks.” Millie grinned. “Then we get to take this place apart.”

  Jane’s jaw dropped. “Apart?”

  “Honey, you have to destroy it before you put it back together.” Millie patted Jane’s shoulder as they walked back outside. “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.”

  Jane put her arm through Millie’s. “I know you will take good care of my baby.”

  Nicole watched the two women come out of the house. Jane was smiling and holding Millie’s arm. She could tell how happy Jane was and wondered if it was the woman on her arm or the house. The two women got into their vehicles and drove off.

  Nicole closed up the stand at six o’clock and went back to the house. She could hear raised voices as she neared the back door. As she opened the door, she heard her father’s raised voice.

  “You ungrateful son of bitch,” Hank yelled as he grabbed Mark’s collar.

  Her mother tried to defuse the situation. “Hank, please let him go.”

  “What’s going on in here?” Nicole asked walking into the room.

  “Your brother joined the service,” Hank screamed, but let go of Mark.

  “You did, Mark?” Nicole asked looking at her brother.

  “Yes, Nicole. Mom and dad got the money from the house and they can afford to hire someone to help in the fields.” Marks voice lowered. “I need to get away from here.”

  Her mother dragged her father from the room before another explosion occurred.

  “Nicole, I’m sorry to leave you alone here, but I want a life and I’m not going to get that here.”

  “But the service?” Nicole asked.

  “What better way to see the world,” he said with a grin. “I don’t want to be a farmer. I know you don’t either, but they don’t give you a chance to do anything else.” Mark touched Nicole’s hand. “You don’t even have a love life because of what they’d say.”

  Nicole looked up shocked. “What do you mean?” she asked softly.

  “I know you’re gay,” Mark whispered. “If you stay here, you’ll never be happy.” He chuckled. “I don’t want you to join the service. You’re too old anyway, but you have to start thinking about yourself. Don’t let them destroy your life because their parents did it to them.” Mark picked up his duffle bag. “I’ll call you when I can, Nicole.” Mark held her tightly.

  “You be careful, Mark. Don’t leave me alone with them,” Nicole said pointing a finger toward the other room.

  “I’ll be careful. I love you, Nic.” Mark opened the back door. “Jordan is driving me to the bus station.”

  “I love you too.” The tears began to fall down her cheek. She was happy that Mark was getting away from the farm, but worried about his safety.

  When Nicole got herself together, she walked into the living room where her parents were sitting. “Mark is gone,” she said taking a seat.

  “I’m going to need your help more in the fields now,” Hank said pointing his stern finger.

  Nicole looked from her mother to her father. “No, Dad. Mark’s right. You’ve got the money to hire help in the fields. I want to get myself a part-time job.”

  “Are you going to continue with the stand?” Hank asked raising his voice.

  “Yes,” Nicole said softly.

  “Those are my fruits and vegetables you are selling out there.”

  “Yes, and I have worked in the fields and done work on this farm that I’ve never been paid a cent for,” Nicole shot back.

  “I put a roof over your head and fed you,” Hank yelled back.

  “I think you got more out of me then I got from you,” Nicole shouted back to him.

  Nicole watched Hank get up from his chair and go out the back door.

  “Honey, I’m sorry that we’ve put so much on you and Mark.” Karen lowered her head. “But we needed both of you to help.”

  “I know Mom, but I’m thirty years old and I don’t have a life,” Nicole choked on her words.

  Her mother’s head shot up and took the seat next to her daughter. “I know, Nicole. I know you deserve to have a life too.”

  “Mom, I can’t keep working the farm and live like this the rest of my life.”

  “I know, dear. I’ll talk to your dad, but he’s going to need you until he finds a few men to come in and help with the work.”

  “I know that, Mom. I’ll do what I have to, but he has to hire someone.”

  “He will. Don’t worry.” Karen stood. “Let me make you a plate of food to eat, and then I’ll go find your dad.”

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The next morning, Nicole met her father in the fields. “Good morning, Dad.” Nicole waited for an answer.

  Hank looked at his daughter. “I’m sorry, Nicole.” He took his hat off his head and wiped his brow. “I put an ad in the paper this morning.”

  Nicole smiled. “Dad, I was looking at the Agricultural schools around here and I thought you might want to advertise for an apprentice. Someone might be happy to get hands-on experience. You can offer them room, board and a small salary.” Nicole grinned. “They might be able to help you with some new ideas.”

  Hank put his hat back on his head and looked away. “Do you think that would be a good idea?”

  “I think it’s worth a shot, Dad,” Nicole answered.

  “So where are you going to look for a job?” Hank asked.

  “I thought I would apply at the big hardware store once you’ve hired enough help. This way I can work early or late and still run the farm stand.” Nicole tried not to show how excited she was to have the opportunity to do something else with her life.

  “I think that sounds like a good idea,” Hank said looking at his daughter. “I’m sorry, Nicole. My parents never gave me an opportunity to do something else and I did it to you and Mark.”

  Nicole knew her father was trying, so she tried to let him off the hook. “I have loved working on the farm, Dad. I just need to have a life outside of the farm.”

  “I know you do, Nicole. You should have a husband and children by now.”

  Nicole knew she couldn’t tell her dad that this wasn’t her dream, but she couldn’t find the words to tell him. So she told him the only thing she could, “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”

  “I love you too, Nicole,” Hank said hiding his tears.

  In the next two weeks, Hank hired two high school students and after many interviews, decided on Peter Haskell to be the intern. Peter went to the nearby agricultural school and he seemed very mature for his twenty years. Nicole could now apply for a job at the hardware store.

  Nicole opened the farm stand ea
rly today because her dad had enough helpers in the field to do the work she had been doing. She opened her book to read when several trucks pulled into the house next door. Nicole wondered when the dumpster had been delivered because one sat on the front lawn. She watched as men and women left the trucks and picked up their tools. The first thing the workers tackled was the front porch. Once it had been removed and put in the dumpster, the rest of the workers went into the house. Nicole continued to hear the sounds of construction as she waited on customers and read her book. At lunchtime the group came out of the house and reached for their coolers. One by one they took a seat and began eating lunch. A few of the workers walked up to her stand.

  “Hi,” a tall woman said as she walked into the stand.

  “Hey,” Nicole said standing, “Is there something in particular you’re looking for?”

  “Do you have anything cold to drink?” the woman asked.

  “Sure. We have water and lemonade in the refrigerator,” Nicole answered as the other woman put tomatoes into a plastic bag.

  “How are the peaches?” the woman asked after putting her tomatoes on the counter.

  “Sweet,” Nicole said with a smile.

  The woman took another plastic bag and chose three peaches while the other woman approached the register with her lemonade and two peaches.

  Nicole rang up her purchase. “Sounds like a lot of destruction going on next door,” she noted as the woman removed her wallet from her jeans.

  “Always is, in the beginning.” The woman looked at Nicole and smiled. “I’m Kay and this is Alex.”

  Nicole looked at the two women and her gaydar told her they were gay. “Nicole, and it’s nice to meet you both.”

  Alex walked toward the register. “Looks like we’ll be eating well this summer. Alicia’s going to love these tomatoes.”

  Nicole smiled. “If she doesn’t, I’ll give you your money back.”

  The other woman looked at Nicole. “Thanks for the lemonade. I’ll be seeing you,” Kay said with a wink.

  Nicole watched them walk away. The tall woman had openly flirted with her and Nicole realized it had been a long time since any woman showed her any interest. She hadn’t been to the bars in months and now seeing the two women walk away, Nicole knew she would have to stop back there soon. The tall woman had dark brown hair pulled into a ponytail and the muscles in her arms and stomach were visible through her tight shirt. The blue eyes were light and when she winked at Nicole, she felt her stomach tighten in response. The other woman was shorter and stocky, but had a pretty face. The mention of Alicia told Nicole that she was involved in a relationship. The workers left the house at five o’clock.

  Nicole watched as Jane pulled up in her car. She got out of her car and began looking around at the work that had been done that day. Nicole watched Jane go into the house wearing clothes that were suitable for work and not for going into a dusty house. Jane came out of the house and walked to the farm stand.

  “Hi Jane,” Nicole said as she approached.

  “Hey, Nicole. They accomplished a lot of work today,” Jane said pointing next door. “It does look like a disaster though,” she said with a laugh.

  “I’m sure it will be beautiful when it’s done,” Nicole offered quietly.

  “That’s what I’m told. I think I’ll get some fruit while I’m here.” Jane grabbed a couple of plastic bags and walked around the stand.

  “The peaches are sweet,” Nicole said to Jane’s back. While Jane chose her fruit, Nicole’s phone rang. “Yes, this is Nicole.” She listened to the voice on the other end. “Yes, I can come in for an interview tomorrow morning.”

  Jane watched as the smile widened on Nicole’s face.

  “Thank you. I’ll see you then.”

  Jane brought her bags over to the register. “That phone call seemed to make you happy,” Jane said chuckling.

  “I applied for a job at the large hardware store.”

  “Giving up farming?”

  “This farm is my parents and I’m looking to do something different.”

  “You’re not going to close the farm stand down are you?” Jane asked.

  “No. I’m hoping to get hours that will work around my time here.”

  “Good. I like your vegetables and fruit and would hate to lose something so close to my future home.”

  Nicole chuckled. “Yes, and I hope your workers continue to support my stand. I met two of the workers today.”

  “Oh yeah?” Jane asked. “Which ones?”

  “Kay and Alex.”

  “They’ve been with Millie for about ten years. They’re both very nice.” Jane looked at Nicole and wanted to tell her that Kay was gay, but she didn’t want to be presumptuous of Nicole’s sexual orientation. So she just said, “You’d like Kay.” Jane picked up her bag. “Thanks again, Nicole. Good luck with your interview.”

  “Thanks, Jane. Goodbye.” Nicole watched Jane walk back to her car and pull away. Now she thought about what Jane had said and her comment about Kay. She must have figured out I’m gay and was trying to tell me that Kay was also, Nicole said to the empty stand.

  ****

  Nicole came out of the hardware store on cloud nine. She had been offered a job on the spot and she was going to be working the seven to eleven-hour shift in the morning. She would be running the contractor cashier. Nicole decided to celebrate the evening at her favorite lesbian bar.

  After the interview, she opened her stand and spent the day waiting on customers and the workers from next door. Kay arrived again at lunchtime.

  “The peaches were as sweet as the owner,” Kay said with a wink.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed them,” Nicole responded, feeling her face turn red.

  Kay smiled and walked around the stand and picked up the cut watermelon. “Are these sweet too?”

  “Very.” Nicole didn’t meet her gaze.

  Kay took the watermelon and two bottles of water and walked over to the cash register. She watched as Nicole rang up the sale. “You’re a shy one,” Kay said forcing Nicole’s eyes to meet hers.

  “Yeah, I’ve been told that,” Nicole said trying to keep herself from blushing.

  “We’ll I’ll have to come here more often so you get comfortable with me,” Kay said with a slow wink.

  Nicole smiled. “That would be nice.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Over the next two weeks, Nicole worked at the hardware store and at the farm stand. She would go home most nights exhausted, but happy with her new life. She still hadn’t made it to the bar and hoped to find the time this weekend. As she was closing the stand, she thought about what one of the workers had asked that day. He wanted to know if she had any salads available. She had told him not today. Nicole grabbed some plastic bags and put onions, potatoes, tomatoes along with a few other things in the bags. Now she headed to the grocery store for the other items she would need to put her plan into action.

  After dinner, she made potato and macaroni salad. She also cut up tomatoes and seasoned them with onions and her special seasoning.

  “What in the world are you making?” Karen asked when she walked into the kitchen.

  “I’m adding things to my stand. The workers at Jane’s house have been asking for things and I thought why not make some extra money while they’re here.”

  “Have you thought about snacks?” Karen asked.

  “We have those sweet carrots and celery in our own garden. I could make the dipping sauce. Also, dessert might entice them to spend more money.” Karen began opening the refrigerator and cupboards.

  “Mom, you take care of dessert and the sides. I’ll give you the money from the sale of those items,” Nicole said smiling.

  “You don’t have to do that,” Karen argued.

  “Yes, Mom. You need to have some spending money too,” Nicole insisted.

  ****

  The next day after Nicole finished at the hardware store, she went home to pick up her new items for the stan
d. It was a lot of work, but she hoped the sales would more than make up for their efforts.

  At noon, the workers began drifting toward the farm stand. Nicole heard the excitement as they read the signs on the new additions. She was surprised at how many of the men took the snacks of celery and carrots. Her mother’s first pie which was cut into slices was gone with the group. Everyone seemed excited as they waited to be rung up.

  “Are we missing anything else you would like me to have here?” Nicole asked each of her customers.

  Some of the suggestions couldn’t be accomplished, but she got some other ideas from their answers. She even had customers of her fruits and vegetables take home salads for dinner.

  ****

  Saturday night after Nicole closed the farm stand for the evening, she went home to have dinner. Her family had eaten already and Karen took her plate out of the oven as Nicole walked in the back door.

  “Hi Mom,” Nicole said going over to the sink to wash her hands. “I’m going out tonight.

  “Good. You should go see your friends,” Karen said as she sat down at the table.

  Nicole didn’t want to tell her that she wasn’t meeting friends, but going to the bar. Her response was just to smile.

  “I made another batch of potato and macaroni salad. I also made peanut butter cookies and brownies instead of a pie.” Karen was proud that the food was selling so well.

  “Thanks, Mom. I’m glad you decided that we would share the cost and the profits. It’s turning into a good venture.”

  “Is there anything else the workers are asking for?” Karen asked, anxious for another item to add to their list.

  “Some have asked for sandwiches. I was thinking we could smoke a pork butt and serve pulled pork sandwiches on a Friday.”

  “That would be wonderful, Nicole,” Karen said excitedly.

  “Yes, but I would need you to come at lunchtime to serve. We can bring a crock pot to keep the meat warm, but it would have to be put on a fresh roll with Cole slaw.” Nicole looked at her mother. “What do you think?”

  Karen smiled. “I think that’s a wonderful idea. I’ll buy the meat on Wednesday with the rolls and make the Cole slaw.”