Chapter 21

I don't own these characters, but it would be nice if I did.

Wait...In this story, I actually created some of them, so I do own them.

Anyways, I do promise to keep them true to themselves.

And as for the ones I did create, who they are is up to me, so...

Cody and Eunice continued preparing everything for dinner that evening. By the time they were done, all they had to do put everything in the oven later. And Cody did his fair share of observing too as Eunice showed him how to make her special homemade biscuits. Never one to turn down a good recipe, he actually wrote down everything she did. A little while later, Bailey and Clyde came back in from the barn, and both could smell something pleasant emanating from the kitchen.

"What's going on in here?"

Eunice grinned. "Cody was just helping me get dinner prepared for later. The chicken is his own recipe."

Clyde turned and looked at Cody questioningly. "You can cook?"

Bailey walked over beside Cody. "He sure can, Daddy. Back in Boston, he cooked Thanksgiving dinner himself."

Cody shook his head. "Not all of it. Bailey insisted on helping, and the mashed potatoes and stuffing were all her doing. And they were the hit of the meal."

Clyde shrugged. "Well, I look forward to seeing how it turns out." He checked his watch. "I need to head in town to pick up a few things before the stores close."

"We can do it, Daddy. I'll give me a chance to show Cody around downtown. Well, what of downtown there actually is..."

"Well, I suppose that will be alright. That would give me a chance to rewire the chicken coup that I've been meaning to do. My list is on the dashboard of the truck." He reached into his pocket and pulled out his keys and some money. "Just be back before dinner."

Bailey grinned. "We will..." She grabbed Cody's arm and dragged him out of the house.

Clyde just laughed. "Well, I'm glad to see Bailey is in such good spirits." He looked over at his wife. "But, I'm guessing you already knew that and why..."

Eunice smiled. "I did...And I'm guessing she just told you too."

Clyde nodded. "She did. Can't say I saw this coming, but Cody seems to be a good kid. And after everything he's done for her, she could do a whole lot worse..."

Eunice nodded too. "I know..." She grinned. "...but this story just got even more interesting..."

"How so?"

"Well, I was talking to Cody while you two were out in the barn. Seems those two are even more alike than we previous thought..."

"In what way?"

Eunice smiled. "Both are in love with the other but are afraid to say anything in fear of hurting their friendship..."

Clyde sighed. "While that makes things better, its not up to us to interfere."

Eunice just looked at her husband incredulously. "Why not? We know something that will make our daughter beyond happy. How are we supposed to keep our mouths shut and say nothing?"

"Because this is up to them. If they both love each other, then they'll figure it out on their own. So, no interfering. Let nature take its course. Now, I should be getting out to that coup..." And with that, Clyde headed outside while Eunice just stood there shaking her head.

She busied herself doing some other household chores when she heard a strange sound. Looking around, she found a cell phone laying on the kitchen counter. Eunice picked it up and answered it tentatively.

"Hello?"

There was a pause. "Ummm...Yes. I was looking for my son, Cody."

Eunice smiled. "This must be his phone then. I'm Eunice Pickett."

Carey smiled back. "I'm Carey Martin. Would you be Bailey's mother?"

"That's me. Bailey just took Cody into town not long ago, but I'll make sure he calls you once he gets back."

"I would appreciate that. I hope Cody isn't being an inconvenience to your home and your family..."

Eunice laughed. "Not in the least. He's a fine young man, and he even helped prepare dinner tonight."

"Glad to hear that. You must be very proud of Bailey. She was such a pleasure to have around during Thanksgiving. You can tell she definitely has her head on straight and was raised right."

"We're very proud of her, as you must be of Cody as well. Their plan to make Moose feel like an idiot was pure genius..."

Carey sighed in relief. "I'm glad it worked out then. I know how much Bailey helped Cody when the same thing happened to him, and I was just hoping he was able to return the favor."

"Oh, he definitely has. Bailey has been on cloud nine having him here with her the past couple of days. I just wish they both weren't so stubborn."

"What do you mean?"

Eunice paused. "Well, are you aware of exactly how Cody feels about Bailey?"

Carey nodded. "Yes, I am. I've even talked to him about it and encouraged him."

"Bailey feels the same way about him, but my husband tells me we can't get involved and tell them..."

Carey sighed and shook her head. "Men can be such idiots sometimes..."

"I know...My husband just doesn't understand these things..."

Carey laughed. "I was talking about my son..."

Eunice laughed too. "Oh...fair enough...but you can take comfort in knowing that his heart is in the right place."

"True, but that doesn't solve what to do about those two crazy kids. Tomorrow is New Year's Eve. It would be nice if they could start the new year off right..."

"My thoughts exactly..."

"Any ideas?"

Eunice grinned. "You know, I think I do...How does this sound?"

In town, Bailey and Cody had already gotten the items her father needed and were now just walking around looking at everything. As they passed the the local drug store, Bailey stopped Cody.

"You want to head inside and getting something to drink? They actually have an old fashioned soda fountain inside."

Cody grinned sure. "Sure, sounds like fun."

Both headed inside and make their way to the soda fountain counter and took a seat. After each ordered a hot chocolate with a splash of vanilla, they sipped their drinks and continued talking.

"So, nothing at all like Boston, huh?"

Cody smiled. "Not really, but the people are a whole lot friendlier. I haven't been flipped off once since I've been here. Back in Boston, I got that at least once a day and that doesn't even include the subway..."

Bailey laughed. "I remember the subway. Being packed in like sardines, the angry faces, the BO..."

"Yeah, but to be fair, after a while, your nose begins to tune it out..."

"I'll believe that when I see it..."

"You don't want to do that...When you actually see it, that's your clue to wait for the next train."

Bailey laughed again. "I would say you're probably right about that. I don't think I ever..."

But Bailey was interrupted.

"Well, well. Look who has finally remembered where she came from..."

Bailey turned and found Betty Lou standing there with her hands on her hips and staring at her. Bailey rolled her eyes and smiled.

"Betty Lou..."

Betty Lou smirked at her. "I hope your happy with yourself. Thanks to you, Moose is now the laughing stock of the whole town. Losing his girl to a city slicker and all..." She looked over at Cody. "This is the guy you dumped him for?"

Bailey paused to control herself. "Well, I figured that would make you happy. Moose is all yours now."

"Like I want to be associated with the town loser!"

Bailey shrugged. "Not my problem. Now, if you will excuse us, we were drinking our hot chocolates and talking."

Betty Lou turned back at Cody and gave a fake smile. And immediately, Cody cringed in horror. But Betty Lou continued. "And just what is so special about this guy anyways? It looks like a day in the fields would break him!"

Bailey smirked at Betty Lou. "Gee...let me think. Could it be that Cody actually is caring and sensitive? Or maybe its that he sees me as a person and as an equal? Perhaps its that he is also my best friend and respects me? You know, it might me that he's intelligent and can carry on a conversation about anything? Then again, maybe its because he actually knows what it means to be romantic? Actually, its all of the above. And no, he'll probably never be a farmer. But he wants to be a doctor. A noble pursuit if you ask me." Bailey grinned. "That, and his kisses could knock the flies off a cow...So, why don't you run a long now?"

"And if I don't?"

Bailey was about to say something when Cody stood up. "If you don't, I think we'll both see Bailey get mad. And if she does, she might rip out the last tooth you have in your mouth and force you to gum all of your food for the rest of your life. Now, as Bailey said, we were busy before you showed up. Buh bye."

Betty Lou just glared at Cody in contempt. "I should have known. All you big city folks think you are so much better than us. Well, I don't want folks around her to think I'm willingly associating with you anyways!" And with that, she turned and stormed off.

Cody was just shaking his head as Bailey turned around and laughed. "Bails...She only has one tooth!"

"I know...but...at least its in the middle..."

Cody began laughing. "I guess that's something..."

"Don't worry about her. She talks a big game, but I bet she'll be back in that barn again tonight..."

Cody shook his head. "That's the girl Moose threw you away for? Is he really that stupid?"

Bailey nodded. "Sure seems that way."

"Well, you are definitely better off then...You deserve so much better."

"I think so too."

Cody smiled. "There is something I have to ask..."

"What's that?"

"Is knocking the flies off of a cow a good thing?"

Bailey laughed. "Its a very good thing."

To be Continued...