Chapter 3: Why Can't we be friends?
"Mama?" Annie's voice asks one Spring morning. "Why don't you have any friends?" Startled, I begin to choke on my water.
"Annie!" I get out, still coughing. "What made you ask that?" Annie puts on a serious expression.
"Well, I have Charlie. And Mr. Taro lets me come over and sort out the crops with him and Elliot. Plus, Ms. Mirabelle let's me count the feed with her, and Mr. Gannon says he has a daughter that will live here soon, and I'm sure I'll be friends with her. But you never play with anyone here." I look at my little girl, who was apparently wise beyond her five years.
"Well, Annie Bug, I spend most of my time on the farm or gathering supplies. I guess...I guess I haven't had much time to make new friends." Annie looks in my direction, but her eyes don't meet mine.
"I know who you should be friends with!"
"And who would that be?" I say, taking another drink of water.
"The cowboy! Mr. Vaughn! I bet he'd make a good friend." I nearly choke on my water few times I'd seen Vaughn he'd been by himself, and he didn't exactly seem like a people person. The only people he seemed to stand we're Mirabelle and Julia, but I bet that was only because he needed a job.
"Trust me Annie, he has less friends than I do." Annie's little mouth opens, but before she can say something else, there's a knock on the door.
"That must be Charlie!" she shouts excitedly. "I'm going to help him run the shop with his dad today." She hops off her chair and makes her way over to the door.
"Hi Annie! Hi Ms. Chelsea!" The out of breath little boy shouts happily. He grabs Annie's hand, clearly excited. "C'mon Annie, let's go, the shop opens soon!" They begin to run off, each of them giving me a rushed goodbye. I let out a nervous chuckle. So what if my five year old daughter had a better social life than I did? I was used to everyone loving her, I mean who wouldn't? She was bubbly and cute and easy to get along with. I was awkward and plain and covered in mud most of the time. Annie was right though. Spring was almost over, and while I'd made a pretty generous sum of money for my first month, I'd made almost no effort to become friends with anyone in the small town.
I sigh, and put the dirty breakfast dishes in the sink. I had no time for friends. Keeping Annie safe and healthy is my only priority, and I am perfectly happy with that. I just wish her words hadn't made me feel so lonely.
Gannon's shop always smelled like wood and the outdoors, and the instant I step into it I am reminded of my childhood. I sigh, a content smile on my face.
"Afternoon Gannon." I say to the enormous carpenter.
"Chelsea! How's my second favorite farmer?" He grins at me.
"Second favorite?" I raise my eyebrows at him.
"Sorry Chelsea, but that daughter of yours has stolen the first place position." I laugh at sit down at the counter.
"Figures. So Gannon, I need you to build something for me."
"Sure, what can I do for ya?"
"Well, what's the best price you could give me on a chicken coop?" He thinks for a moment.
"How much lumber you got?"
"Two hundred and fifty pieces."
"Hmm." Gannon goes quiet for a while.
"Well, my normal price is 10,000G,but for my favorite and second favorite farmer, how about 9,000?" My eyes lighten up. At that price, I'd be able to afford a chicken as well.
"That'd be great! Thank you so much." I give him the money and Gannon grins.
"No problem. I'll get started right away, and it should be done by tomorrow." I thank him again and turn to leave, feeling absolutely over the moon. I swing the door open, eager to go and tell Annie, when I hear a loud thud.
"Damn." A gruff voice murmurs. I step out of the shop, mortified, as I look up to Vaughn holding his head in pain.
"Oh my goddess, I am so sorry!" I shout, and I feel a blush taking over my face. "Are you okay?" He looks at me, purple eyes glaring.
"Maybe you should watch where you're going next time." he says, shaking his head.
"It was an accident."
"You accidentally swung the door into my face?" He looks furious, and I shrink back a little.
"I...I guess I was really excited. Gannon's building me a chicken coop and I was really happy and...I'm sorry,okay?" Vaughn's eyes lose their contempt, but the coldness remains, and I feel like shivering in the warm Spring air.
"Watch yourself next time." He says, readjusting his hat. He opens the door to Gannon's shop and walks in, not saying another word.
I flee the scene, blushing profusely. Vaughn's words had made me feel like an idiot over something that was clearly an accident. I mean, it wasn't like I meant to open the door in his face. Besides, you would think his enormous cowboy hat would protect his head anyway. I sigh and shake my head, trying to shake off my embarrassment.
"Well," I mutter to myself. "I sure hope Annie's not too disappointed, because one things for sure. I'm never going to be friends with that cowboy."
A.N. Guess who's back! Sorry it took so long to update, but I'm back and ready to continue this story. Thanks so much for reading, and to make up for lost time, I'll upload another chapter either today or tomorrow. Anyone want to review to give me some encouragement? *hint* *hint* If you haven't read my other story Senseless, I suggest you read it before you read this one. It'll start to make sense later on :) Thanks again for reading, and I'll see you at the next chapter-Goldengirl