Love in the field

Chapter 3 ~ Brayden

“Finally done in the east field,” I said to Spencer. “Glad to hear it,” he replied. Spencer was my number one worker on the farm. He was always willing to help. Even the day before his wedding. “Now you can come to the wedding tomorrow,” Spencer said eagerly. “I don’t know about that,” I gruffed at him. “I’m not much of a wedding person, and my sister is coming tomorrow for the weekend.” “You need to get out and do something fun, you’re always out in the fields, and you can bring your sister with you.” Spencer pointed out. “You have no more fields to deal with for a few months.” He was right, winter would be here soon enough and we were done harvesting all the fields. “All you have to do, for work tomorrow, is feed all your pets,” Spencer laughed as he said it. Spencer thought I was crazy for having my variety of animals on the farm, but I loved it. “Oh, shut it,” I said. There were only a few sheep, a couple goats, a donkey, some chickens and my two dogs, plus the half dozen cats running around. “They keep me somewhat busy over the winter.” “I suppose I could come,” I mumbled, shrugging my shoulders. “It’s settled then!” Spencer exclaimed, “you will be there, and I will make sure there is a pretty lady for you to dance with!” Brayden rolled his eyes, “I don’t need you to find me a pretty lady to dance with, if I see a pretty lady that I would even want to dance with, I can ask her myself.” Brayden said gruffly. “Alright then,” Spencer sighed, “I was only trying to help you out, I know it’s been a dry few years for you since Emily….” Spencer’s voice trailed off at the pained look on Brayden’s face. ‘She was the love of my life,’ Brayden thought sadly, ‘there’s no way I’d ever find anyone like her again.’ He knew he shouldn’t be thinking about Emily, it had been over 3 years already; time to move on. “I’m sorry, boss, I shouldn’t have brought up Emily.” “All good” Brayden said swiftly, “you’re right, it’s time to move on!” Spencer looked surprised, which made Brayden laugh. “Maybe I’ll find someone new at your wedding,” Brayden said with a half smile. He didn’t know why, but he actually felt hopeful that it could be true.

In the morning, Brayden made sure all the animals were fed and watered, then went in to shower. “I wish I hadn’t agreed to go to this wedding” I contemplated texting Spencer and telling him I forgot to do some field work. Knowing he wouldn’t believe me, I continued getting ready. Amelia would be here shortly, she had shown up late last night, and headed into town this morning to get a pedicure for the wedding. “My feet are too ugly for a wedding,” she had said earlier, though she was delighted to join me for a wedding she had said.

“Spencer,” Amelia had come back, “what time was it that we needed to leave?” She hollered, as she ran upstairs to get ready. “In 30 minutes,” I replied, from my bedroom, fibbing on the time frame. Amelia took forever to get ready and she was often late. We really didn’t have to leave for 45 minutes.

Sure enough, Amelia came rushing downstairs 40 minutes later. “I’m sorry, it took longer than I thought,” she said in a hurried voice. “I’m ready to go.” “That’s ok,” I said as I chuckled. “ You’re actually 5 minutes early.” Her mouth dropped, “you mean I could’ve taken my time,” she nearly shouted at me. “Just get your shoes on, and let’s get this over with.” I muttered.

Brayden thought the ceremony was boring, he really didn’t like weddings and romance, especially since Emily left. He had actually thought about proposing to Emily, they had been together for 4 years and, at the time, he could picture the rest of his life with her. He wasn’t sure what changed her mind. ‘Stop dwelling on this,’ he groaned inwardly, ‘happy day, happy day,’ he tried to convince himself. After the ceremony, he did his due diligence and congratulated the happy couple. He found that he was actually looking forward to the reception, he hoped the dinner would be good. It had been awhile since he’d had a great meal, usually he just had burgers with his field crew.

As Brayden walked into the reception hall for dinner, he couldn’t help looking around to see if there were any women that he might like to dance with. ‘I’ll show Spencer,’ he thought suddenly, ‘I’ll find a few pretty ladies to take for a spin on the dance floor.’ Brayden was a good dancer, he had taken dance classes with Emily for almost half their relationship. Brayden felt a bit disappointed after looking around, ‘no one has piqued my interest so far.’ ‘Maybe, there will be more people coming for the dance after.’ Amelia ran over, “Brayden, come meet some of the great people I’ve already met here!” she exclaimed excitedly. “We’ve got a table just over there,” she pointed to a table near the back of the hall. “There’s Billy, Amber, Justin, oh and Amber mentioned that her cousin is coming for the dance, and bringing a single girlfriend with her.” Amelia nudged him with her elbow and winked at him.