EPISODE ONE

     Copyright © 2020 by R.J. Lockhart

 

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, please contact the writer via private message on here or through her email address at RebeccaJeanine71@yahoo.com

 

I, R. J. Lockhart, do not claim any copyrights to the graphics used in this series. I give credit to Electronic Arts and Sims 4 and thank them for the use of said graphics in my material. I do not collect any earnings by publishing this series on my blog.

-R.J. Lockhart

EPISODE ONE

“Bills, bills, and more bills.” Willow signed the last check before sealing it in the envelope, “I hope I beat the mail. If I don’t get these out today, I may forget altogether.”

As Willow made her way out the front door, she slid her pile of envelopes into the mailbox.

“Beautiful day, Miss.” the mail lady walked up behind her.

“Oh, goodness.” Willow put her hand to her chest.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.” the lady apologized, “I have a certified letter for you. You are Willow Graves, correct?”

“Yes, I am.”

“So nice to meet you, Willow.” the lady shook her hand, “When I heard I was subbing for this neighborhood, I could hardly wait to meet you. I read about your stables in Horse Digest last month. I’ve wanted to come out here to see your beauties but didn’t want to appear like some creepy stalker person.”

The lady gave a nervous laugh.

“Oh, no worries, ma’am.” Willow giggled, “I’m out here by myself most of the time. It’s always nice to meet a new face. What’s your name?”

“Pardon me.” she replied, “Where are my manners. My name is Bridgette.”

“Bridgette, it’s wonderful to meet a fan.”

“Oh, goodness me.” Bridgette fumbled through her mailbag, “I need your autograph… er, signature. You know... for the certified letter.”

Willow signed for it before Bridgette handed the envelope to her.

“Feel free to visit my beauties. They are in the pasture out there.” Willow pointed, “I would stay with you and show you around, but I have duties calling my name. It was nice to meet you, Bridgette.”

After saying their goodbyes, Willow closed the front door behind her.

“Now for a much-needed vanilla-mocha latte’.” Willow walked into her kitchen, “I have so much to do this week. I have to hire a new ranch hand before the week is over, or I’ll run the stables by myself forever.”

Willow picked up her cup after the latte’ finished brewing. She then got cozy on her favorite worn down leather barstool. She wasted no time opening the certified letter.

“I wonder who this is from.” she ripped through the envelope, “Surely, it’s not another bill. I swear, If I see one more bill, it’ll be the end of… what the hell?”

Willow sat in silence as she read the certified letter.

“Dear Miss Willow Graves,

I write to you today with my deepest condolences on the loss of your cousin, Maria Graves. I tried countless times to reach you by phone to no avail. Please, contact me at this number…”

Willow finished reading the letter before laying it down on the counter.

“What is going on?” Willow gasped, “I thought there was no one left. Where was Maria all my life? Why do I need to contact this person who wrote to me? I suppose I can give her a call… tomorrow.”

Willow did what Willow was best at… she put off contacting the outside world.

“The dishes will not wash all by themselves.” Willow leaned over her kitchen sink, “There, last one.”

After drying her hands, she walked into the entryway of her country-island home.

“Here you go, Codie.” Willow filled her blue-yellow macaw’s food bowl, “My, my… it is a beautiful day out, isn’t it?”

Willow watched the sunshine its majestic beam through her giant entry picture window.

“Well.” she sighed, “Off to care for my beauties.”

It was not a life for most. A person had to be dedicated to the world of ranching… not to mention the obsession with horses alone. Ever since she was a little girl and raised on a horse ranch as a young orphan, Willow grew to love her furry friends.

She had a special place in her heart for her beauties… her two mares and two stallions. She took all of them in as rescues and built them into something more. It took a lot of hard work on her part… sacrificing much and giving so much more.

“My beautiful Skye.” Willow finished spreading the hay before heading over to her first rescue, “Here you go. Your favorite. Fresh carrots.”

Willow nuzzled her mare's thin white snip with one hand and fed her a bunch of carrots with the other. Had anyone passed by the ranch, they would have to be blind not to see the love flowing between horse and owner.

Skye let out a slight ‘bray’ of a thankyou as she accepted her giant offering of carrots. Skye was among a few left of the Morgan breed known to live on the island. Willow would never admit she had a favorite, but she was staring at her at that very moment if she did. Deep down, Skye knew the affection that Willow had for her as she shared the same.

“Enjoy your snack.” Willow stepped back, “I need to put your sister and brothers in their stables. I will come for you last, my dear.”

She walked away from her before grabbing extra hay to add to their feeders.

“I need to get a jump on it before my first interview for the ranch hand position shows up.” Willow led Pepper to his stall, locking him inside.

Pepper would be an obvious choice of a second favorite. She brought him into her ranch one stormy night, days after Skye. Pepper was a handsome Clydesdale.  Abandoned by her owner during his move off the island—days past before someone happened upon him. They nursed the poor stallion back from malnutrition.

Skye never understood how any human on earth could be cruel to not take care of their own… whether it be a child or a pet. She was quick to accept Pepper into her home when she got the call from Dr. Tracton. He was her go-to vet.

After she let her last horse in its stable, Willow felt a tickle start-up deep inside her nose.

“Oh, no. not again.” she held her hand over her nose, “AAA… ATCHOO! Of all things to have for being a rancher. Ugh, why am I plagued with hay fever? I hope this interview goes well. I really need someone to help me.”

After double-checking the stable locks, Willow walked away.

“Awe, Molly.” she kneeled to pick up her Maine Coon, “Are you hungry, sweetie?”

“Meows…” Molly seemed to say yes.

“Let me find Tuvok so I can feed you both.”

She went on her hunt to find her German Sheppard. As she suspected, he was waiting by his food dish inside their pet-room.

“Ok, you two. Enjoy your breakfast. I desperately stink and need a shower. Behave yourself, Tuvok. Molly, no antagonizing!”

As she made her way to the shower, she thought about how much easier her life would again be with a ranch hand.

“I hope whoever he is, he has plenty of experience and isn’t a pervert. That’s the last thing I need. Another Tommy. Lord, that man was brilliant with his work but horribly flirtatious.”

After a long, thoughtful shower, she made her way to her vanity to start on her hair and makeup. She hoped she wasn’t going too far to make herself up, but she wanted to feel pretty after becoming so grungy taking care of her beauties.

“There, that should do it.” she smiled in the mirror, “I hope he’s on time.” 

Willow walked halfway down the hallway as a tall, handsome stranger made his way to her front door.

Before he could knock, Codie alerted Willow.

“Stranger, eeeek, strangeeeer!” he screamed, “Door, eeeek!”

“Codie.” Willow walked past him, “Knock it off!”

A stunned Willow opened her front door to the gorgeous stranger standing on the other side. She pictured him much older and chunkier, like the other ranchers she knew on the island. Willow never suspected this tall, handsome young man would answer her ad for help. Speechless, she continued standing there… staring at him.

“Hello, ma’am.” he broke the silence as he tipped his black leather cattleman, followed by a curtsy, “I’m Griffin McGregor. Miss Willow Graves is expecting me.”

“I’m Willow.” she stood there gazing into his stunning emerald-like eyes, “Please, forgive me. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

“No, miss.” he replied, “If I have anymore, I’ll burst. I’d rather get on with the interview if you don’t mind.”

For a handsome fellow, he sure was assertive.

“Please, follow me.” Willow walked ahead of him out the front door.

She kind of liked that he was straight to the point, rather than being a pervert… so far! Although she wouldn’t mind if he were a bit flirty with his devilishly good looks and all.

“First, I need to tell you...” Willow stopped dead center in the front yard, “There is a lot involved in this job. If you’re not a hard worker, please, let me know now. I’d rather not waste either of our time.”

Willow hoped she wouldn’t regret telling him this. She made it a habit to inform any of her job candidates.

“Ma’am.” he smiled, “I promise… lazy, I am not.”

“That’s good.” she caught herself blushing as she turned to walk toward the barn.

“I’ll show you the most important part of your job if I hire you.” Willow walked into the opening of the barn, “The barn.”

She stood in front of the door, so he could take it all in before entering.

“I rescue horses, but I only have room for the four I have now.” she went on.

“Four is a lot for one person alone.” Griffin seemed to agree with her, “My Grandfather raised me on his farm. He had twelve horses. Trust me when I say, I know what a handful they can be.”

“Good to know that you aren’t a stranger to ranch work.” she smiled as she entered the barn, “This here is Shadow. He seems to think he’s the ‘alpha’ of the bunch. That said, he’s quite the feisty one. He’s a wild black Arabian rescued from right here in the Southliers Reef. Hardly anyone has explored a large section of this island. It is told that there are many breeds of horses wandering around in the Southliers Mountains. I plan to travel there to see about rescuing more horses. First, I need to buy more land to house them on.”

“That’s mighty exceptional of you to do so.” he beamed.

After showing him the rest of her horses, Willow took him to her garden.

“This here is my side business.” she stopped in front of the fruit trees and herb garden, “You don’t need to have a vast knowledge of farming. I will teach you what you need to know. Your most important duties will be with the horses. There will be times I may need you to help care for my garden, though… and a few other things. We’ll get into that later if I hire you.”

“My Grandfather had an extensive selection of crops he grew on his farm.” Griffin explained, “You’ll be happy to know that I worked every bit of his ranch as a young lad. I love gardening. I have an herb garden on the patio of my apartment.”

“That’s the other thing.” Willow dreaded this part, “Well, er… If I hire you, you will need to reside here on my property. It’s just… well… there’s always something to get done throughout the day. You’ll finish most of your work by noon, but there’s the occasional ‘emergency’. I hope you understand. If giving up your apartment is a problem, I can appreciate that. I can only take someone on who will live on the premises.”

“No worries, ma’am.” he replied, “It so happens that my lease is up at the end of this month. It would honor me to live on your ranch.”

At that very moment, Willow’s heart felt as if it would jump out of her chest.

“Well, then, Griffin.” she spoke as calmly as she could, “I appreciate you coming in for the interview. I have a few more to give, but I will let you know in a couple of days if I choose you for this position.”

“Thank you very much, Miss Willow.” Griffin gave another quick curtsy before he stepped into his truck and drove away.

“Oh. My. Gosh!” Willow walked back toward the garden, “That man was… YUMMY!”

It was at that very moment that she made her mind up to hire him. All he had to do was submit his background check and drug screening. She would still see her other applicants out of common courtesy. She was positive he was the one, though.

Willow spent the rest of the afternoon weeding, harvesting, and watering her crops. Next to raising her beautiful family of horses, gardening was her next favorite way to spend her days. She had a use for every single one of her crops. She would sell any leftover produce at the market over the weekend.

“I hope he’s ok working the winery.” she leaned over a mushroom plant, “I should include that in the interview, but it always seems to scare them away. If only they understood what a small part of the job it is.”

After she finished with her mushrooms, sweat and all, Willow headed back inside.

“I’m famished.” Willow opened her fridge and pulled out a t.v. meal, “This should do it.”

Ripping the cardboard box from her meal, she put the tray inside her microwave.

“Mmm… Chicken parmesan.” she pushed the buttons on her microwave after closing the door.

If there was one thing Willow did best out of all her daily tasks, it was eat, eat, and eat! She prepared her lunches on the weekend and froze them. She did, of course, have the occasional store-bought t.v. dinner. Suppers were something different. After a long workday, she enjoyed cooking her meal homemade.

“Much better.” Willow gathered her trash and put it in the compactor before heading to her bathroom for a soak.

Shower in the morning after chores with her horses and a bath at night. She somewhat kept that routine every day.

“Book, t.v. or game.” Willow always had trouble making up her mind on what to do to wind down before bed.

She lay back in her bed as she tried to decide which to enjoy. Had it been the weekend, she usually would do all three… but weekdays demanded her to be early to rise in the mornings.

“Skating it is.” she jumped out of bed and chose her game before sliding the disc into her game box.

After gluing her southern hemisphere to her wooden floor, she dove into her saved game. Willow became the characters in her games. It was silly how she made strange noises and movements throughout her playtime.

“Oh my.” she yawned half an hour into her game, “I’m exhausted.”

That is when Willow lifted herself off the floor and put her game away. It was only 8’o'clock. For her, it was bedtime. She rarely went to bed past nine during the weekday.

“Early day, tomorrow.” she sighed as she pulled herself into bed and beneath her covers.

Another day of hard work done… tomorrow was a new day to begin… Tonight she would sleep and dream.

 

Thank you for visiting and reading episode one. I hope you enjoyed your read. Please feel free to leave a comment… Stay tuned for episode two! 😊