And just like we've done countless times, Dad and I stand on either side of my mom and kiss her cheeks.
She pushes us both away, and we laugh. "Off you go. I want you both cleaned up for dinner and back here in twenty minutes."
We both take a salute and disappear upstairs.
My muscles relax under the hot shower. Last week's sudden drop in temperature and subsequent snow brought forth the work I'd been putting off for a couple of weeks.
With the cows inside most of the day, Dad and I spent the week fixing fences, strengthening weak spots, cutting wood, and everything else you could possibly imagine related to fences.
It's always so easy to forget how much land we really own because we only use a quarter of it. Still, the cows have free rein, and that meansa lotof fences. Fucking fences.
I run the soap over my body, wishing not for the first time that I had someone to share the shower with. Someone that could work the knots on my back loose while paying attention to other areas, too.
"There's always tonight," I say, looking down at my half-hard dick.
I'm only going for a few drinks with my friends, but there's always a chance of meeting someone new at Vino. It's not the same as being in a steady relationship, but it meets a very important life need. Beggars can't be choosers, right?
It's not like I have much time to date someone properly. As my ex-boyfriend, Theo, accurately described, anyone who wants to be with me needs to accept cows and trees come first.
His face as he stared at me the day we broke up is still etched into my mind. The way his piercing brown eyes framed by the long lashes demanded I give him the answer he wanted. He wanted his statement to either shock me or change me. It didn’t.
Not that our month-long relationship could really be called a relationship, but it was the closest I've been to trying it out for size. I learned my lesson.
And that's why it's much easier to score the occasional hookup who won't care that I've spent the day cleaning cow shit, fixing fences, or cleaning my equipment in readiness for the maple-tapping season.
I get out of the shower and dress quickly, running downstairs just in time to avoid being scolded by the most important woman in my life.
"Dad, I've lined up Francis to help you out next week. Four hours per day," I say.
He looks at me. "Why? Where are you going?"
I sigh. I'm going where I always go, to work on my own business, which he seems to think should come second to his.
"Tapping season is coming up, Dad. Gotta make sure I'm all ready for it."
He grunts but says nothing else. Mom looks at me with an understanding smile.
The farm isn't mine. It's not my dream, and it's not what I want to do with my life, but until my brother finishes college and his work placement at a dairy farm in Wisconsin, I'm more or less stuck helping my dad out.
Miles was born to follow in our dad's footsteps. As a kid, I wanted nothing more than to leave home and travel the world until I figured out what I wanted to do. My brother only ever wanted to be around cows and milk. He still does.
I still remember the day he was first allowed to help my dad out on the farm. He came home and proudly announced that he'd named all the cows and spent the duration of our dinner reciting them. I've never seen my dad look so proud.
Fortunately, we're a dairy farm rather than a cattle farm, or I'm pretty sure he'd have us all turn vegetarian.
After dinner, my dad goes off to watch a game on TV while I help my mom clean up.
"You know he doesn't mean it, don't you?" she says, looking out to the living room to make sure Dad doesn't overhear us talking. If he does, he'll want to know if we're talking about him.
"What? To talk about my business as if it's nothing but a hobby? To expect me to work for free while I'm standing in for Miles?"
She puts the dishcloth down and gives me a tight hug.
"Maybe if you told him how successful you are. I met Audrey Fletcher in town the other day. She said she saw your maple syrup on sale all the way out in Montpellier."
"That was meant to be a surprise," I say. "I was going to tell you. I've been sending out samples of Maple Sky to different places, and so far, I've secured the exclusive supplier position for a shop in Montpellier and another in Colebury."
"I'm so proud of you, honey."
