Keith Foxx carefully drove down a muddy road in his Ford pickup. He would need to take it to a car wash after today. Unfortunately this road was the only way back to the homestead of "Isaiah and Mary Ruuthouse", parents of Britney's friend Grace.
Beside him sat his daughter Brit appearing far more adult than he had ever seen her. Today his cute youngster wore an unbelievably long dress that he had only seen her wear one time ever. Her hair was pinned up in a bun with what he could only call knitting needles through a leather patch. Of course he was a man and didn't know the proper term for what he called a Pin Cushion. She also wore glasses that made her seem rather Librarian in nature. He had to chuckle at her poise.
"Quit glancing at me and laughing. Once I start I won't be able to stop. Laughing that is. I know I look ridiculous. But, this is the only way I can gain the trust of Grace's family. By the way, you look nice in that flannel shirt. We can always go find you a straw hat to look Amish."
"I don't do hats unless they sponsor a ball team. I hope you know I feel really used here. While you have your fun I might be stuck building a barn."
"Thank you Daddy. I'll make sure Grace thanks you too once I transform her into a Goddess."
Keith scowled. He didn't need to feel any more guilt over playing with any more young girls. His daughter was enough to contain as it was. So, why was the thought of some girl who supposedly had hair down past her ass so appealing? His jeans felt entirely too tight.
Finally reaching the end of the road they discovered a corral that held four horses to their left. As the road stopped in favor of a grassy area with a stone pathway they noted a large really old two story farm house. It needed a bit of work but it was indeed rustic.
"Little House on the Prairie" Keith chuckled.
"No clue." Brit shrugged concerning his reference.
Grace was up on the porch with they presumed her Grandmother in a swing. Once she spotted the truck Grace stood up and moved to the steps. Keith realized the girl was a looker even wearing the long dress and hair up under a thin white bonnet.
"She must be hot under all that get up." Keith growls shutting his engine off.
Brit smiles, "Very hot. You wait and see."
"Not what I meant." Keith hissed scratching his scalp.
Getting out of the truck Brit led the way as Keith followed with uncertainty."
"Hello." Brit waved at Grace and the elderly woman in similar garb.
"Hello, Britney. Join us on the porch. This is my grandmother, "Anna". Grandmother this is my friend Britney."
Britney climbs the steps then turns to face the woman and actually curtsy's. The bow left Keith speechless. Who was this strange child he raised?
"This is my father, "Keith". I do not drive so I asked him to bring me out here. I hope that is okay."
Anna sits silently in the swing and merely eyes them.
"Smile, Grandmother. They are harmless." Grace urges.
Finally, the woman smirks and returns to knitting the blanket she was forming.
"What are we knitting?" Brit attempted curiosity in favor of good impression.
She carefully strolls over to look more closely.
"It's beautiful. I would love to learn how to knit like that. My mother is not that talented."
Keith nods with a frown thinking, "Got that right."
Anna stops crocheting long enough to pat the swing beside her. Brit smiles and moves to sit down next to her. Once comfy Anna hands her the knitting needles and fabric. She carefully coaches the girl without a word. Brit knew this was a test. She did her best to go with the flow. She was actually pretty good at it.
"Now this requires a picture." Keith reveals his cellphone and snaps a photo.
Anna scowls at him. He had not considered her feelings.
Brit looks at Grace with a haunted glare.
"I'm quite certain he did not mean to disrespect you Grandmother. He was only proud of his daughter."
Brit smiles at Anna, "My Father is always taking pictures of me and my brother. He keeps a rich history of our growth."
Keith clears his throat and nods, "I apologize. I can delete the picture."
"There is no need. You were in your right to show pride in your daughter."
Keith turns to see a woman behind a screen door. She was beautiful and full of life.
Grace moves to the door as it opens meeting the woman.
"Mother? My friend Britney and her father. Keith was it?"
He nods and cautiously extends a hand out of friendship, "Yes, Keith. It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs..."
She stops him before he finishes, "Mary. Welcome to our home."
"Thank you. Love the horses." Keith looks behind him at the corral.
"My husband loves them. He is out back building a barn with some of our kin."
"My daughter mentioned that he was barn building. I build homes but business in the area has been slow. Free time on my hands. If he needs any help I would love to get some fresh air."
Mary blushes lightly, "He would be very grateful for your generosity. Grace? Find your little brother and have him introduce Keith to your father."
"Yes Mother." Grace vanishes into the house for a mere four minutes before returning with a ten year old boy in suspenders.
"Daniel? Be respectful and show Keith here to your Father."
The boy shyly moves past Keith and down the steps stopping to wait for him.
""Show your manners." He eyes Brit.
"As always, Father. Have fun."
Keith takes his leave following Daniel through a small batch of timber. As a clearing approached he heard multiple hammers and saws. Once in plain sight Keith huffed, "Very nice." He was impressed at the craftsmanship.
The closer he got to the barn site the movements grew silent. Daniel ran ahead and hugged his Father's leg telling him of Keith.
Isaiah was a burley man with a long peppered beard and thick rimmed glasses. He wore a white shirt stained by sweat and saw dust. On top of his head was a gray thick brimmed hat.
"Good evening." Isaiah spoke loudly.
Keith met him with a hand shake, "That's some beautiful work. I build houses that aren't designed as good. Of course that's not my decision it's the architects and the contractors. If I had any say I would be happy to build with half of this much integrity."
"We work with God's hands. I am Isaiah. These are my brothers, Hiram, and Zachariah. My nephew Jonah."
"Nice to meet everybody. Keith Foxx. My daughter thinks very highly of your daughter Grace. They have become good friends I hear."
"As have I. Grace wishes for your daughter to tutor her. I want what is best for my daughter yet I hope you understand I am leery of the world."
"I understand. My daughter's a good kid. Very smart and extremely caring. As we speak Anna is teaching her how to crochet. I'm thankful that Anna has taken the time to be patient with Britney."
"This is good." Isaiah turns to his brothers, "I will return shortly."
With their acknowledgement Isaiah joins Keith and his son Daniel on the journey back toward the house.
"I will meet your daughter and make my decision."
"Absolutely. By the way, if you need help with that barn I'd gladly offer giving you a hand. Maybe you can teach me a thing or three I don't know. As I told Mary I could use some fresh air."
"That is kind of you my friend. We shall see."
With a nod they walk the rest of the way in silence. Once reaching the porch Isaiah is met with a hug from Mary and a glass of ice water. Isaiah downs the glass in one gulp and sighs. He then turns to Grace who hovered beside Anna and Britney.
"You must be Britney?"
Brit starts to rise with her material when Isaiah puts his hands up stopping her.
"Please sit. If I asked my Mother to get up I would hear nothing but babble."
Anna frowns at Isaiah who winks at her.
"Hello Sir." Britney blushes.
"You are quite smart I hear."
"Straight "A's". Honor roll every year. I learn very fast and love knowledge. Grace is so much like me concerning her studies." Brit fidgets.
Grace adds, "Yet Chemistry is my worst enemy."
Isaiah shrugs, "I am still uncertain the necessity of such a class. Yet, my daughter wishes to be useful in the future. Even to go to college. She would be the first in three generations to attend any college."
"I think she has a lot to offer this world."
Keith interrupts, "What would you like to go to school for Grace?"
"I would like to be a Veterinarian. I love caring for animals."
Isaiah sighs, "Yet it is I who feed the horses each day. Daniel and I."
"Do you wish to do the cooking and cleaning Husband?" Mary teases.
With a hiss Isaiah looks at Keith who shakes his head holding both hands up, "Trust me Isaiah. I do enough dishes around our house. My wife works long hours. I try to help out."
Frowning Isaiah looks back at Brit. She smiles at him and lifts her glasses at the bridge of her nose.
"What of you? Will you be going to further your education?"
Brit nods, "I hope too. I have considered going to school for Forensics'. Perhaps a Police Examiner at a Coroner's office. I hope that doesn't sound too morbid."
Mary jumps in with, "That would be interesting."
"You are squeamish when I butcher a chicken." Isaiah mocks with a smirk.
"Only when you let them run around with no heads."
Everyone chuckles at their banter. Even Keith found it refreshing.
Again returning to scrutinize Britney, Isaiah pets his beard as he speaks, "Could you not tutor her here at our home?"
"I could, but I have the approval of our teacher Ms. Vaughn to use all of our school's chemistry lab equipment. I cannot bring everything here."
"You would teach her at the very same school to which I pay for Grace to attend?"
"Yes. I mean some of what I need to help her is there. Our home is very quiet too. My brother is gone almost always with his friends. Dad is home a lot but my mom is usually working."
"I see." Isaiah eyes Keith, "What is it your wife does for work?"
Keith brightens up, "She's a Motivational speaker. Travels a lot with her Employer's."
Isaiah fidgets his lips, "You have a son you say?"
"Lance. Eighteen. Britney's twin by minutes. The kids were born back to back. Brit just turned eighteen. They grow up fast."
"Indeed they do." Mary concurs.
"I hope you understand my worry of Grace being near a boy of your son's age. She is quite innocent." Isaiah points out.
Grace lowers her eyes and blushes heavily.
"No worries there, Isaiah. My son's only home to eat and sleep. With his friends and playing sports when he's not in school."
"You will be there to protect Grace?"
"Absolutely. Even if you agree to my help building the barn. Grace can come over on weekends. If I'm not there my wife might be. Besides Britney is well behaved."
Isaiah nods puckering his lips. He reaches out for Grace to come to him. As she faces him Isaiah palms her shoulders.
"I will agree to this. Four Saturday's for four hours each. If your grade does not improve I will marry you off to "Thomas Friesen" ."
"Noooooooooooo! Not Thomas, Father. Please." Grace giggles and hugs her Father.
Mary turns to Keith whispering, "Thomas is sixteen years old. He was kicked in the head by a mule on his Father's farm. Sweet boy if not quite right. He has always had a crush on our daughter."
Keith discovered respect was not perfect even in this home. He actually felt saddened by their amusement at the lad's expense.
Nodding with hesitance he notes Mary eying him slyly. Her gaze essentially sized him up from head to toe. This made Keith uneasy.
