Whittmore’s Barn

Kashi jumped around, throwing her hands in the air along with the crowd screaming the lyrics at the top of her lungs. She laughed, spinning in a circle. A friend offered her another can of beer from a table on the side. It hissed as she popped it open, and she downed nearly half in a go.

“Go Kash!” Her friend whooped, her black curls bouncing as she bobbed with the music.

Encouraged, Kashi smirked, walking purposefully to a table nearby. She flung her jean jacket onto the floor and climbed up onto the table, cowboy boots and all. “What about now?” she shouted to her friend, as she launched into a complicated series of dance moves. People turned from the floor to watch her spin and jump. She smiled upon hearing the whoops and cheers. She finished off the can in her hand.

“You’re next Sierra!” She jumped down, motioning for her friend to jump up. Sierra didn’t hesitate, grabbing Kashi’s hand to support her as she hopped up to take a turn.

“Looking for this?”

Kashi spun around, the corner of her mouth quirking up as she beheld who was letting her jacket dangle from a finger. “If I’d known someone as cute as you were here, I’d rather you, but I’ll take the jacket too.” She flirted, grabbing for the article of clothing.

“Ah-Ah!” He chided, smiling back, pulling it out of her reach. I want to dance first. Besides, why cover up those pretty arms with a jacket?” He stepped up closer to her. Her breath caught, but he broke her gaze and tied the jacket around her waist. “Now that you have your jacket, can I have my dance?”

“If I absolutely must,” Kashi said with a shrug. As he took another step back she got a good look at him. Tall, moderately built man with a strong jaw. But most definitely a farm hand from the look of his boots.

He grabbed one of her hands, putting the other one on her lower back. “You know how to dance, right?”

“Of course I do,” Kashi said, almost offended, “Did you not see me just moments ago?”

“I mean this kind of dance.” Without warning he raised her arm and sent her twirling around, then back into his arms. He raised his eyebrows and smirked. “So you do?”

Kashi smirked back, her gaze trailing along the outline of his face, just barely avoiding eye contact. “How much more do you know? I only dance with exceptional partners.” She met his bright eyes. “Better start working.”

She knew it was going to work. The moment the words left her mouth he picked up his steps and eased into complicated footwork. Kashi followed expertly, leaning into the twirls and dips, speeding up with the tempo of the music. Their boots kept time, tapping with every step.

She let a glimmer of surprise show as he placed both hands on her hips and lifted her expertly. She leaned back, putting her arms out. The people who had backed up to watch started to cheer as he spun her two… three times before setting her down.

“Damn, you can move!” She smiled, pushing one of his shoulders with her hand. “How come I haven’t seen you around here before?”

He slid a hand to the back of his neck casually, “usually I got better things to do than party it up with a bunch of ranch kids.”

“Better than to be a ranch hand.” Kashi smiled. “Who do you work for around here anyway?”

“Thompson.”

“James or Hudson?”

“James,” he responded, “There’s two Thompsons?”

Kashi lifted a brow. “You must be real new. They’re brothers who have been feuding over land and such for quite a time now.”

“New to these parts, not new to ranches.” He shrugged, “Been working them my whole life. I just decided to try them on this side of the state.” A smirk spread over his tanned face. “This side doesn’t quite live up to the work I’ve seen before.”

“Well when the time is right you’ll see just how hard James Thompson will work his hands and harvesters. He just expanded his property. This year marks the first harvest in the new fields, but he didn’t hire many extra hands. Trust me, you have your work cut out for you.” Kashi said, walking to get a bottle of water.

“No more drinks?” He asked, following her off the dance floor, blue lights casting shadows all over.

“I have work tomorrow.” she said, the cap to her water clicking as she took it off.

“What? Daddy won’t let you use his money? Gotta’ work?” He teased.

“I manage my daddy’s money, boy. More money than you’ll ever see in your lifetime.” She took a long sip of water. “So run along to wherever you’re staying, I've got bigger things to do.” Kashi strutted out of the barn towards the rows of trucks and cars parked outside on the grass.

“Hey now don’t be like that, come on.” He said following her outside. “One more dance.”

“What’s your name?” Kashi asked, turning around, realizing she never asked.

“Carr.” He responded. “I’ll give you my last name if you give me a dance.

Kashi rolled her eyes and turned her head away, unable to conceal the smile. What a tease. “Nah, it’s two in the morning. If I get home much later my dad might catch me. He gets up around four.”

“Sneaking out, are we?” Carr asked, following her.

“Almost all of us. Besides, Whittmore’s old barn has been our party spot for over a month now. The police will probably figure it out pretty soon.” Kashi continued to walk towards her truck, tugging her cropped tee down a little.

Almost as if on cue, blue lights that weren’t coming from the barn flew up the hill.

“See? Come on!” Kashi shouted to Carr, ducking behind one of the rows of trucks. The police flew by towards the barn without noticing. She dashed to a bright red truck, looking almost brand new. “’I'll give you a lift.” She offered.

“Thanks but I got my own ride.” Carr smirked, jogging off into the dark.

Kashi shook her head, but jammed her keys into the ignition as everyone flooded out of the barn. Sierra and a few others scrambled into the bed of her truck and she peeled away from the parking lot. Sierra climbed through the back window onto the seat beside Kashi.

“Who was that boy you were with Kash?” Sierra asked, tilting her head to the side with a suggestive grin.

Kashi smacked her friend’s shoulder lightly. “Sierra, he’s a new hire for my dad!”