Getting out of his truck, Lucus slams the door. His father had died two weeks ago and the will had been read today. It seemed that the old man was still trying to rule Lucus’ life from the grave. Lucus bent down, picked up a rock and slung it at the barn. When it hit the wood side it almost cracked the board. In order for Lucus to keep the farm, he had to get married and have a child within two years. Married, of all the things that the old man could have wanted, he had picked the very thing that made Lucus want to run for cover. He had made it to thirty without a woman hanging on his coat tail. He didn’t need or want one now. But if he was to keep the farm and the land, he had no other choice. He had to find a wife.

    Carol didn’t like the look on her father’s face. She had taken the dry clothes off the line that she had washed that morning, had them folded in the basket. Her mother hadn’t been well, so Carol took care of the house, the laundry and cooking for now. Louise, Carol’s mother was feeling some better and they all hoped that she would be fully recovered soon. Robert, Carol’s father told Carol he needed to speak with her. His soft words made her uneasy. This time it was justified. “It’s time that you start thinking about marriage, Carol. Your twenty-five years old. To some your an old maid.” he told her. Carol was shocked. Marriage was something she had not thought about. Why should she? She had everything she needed right here. Carol didn’t know what to say to her father, so she just turned away with the basket of clothes. She put them in their place and thought about what her father had said.

    Lucus had to make a trip into town for supplies. There was somethings he needed from the hardware store and he’d get groceries while he was in town. He was still upset about his father’s will. How could his dad do that to him? Lucus had thought that with all the work he had put into the farm, that his dad would just leave it to him. No strings attached. Had he ever been wrong. Not only was Lucus going to have a woman nagging at him, he was to have a kid that would be crying all hours of the day and night. Lucus had never been a people person. He had always wanted to be by himself. Heck, he liked his own company. After purchasing the things from the hardware store, he made his way to get groceries. Pushing the cart along the isles, he was in deep thought when his cart run smack into a very beautiful young woman. ” Are you hurt? I’m so sorry. I had my mind on something other then groceries, it seems.” He explained. She had just stared for a moment then blinked, ” I’m okay, I’m not hurt.” she replied. All kind of thought’s were going through her mind. She liked the way his voice sounded and she would bet her last dollar that with his good looks, his mother was sure enough proud of herself. He was speaking again, ” You sure you’re okay?” he asked. She just nodded, then looked away. My goodness, get a hold of yourself, Carol thought to herself. Finally finding her voice, ” Well, I need to get these things paid for and get home.” This time Lucus just nodded and watched her walk away. Dang, he didn’t even get her name. Of course she might be married, but it wouldn’t hurt for him to ask around would it?