Missing Star

Chapter 5

Marissa 

The next day was busy as ever. I got up at 4 am and went out to feed all the animals except the cattle. They were down by the river. I didn't have time to haul hay out just yet. 

So I settled for going to the rabbits, then the goats so they could get milked, then the chickens to gather eggs and last the horses. I loved being with the animals.

It was like they were the only ones in the world that loved me. They made me happy from the small cuddles to trusting me when they were hurt. I had made up my mind by age 11 that I was going to be a vet. No matter the animal I had a connection to them that was nothing I had ever had with family. 

I had been accepted to a great college with the best veterinarians program in the state. It was offering me a full ride with everything paid for including the dorm. 

I didn't tell anyone what my plan was for the fear that somehow or way they would be taken away. But today made it 27 days till freedom. The countdown was on and no matter what happened I was going to be free. 

Getting back to the house it was 10 minutes till 6 so it was breakfast time. By this time I had already fed most of the animals, picked up and cleaned from the gathering the night before, and had set the last of the laundry out on the line to dry. 

Like always my father was the first up. He walked in, got bacon and eggs on a plate. He waited for the pancake that I had just finished. By the time he finished his meal I had finished making the rest and set the table up for the other that would soon be joining. 

Before leaving he looked at me and said "I talked to grandma last night." 

This was not going to be good for me. I stayed busy not looking at him when he added. 

"We think it's time you helped the family."

Looking up at him then, he had his jaw set and gave me a look that made me want to run. Not knowing what was going to happen I just stayed quiet. 

"So you need to get packed…" 

"Packed? I do everything I'm asked to do, dad. Please don't send me away! I'm so close to graduating!" I pleaded with him. This was the last thing I expected. 

"If you let me finish. Your grandmother and I have set up an arrangement. You are going to marry Mr. Fernad's son after you graduate" he said in a stern voice. 

"But I'm only 17?" I said

"While his son has seen you around and seems to have taken a liking to you." He said. "It's been agreed and set up that his chain of restaurants will only use our farm and beef if we allow him to marry you." 

Cleaning his throat he added "so in three days you will be moving in with them. I expect you to make me proud and behave."

And just like that he walked out of the kitchen to his truck and left. 

I stayed there mouth open just trying to believe what I'd heard. 

Married!! They had agreed to marry me so the ranch would be okay. Just like that my father had made his mind up and I was going to be traded to Jerome. 

I knew who I was going to be married to. He was a year older than me and had graduated last year. But he was a bully in school and made life h*ll for me when he could. 

Now I was going to be his wife. That he liked me. If you like someone you don't hurt them. I had come home with bruises and cuts from him. Once he had gotten mad and pushed me out a glass window. I had 15 stitches placed on my arm from the glass. 

Looking at my scare I couldn't help but feel trapped. What about my dream dad? What about how I felt? I had no one there on my side and now I would be around someone who was just as bad as my grandmother and there would be no one to stop him.