Chapter five
Daniel had reached the ranch a little before two Thursday morning. He had agreed with Adam to get up around five that morning, to get an early start to the day.
There was a lot to do and with Crane and Brian not there, they would have twice as much work as usual. His younger brothers had morning chores before school, but the lion's share of it would be left up to Adam and Daniel.
Three hours sleep was going to be rough, but Daniel could handle it. He had done so on many occasions before. He hadn't been able to turn off his brain though and it had taken some effort to get to sleep.
When the alarm went off at five. Daniel had at first, ignored it. He laid there waiting for Crane to turn it off. After about ten minutes, it had occured to Daniel that Crane wasn't there.
Shit, he thought to himself.
He finally rolled over and turned it off. Just five more minutes. That was all he wanted. Just let me lay here for five more minutes. He figured he had slept about two hours.
He laid on his back willing himself to get up, but it just wasn't happening. Daniel jumped when he heard the knock on the bedroom door. It was Hannah. She slowly opened the door and peeked in.
"You up?" She asked. Daniel glanced at the clock. It was now six.
"Oh crap. I'm sorry, I overslept." Daniel said tiredly.
"So I see." Hannah replied. "I have some breakfast ready. I think Adam would really like some help out there." She added with a small smile as she backed from the room.
"I'll be right down, Hannah." Daniel called after her.
He jumped up and into his clothes and pulled on his boots. He hated more than anything to get on Adam's bad side at the beginning of the day. It would certainly make for a long one, he thought to himself.
Daniel grabbed his hat and practically ran down the stairs.
Hannah and his younger brothers were having breakfast and Daniel eased himself over to the coffee pot to pour himself a cup, then slipped into his spot at the table.
"That's a fresh pot and I made it strong for ya." Hannah offered.
"Thanks Hannah. I'm just gonna have some toast and get out to the barn." Daniel insisted.
"No, you eat a good breakfast. You need fuel for the day, young man." Hannah replied.
"Boy, you're asking for Adam's boot up your butt Daniel." Evan scoffed.
"Yeah, haven't you learned how to not start the day off with Dad?" Ford added.
"Just mind your own business, both of ya." Daniel groaned.
"I'm glad it's you and not me!" Guthrie piped up, smiling at his big brother.
"Thanks Guth. Now eat your breakfast, huh?" Daniel replied grumpily.
"That's enough teasing. You boys finish eating. You've still got chores before you catch the bus. I don't think Adam will be any happier with you three if you mess around and miss it. Then somebody will have to haul all of you to school. That's not gonna help matters either." Hannah scolded.
Daniel scarfed down his breakfast, then darted for the door.
"Have a nice day!" Evan called after him, laughing.
Daniel walked into the barn to find Adam hard at work. Adam looked over his shoulder and studied his little brother. He looked tired and wrung out. He wondered what time the boy had finally dragged himself in.
"Thought we agreed on five?" Adam said.
"God, I'm sorry Adam. I guess I'm used to Crane waking me up. I forgot he wasn't there. I fell back to sleep after the alarm went off." Daniel offered.
"No need in stating the obvious Daniel." Adam replied.
"You had a visitor last night. Did she find you in town?" Adam asked.
Daniel's heart dropped. He hadn't realized that Tally had been out to the ranch. Geez, Hannah might have tipped him off, he thought to himself.
"Uh, yeah. She found me." Daniel replied nervously.
"I gotta tell ya, I was sure surprised to see her. I had no idea she was coming to town." Adam continued.
"Yeah, I was surprised too. I had no idea." Daniel replied.
"So, is she staying for a while or what?" Adam asked, looking straight at Daniel now.
"Uh, she said something about selling her grandparents place and having to sign some stuff, so I think she's gonna be here for a few days, anyway." Daniel answered while pitching some hay into the horses stalls.
"Mmm hmm. I hadn't even heard about the place being for sale." Adam replied.
"Me neither." Daniel answered. He knew Adam was fishing for details, but he had no intention of discussing anything with him just now.
"Well, did you have a nice visit?" Adam continued the grilling.
"Sure, it was short and sweet. No big deal." Daniel lied. It was short, that was true, but it was a huge deal at the same time.
"Oh, well I figured maybe it was a long visit. You were out pretty late." Adam hated to go there, but Daniel wasn't opening up like he'd hoped.
"Look, Adam. I've got to get that tractor fixed and I'm behind already. Can we just talk later?" Daniel asked a little too impatiently.
"Suit yourself." Adam replied flatly and stormed out of the barn. God, this kid is difficult when he wants to be.
Adam thought to himself.
to be continued...