Chapter 5
A/N Holiday Separation
First I wanted to thank each and everyone of you that have taken the time to read and review this. I have really enjoyed writing it. I decided to go ahead and post a new chapter. I will be on vacation for the next 3 weeks so no updates until after that.
Suzanne was snowed under with her class she was taking before the end of the term for the holiday. The class was crammed into a 3 week course that met three times a week. She was working in the library trying to study, but not having much success due to her mind wandering to Benjamin and the last night they spent together before he left for home.
She was wondering what their relationship would be like once they were both back on campus together. Her high school boyfriend had broken up with her right before graduation saying he needed to find himself and it wasn't fair of her to wait. He left town and had not returned since. She heard through the grapevine that he had joined the Army and was stationed overseas.
She had not given him much thought lately and wondered why he suddenly popped back into her memories. She supposed because she thought she was in love with him and he had thrown that love away so easily.
She was concerned if she let herself fall for Benjamin would that happen again.
She was brought out of her rever by Janey, a girl from her study group, who was wanting her to join them for a session.
She shook her head to bring herself back to the present and really get into studying.
Suzanne was waiting for her Dad to pick her up outside her apartment on Christmas Eve. She would be going back to the farm for a few weeks to spend with family for the holiday and she was looking forward to it.
They arrived at the farm and her mom quickly gathered her up into a loving hug, followed by her grandparents. She really loved being back on the farm and the smile on her face showed it.
The barn was her favorite place on the farm and she quickly changed into her riding clothes and headed out.
Eric her brother was due in with his new girlfriend in a couple of hours and they were going to try to get in a ride before dark. She made her way to Blazes' stall and once he heard footsteps he stuck his head out and snorted when he saw her.
She laughed at his antics, but pulled out some sugar cubes for him. She placed a kiss on his forehead and rubbed down his neck. She had not been home in several months and she missed him.
"How is my favorite guy? Did you miss me, because I sure missed you." she said as she opened his stall.
She led him out and moved him over to the grooming blocks. Picking up the grooming brushes, she started brushing him down and telling him about what had been going on in her life the last few months.
She told him about the handsome young man that she met in her business class and he shook his head as if he understood. He is really cute and has a wonderful smile. She felt the redness in her cheeks as she talked about Benjamin. Blaze raised his head back and forth, enjoying her telling him stories and relaying her life to him. She had always told him everything that was going on in her life as if he would understand her and give her the advice she was seeking.
She was done with the grooming and was about to give up on her brother, when he walked into the barn.
She looked up and saw him and said "It is about time you got here, I was giving up and about to go riding without you."
"Sorry, it took me longer in town than I expected. Evelyn's train was late getting in," he said.
She walked up to him and gave him a hug, she had missed him while she was away at school.
"Are you ready to saddle up and ride?" she asked.
"Yes, let me get Ranger out of his stall and brushed down. You can saddle up Blaze and warm him in the round pen since it has been a while since he has been ridden. I am sure you need to get warmed up too since you haven't ridden in a while either," he laughed at her.
"I can still ride circles around you any day, little brother," she fired back at him.
They worked steadily performing their pre-ride tasks and were soon sitting in their saddles, making their way out onto the trailhead.
"Since we only have an hour to ride, let's take the north trail. I will show you the new pasture layouts we redid this fall," he told her.
She shook her head and she and Blaze took off. Eric shook his head and took off after her.
Riding was the one thing that could get her out of her head. She tended to be very hard on herself and would often disappear in her head when working on a particular issue.
The fresh air and the freedom of riding would pull her back and balance her every time. She had spent hundreds of hours on these trails, just her and Blaze and the beauty and serenity of the farm.
"Mom says you and Evelyn are getting close. How long have you been dating?" she asked him.
"About 5 months, since I met her at the summer auction. Her father raises some of the best horses on the East Coast. She is a natural in the saddle and knows more about horses than anyone I know," he told her.
They continued their ride and soon turned back for the stables.
"How is school going?" he asked as they were riding into the barn.
"Really good, only one more semester before I graduate. I haven't decided about getting my Masters yet, or if I want to try and get a job," she said.
"Where will you try to look for a job, not much need for a hot shot architect around here, is there?" he asked.
"I am not sure yet, I truly haven't thought that far ahead. I will probably stay in school and get my Masters, it will give me a leg up when I try and get a job," she said.
"We better finish up and head inside, don't want Mom lecturing us about being late for dinner," he told her.
The entire family was gathered around the big dining room table as her Grandfather Isiah said the prayer before they ate. The room was loud with all the family gathered and Suzanne was sitting back watching everyone as dishes were passed and everyone was talking.
All the women cleaned up after the meal, as the men retired to her father's study to enjoy a cigar and a brandy.
Suzanne was staring off into space, wondering what Benjamin was doing. Her Mom walked up and placed her hand on her shoulder, jolting her out of her thoughts.
"Where has your mind wandered off to today Suzanne, you have been quiet all day?" her Mom asked. She caught her multiple times zoned out staring into space. She wondered what had her so distracted.
Suzanne, trying to not let on to her Mom she was thinking about a boy said, "I was just thinking about how I did on my final. The class had a lot of information crammed into a short time."
Ellen said, "I am sure you did just fine, you have always gotten good grades."
Suzanne shook her head and walked into the kitchen with more dishes.
Soon everyone was gathered in the large dining room to open gifts. Eric and Suzanne were the only young ones there and they were always designated to hand out the gifts.
Once the gifts were passed out, Eric took Evelyn's hand and they walked out to the sunroom to open their gifts to each other in private. Suzanne was sitting on the couch beside her mother who had a huge smile on her face watching them walk out of the room.
Suzanne received a professional architects drawing set from her Grandfather Isiah. He was also an architect and encouraged her to get her degree in architecture. He was her favorite grandparent and she would do anything to please him.
She pulled him in tight for a hug and he told her they would talk later about how her classes were going.
A few days later, Suzanne was curled up on the couch reading when Isiah approached her.
"How is my favorite Baby Girl doing?" he asked.
She smiled up at him and said, "I am doing good. I am almost done with my BA and I am trying to decide if I want to get my Masters."
"You should stay in school and continue your education, get your Masters then your PHD. It will really aid you in getting a good job," he told her.
"That will be three more years, that is a lot of studying and classes to take," she said.
"I know it seems like a lot, but trust me it will be worth it in the long run," he said.
"I will think about it, I still have a few months until graduation. I have already taken the GRE and am waiting on my results. I should hear something in a month or so," she said.
He patted her on the knee as he rose and left her to her reading.
Benjamin was sitting at the dining room table of his parents house studying, or rather looking off into space.
His mother, Emma was observing him from the kitchen doorway, wondering what he was thinking about. He has been distracted and often staring off into space the entire time he had been home for the holidays.
"What are you thinking so hard about Benjamin?" she asked him.
"Just my classes for next semester. They are getting harder and I hope that I can keep up," he told her.
"Oh Benjamin, you are so intelligent and are made for finance. You have always done really well in your classes and I am sure you will continue to do well," she said.
"I know Mom, I just don't want to let Dad and Grandpa down," he said, ducking his head.
"You have always made us proud and you will continue to do so. Don't doubt yourself, we love you no matter how you do," she said.
Days turned into weeks and both Benjamin and Suzanne continued to struggle with not constantly thinking about each other. Both wanted the time to pass until classes started again and they could see each other again.