Hey everybody, this is my first story with the Gallagher Girls, hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Gallagher Girls books, Ally Carter does ;)

I was sitting on my bed, listening to my iPod when Gram's called me into the kitchen.

"Cammie, can you come in here for a moment please? There's something I need to tell you."

"Of course, grandma. On my way." I silently walked into the kitchen and found her reading the newspaper at the old oak table.

She looked up at the sound of me retrieving a glass of water and sitting down across from her. "Cam," she started "Your grandfather and I are getting older and we can't really do the work on the farm that we could when we were young. So, we were thinking of hiring someone to help us out." She sounded cautious; I assumed it was about my reaction.

"Why? I'd be happy to do all that stuff for you. I mean I already do some of it, so why not let me do all of it?" I asked.

"Hun, we don't want you to do all our work, plus your still a kid, Cam you deserve some fun on your summer vacation too. All work and no play, makes for a very dull day." She said reciting one of her favorite sayings.

"All right, fine. But who were you thinking of getting to help us out?"

"Your grandfather and I have decided to hire a young man. He's 17 like yourself and very bright. He came up to us just last week when we went to the market, he said he was new to the neighborhood and asked if we knew anyone who needed workers. We told him that we were looking for a little help around the house and that if he didn't mind lending a helping hand to our young granddaughter and seeing a couple of old folks like us every day that he could have the job."

"That was nice of you guys. Does this boy have a name?" I questioned.

"Yes, his name is Jake, Jake West."

"And when will Jake West arrive here?"

"Your grandfather's picking him up at the market right now; they should be back in about a half hour."

"Ok thanks grams. I'll be out brushing the horses."

"Have fun sweetie, and after would you mind showing Jake around?"

"No problem, I'll be back soon." I called while flying out the front and racing down to the stable. I couldn't wait to brush midnight, star and prince. As I walked into the stable I noticed everything was cleaned up. The food was stoked, water filled, pens cleaned out and filled with fresh hey.

"Hey Star!" I whispered into the horse's ear as I started brushing her. It didn't take long to groom them all. About 15 minutes (14 minutes and 37 seconds to be exact). After that was done I walked down to the lake, it was a peaceful, quiet morning, and my internal clock said it was exactly 11:07. The sun was shining. There were a few clouds in the sky and I could hear all the wildlife around me. The birds and the bees and all that.

I started daydreaming about Zach then. Unconscious walking over to a log and sitting down. Zach...I've made it through almost the whole summer without seeing him. I missed him so much! Luckily I did get letters from him about once a week. He would write to me and tell me how boring it was back at blackthorne, and how every minute was torture without me. I always loved hearing about his school, but I wished that I could see him. My very first letter I got from him was 3 weeks after I got up here with my grandparents.

Gallagher Girl,

Bet you weren't expecting to hear from me, huh?

This is going to be a long summer without seeing you every day.

I'll be seeing you soon (I hope).

How is up at the grandparents? It's so boring staying up at

Blackthorne. I think even Gallagher in the summer with

nobody there is more exciting. I'll see you soon Gallagher Girl.

-Zach

Since that first letter that's been what I've been looking forward to every day. The only thing that kept me being my happy little self and not sulking around the house all summer.

I heard footsteps up behind me but wasn't fully paying attention to them. Then a hand rested lightly on my shoulder. I didn't think, just acted. One second after it touched me I jumped up, grabbed it and flipped it up and over my head. Then I saw the face...

It seems like I end all of my first chapter with this sort of thing. I hope it doesn't annoy people too much :)

Review please; I'd love to hear what you guys think...if you love it? Hate it? Want to take a fork and stab it until it dies? Lol thanks!

-Taylorcutie3