Independence
I woke up Wednesday morning to the sound of my alarm clock and the smell of bacon frying. Dressing quickly, I went upstairs. Mom was in the kitchen making breakfast.
"Ya didn't need to get up early to do this, Mom. I planned to make my own breakfast."
"And what was on the menu?"
"Well, probably cold cereal and orange juice, I suppose."
"Is that what you've been eating?"
"Well, no. Logan is good at really cookin' a real breakfast. We had thing's like scrambled eggs and toast, and usually some kind of fruit to go with it."
Mom smiled at me. "That's what I thought. Logan knows what breakfast needs to be for someone who's going to work all day. So, sit down and eat while we talk about other options."
While I ate, I got a short course in nutrition, and Mom made a list of food items that could be quickly prepared but would give me a more balanced breakfast.
"You may have to get up fifteen minutes earlier, but you need a healthy breakfast with more fiber and protein. Orange juice and cold cereal don't cut it for hard work."
"Thanks, Mom. I guess I still have a lot to learn about bein' independent."
"Life is all about learning. Some lessons are harder than others, but they give us knowledge to help us do better the next time. Now, you need to get going. Have a good day at work."
Mom was clearly talking about more than nutrition lessons. I gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and headed out the door.
It had been my suggestion that Logan and I could get to know more about each other while we worked. Moving pipe didn't lend itself well to conversation, but while we worked on fence repair, I asked him more about his life and what was important to him. I learned that he would have liked to play football, but it was less important than helping Gramps with the ranch. Other than that, he wasn't interested in sports, either as a participant or spectator. He listened to country music, liked to hunt with Gramps in the fall, but didn't have much time for fishing or other pursuits beyond ranch work. He wanted to attend one of the two closest colleges with agricultural programs with the goal of getting an Associate's degree.
Logan made an effort by asking what life was like in the city. I told him a little about going to a big junior high school and how I preferred living in the country. I also expressed my appreciation for all the things he'd taught me about ranch work. I didn't go into much detail because I felt he needed to take the same initiative as I was if he really wanted to know what was important to me. By the end of the week, it seemed clear our new relationship was going to revolve around me helping him with the ranch. That was fine with me. I liked the work and all the useful things I was learning. I was glad he didn't pressure me for more sex because that would have put a strain on what was becoming at least a comfortable working relationship.
On Friday, Logan had information about the next week. "We're gonna cut the alfalfa soon, so we're gonna stop irrigating as of today. The fences are in good shape. There are a few things to do next week that we wanna have ya help with, but Gramps doesn't have a definite plan yet. One of us will let ya know by Monday. Does that work for ya?"
"Sure, that'll be fine. Have a good weekend." I waited because he looked like he had more to say.
Unusually nervous, Logan managed to get it out. "Maybe I'll see ya at the swimmin' hole on Sunday?"
"Maybe, but I don't know yet. I'm gonna spend a little time with my parents this weekend."
Logan paused. "Okay ... are we friends again?"
I paused briefly too. "Yes, we're friends again, and I'm glad we can still be friends."
There was another pause. "Thanks. So am I. It's important to me. I'll see ya next week if not before."
"Would you be interested in going to a farm equipment auction today?"
My parents and I were having a leisurely Saturday breakfast, and the suggestion was from Dad.
"Sure! Are you goin' too, Mom?"
Mom smiled. "No, farm machines and toys with engines are a guy thing. I have some things I want to do at home today."
Dad continued. "The auction is at a ranch the other side of town. It's a small ranch, only one section, that's been bought by a neighboring landowner, and all the equipment is up for sale. The listing included several things that might be useful to us."
"Such as?"
"Oh, a riding lawn mower and a wood splitter. If we're going to use the fireplace and wood stove next winter like I think we will, we'll be cutting and splitting a lot of wood this summer and fall. And maybe a riding lawn mower would encourage you to take over lawn care."
I looked up at Dad. I could tell he was teasing me. "I thought mowin' the lawn was somethin' you liked to do yerself."
He grinned. "Well, times are changing. Now that you can drive a tractor, I thought you might want to drive a lawn mower too."
"I'd be glad to if ya want me to."
He smiled. "We can discuss that later."
Mom had a comment. "Just make sure what you buy is useful. I don't want to decorate the yard with farm implements."
"Don't worry Dear. I won't buy anything we haven't discussed." One of those silent communications passed between them. There was something I didn't know, but I wouldn't find out by asking.
"How are we gonna get the stuff home? We don't have a pickup or a trailer."
"Rusty and his brother Pete will be stopping by to get us in about a half hour in their crew-cab truck towing a flatbed trailer. They have a couple of purchases in mind too."
I was becoming more curious. "So how did that arrangement come about?"
Dad smiled. "It's just one of those things that happen in a small community. You never know who you're going to run into at the grocery store."
There had to be more, but I knew that was all I was going to learn.
Pete was in his mid-twenties with the same red hair and cheerful disposition as Rusty. Dad got in beside him. I climbed in the back seat beside Rusty, who leaned over and gave me a big hug. I hugged him back, and realized I suddenly felt ten times better than five minutes before. Rusty always made me feel happy.
"What are you and Pete lookin' for at the auction?"
"There are some attachments that would fit our tractor. If we can get them at a good price, it would be useful to have spares of some things."
"Anything else?"
"Well, Pete may also bid on a four-wheeler. There's one like mine that's nearly new, and it's a reliable model. It's always good to have a backup on the ranch."
We arrived at the auction site, and Dad and Pete went to get numbers and look at the things they were hoping to bid on. I waved at Austin and Andy. Logan and Gramps were there too. I saw Cory at a distance with a man who probably was his father. It seemed that auctions were community social events.
Gramps saw us and came over to say hello. After he'd talked briefly with Dad and Pete, he took me aside for a minute.
"Logan and I are going to Twin Falls to check out the agriculture programs at the College of Southern Idaho. We'll be gone Monday and Tuesday. The irrigation pipe needs to be taken out of the hay field for harvesting. If you could do that, it would be helpful. Grams can get you started, and she will also need some help with a few other things. Could you help her with that, and then stay over at the bunkhouse Monday night in case she needs more assistance? Neither she nor I are getting any younger, and I would be more comfortable with someone responsible available to help."
I replied quickly and eagerly. "Sure, I'll be glad to do that." I was glad Gramps saw me as being responsible and wanted my help in spite of my problems with Logan.
"Excellent! How about if you come over Monday around eight o'clock. You can have breakfast with Grams, and then she'll get you started on the pipe removal."
"Sure! I'll be there."
Rusty and I went to see the four wheeler, and Rusty explained more about it. "Besides basic transportation for one or two, you can also tow a small trailer and strap things to the rack in front. It has many uses for ranch work if ya don't have a large or heavy load to move around."
The bidding began with the larger equipment. Gramps won on a baler that would work behind his tractor. I wondered if I would get a chance to try it out. More likely I would be stacking hay bales in the trailer and the hay shed.
Pete and Dad were near the auctioneer with the rest of the bidders. Rusty and I watched from behind. We knew Pete had number forty-five and Dad had number forty-six. We listened as Pete bid on the tractor attachments he wanted, and Dad bid on the lawn mower and wood splitter.
"Hey, guys, how are ya doin'?" Austin and Andy had stopped beside us, and Austin was taking the lead, as always.
Rusty responded. "We're doin' okay. You guys buyin' anything today?"
"Dad says he's just lookin', but he always leaves with somethin'. How about you?"
"Pete's gettin' some planting and harvesting equipment for the tractor, and Toby's dad is gettin' a ridin' lawnmower. Maybe they'll get some other stuff too."
"You two gonna be at the swimmin' hole tomorrow?"
"Yeah, we're plannin' on it. We'll ride over on my four-wheeler." That was news to me, but it was also good news.
"Good, we'll see ya then."
As they left, a group of four or five kids Rusty's age and younger stopped by.
"Hey, Rusty are you guys gonna be at the swimmin' hole later today?"
"No, we're goin' tomorrow. And this is my neighbor, Toby. If ya go to the swimmin' hole tomorrow too, you can get acquainted with him."
The ATV equipment had come up for bid. We'd been distracted by our friends, and suddenly I realized the four-wheeler trailer had just gone to number forty-six. I gave Rusty a puzzled look.
"You can use the trailer behind the ridin' mower too. Maybe he's gonna haul stuff that way."
I was paying more attention when the ATV came up next, hoping Dad would bid on it. But it was Pete who was bidding, and he got the four-wheeler for $3000.
Rusty grinned at me. "That was a good buy. He got it it for less than half the price of a new one."
I wished Dad had bought the four-wheeler for me, but then I realized how selfish that was. My parents did almost everything with me in mind, and I shouldn't expect a luxury like that.
Pete and Dad were done for the day and went to pay for the items they'd won. They found us standing by the four-wheeler. We loaded everything except the ATV onto the trailer.
"Rusty, you can drive the four-wheeler to the ranch. We'll meet ya there."
Rusty had a different idea. "How about if Toby and I ride the four-wheeler to Toby's house. I can show him some more private ranch roads I use."
"I think it's a great idea. What do you think, Don?"
"It's fine with me. Do you have helmets for both of them?"
Pete grinned. "Yep. Always plan for success and the unexpected." He pulled two helmets out of the toolbox in the back of the pickup and handed them to us. "Have a good time, boys."
Tossing our shirts into a storage compartment, we climbed onto the ATV. Rusty had to use public roads for a quarter-mile to get onto the private roads. Once I'd closed the first ranch gate behind us, he turned off the engine and dismounted.
"Ya oughta learn how to drive an ATV. I know ya drive Gramps' pickup and tractor, and this is easier. The main thing is to go slow and be careful to go straight up and down slopes. The route home is on flat roads so it's a good time to practice."
Excited to be learning something new, I mounted the ATV and Rusty got on behind me. "I know you've watched me, so ya already know most of it. Ya turn the key and press the button to start it. This model has a pedal for the rear brakes on the right side. Use that for now. We'll talk about the lever on the left handlebar later. The automatic transmission makes it easy to drive. Once it's started, put yer foot on the brake and shift into drive. Then release the brake and slowly turn the throttle on the right handlebar. When ya stop, remember to put it in neutral."
I did what Rusty had told me and was soon underway. I slowly increased the speed, but stayed below Rusty's normal speed and within my comfort zone. Driving a four-wheeler was a lot more fun than a tractor. The excitement gave me a rock-hard boner. Rusty's crotch against my back and his arms around my waist helped with that too.
Now it was Rusty opening and closing gates. When we reached the first one, I put the ATV in neutral and kept my foot on the brake like I'd seen Rusty do.
When he climbed back on, Rusty moved his right hand between my legs and rubbed gently. As I drove across the straight stretch between gates, he unzipped my cargo shorts and slipped his hand inside. I wasn't wearing underwear, and he quickly had my boner out and was stroking it gently.
At the next gate, I waited until he climbed back on to comment. "Yer distractin' me."
His hand returned to my boner. "Ya gotta learn to drive with distractions. And if ya didn't like it, ya woulda put it away."
Before we got to the next gate, I'd blown my load, and the wind had done the rest. I was covered with cum from my waist up. Rusty got off and opened the gate, grinning at me as I drove through. My cum was all over his sides too. By the time he climbed back on, I had my pants zipped, but now I could feel his bare boner sliding against my back. It didn't take long before he pasted us both with more cum.
Time passed quickly as we covered the back roads. Before I knew it, we were passing through Rusty's ranch. Pete and Dad had just finished unloading Pete's purchases and were driving out to the road. Rusty and I continued towards my parents' house.
Rusty signaled for me to stop. "Now try out the brake lever on the left. It controls all the brakes and feels a little different. Just use it a few times on the way home, but for now only on level ground."
Stopping was faster using the left lever. After trying it a few times, I returned to the pedal. It was a more familiar way to stop a motor vehicle.
As we pulled to a stop at home, Pete and Dad were waiting for us. I shut down the ATV and carefully put it in park. Rusty and I removed our helmets.
Dad grinned at me. "What do you think about driving a four-wheeler?"
I was beaming. "I think it's great! It's even more fun than riding behind Rusty."
"Pete, how about if you and Rusty join us for a bite to eat. Ellen has lunch ready."
"Thanks, we'll do that. but maybe Toby and Rusty had better clean up first." He grinned knowingly.
I looked at Rusty and then down at myself. I'd forgotten about the cum, now colored gray by the dust that had dried on it. Pete turned me around and looked at my back.
"Just like I thought. I think it was a fun ride for both of ya."
Rusty and I had turned beet red, and Pete was laughing his ass off. I looked at Dad and he was grinning.
Dad read my mind. "Don't worry about it, Toby. Hard as it may be to believe, I was young once too."
Rusty and I cleaned up with the garden hose, dried off with a towel Dad brought us, and pulled on our shirts. We chatted about the ride home as we walked into the house and sat down at the table. The chatting stopped once the food was on the table.
That's when I noticed it. In the center of the table was a new ATV helmet, partially hidden by the usual vases of flowers.
"That's an unusual centerpiece, Mom."
Mom smiled. "You'll need it to ride your new four-wheeler."
Stunned, I looked around at four broad grins. I looked at Rusty. "Somehow I have a feeling you set this up."
Rusty tried unsuccessfully to appear innocent. "Well, Pete and I ran into yer dad at the grocery store lookin' at the auction poster, and I merely pointed out how useful a four-wheeler would be for a new rural homeowner."
Dad smiled at Rusty. "It didn't take much convincing. I was already thinking about it, and getting an ATV at a bargain price was too much to pass up."
"But Pete bought it."
"We did that for two reasons. First, so you wouldn't know what we were up to. Second, Pete figured he could get it for a lower price. He thought some of the ranchers would bid it up to keep me from getting it. As opposed to the lawnmower, which no one else really wanted, it's a useful item for any rancher."
With tears running down my cheeks, I jumped up and gave Mom a big kiss. No one needed to tell me where the hard sell took place. Then Dad got up and gave me a big hug. Then there were hugs with Pete and Rusty, and finally one more with Mom.
I sat down and wiped my eyes with my napkin. "Thanks, everyone. You don't know what this means to me."
Dad grinned at me. "Actually, I think we all know exactly what it means to you, and we all want you to enjoy the greater independence it will bring you. You have two experienced instructors to help you learn more. Just be safe and use your good judgement."
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