When morning came to Kansas, sunlight streamed through the slightly misty air, and hazy patterns of light drifted through the atmosphere.
As golden rays spilled across the land, distant calls carried on the wind. When the last trace of chill faded from the breeze, spring arrived with a gentle whisper, telling the hardworking people of this vast land that the spring planting season was about to begin.
The young people staying in the cottage at Kent Farm got up early. The sun had barely risen above the horizon when everyone was already hurriedly packing up their things.
Before dawn, the rumbling of tractors picked up where the spring thunder of the previous night had left off. The noisy laughter and chatter of the farmhands came from the main house nearby. Clark pushed open the wooden door and caught the scent of Martha's rich soup in the damp air.
Clark had just lifted his foot to step outside when he suddenly pulled it back. Turning to the people behind him, he said, "Don't come out yet. The pebbles outside are a little loose. Bruce, bring me a shovel. I need to pack them down."
With a whoosh, a shovel flew over. Clark instinctively caught it, but when he looked up, he saw Diana's face. He raised an eyebrow in surprise—the force behind that throw had not been light.
Diana flashed a broad smile. "I know you're proud of being strong, boy, but I'm no slouch either."
Clark laughed as he carried the shovel outside. "I could tell you wanted to spar with me. You Amazon women are all the same—always trying to prove how strong you are."
"There's nothing wrong with that. At least you'll have a good helper when it comes time to plant today." Diana shrugged, took out another