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Chapter Six
Farlee
I’m rushing out of the school, my mind in a panic. Our elderly neighbor, Mrs. Ross, comes over a few times a week to have coffee or just check in on my dad when I’m at school. When I saw her name flash across my screen, I knew something had to be wrong. She never calls me. When I answered, and she told me she found my dad in one of the pastures hurt, I didn't hear anything else. I just ran out, and now I'm starting toward my truck when Griffin pulls me up short.
“Come on, hop on my bike, baby. I'll drive you home,” he says, leading me to his bike.
“No, I can drive my truck,” I argue, but my voice is small and shaky.
“You're worried and upset. You don't need to be driving right now. Let me drive you. Please,” he pleads with me.
I know he’s right, and honestly, at this moment, I just want to get to my dad as fast as possible. So when he hops on his bike, I take no time at all before climbing on and holding tight. He turns and fastens a helmet on my head and throws his jacket around me until I pull my arms through and wrap myself around him again. If I wasn't in such a hurry, I might enjoy this. Griffin and his friends start their bikes, and we are all taking off within seconds. I turn just in time to see Sara come out of the school door and narrow her eyes on me. I might be worried any other time, but she can go fuck herself at the moment.
It doesn't take us long before we pull down my long dirt driveway. Griffin barely stops the bike before I'm throwing myself off it and rushing toward the pasture. I hear Griffin growl something behind me, but I can't tell what it is, and I don't really care.
“Shit. I don't know which part of the pasture he’s in,” I yell, tugging at my hair and looking around wildly.
“Farlee, over here. Behind the house,” I hear Mrs. Ross yelling. I turn in that direction and take off. When I get behind the house, I see my father lying on the ground and a devastated look on his face. He looks at me, and I can see the sadness there so plainly.
“I just wanted to ride. Like I used to. I thought that if I could do that, I could help with all the chores around here. You're working yourself to death, Farlee,” he says, turning his face away from me. I rush to him with tears rolling down my face.
“Daddy, why didn't you wait until I was home? I can do all of this myself. If you had waited, I would have helped you. Did you even get the saddle on Dance?” I ask, referring to my mom's horse. My dad has become so attached to her since my mom passed but hasn't ridden since he lost his ability to walk. He shakes his head, and I want to cry more.
“I found the wheelchair,” Ricki says from behind me. I didn't even realize all Griffin's friends and girlfriends came. I smile gratefully at her.
“Sir, would it be okay if my friend and I help you to your chair?” Griffin asks as he and, I think his name is Canaan, walks up next to my dad.
“Who are you?” my dad asks, raising a brow at the group standing around us.
“We go to school with Farlee. We’re friends,” Bailey says, coming up next to me and putting a hand on my back. I want to cry at the warm touch. I have had no true friends in so long, I don't know how to act.
“Why haven't you brought them around sooner, Farlee girl? Well yeah, boy, help me up. We can go to the house, and I'll whip up some food,” my dad says, his face instantly transforming into a smile. He knows the troubles I’ve had at school. For him to be so happy about me making any sort of friends, including the ones with the worst reputation, makes me feel ten feet high.
The guys get him into the chair, and we all make small talk as we head back toward the house. Just before we walk in, Griffin pulls me to a stop.
“How much do you have to do around every day?” he asks in a worried tone.
“It's not too much, Griffin. I'm fine,” I try to tell him, but he won't let it go that easily.
“How much work do you have to do around here after coming home from school?” he asks, his voice firmer. I'm just about to tell him to mind his business when my dad speaks up.
“I’ll give you a list of what she takes care of, son. Y’all come and get something to eat,” my dad says, and I roll my eyes, knowing I'm not going to get out of this.
My dad laughs, jokes, and cuts up with the whole group throughout lunch. My heart hasn't felt this full since my mom passed and the look of happiness on my dad's face tells me he's feeling the same way.
“Well, I need to get to my chores,” I say to the group, standing from the table.
“We will help you,” Landon says, also standing.
“Thank you all. My girl here has been doing it all herself since my accident, and it's been killing me to watch.” My dad smiles sadly at me. I walk over and whisper in his ear that it was never a hardship.
“She has us now. Dean’s huge and can carry some heavy shit, and Joey and Alec are good with their hands,” Parker says, wiggling his brows up and down, which has my dad busting out in laughter.
“I'm going to have to keep my eyes on you, huh?” my dad says, laughing.
“Nah, I'm a taken man, but make sure you watch our boy Griffin. He's quite smitten with your daughter,” Parker replies, and I know my face just went tomato red.
“Is that right?” My dad lifts a brow and tries to look stern.
