The Nick Wilde Chronicles
Book 1: A Fox in the Burrow
Chapter 3:
The Hopps Family Farm, 5 p.m.
Nick was covered in sweat, his back ached, and his feet were killing him, but it was the best feeling ever to him. Mr. Hopps had put him through the paces today, from tilling the field to harvesting apples to cleaning the barn, which Nick was preoccupied with at that very moment.
Mr. Hopps walked in, followed closely by his wife, who was holding a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses.
"I figured you two could use some lemonade after a long day of work," she said as she handed Nick a glass.
"Thank you ma'am," Nick said as he gratefully sipped the lemonade, hoping it would cool him down a little.
"Okay Nicholas, so, you've done good today, and I'm going to hire you. Now, you'll get £400 a week, you'll work Monday through Saturday, and you get to live in our unused guest house. That sound good to you, son?" Mr. Hopps asked. Nick thought about it. £400 a week wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either, but then again, with board included for free, it wouldn't be too bad, and he could keep more.
"Sounds good to me," Nick replied.
"Welcome to the Hopps farm son," Mr. Hopps said as he extended his paw towards Nick. Nick firmly shook it. Just then, another rabbit entered the barn, this one dressed in a pink and white plaid button up, blue jeans, and sporting a straw hat. Then it hit him, it was the one standing in the blueberry field when he first pulled up.
"Hey dad, me and Jess are finished with the blueberries and apples. Is there anything else you need us to do?" she asked.
"No Judy, that's all for today. Oh, and meet the new farmhand. Nicholas, this is my oldest daughter Judy. Judy, this is Nicholas," Mr. Hopps replied.
"Pleasure to meet you," Judy said as she shook Nick's paw.
"The pleasure is all mine," Nick replied.
"Okay Nick, if you wanna go get your car, I can take you to the guest house where you'll be staying," Mr. Hopps said. Him and Nick rose and left the barn, walking over to Nick's car. They hopped in, and Nick cranked it up.
"So, what you'll do is take this here dirt trail all the way to the end," Mr. Hopps said as he guided Nick. They sat in relative silence, the sound of the engine filling the cabin. Nick continued on the trail until he could see a small brick building and a pond in the distance. Nick pulled up to it, and could see it was indeed a small house with a small front porch, and from what he could see, an elevated deck in the back, overlooking the pond. Walking up to the house, Nick could see just how dusty it was.
"Whelp, here ya are. Home sweet home," Mr. Hopps said as he tossed a key to Nick. They got out of the truck, and walked to the front door. Nick stuck the key in the knob, and opened the door. Nick's nose was immediately assaulted by a flurry of dust, clearly indicating how long it had been vacant. Glancing around, he could see a small kitchenette, a living an area with a couch, coffee table, and off to the right was a hallway, which led presumably to the bedroom and bathroom.
"Well, could be worse," Nick thought to himself. He walked in, and plopped down on the tacky, dusty, plaid pattern couch that vaguely reminded him of his grandmother's old couch.
"Whelp Nick, seems like you've made yourself at home. You need any help unloading your stuff?" Stu asked.
"No sir Mr. Hopps, I didn't bring much. Didn't want to burden myself until I got settled, but I'll probably need a weekend to go get the rest of my stuff," Nick answered.
"You can have next weekend off, but I need you working nonstop 'till then," Stu replied.
"Yes sir," Nick said.
"Alright. I'm going back to the house. Wife should be 'bout finished with dinner. You're welcome to join us if you like," Stu said.
"That's okay sir," Nick replied.
"Well, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow morning," Stu said as he walked out. Nick gave a nod, and reclined into the couch.
Back at the Hopps house
Judy walked out of the kitchen, her hands full of plates and silverware. She began to set them on the impossibly long dining table, as her sibling slowly piled into the dining room. A few others started to help her set the table, placing empty glasses by the plates. After they had finished, Judy took her usual seat near the head of the table, followed by her littermate Samuel, and the third oldest of the Hopps children, their sister Jessica. Their other siblings took their seats, and soon enough, there were only three empty seats: One for mom, one for dad, and the last for the farmhand. Judy shuddered at the thought of the last person to occupy that seat, and how he had broken her heart. Just then, her dad walked in from outside, and took his seat.
"Finished kinda early, aren't we dad?" Judy asked.
"Well, I didn't want to punish the new farmhand too much," Stu answered, earning a chuckle from Jessica.
"That city boy doesn't realize what he's in for, does he?" Jessica asked casually.
"He doesn't have a clue. Can't wait to see how long he lasts," Stu answered.
"What do you think about him Judes?" Jessica asked.
"Well, he's certainly different than the last farmhand we had," Judy answered.
"Personally, I think a city slicker is a nice change of pace," Samuel said.
"Speaking of the new farmhand, is he going to be joining us for dinner hun?" Bonnie asked.
"No, he said he needed to get settled," Stu answered.
"Well, he's missing out on a treat. Tonight we've got carrot lasagne," Bonnie replied as she placed two steaming trays of the delicious dish on the table.
"My favorite," Samuel and several other siblings said in unison. Judy rolled her eyes.
"Same old same old," she thought to herself as the lasagne was distributed amongst the family.
Well guys, it's been a while, but I think the chapter was worth the wait, and just wait, cuz things might be getting a little "Wilde" on the farm, if ya know what I mean.