***Thanks asiansilk for coming up with the name of the ranch***
"Work on a RANCH???" I screamed "Are you KIDDING ME? I don't know the first thing about working on a ranch."
"It's only for a year Halle." Chris, my parole officer said calmly "I told you one more visit to the judge was going to yield you a trip and the little stunt you pulled flying out of the state like that last month was in violation of your parole."
"I NEVER left the airport for goodness sakes. I just wanted to say 'hi' to a friend." I said smiling to myself, remembering that day. That was a great lunch break. But was it worth six months on a ranch? I thought flying to Atlanta first then to see my friend would have helped me but Chris and his overprotective butt has friends in just about every industry in the world. He could find the proverbial needle in a haystack.
"Sorry Halle, nothing I can do now. I'll be here at 9am tomorrow morning to pick you up." Chris said as he got in his car to leave.
I cannot believe I actually have to be away from my family and friends for six months. What was I supposed to do on a ranch? I don't know how to ride a horse. I don't milk cows. I don't know what to do with a chicken except eat it. This is horrible. Wait! Chris never told me who I was going to live with or anything of importance.
Chris arrived bright and early the next morning with a thermos of coffee for him and hot chocolate for me. The trip was rather uneventful. Chris tried to brighten my mood but I just wasn't having it today. Look at the bright side he says, what bright side? I'm going to be spending my days and nights with horses and people I don't know and there is supposed to be a bright side? Goodness, maybe I'll figure out which comes first the chicken or the egg.
We pulled into what looked to be a toll booth, but with a lot more activity. This is where the real nervousness begins to set in.
"Chris, uh where are we? And why are these nice men and women looking in people's cars and asking for papers?" I asked warily.
"Oh I didn't mention that the ranch you're going to is in Canada." he said with a smirk.
"CANADA?" I yelled "Are you seriously sending me to another country to work on a ranch?"
"Chris I can't believe you." I whined.
"You didn't ask, so I figured you didn't care where you were being sent. If you must know Judge Reinhold's younger brother owns a ranch right outside of Calgary and delinquents, like you, are sent there when the Judge feels like you can learn more with a more untraditional sentence." He explained.
"So basically you're telling me that the Judge's brother gets free labor through the United States Judicial System?" I asked sarcastically.
"Yup, isn't life great?" Chris looked at me with a wicked evil grin on his face.
Several hours later, we pulled into a very pretty area. There were mountains in the background with lots of trees but also plenty of flat land. It really was beautiful. And if I'd been here on vacation and not as an alternative to jail, I might have noticed the serene atmosphere. I would have taken pictures of the gorgeous landscapes we drove by. I may have even rolled down my window and inhaled the clean fresh air. But nope, I wasn't going to do any of those things. Instead I sulked and acted like a brat.
My eyes widened as we drove through what I imagined were the front gates to the ranch.
"Welcome to The Cocoa Corral." the sign read.
Can you farm chocolate? I have this huge weakness for anything chocolate; interesting name for a place that has horses and cows and chickens and hay and stuff like that.
"Is there chocolate here?" I asked in my most disinterested voice.
"You'll have to wait and see. Mark is expecting us so he should be at the house." Chris said.
The "house" wasn't just any old house. It was this gorgeous mansion! Well not a mansion in the Bill Gates sort of way but more the 'this house is made for a BIG family'. The view looked as if Norman Rockwell had painted it. The front yard was well tended to, a wide spread of flowers all with bright colors. A comfortable looking swinging bench was on the porch. The front door was open as if to say 'Welcome Home'.
Chris cut off the engine and began getting out. The screen door to the house opened and out walked Mark, or at least I think it was Mark. From afar I couldn't see details but he was tall somewhere between 6' and 6'2. He wore a huge cowboy hat, nicely fitted jeans boots and a t-shirt. As I stepped out of the car, I gave him a closer look as he and Chris shook hands. He had broad shoulders and a nice butt. Then he turned to look at me and I died a slow death. I drowned in the blue of his eyes.
His eyes shouldn't even be called blue. They were their own color. I got pictures of a gorgeous winter scene in my head with snow capped trees, freshly fallen snow against a back drop of a clear blue sky. The blue of the water mixed with the whiteness of the snow creating a shade of blue only found in his eyes. His eyes were bright with his smile. A full smile of white straight teeth, it was lazy and easy.
"Well, howdy Halle." Mark said with a southern drawl.
"Hi." I replied "You sound American."
Mark laughed "Technically, I am. I'm originally from Texas but migrated up here when this ranch came on the market."
"Oh." I said disinterested.
"So..." Chris said "I guess I'll head back now." He turned to me and placed his hands on my shoulders "Halle, it's only six months. Just be good and don't get into any trouble. If you need me you can call on my cell, but I'll check in with you every few days."
"Bye" I said as I turned away to grab my bags. I was not happy with Chris even though I knew this wasn't his fault. It really was mine, but what woman you know accepts responsibility for her mistakes?
I stared at the house again. At this moment it looked really daunting. I can usually handle myself in any situation I get into but this is completely new territory. I felt Mark's eyes on me so I glance over to him. The smug little smile playing on his lips gave me the push I need. I stood up straight, swung back my hair, dropped my bags and said "Let's get this show on the road." and walked through the front door.