Chapter 2 : Life on the home front

Never in all the history of the world had a sunrise been so beautiful. It seemed as though for a mere period in time, the sky forgot what color it was and blended them all together to make up its mind. This was the time of day Aurelie liked best. This was an odd place to find a girl, especially one who had spent her previous life on the streets of Paris, France. There she sat, looking out the window at the multicolored sky. She was already dressed for the day, wearing a pair of well worn tennis shoes, a pair of jeans, a white t-shirt and a denim jacket. Her corn colored blonde hair already pulled into a tight ponytail that reached her shoulder blades. Her skin was now a light tan, an amazing contrast to what had been nearly pure white only three months before. Hr deep blue eyes closed as the sun rose, letting herself enjoy the last coyote howl before the day came. In fives minutes, she'd be so busy that she wouldn't even notice if a rattlesnake bit her.

As the tell-tale sounds of the alarm clocks could be heard from other rooms, Aurelie turned from the window and went downstairs. The smell of eggs, pancakes, sausage, bacon and biscuits easy to distinguish. She quickly walked into the large kitchen, immediately taking a plate and looking to what had already been set out. Her eyes fell to the darkly tanned middle-aged woman who set down the pot of gravy, her raven hair held back by her hand-made headband. She was wearing a patterned shirt today, Aurelie sweared that those were the only types of shirts the woman owned. Today's shirt was red, orange,and brown, the patterns easily matching most of the hand-made pot holders. She also wore her jeans, and a pair of boots. Her high cheekbones seemed to raise when she smiled.That was the well known 'Laura smile'." Up early as always Aurelie, but I'm afraid Jack already beat you to the toast."

Aurelie rolled her eyes." He always beats me to the toast. That man never even sleeps."

" What do I never do Sheila?" Aurelie turned and sighed. Speak of the devil himself. All six feet and four inches of him. He had his signature smile upon his face, his dark sienna eyes matchinga his dust covered hair. His skin was now almost red from dust, even though it was normally just a light tan. Judging from the stubble over his chin and cheeks, he hadn't shaved yet this morning. His brown leather jacket was already covered in dust, as well as his jeans and boots. Aurelie smiled, realizing that something was missing.

" Oh, did the outback cowboy lose his hat?" Jack's eyes narrowed as the French girl spoke." You should know by now that I don't ever lose my hat." Aurelie shrugged, simply setting some eggs and two strips of bacon upon her plate. Jack grinned." You better eat up, for that little smart talk, you're getting sty duty, shiela. You might want to plan a shower." Aurelie's eyes narrowed angrily." Que? You cannot be serious! Sty duty? You know I can't..." She trailed off and gave a sigh, knowing that it was no use to argue. Jack was older, atleast twenty years older than she. Aurelie just looked back towards Laura." What's the score at Laura?"

Laura laughed softly." After three months..." She pulled out a piece of paper from one of the drawers, looking over it. " Jack has 45, you have 48." Aurelie sighed and nodded." Any chance I could get your help?" Laura shook her head." I know nothing about pigs Aurelie, if it were the horses, maybe, but not the pigs." Aurelie slowly nodded." Just what I thought, There isn't any chance I could get one of the guys to do this, is there?" Laura laughed and shook her head." Child, Today is the boys' big bull-riding event. They aren't going to quit to help you clean out any pig sty."

Aurelie nodded and frowned.' That's what I hate about being the only girl around here Laura, I get stuck doing all the hard stuff while they go out and have fun." Laura looked over her shoulder." Think of it this way Child, once they're out of the house, you can find a few scorpions and tarantulas to scare them half to death."