Spring had followed winter as it did every year. The occupants of the old Oberg place were packing up to move back to Lincoln for the summer to sell their papers. The pervious winter had actually worked out pretty well, The boys had been surprised to find out that Kit could actually cook. She wasn't the world's best cook, but they made it through the winter just fine on her meals. The four boys had done a decent job working with the livestock. It wasn't like there was a lot but they had been able to keep all of the stock healthy and gave them the best of care.

They had decided around Christmas to go back to Lincoln to sell in the summer out of habit but also because they missed the interaction with people other than just the five of them. Sid had reluctantly agreed after persuasion from Rose. It was decided that the Oberg land wouldn't be worked that year. This would let Sid have a bit of a break and also give the land a chance to rest, in hopes that it would produce better the next year.

Kit remained oblivious to Buddha's obvious like, treating all the guys the same, much to the dislike of Buddha and the delight of the other boys, who would tease the love struck boy every chance they got. Sid was still unsure about sending his 14-year-old niece into the city but allowed her to go on the concession that she would stay with the Jacobson's not on the college campus like the boys. All to soon, in Sid's opinion they set out for the walk to Lincoln.

"Sid you shouldn't worry so much, Crale and Craig are there to protect her. And we know that Josh and Jeremy would never let anything happen to her." Rose tried to soothe her husband as they watched them go.

"I am just worried, she is 14 now. Almost an adult yet she insists on acting like a boy." Sid replied almost angrily.
"What would you have her do?" Rose questioned.
"She could be getting married or at least being courted." Sid answered.
"By whom? The only young men her age that aren't related to her are Jeremy and Josh." Rose gently reminded him. "If you want her getting courted she needs to be in town. Karen and Joel are two very nice people who view Ami as a daughter. Let her go this year, and next year we'll talk about her staying here."

The kids all got into Lincoln around 8 that night, the walk had been tiring and they were all looking forward to having a meal cooked by Mrs. Jacobson. They walked in through the servant's entrance into the kitchen much like they always did. Only to be stopped by a very pregnant Karen Jacobson, Kit ran up to her older friend and gave her a hug. Joel hearing the commotion had come down with the only missing person, Wil and went to shake the older boys hands.

"When did this happen??" Kit asked excitedly.
Karen smiled, "Over the winter I am due near the beginning of August." Kit jumped up and down excitedly.
"Well since I am here to help go sit down and I'll finish making dinner." Kit directed Karen glad for the respite obeyed. The kitchen was soon full of laughter and good times.

The next morning Kit was up early and was down in the kitchen before anyone else. She started the fire and made herself some coffee before sitting down and paging through a book left out on the table from the night before. A creek on the stairs brought her head up as her brother Wil walked through the door.

"Hey Brat." Kit said, "Coffee's in the pot if you want some."
Wil just grunted as he poured himself a cup and sat down. It took a while for the coffee to kick in and Kit turned back to looking through the book.

"How was the winter?" Wil finally was awake enough to interact with the world.
"It was good, the guys are real slobs but it wasn't too bad. How was school?" Kit said as she closed the book to talk to her brother.
"Not bad, Karen made sure I was all caught up and stuff. Too bad she isn't teaching there any more. I like her more than who I had this year." Wil said making a face.

"Who did you have?" Kit was curious knowing if she had stayed at the school she would have the same teacher.
"Mrs. Johnson, she made me sit all by myself for every test, in the front of the room so she could "watch me." She tried to accuse me of cheating a couple of times, but Joel and Karen argued against me getting thrown out. I see why you left, if I could I would leave too." Wil was dejected.

"They really don't like the idea that us country kids actually know more than their kids do they?" Kit questioned, Wil agreed with a grunt. "You can't quit though, one of us has to make it all the way through to prove we aren't stupid. Just think of it as a way to make life easier for Ally, Heather and Celeste. Rose is going to be sending them up here when Heather is old enough next year."

"Really? Well maybe it will be good for them. They'll at least come in with an entire class." Wil said.
"Yep, so are you gonna to sell papes with us this summer?" Kit asked to change the subject.

"Actually," Wil hesitated, "I am not gonna. Joel talked with Doc Peterson and I am gonna start working with him this summer. Just running errands and stuff."
Kit raised her eyebrows in surprise, "No kidding? Well it will be a good work experience for you won't it?"
"Yeah that is what Joel and Doc said." Wil shrugged then looked at the clock, "Crap I'm gonna be late. See you tonight Kit."

"Watch the language Brat, wake up the guys while you're up there, tell them they have 15 minutes or I am leaving without them." Kit called up after him before going to finish getting ready.

She came out 10 minutes later and the guys and Joel were all assembled at the table drinking their coffee and eating some of the bread she had left out. She stood in the doorway surprised that they were all actually ready. She squeezed in between Josh and Swan as they talked.

"I don't know about selling guys." Cray was saying. "Buddha you and me are getting too old for this. There have to be jobs open here in town." Buddha was nodding in agreement.

"But if you don't sell then why didn't you just stay on the farm." Swan mumbled into his cup of coffee.
Cray chose to ignore the statement as he turned to Joel. "So Joel are there any openings at the paper? Someone to run presses or anything like that?"

Joel ran a hand under his chin as he thought, "No actually we are doing pretty well at the plant. I think I did see a "help wanted" sign in the window of Murphy's Bar. I think he said something about needed a new bartender. And I think the train yard is looking for some dock-workers. You can always start there boys."

Both Cray and Buddha nodded in agreement. The other three at the table looked up at the clock and seeing it was almost time to head out to go sell said their good byes and rushed out the door. With their leaving, Joel, Buddha and Cray discussed some other job openings in town before Joel had to leave for his job. Buddha and Cray decided to go out on a job hunt, in hopes of finding a job that paid better than selling papes.