Everett Ranch

[gypsyqp_19]

Hey, as you all know I write stories for fun. Well I had a story posted in off topic called Westfall ranch, but I had to tweek it and I changed things up a little bit. So I figured I would post my new and improved story/book.
Hope you like it and don't forget to comment. I'll post more of the story every other week. Until I finish posting the whole story.
 

[gypsyqp_19]

  Everett Ranch: You can’t change the past, but you control what happens in the future…

Nichole is 28 years old and had lost her mom and dad in a terrible car accident when she was 3 years old. She and her brother Timothy were sent to live with their Grandpa, Jake Everett. He owned a ranch, tucked away in the woods of North Carolina, where they lived and took care of injured and emotionally hurt horses. Nichole and Timothy had grown up with everything they ever wanted. Jake was a multi-millionaire. He lived in a mansion all by him-self, a beautiful barn, fences, and trails shaded by trees. Nichole had inherited Jake’s gift for touching the horse’s soul, helping them in whatever way was needed. Nichole didn’t act like she was rich. She was caring, fair, and beautiful. She had that athletic look, and was slender, with gorgeous dark brown hair that came down to her lower back.
They didn’t have many stable hands because Jake thought it was good to take care of your own horse. The ranch wasn’t too big, but big enough to take care of 12 horses in the barn. The barn had a wonderful setup. It went one stall then had a room right next to the stall for the horse’s things and had a giant hayloft above the stalls and tack rooms. Then the barn also had a story above the hayloft that allowed guests or unexpected visitors to be able to stay if the house was filled. Jake also liked to go up to there and work on his projects when his office doesn’t have enough room. He also liked to hold meetings with investors there as well. John Keebler was 15 when he started working for the ranch. He had a thing with horses. He was handsome, smart, and learnt things very fast. He was very caring and loved life. He had picked up Jake’s gift like there was nothing to it.  Nichole had also had a secret crush on him for years.
Nichole Everett was pushing Major, a 15-hand ex-show jumper who had come to Everett Ranch to with a fear of jumping, toward the jump. Then suddenly Major went from full canter to complete stop and reared. Nichole went flying backwards and hit the ground. John Keebler was standing in the isle of the barn when all this happened. He ran toward the round pen, jumped the fence, and was next to Nichole in a matter of mere seconds. Nichole, waking from a second of unconsciousness stared into John’s lightning blue eyes and said, “I’m okay, just a small fall.” John started laughing and said, “ Of course you would be.”  John had no idea how Nichole felt while he was holding her in his arms. Cradling her like a small child who had just fell off their bike for the first time.  If only I could tell him how I felt about him. When would she ever be able to tell him her feelings that she had for him. Major was waiting for Nichole next to the gate. He seemed to be saying, “Aren’t you going to put me up now.” Nichole and John started to laugh.
Lori Everett, Nichole’s sister-in-law, called them into the house later that night. Supper was on the cherry-colored table steaming when Nichole and John walked through the door. Timothy Everett walked in with Carrie Everett and said, “ Hun, her hands are all washed for supper.” Carrie was Nichole’s niece and was only 2 ½ years old and she had started to talk. Once Tim saw Nichole and John he turned serious. He said, “We need to talk during supper. ”They all sat down and started to fill their plates with mash potatoes, rib-eye steak, carrots, and the steaming apple pie was sitting on the window sill cooling off, filling the room with a delicious smell. Silence fell all around the table. John broke off the silence and asked Tim, “What seems to be so important?” Tim went on to say, “Nichole, the doctor’s office called today with the results of your cat -, scan.” Tim started to choke up. Lori stopped feeding Carrie and looked Nichole strait in the face. They’re eyes met, and Lori’s eyes started to fill with tears when she said, “They found a spot that they think may be cancer.” 
Nichole had been having troubles with her body. A few bruises that would show up for no reason, her hair had been thinning out horribly, and she would get these horrible headaches that took forever to go away. Tears sprang to Nichole’s eyes. What did he mean the doctors think its cancer? She ran all the way to her room and cried for what seemed like hours. When she finally stopped crying she heard a knock on her bedroom door. It was John. He asked if he could come in. He sat down on her canopy bed and hugged Nichole letting her cry into his shirt. He sat there soothing her, telling her that he would be there no matter what.
Nichole went out to the barn later after John left to go home. Gypsy, Nichole’s quarter horse, hung her head over her stall door and nickered Nichole a welcome. Gypsy was a palomino colored horse with a star on her chest. Gypsy had come to Everett Ranch with a strained tendon.  Gypsy being a barrel racer could no longer race with that kind of injury. Nichole went into Gypsy’s stalled and started to brush her. Gypsy hung her head and closed her eyes. Nichole thought she would call Gretchen Faso, her best friend.
After she showered and got ready for bed she called Gretchen’s cell phone. Gretchen answered, “Hey Nichole, what’s up?” Nichole figured that she would wait to tell Gretchen what was said a supper. “ Gretchen, do you want to come over in the morning a go for a trail ride?” Gretchen said yes and Nichole hung up. She lay in her bed thinking about what would happen now. Would she have to go to the hospital? Would she miss a lot of school? Would she die?
When Nichole got up the next morning it was just starting to get light. “I might as well go start on the chores.” Nichole said. Then it dawned on her, she had a doctors appointment at nine’ o’ clock. Looking at the alarm clock on her night -stand it read, five forty five. I have plenty of time. She walked down the hall to the stairway and remembered she forgot to grab her horse magazine to show Grandpa what she wanted for Christmas. She grabbed it and went down stairs to the kitchen to eat a doughnut before she went out.
She started on the mucking out and feeds. It was seven thirty when John pulled in to start chores. She was thankful for summer vacation. Next year she would be a sophomore. John started on Bella’s stall. Nichole went to Bella’s stall to tell John that Native’s stall was the only one left. Before she could open her mouth John asked her, “How are you doing today?” Their eyes met and she told John, “I have a doctors appointment at nine’ o’ clock. To be honest I’m a little scared about what they’ll say.” John reached out and grasped Nichole’s arm and said, “Everything will be fine and if not I’ll stick next to your side no matter what.” “Hey, why don’t you go for a trail ride with me and Gretchen after my appointment?” Nichole asked.
Nichole and Lori were on their way to the doctor’s office. Lori looked over at Nichole and asked, “Are you nervous?” Nichole barley heard her sister. She was wondering what the doctors would say and couldn’t wait to go on a trail ride with Gretchen and John. She told her sister Lori that she was nervous and curious what the doctors would say. The doctors took her back right away. Doctor Trisha Lihitin spoke first. She said, “We have looked at your cat scan over and over. We have had it checked by specialists and we have come to conclusion that you have leukemia. Leukemia is a malignant progressive disease in which the bone marrow and other blood-forming organs produce increased numbers of immature or abnormal leukocytes. These suppress the production of normal blood cells, leading to anemia and other symptoms. “ Nichole couldn’t understand. What did this entire thing mean? 
Nichole finally found her voice and asked Doctor Trisha, “Am I going to die?” Doctor Trisha said, “Well with the treatments and things that we are going to do we certainly hope not.” On the way home Lori and Nichole didn’t talk and a concerned silence hung in the car. Once home Nichole went straight to the barn to tell John the news. She found John and told him what the doctors said. He cradled her in his arms until Gretchen’s mom dropped her off. They saddled up Gypsy, Bella, and Major.
Nichole told Gretchen the news while they were riding.  Gretchen had to dismount Bella to get control of her self. “So wait they said that you have leukemia? I don’t understand!” Gretchen said. This was all becoming too much for Nichole. John could tell that Nichole was uneasy about the situation. He said, “Why don’t we head back now, it will be close to lunch time.” Nichole was grateful for the suggestion and mouthed to John a small thank you. The whole ride back was silenced, letting everybody let the situation sink in.
When they got back Nichole was having a terrible feeling. She couldn’t feel her left leg and she had one of those terrible headaches again. All of a sudden things started to spin around and around. She heard a scream and remembered hitting the floor. She could only make out what John said, “Call an ambulance and fast!” When she awoke the next day she wasn’t at home. Everything around her was white. She was in the hospital. She seen monitors hooked up to her. Beeping sounds that came from a monitor monitoring her heart rate. She could make out two figures next to her bed. It was her brother Tim and her sister-in-law Lori. “Where am I?” she asked. Tim came running up to her bedside and grabbed her hand. “You fainted yesterday. Don’t you remember?” “The doctors think that you fainted because your blood is thinning at the rate of a race car. “ Tim said. Just then Doctor Trisha walked in. “Good morning Nichole. How do you feel today?” “I feel a little dizzy and scared right now. Why am I here thought? Tim said I only fainted.” Nichole said. “Well, Nichole you see, you have to be monitored to see why you fainted. The blood thinning is only our theory.” Doctor Trisha said.
When they got home they had a folder of appointments. The times, dates, what was going to happen, and what to do in case of an emergency? Nichole rested for about thirty minutes before she heard Gypsy whinny. She walked over to her window to see what was wrong. Gypsy was calling for her like she knew that Nichole wanted to see her. Nichole slipped on her barn boots and a tank top before she went out. On her way to the barn she almost had a collision with John and a wheelbarrow. He asked her how she was feeling. “Nichole, you really scared us all yesterday. I didn’t know what to do. I felt like I should have done more.” He said. “John you did the right thing. I don’t want you to panic when you’re around me. When you panic I feel really helpless. I’ll give you my information packet to look at, okay?” Nichole said in a sympathetic tone. John smiled back and said, “Your not only good with horses, but with humans too.” Then he delicately touched her arm that sent a chill up her back. “I need to get back to work.” He said. 
When she got to Gypsy’s stall Gypsy nickered her a welcome. Nichole slipped inside with a grooming kit and started to brush Gypsy. She had so much on her mind.  She didn’t realize that she had fallen asleep in Gypsy’s stall until John gently awoke her. “Nichole, hey, its almost supper time. Are you going to come in and get cleaned up?” John said, in a voice just a notch above a whisper. “Yeah.” Once she was all cleaned up she headed downstairs to help with supper. She was frying the potatoes when John came in and said, “We have a problem!” 
“I just seen someone take off on Sara, straight for town!” John said with a raspy voice. Nichole ha d grabbed her sweatshirt and put on her boots before he could finish his sentence. “Let’s go.  Is it okay if we take your truck, John?” Nichole said. She had to take charge before she lost it and her brother and sister-in-law said that she couldn’t go.  “Okay, lets go.” John said. He started the engine and drove out the driveway in the direction of town. He started up the air conditioning and looked at Nichole with worried eyes.  They were just coasting down the road when out of nowhere a big white and black pinto jumped in the road. John slammed on his brakes and swerved for the ditch. All you could hear were the screeching whinnies of a panicking horse. As John’s eyes started to adjust to the darkness he looked at Nichole’s face; there was a steady stream of blood that looked like it was coming from in her hair. “Nichole. Nichole.” He could just barley hear the muffled answer. “Are you okay?” She could just make out John’s bloody face. “Yeah, just this cut on my head hurts.  Are you okay?”  “Yeah, just fine.” John said in an I’m-in-control voice.
There was a lifeless body on the road when Nichole and John exited the car. There was steam coming from John’s truck engine. Nichole started to make her way to the horse even though her head hurt horribly. “Sara. Sara. It’s okay baby.” She started to soothe. “Are you hurt?” Nichole was about a foot away and that’s when Sara walked up to her. “John, this is Sara. Is that guy okay?” She asked. “Here is my cell phone. We need to call an ambulance, a tow truck, and we need to call the house.” Nichole started to call out instructions.  “Call the house and tell them to get the trailer hitched up and to call the vet and have him ready when we get there.” John smiled at Nichole. Never let the fear show John thought.
When the ambulance showed up the guy that goes by the name Nick Realms was conscious and talking. The police showed up as well to file the report and take the guy down town to find out why he had kidnapped Sara. Tim and Jake pulled in with the trailer and hopped out. “The vet is already at the house waiting. Lets get Sara loaded up and get out of here.” Jake said. Nichole started to load Sara into the trailer when Sara started to go up. John grabbed Sara’s halter and tried to keep her down on all fours. “Why won’t she go up?” The question was from Tim. “She’s totally freaking out because of the motor. “ Nichole started when her grandpa cut her off. “There’s no way that horse is going home in that trailer. I’ll have to ride her home,” he said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Grandpa, I’m going to ride her home. John and I have gone through all this trouble, she pointed to her bandaged head, and I want to take her home,” Nichole argued. “But what about your… “ Jake gave her one of his stern looks. Once he seen that he wasn’t going to win he gave in, “alright Nichole, you can ride Sara home on one condition.” Nichole would do anything to just prove that she was still capable of things. “Alright. Name it.” Nichole wished that she had bit her tongue. “ Jake gave her a challenging look and said,” Okay. When you get home you get off that horse, get ready for bed, and you have to be in bed by 12:00 a.m.” Nichole looked at her watch, which read 11:00 p.m. It would take about 30 minutes to get back to the ranch. “Deal!” And they both shook on it.
When they got back to the barn the vet was waiting next to Sara’s stall. The vet checked Sara’s legs for heat and gave her some electrolytes. “That should do it. If there are any dramatic changes in the heat of her legs, you guys call me.” Keith True said.  Tim went to check on Lori and Carrie. That only left John and Nichole in the barn. John looked at Nichole in a deep stare and when Nichole looked over at him she held his stare. “Thank you for not hitting Sara, John.”  Nichole whispered. John’s eyes started to well up. “Nichole, when you didn’t answer me right away I was so scared.” He started to pull Nichole closer to him. Nichole didn’t object, but she fell into his arms. He held her for a moment then lifted her chin and bent down to kiss her. Their lips met and Nichole felt her knees melt to water. John looked her straight in the eyes and said, “What would I do without you?”
She kept her deal with her grandpa. She was in bed by 12:00 a.m. When she got up a few hours later it was because she heard two people downstairs crying. She slowly crept down the stairs and seen Tim was at the table with tears streaming down his cheek. Lori was next to him trying to hold back tears and soothe him. “When I seen her with that white bandage on her head, I thought, oh my god what in the hell happened! I don’t want Carrie growing up not knowing her grandparents or her only aunt.” Tim said in a choked voice. “Tim, we can’t start making conclusions. You know that Dr. Trish said that.” Nichole saw a single tear fall down Lori’s cheek. She slowly crept back up the stairs.
It was completely bright when she awoke later that morning. When she last looked at her alarm clock it read 3:30 p.m. She still couldn’t get over her kiss with John. She kept wondering if he couldn’t stop thinking about it too. She went out to the barn 15 minutes later. John had already started chores and when he seen her in the feed room he blushed when she said hi. Well I guess that answers my question Nichole thought. The whole day was awkward. Finally when Nichole was filling the hay nets for that night John came in and sat down and started to fill the nets. He broke the silence by saying, “I don’t know about you, but what happened last night has been on my mind all day.” Nichole looked up from filling the hay net and met his eyes. “I know what you mean,” she said. John came and sat next to her on the other feed bin. “I know you don’t want things to be different between us, but I want to give this a chance. Then if it don’t work out we have our friendship to fall back on.” John said it all in one big breath. Nichole looked in his eyes and seen that he was being sincere about this. She said, “ Okay, but if this doesn’t work out I just don’t want things to be different between us. Okay?” He leaned over and kissed her. Nichole felt the same way she did last night.
Lori had planned for Nichole and Carrie to go with her to the mall later that day. Carrie was in the back seat giggling when Nichole looked back. “I don’t know what has gotten into that child lately.” Lori said when she stopped at the red light. Nichole loved hanging out with her sister and niece.  When they got to the mall they were suppose to meet Gretchen next to the food court. There she was, standing next to the ice cream shop, the normal meeting spot.  Lori said that she and Carrie would be at the baby stores throughout the mall. Nichole and Gretchen went to the Victoria Secret first, and then went to the food court to get something to drink. Gretchen wanted to know what was going on at the ranch. Nichole started off with the story of the stolen horse. Then she told her about what she heard that morning, and then about her and John. Gretchen said, “I knew it was going to happen!”

Don't forget to comment! *good or bad*

[maddie]

I looooooooove it alot if you write more on this story please post it!!!!

[gypsyqp_19]

OH don't worry... It's like 60,000 words.. I post to it every so often until I have finished posting it all...
 

Glad you like it. I will post more on Wed.

[gypsyqp_19]

Later that night John came to Gypsy’s stall to tell Nichole that he was going. He had insurance on his truck and they gave him a rental while his truck was getting fixed. “The horses are down for the night.” John started to say. “John, I told Gretchen about.” Nichole started, but before she could finish John had leaned down and kissed her good night. “I don’t care if you tell the whole world. I have you and I want to tell your family at supper tomorrow; oh and make sure you were your bathing suit tomorrow. ” John said. Nichole thought that she would tell her sister Lori first. She would totally understand me.  When Nichole went in she found Lori in the kitchen making Carrie a juice bottle. “Lori can I tell you something.” Nichole started. “Yeah, just let me give this to Tim to give to Carrie.” Lori said over her shoulder while she was walking down the hallway to Carrie’s room.  When Lori came back Nichole was sitting at the table reading her information packet the hospital gave her. “Hey, what did you want to tell me?” Lori asked. Nichole looked up and said, “You can’t tell anybody because I’m telling everyone at supper tomorrow, but me and John are dating.” Lori smiled down and said, “I knew it was going to happen! You guys were meant for each other. And Jake really respects John so I don’t think he’ll have a problem with you two seeing each other.”
The next day he came into the barn and picked her off her feet. “We’re going to go on a trail ride.” John said to Nichole who was over hanging over his broad built shoulder. “Well, will you at least tell me where we’re going to go?”  Nichole asked.  John started laughing and said it’s a surprise. When they got out of the barn hallway and next to the mounting post John put her down, that’s when she saw Gretchen holding two fully tacked horses in her hand. “What are you doing here?” Nichole asked with a surprised look on her face. “Well, John called me last night and asked if I would help him with something.” Gretchen said simply. Then she leaned over and whispered something into John’s ear and John told her “Great!” 
Once on horseback Nichole asked if John would give her a clue of what was going on. They had been riding for 20 minutes chatting over how Sara was doing in recovery. Ten minutes later John said, “Turn right here then dismount, Okay?” “Okay, but will you please tell me what is going on,” Nichole said once she dismounted. John came up behind her and blindfolded her and asked her just to let him lead her. When he finally took off her blindfold and she opened her eyes she was awed. There was a wonderful waterfall with crystal clear water running over it, a red checkered blanket with a picnic basket on it, and there was a deer and her fawn about 200 feet away. This was wonderful. Nichole flung herself at John. “I love it.” She said through a giant smile.  She looked up into his eyes and kissed him.
They sat down to eat and talked about their plans for next week. “I can’t believe that college starts in 4 weeks!” Nichole said. “I know what you mean. I don’t want this summer to end.” John exclaimed. “Just think were going to be a seniors at college this year.” Nichole said. “Hey, your birthday is coming up soon isn’t it?” John asked. “Yep! It’s in 10 days. I’m so excited!” Nichole said with a very happy tone. They were getting ready to go for a swim in the waterfall’s pool when they heard something in the woods. “What was that?” Nichole asked with worried eyes. Then Gretchen showed up with Jesse Martin, her boyfriend, and asked if they were interrupting anything. “Of course not. We were just getting ready to go for a swim. You want to come?” John asked Jesse. Jesse and John were best friends and that was how Jesse met Gretchen.
After they got done swimming John and Nichole packed up the picnic and headed for home. It was about 2:30 p.m. when Nichole looked at her cell phone. When they got back to the barn and untacked the horses they went inside to get something to drink. Lori and Tim were sitting at the table with excited face when Nichole and John walked in. “What are you two so happy about?” John and Nichole asked in unison. “Do you know how I had my doctor’s appointment this morning?” Lori asked. “Yeah.” “Well, they told us that you’re going to be an aunt again, Nichole! I’m pregnant!” Lori explained. Nichole was dumbstruck. All she could do was smile. “Are you going to tell Grandpa at supper tonight? My news can wait until tomorrow night.” Nichole said and winked at her sister.
About 3 hours had pasted before it was time to get cleaned up for supper. Tonight Lori and Tim had cooked mashed potatoes, steak, and asparagus with melted cheese on it, and there was an apple crisp for dessert. When Jake sat down at his place at the table he asked, “Why are all of my favorite foods on the table?” Lori had just sat Carrie down in the high chair when Tim stood up. “Grandpa, Lori and I are going to have another baby. We found out today.” Tim said with his arm around Lori’s shoulder and a grin on his face. Jake looked as dumbstruck as Nichole did earlier. “Are you telling me that I’m going to be a great-grandpa again?” Jake asked with and astonished look on his face. “YES!” Everyone shouted. Jake’s mouth curved into a giant grin and he started to laugh. 
Later that night before John left, John said to Nichole” Nichole, you don’t look so good. Are you feeling okay?” Nichole looked in his side mirror and seen that she had dark circles under her eyes. That’s when she decided to tell John her deepest secret. “John, I don’t look so good because I’m afraid to go to sleep. Ever since I read that information packet and it said I could go in my sleep, I’m afraid to go to sleep.” Nichole said in a voice that told John she wasn’t kidding. John pulled Nichole close and said lets go to the barn. “Here, I have an idea. Why don’t I stay with you up in your room until you fall asleep and lets see if that helps, Okay?” John said. Nichole would try anything to get some shuteye. She loved how John was willing to do anything to make her feel better. “Okay.” As she got ready for bed John went and told Lori and Tim his idea. Once they agreed to let him stay over he called his mom to tell her.
When Nichole was lying in bed she could see John next to her bed. “John, thank you for everything your doing for me.” Nichole said with much gratitude. John put his hand over hers and she could feel the warmth of his workman hands. “Nichole, I don’t want you thinking that I would up and leave you. I would do anything for you. ANYTHING!” John said. Nichole was slowly starting to drift off to sleep. When she awoke the next morning it was about 10:30 in the morning. After she got dressed she went to the guest room to see if John was already up. He wasn’t there so she went downstairs. She grabbed a muffin and seen a note on the table. It read, “Nichole, I went into town to get groceries. I took Carrie and I’ll be home in about and hour or so. If you need anything just call my cell phone. Lori. “
Nichole went outside to do some of the chores. She almost collided with John in the feed room. John pulled Nichole close and whispered into Nichole’s ear, “Your very pretty when you’re asleep. Did you know that?” John said. “Did you sleep well?” Nichole asked. “Yeah! That guest bed is more comfortable than my own bed.” John said in between short laughs. “I can’t believe it; we only have 25 days until we go back to school. Lori is suppose to take me school shopping tomorrow.” Nichole said. John nodded and said, “I can’t believe summer is almost over! It seems like we have been out for longer than what vacation is though. Especially, since everything that has happened.” They both had that back to the past look on their faces when Lori pulled in.
Nichole helped Lori bring in and put away groceries. Then she made her and John sandwiches, grabbed her appointment folder, and went out to the barn to find John. She found John in Native’s stall. “I would have to say that Native likes you best.” Nichole euphemized. John came out of the stall and took his sandwich. “What is that folder for?” John asked. “Oh, this? Its my appointment folder.” Nichole said with little sarcasm. They went to the feed room and looked through the folder. Nichole had her first infusion this Saturday at 12:50 p.m. “I can’t believe my first treatment is in 3 days!” Nichole said.
The days had been going by fast and before Nichole knew it, it was time for her appointment.  It was ten’ o’clock in the morning when Nichole ended her trailer lesson with Sara. “John, I have to go get ready for my appointment. Do you need me to do anything before I go get ready?” Nichole asked. “No. I can finish up. But will you come see me before you go?” John asked with a smile on his face. “Sure.” Nichole said over her shoulder.  After Nichole got out of the shower she got together her Nintendo ds lite, ipod, and a few new books that she had got for Christmas that she hadn’t read yet and put them into her small backpack. “ I’m all set for my treatment.” She said aloud to herself. Now she needed to go see John. She found him in the tack room all cleaned up. “Why are you all cleaned up?” Nichole asked John with a confused look on her face. “Lori needed someone to take you to your appointment because she doesn’t feel to good, so I told her I would.” John said sheepishly. “Oh, okay. I do have a question for you though. What are you going to do for 5 hours?” Nichole asked John. “Well I brought a few books to read, and my psp, and my ipod.” John said. “Hey me too, except I have a Nintendo ds lite!” Nichole said.
John had his truck back now. It was going to be a 2-hour trip up to the infusion center at the University. John had brought some cds to listen to and had Nichole grab her pillow before they left. “John, I don’t know what this treatment is going to do to me, so just beware. Okay?” Nichole said in a serious voice. John looked Nichole straight in the face and said, “I would go through hell and back for you, and if this is hell, than I’m willing to go through it with you.” John said in a voice that made Nichole’s heart melt away. How could I ever think that John would not want to take me to another treatment even if I didn’t look too good afterwards? Nichole asked herself.  John wasn’t that kind of a person. It was about 12:30 when they arrived. Nichole and John walked into the infusion center. There were people with ivs and needles hooked up to them. Some were knitting, reading, watching television, and others asleep.
John went up to the information desk to ask where to go. He came back with a nurse. “Ms. Everett, right this way.” Her nameplate said Janet Fates. She was pointing to a chair with and IV set up and said, “This is where you are going to have your treatment. Will you please sit down?” Once Nichole was a situated Nurse. Janet said, “There is just going to be a small sting. Okay?” Nichole wasn’t afraid of needles and barely felt the needle pierce her skin. “Okay Nichole, you’re all set up and it will take about 5 hours until your infusion is over.” She said then turned her attention to John. “Mr. Keebler, you can get something to drink in the snack room. Everything from between pop to watermelon is in there. If you guys want something go ahead and help yourselves. If you have any questions I’ll be at the information desk, Okay?” Nichole and John both nodded and she went back to the desk to help the next patient who came in.
Nichole had just started to drift off when John said,” Nichole, I’m going to go downtown. Do you need anything?” He asked in a soft voice. “No. I’ll see you in a hour.” Nichole said, and then rolled over and drifted off to sleep. She didn’t know how long she had been asleep, but when she woke up John was sitting at her bedside playing his psp.  “John?” Nichole asked in a sleepy voice. “Yes.” John put down his game and came up to the bed. “Will you please get me some water?” Nichole asked John. She didn’t like to be waited on, but she didn’t have the energy to get it herself and she could tell that John knew it too. When John came back with the glass of water he told her she only had 20 minutes left before her infusion was over. Twenty minutes later Nurse Janet checked Nichole out.
On the way home Nichole slept most of the way. When they pulled back in to the ranch driveway it was about 7:45 in the evening. John could tell that Nichole was very weak so he carried her inside. Tim met him at the door and took Nichole from John’s arms. “John, you can sit down at the table and wait just a minute?” John nodded his head and Tim took Nichole up to her room and tucked her in. Tim went back downstairs. John was sitting at the table with a cup of coffee. “Hey, how did it go?” Tim asked John. “Well the nurse told me that Nichole would be very weak, tired, and would probably throw up. The treatment went fine. And on the way back she slept the whole time except when we pulled in the driveway.” John described. “Thank you John for taking her today.” Tim said with much gratitude. “Tim, you know that I would do anything for her. Anything.” John said with such meaning that it almost broke Tim’s heart. “You know John, Nichole is very lucky to have a boyfriend like you.” Tim said, and he meant it too. “Do you want to stay here? You look very tired.” John couldn’t deny that he wasn’t tired because he was very tired. “Okay. Thanks. I’m just going to call my mom and tell her, Okay?” John said after a stiffening yawn.
When John finally shut his eyes and then he heard someone in Nichole’s bathroom. It sounded like they were throwing up. The guest bedroom was right next to Nichole’s bedroom. He got up and walked a few steps before he heard it again. He started to run to Nichole’s room, when he went into the bathroom he seen Nichole with her head hung over the toilet seat and her hair in a ponytail. John rushed to Nichole’s side. “Hey, are you okay?” John asked with much concern. Just then Nichole heaved into the toilet. John started to rub Nichole’s back. Nichole said into the toilet, “John, you can go to bed. I know you’re tired.” “Nichole, you know I couldn’t leave you in this kind on a condition. I’m not that tired,” he lied.  Nichole finally stopped throwing up and then John tucked her in. “Now Nichole, if you need anything or you think something is wrong you come and get me or you scream out so that I hear you, Okay?” John said in a serious tone. “Okay.” Nichole said in a sick and tired voice, but before John could walk away she grasp his arm and said, “John, I want you to know that I LOVE YOU!” “I know you do. I love you too.” He said before he leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.

I'll try to post more soon... I've been very busy lately...

[maddie]

please post more

[gypsyqp_19]

I WILL!!! Don't worry... I'm still working on ending the book..

[maddie]

ok i was just a little worried!!

[gypsyqp_19]

Yeah, the story is like about 56,000 words or so and I haven't even found a good stopping place.
LOL!
 

[gypsyqp_19]

Neither Nichole nor John got up the rest of the night. It was about 10:30 in the morning before John got up. On his way down stairs he peeked in on Nichole, she was sound asleep. When John got downstairs where Tim was sitting at the table with Lori and Carrie. “Sleep okay?” Tim and Lori asked together. “Yeah, but right before I went to bed I heard Nichole throwing up so I went and sat with her for about 30 minutes.” John said in a sleepy voice. Tim and Lori exchanged worried glances. “What do you mean she was throwing up?” Tim asked. “Well the nurse said that Nichole probably would throw up after every infusion because it upsets their stomachs.” John explained. “I need to go start on chores. I’m already late.” John said on his way out the door.
It was about five’ o’clock when Lori went to get some dinner for Carrie. Nichole was sitting at the table with her head down. “Nichole, are you okay?” Lori asked, but no one answered. “Nichole!” Lori screamed.  She went up to Nichole and checked for a pulse, but there wasn’t one. “Hello. It’s an emergency. My sister is not breathing and she just had an infusion yesterday.” Lori told the dispatcher.  The ambulance showed up in about 5 minutes.  They got Nichole started on oxygen right away. They had her stabilized when they got to the ER. It was approximately two hours before the doctors came to the waiting room. Doctor Trisha said, “We have Nichole stabilized and she is on life support. She is in a coma. We think that she may have had a reaction to the treatment.” She started to explain. “When can we go and see her?” The curiously concerned question came from Jake. He had been silent the whole time.
Once they started to let the family go and see Nichole, John told them that he wanted to go last. When Lori and Carrie went in they told her how much they loved her. “Mommy, why is Aunty Nichole sleeping?” Carrie asked Lori. “Well Carrie, Aunty Nichole isn’t feeling to good.” Lori explained to Carrie. What was Lori supposed to say to a two and a half year old? Your aunt Nichole may die, Sorry! When Tim went back he started to cry. “Nichole, please wake up? I love you too much. I don’t want you to die. You’re too young to die. You have a loving family who will miss you too much. PLEASE come back Nichole?” Tim pleaded.  When John finally went back, he had been a little scared. Everybody who had come out of the room had been crying, even Jake! When John went into Nichole room, his eyes welled up, and his knees went weak, and he lost his breath. Seeing Nichole so helpless, lying on the bed so vulnerable, she almost looked like sleeping beauty. “Nichole, I love you. I want you to wake up. Don’t worry about the horses, I’ll take care of them.” John said in a shaky voice that you could tell he was crying.
As 3 days passed there was no change in Nichole. All of the adults had dark circles under their eyes and looked stressed. When John went into the house he found Tim and told Tim, “I’m going up to the hospital for my break. I’ll be back in an hour to do evening chores.” On his way up to Nichole’s room he stopped at the cafeteria and grabbed a bit to eat and some flowers. When John sat next to Nichole a few minutes later he said, “Your birthday’s tomorrow. I got you a gift. I think” Did Nichole’s eyes just flutter open. No, John thought to him-self. “I think you will like it.” Wait. He wasn’t imagining things; Nichole’s eyes just flutter open again. “Nichole? Are you up?” John asked. Then Nichole’s head turned and faced him. “John? Where am I at?” Nichole asked John in a tired voice. She was so confused. “Your at the hospital. I’m going to get the nurse.” John said in an excited voice. The nurse came in and checked Nichole’s vital signs and told John that she had no signs of amnesia. John went out into the hallway while Dr. Trisha was talking to Nichole. He called the ranch and Tim answered. “Hello?” “Tim, hey it’s me John. You guys need to come up to the hospital right away. Nichole woke up!” John said in a high-pitched voice.
On the way up to the hospital Jake drove. He only ran one red light. Once in the parking lot Carrie said, “Why did Grandpa run that red light? I thought that meant stop.” “Well Carrie, Grandpa ran the red light because your aunty Nichole woke up! You remember coming up here everyday and seeing her asleep.  Well she woke up.” Lori tried to explain to her daughter. John met them in the waiting room. He explained what the nurse said about Nichole. Carrie wanted to see Nichole now. So when they went in Carrie jumped on Nichole’s hospital bed and hugged her tight. “Aunty Nichole, I don’t want you to go to sleep that long ever again!” Carrie cried. Nichole looked at her niece and said, “I promise I will never go to sleep like that again, Okay?” After Lori left the room Tim came in. “Nichole? Hey, how are you feeling today? You really scared us all!” Tim said with tears in his eyes. “Tim. I don’t even remember what happened. All I remember is going downstairs and sitting at the table.” Nichole said. “I know, I know.” Tim said while slowly shaking his head back and forth.
The next day the hospital gave Nichole for a 12-hour release so she could celebrate her birthday at home.  When John picked her up from the hospital at eight that morning she was ready to leave. Once they were in the truck Nichole leaned over and kissed John so longingly that John didn’t ever want to leave the hospital parking lot. When they arrived at the ranch there was a huge sign that hung across the porch that read, “HAPPY 24th BIRTHDAY NICHOLE!” Nichole had tears in her eyes when she finally made it through the doorway. There were gifts piled passed her head sitting on the kitchen counter. All of her friends and family were there to celebrate her birthday with her. Then there was a giant cake with three tiers high sitting on the table. It was lovely. It was a stable with a fence for the bottom, stable on the second, and a wind director on the top, then for decorations there were horses on all tiers. Dreamy huh?
After they got done with eating cake and opening gifts John took Nichole back to the hospital. They sat in the parking lot talking. “I wish you could come home.” John said with a saddened tone. “Doctor Trisha said that I could come home in 2 days! I can’t have a treatment because they don’t know what happened to me the first time. They said it could be a few weeks till they found out why I had a reaction to the first treatment. You’re going to be there right?” Nichole asked John. He didn’t answer, but instead leaned over the seat and kissed her. John then pulled away and said, “Nichole, I have asked your grandpa and brother for a favor, which they said yes to. I asked them if, the day after you came home, I could take you on a little road trip. Would you be willing to go with me?” Nichole was shocked. She knew that nothing was going to happen. And if there was going to be something to happen John would make sure that she was ready and that she wanted it too. “Yes, I will go with you on a road trip.” Nichole said with a smile on her face.
Doctor Trisha released Nichole 2 days later. Lori picked Nichole up and they headed straight for the mall. Nichole needed new clothes for her road trip. It was going to be a whole week on the road. They shopped for 4 hours, going to each store in the mall. They had such a great time. What a great way to cheer up Nichole, Lori though.  When Nichole got home she went straight to barn where John caught her in his muscular arms.  She tilted her head down and looked into his beautiful blue eyes and kissed him. “It feels so go to be home.” Nichole told John when he put her down. “Are you ready to leave tomorrow? I can’t wait to be on the road for 1 whole week with you. “ John said. He knew that Nichole didn’t want anything to happen between them yet. As much as he wanted her, he would never push her.
After supper Nichole went to her room to take all the tags off her new clothes. She started to pack her clothes in her brand new orange and white poke-a-dotted suitcase that she had gotten for Christmas. “Now, I just need to get my shampoo and stuff together.” She said aloud to herself. She was so excited to be leaving in the morning. She needed to get a good night sleep because her and John were leaving the ranch at 5:30 in the morning.  By the time she shut out her lights she had her bags packed, her pillowcase washed and a pillow, then she had her cds and a list of things that she wanted to see while she was on their road trip. When she looked at her clock last it read 10:45 p.m.
She got up early to take a shower and make sure that she had everything. John and Nichole were taking John’s dad’s new escalade. John grabbed Nichole’s bags and put them in the back of the SUV.  Nichole had her backpack, pillow, and thermos filled with hot chocolate in her hand. John said, “Why don’t you put them in the car so you can tell everyone good-bye.” Nichole put her things in the SUV and went to tell everyone good-bye. Carrie was so cute in her white and pink sundress. Lori had on a beautiful orange baby doll top with dark wash pants, Tim, he looked so spiffed up in a blue and white plaid shirt, and Jake, lets not forget Jake. He looked old and yet so tough. He had on his normal clothes; a red polo, ripped pants, and his cowboy hat. Nichole couldn’t do anything except smile. There was her family telling her good-bye. Yeah, it wasn’t a farewell, but they had stood next to her on everything. They didn’t give up on her when she was in her coma either. She loved her family so much.
They pulled out of the driveway right on time. It was 5:30 when they pulled through town that morning. Things were going great; they had seen two deer in the field and a flock of geese fly above them. Nichole popped in a cd and started singing to it. John looked over at her and smiled. “Your full of yourself!” John said, and then he started to laugh. Nichole could already tell that this was a good idea. She was having so much fun already. “What would we do with out each other?” Nichole asked John. John pretended to think for a minute then said, “Hum, I don’t know about you, but I would have to say I would melt away to nothing without you.” Nichole crossed her hands over her heart and said, “How sweet of you! Knowing me so would I. Just melt away to nothing!”
Their first stop was in a little town about 400 miles away from the ranch. They ordered some lunch in a home-style restaurant and filled up at the gas station just down the road. They drove for about another 8 hours before they stopped again. This time they stopped somewhere near Knoxville, Tennessee. They took pictures of each other and of both of them next to the Knoxville Sunsphere, a special landmark in Knoxville. Their next stop would be in Nashville, Tennessee where they were suppose to have a reservation at a Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. They checked in at the hotel about 6:30 that evening and had some time to spare. They decided to cruise through Nashville and have a look around. They ate supper at a local café near the hotel. They took pictures of each other in the hotel room doing all sorts of things, watching television, reading, and Nichole even got a picture of John asleep in the chair.
The next day of their road trip they got an early start and were packed and checked out of the hotel by 8:30 that morning. They wouldn’t stop for about three hundred miles ahead of them in St. Louis, Missouri. There they would stop for the night and go see the Gateway Arch. They took some wonderful pictures near the arch. After that they crashed for the night after eating supper at the hotel. Who knew what tomorrow would bring? Nichole was up before John and got her shower before he got up. When she stepped out of the shower she heard John getting up. They checked out of the hotel at 10:30 that morning. They got a fitful nights’ sleep and were bight eyed and bushy tailed the next morning. They were going to see Nichole’s relatives in town and stay a four days before they started back home.
Nichole and John went and seen a theater show in a little town outside St. Louis around three that afternoon. At 5:30 that evening they were suppose to go see Nichole’s relatives. Around five ‘o’ clocks Nichole and John left the hotel to go see her relatives. Arriving around 5:20 they had time to say hello to everyone. Everyone knew about Nichole’s condition and was having a giant cookout in case things would take a turn for the worst. Nichole visited with everyone and included John because he was part of her family no matter what people said. At the end of the cookout they had a bonfire with Smore's. They told old stories of their past relatives, ghost stories, and things that had happened to them in the past few years.
When the two got back to the hotel it was around 11:30 p.m. They had big plans for tomorrow. They were going to go shopping, catch a movie, and then they were going out to eat. The first stop they made was at the mall. They went into the GAP, Victoria Secret, and some other stores. They got chocolate cappuccinos from Starbuck’s and headed to the parking garage.  Now they were on their way to the movies, which would last about 2 hours. Only 14 people were in the whole theater to watch the movie and about 4 of the couple were making out. After the movie was over they went to the hotel to change for their reservation at this really fancy restaurant.
Nichole looked stunning in a baby blue dress that she had gotten that day. It was a baby blue halter -top dress with a wrap around waist and a beautiful clip that came to the end of the wrap. She had a silver clutch to go with the outfit.  John looked handsome next to Nichole with a classic black tux. Their outfits euphonized each other’s skin tones. Both of them had a darkened tan from being out in the sun so much. When they walked in there was a lot of beautiful dresses in the place Nichole leaned over and said, “Man Grandpa Jake really went over the top with this dinner!” It was true too. The mayor was sitting at a V.I.P table with his wife and son. It didn’t take long to be seated and they ordered their food right away. After they ate and paid for the bill it was just their luck that there was a beach next to the restaurant. The beach over looked the arch and it was a beautiful clear night letting every star shine it’s brightest.


I'll try to be more regular about posting.. sorry I've been a really busy person...

[pony-horse]

i didnt read it all but its good! im just not sure if giving her cancer so early was a good idea - i wasnt even sure if i liked nichole. :p buts its still a great story!

[gypsyqp_19]

Well you see this book is a mixture of fantasy and real life and the whole cancer is a real deal for me. A lot of this book is based on my life and you can probably tell which isn't but the major stuff is... *And no I don't have cancer, my uncle does*
That should explain why I gave it to her so soon in the story..

[maddie]

oh im sorry about your uncle i know how you feel my grandma had lung cancer and im pretty sure my uncles are gonna too....

[pony-horse]

ohhh... i feel bad now but its still a wonderful story (though im not very far in it )

[gypsyqp_19]

Thanks....
I am now 2,000 words away from ending my first book of Everett Ranch. I begin the next book after I get back from my trip. It will be around 60,000 words as well and will continue from where I leave off in the first book. I hope you guys enjoy and I'm not the type to feel offended if you don't like the book. 
Enjoy and comment after you read.
Thanks again.