Unforeseen Circumstances: Day 7

Word Count: 42,103

Summary of Events:

Weston went out for morning milking on Monday, where he first had to get the cows all into the barn before he was given charge of two of the machines for milking the cows. Following a full day of work around the farm, including picking up some of the items his father had bought at the auction which had been too big to haul home on Saturday, evening milking, and a late supper, Weston took Andie to Shawn's house, where he introduced Andie to Shawn's father and sister before Shawn suggested they go outside and enjoy the beautiful evening chatting around a fire…

Excerpt of the Day:

“So how was the auction on Saturday?” Shawn asked.

“It seemed like any other auction to me,” Weston replied, shrugging. “Not that I really saw all that much of it.”

“Oh?” Shawn asked. “Why?”

“Because she needed the bathroom,” Weston replied, pointing at Andie.

Shawn’s eyes widened in shock, but a smile quickly crossed his face and he laughed.

“I’m sure it wasn’t the bathroom break to end all bathroom breaks,” he said.

“No,” Andie replied. “Mrs. Rutledge thought I looked like someone she knew.”

“Sounds typical,” Shawn said. “She knows everybody, or thinks she knows everybody.”

“But it was actually true,” Weston said.

“Oh?” Shawn asked.

“Yeah, my dad’s mom, Grandma Lorna, and her were childhood friends in Beverly, where their fathers were coal miners,” Andie replied.

“Really,” Shawn said. “I thought Mrs. Rutledge was from by Edmonton.”
“Beverly’s now a part of Edmonton,” Weston replied.

Shawn’s brow furrowed. “Coal, in Edmonton? I thought it was only in the mountains.”

Weston shook his head. “It was in the River Valley too. Apparently the mines at Beverly supplied Edmonton with a lot of their coal in the early days, but then Beverly got into debt problems and accepted absorption into Edmonton to get rid of their debt.”

“Hm,” Shawn said. “When was this?”

“Only twenty years ago or so, I think, based on what Mrs. Rutledge said,” Weston replied.

“Really,” Shawn said. “I wonder if Dad knows about it.”

“Dad did,” Weston replied. “Apparently Grandpa and Grandma used to have a coal-fired furnace because Grandpa’s parents put it in the house as a wedding gift, but Grandma hated it because it got coal dust on everything.”

“I can imagine,” Shawn said. “I doubt a wood-fired furnace would be much of an improvement.”

“That’s the reason why the chimney goes straight out,” Weston said.

“Yeah,” Shawn said. “So you knew Mrs. Rutledge before the auction?”

“No,” Andie replied, shaking her head. “She and Grandma Lorna lost track of each other after they married because Grandpa Cyrus was in the Army and then became an oilfield mechanic, while Mr. Rutledge farmed out here. Grandma Lorna and Grandpa Cyrus live in Mill Woods now.”

“That is a bit of a distance,” Shawn said, nodding. “Not ridiculous, but at the same time, kind of prevents the paths crossing a little bit.”

“Yeah, a little bit,” Andie agreed.

“But once you got Alma going you couldn’t shut her up?” Shawn asked.

“Yeah, pretty much,” Weston replied. “I mean, I came and went to check on the auction, but she stayed parked pretty much. And well-fuelled with lemonade and shortbread cookies.”

“Mm,” Shawn said. “I do like a good shortbread cookie.”

Weston nodded. “I had some too.”

“And you didn’t bring me any!?” Shawn exclaimed, slapping Weston’s arm. “What kind of best friend are you!?”

Weston laughed while Shawn shook his head, unable to keep the smile off his own face.