Chapter 63 Just a Look
Hallie came out of her bedroom to the sound of some kind of awful howling.
“Home, home on the range,” Luke sang, sounding like an out-of-tune contestant on American Idol.
“Your singing,” Hallie remarked with a shudder, “it’s even worse when you’re sober.”
They walked down the stairs of the ranch house to meet the rest of the family for breakfast.
“Sorry, I can’t help it,” Luke said, “I’m just so happy to be back here in the countryside, even for a short getaway.”
“So you’re not going to stay for weeks and weeks like some kind of moocher?” she teased.
“Not this time. I’m telling you, I’ve become a more responsible person. I’ll do my best to promote Solar Sarkadia and make lots of money for my country, bringing home the bacon, as you Americans say.”
“I don’t know if anyone says that anymore,” Hallie replied with a slight smile. “But I’m glad you’re being more responsible.”
The family sat down at the table as the smell of fried eggs, hash browns, and sausage filled the air.
“We’re so happy to have you back, honey,” Vivian said.
“You don’t need to do any chores around the ranch,” Sam added, “unless you’d like to! I know you’re here for a break from work.”
Terry made a grumpy face hearing this. It was like she could never be happy, whether her sister was getting more or less work to do around the ranch.
Hallie couldn’t help but enjoy the moment.
“If you could find the time to move the straw from the north pasture, I would be grateful,” her mama added.
“Are you guys just staying for the weekend?” Terry asked.
“Yeah, we both could use some country air,” Luke replied, “For as George Washington once said, ‘I had rather be on my farm than be emperor of the world.’”
“Oh Luke, you always have the most charming ideas,” Vivian said, passing him a plate filled with hash browns.
“He still hasn’t told me where we’re going camping,” Hallie complained.
“That’s because it’s a surprise,” Luke said with a patient smile.
“Just make sure it’s a surprise that she likes,” Terry said, prompting an amazed look from Hallie.
“Of course she’ll like it,” Luke said breezily, but Terry gave him a look that seemed to imply there was some hidden meaning behind her words.
Hallie tried to think it was nothing, but she noticed that Luke was a little put off by that look, as if something secret had passed between him and Terry.
Hallie was finally feeling on top of the world. She had a job, and she was basking in the glow of her parents’ love. It would be just like Terry to stick her nose in and send everything crumbling to the ground.
After breakfast, they packed up their camping gear and prepared to ride out.
Luke was in the stables, preparing to take his horse for the journey when Hallie came over to talk to him.
“So you still won’t tell me where we’re going?” she asked.
“Can’t you guess?” he asked, giving her a devilish grin.
“Knowing you, it’s some kind of secret orgy in the middle of the countryside.”
Luke shook his head. “Wrong. Care to try again?”
“Well, we’ve got provisions for two days and camping gear, so some kind of nature tour?”
“Not exactly?”
“Just tell me!”
“Nope. Don’t even try to get it out of me. Of course, you could tickle me, but I still won’t give up the secret.”
“Is Terry bothering you?” Hallie suddenly asked. As much as she tried to ignore it, she had a feeling there was something going on.
“Terry? No! Why would you say that?”
Was it her imagination, or did he look guilty? But then, knowing Luke, it was reasonable to assume he was always guilty of something.
“I thought I detected some kind of vibe at breakfast...”
“There’s no vibe. I don’t like how Terry treats you, so we’re not exactly friends.”
“Good,” Hallie said. Maybe it was her imagination after all, or just some minor thing not worth mentioning.
“Well, are you ready?” he asked.
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
They led their horses out of the stables and mounted.
“Nothing like a good old-fashioned horse riding adventure,” Luke said, “Let’s go!”
They headed north from the ranch into unfenced wild country.