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Rated: E · Short Story · Romance/Love · #1228053
This story is about love that developed when family was fighting over land.
  Landon Austin, could not believe the beauty of the property he had just laid his eyes on. It was an open field with a stream running through it. He had been traveling for a long time to find a place like this.
  His father was very rich and promised his son if he found property that he wanted bad enough, then his father would purchase the land.
  Landon, had always wanted a farm.He could already see in his mind, where he would build his house, set the fence,and the barn; with a pond beside it so he could go fishing.
  His Grandfather Al, had owned a farm when Landon was a little boy. He ran around on the heels of his papa, but due to sickness. He had sold everything he had to move into a retirement home in the big city.That way he could get to the hospital quicker than if he was on his farm.
Landon had wanted his father to take over the farm, but his father owned a very well established J&J Austin's Company that made expensive furniture.
Landon was 28, and wanted to get settled into his dream.
 
  Julianna Copeland was outside her farm house feeding the chickens when she saw Landon approaching.
She thought, "who in the world is that coming all the way out here?" Company on the Copeland farm was few and far between, unless someone actually meant to come see them.
  He stopped his horse and removed his hat from his head. All he could do was smile at the sight he beheld.
  It was a woman. She was short, green eyes, and blond shoulder-length hair. Her hair had come out of the clip. She had dirt smudges on her face and dress.
But she was all woman, she was filled out in all the right places.
  Julianna looked up and said, " Are you just going to sit there smiling, or are you going to tell me what you want?"
  Julianna's father walked out on the porch at this time holding his rifle in his hand. Julianna's mother was not far behind him saying, "Henry! put that gun away."
  Landon got off his horse and held his hands up in surrender.
He thought, " Lord, there going to kill me out here! " Scared near to death he said, "Sir, just give me a minute of your time without that gun pointed at me and I'll be on my way."
  Julianna loved this stranger already. He was dressed in pretty fine clothes, clean, and handsome. He had wavy-brown hair that touched the collar of his shirt, medium height, and killer,dark,blue eyes. He needed to shave, for he had a shadow of growth on his face.
  Landon inquired of the land he had seen up the road and noticed that the old man was already shaking his head no.
"I'm sorry, that there land is not for sale young man, it's part of the Copeland Plantation."
Landon spoke out, " but if you could sir, sale just that portion; my father will pay you bountifully."
"Sorry! no deals at this time young man," the old farmer replied.
One more time, Landon looked at the young daughter, smiled, and then put his hat back on.
He said,"I'm sorry to have intruded, but I don't think this is settled yet." He mounted his horse and told them bye. He was gone in a cloud of dust.

  Landon could not help the feelings he was having as he rode his horse to town. He was angry, mad, and had felt something hit him right in the gut he had never felt before. He remembered the farmers daughter. She was pretty. He had never really thought about the ladies, other then Jenny Lu Grant that ran off with his best friend. He had to admit, he wanted to see Julianna Copeland again and soon.
  The town was small, neat, and simple.It had a General Store, a School house, a restaurant, and a hotel. He checked himself into the room and called his father.
When Landon informed his father of what was going on. His father insisted on making the trip; see if he could persuade the farmer, himself. "All farmers like horses, maybe he could offer a few in with the deal for his son's land,' thought Jay Austin."
  When Landon's father arrived. They took his nice buggy, drove through the rusty gate that had the sign " Copeland Plantation," on it.

  Julianna and her family was out on the front porch talking when the Austin's arrived in their nice buggy; that was covered in dust now. They both removed their hats as they approached.
  The Mr.Copeland stood up and asked them, "please, state your business and be on your way."
Jay Austin was the first to step out of the buggy and extend his hand for a shake. The Copeland's did not seem to be impressed by their fancy hats, clothes, or buggy.
They returned the handshake and begin to discuss the property, before long they were yelling.
  Landon decided to ask Julianna if she wanted to take a walk while the adults could settle the problem.To his surprise she accepted the invitation.They walked down the pathway toward the pond. The aroma of the flowers hit the senses straight on.
"So, how long do you think they will be fighting?" Landon asked.
Julianna bent down, picked a flower, and smelled it and said," I don't know, but I bet we have plenty of time to get to know each other." She smiled real wide. He noticed her pretty white, straight, teeth.
  They sat down by the pond. The warm, summer breeze blew across the pond making little ripples. Fish was nipping at the top of the water, and sometimes would make large splashes.
Julianna asked, " why do you want to settle so far out?"
He smiled and told her it was always his dream to own a farm. They talked for a good while about farms. He also talked about his grandfather Al.
  After sitting there a good while, the wind blew Julianna's hair down into her face. Landon reached to remove the hair and they caught each others hands. He used his other hand to move her hair from her face, the tips of his fingers caressed her cheek, and he lend down brushing a kiss across her lips.
  She was stunned at what just happened and jumped to her feet.
Landon said," I'm sorry."I, I am sorry."

  Julianna knew she had liked the kiss, but she had never been kissed before. It just surprised her, and now she did not know what she should say. He looked hurt.
His head held toward the ground he ran his hands through his hair.
He said, "I guess we need to head back; Come! I'll walk you back."
  He could not believe what he had just done laying a lip-lock on the farmer's daughter. He just could not help himself, when his fingers came in contact with her soft face.
He would not do it again; he just hoped no one would find out about it when they got back.

  Jay Austin, he was one fine talker. Landon thought his father would be hog-tied by the time they returned, instead they seemed to be enjoying each others company. After talking a while, they were invited to stay; have supper with the Copeland's.They ended up having more in common then they thought.

  A year later, Landon and Julianna Austin was living the dream of owning a farm. Not just any farm, it was an open field that he had fell in love with. They had settled all the land problems when they realized their children loved each other. 
  They had their dreams come true. Although, Landon just could not get over how good God had been to him. He had blessed him with a wife and children ( twins- Caleb and Kayla Austin); a double blessing to enjoy the farm.
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