Chapter Nine

The day of the picnic came around and I was both sad and frustrated.  Not only had my mother invited a few dozen people that I barely knew or didn’t know at all to it, but I hadn’t seen Kenton since the night I’d asked him to come and mom scared him away.

I did my best to be pleasant and amiable to the guests as they arrived, but, let’s face it, they were my mother’s guests, not mine.  To add to my angst, Michael Jefferson arrived with his two sons and his niece in tow.  I was definitely not in the mood to meet and entertain people of my own age.

My mother’s voice grated every nerve I possessed as she walked up to me with Michael and his offspring following like baby ducks. “Missy, honey, this is Michael Jefferson.  His farm is on the other side of the reserve.  I’m sure you’ve seen it while riding.” Michael vigorously shook my hand while mom continued to introduce me to the newcomers.