Miss Carson's Farm in Summer

Chavo pulled his head back into the truck. He felt scared. What if Miss Carson hadn't liked his joke? What if she didn't want to hire his family? What had he done?

Big Pedro smiled at his son. "Chavo, what is wrong? One minute you are happy. The next you are sad. Tell me what is wrong."

"Papa, I put a bag of compost under Miss Carson's porch. I closed it up tight so it would smell. I think she will be mad at me. I think she might not hire you."

Big Pedro smiled. "I think she likes your jokes. She is your friend. You worked hard on the compost. You may make a little joke."

Chavo felt better. Miss Carson did like his jokes. She played pranks too. She had hired his family for several years. She would hire them this year.

Miss Carson was waiting in the drive. Her eyes smiled at Chavo. Chavo smiled back.
"Would you like to come and sit on the porch with me, Chavo?" she asked. Chavo and Big Pedro smiled. Miss Carson did like his joke.

"Welcome back, Pedro. It is good to see you again. Where is Young Rosa and the rest?" Miss Carson asked.

"They are riding in the camper. Only Chavo wanted to ride with Papa in the truck." Big Pedro said.

"I have the house ready. Will you need it this year?" Miss Carson looked puzzled.

"Oh, Si, Senora. Little Pedro is not so little anymore. He wanted his own camper. Here he comes now." Big Pedro looked proud of Little Pedro. Little Pedro was a grown man. He was very tall and strong. Big Pedro was glad Little Pedro still liked to work for Miss Carson.

As soon as the camper was parked, people spilled out of the door. Everyone hugged Miss Carson. It was going to be a great summer. The apple trees were blooming. The strawberries were growing. The fields were ready to plant.

Everyone was working hard. The farm was a success. Many people liked to buy their produce from Miss Carson because her organic food tasted so good. Little Pedro was extra happy when Susan came to buy fruits and vegetables. Susan was a chef at the Mexican Grill. She was a very good cook. Little Pedro thought she was pretty.

When Susan came, Little Pedro found the best asparagus, strawberries, blueberries and lettuce. Susan like Little Pedro, too. She always had time to go for a walk on the farm when she came.

One day after Susan left the farm, Little Pedro had a long talk with Big Pedro. Big Pedro smiled. He had a good secret to keep. Then Little Pedro went to talk to Susan's family. Susan and her family smiled. Susan and Little Pedro were going to get married.

Miss Carson and Young Rosa had so many things to do. Little Pedro and Susan were going to have the party in the orchard. Everyone worked hard to keep the farm going and to get ready for the wedding. It was exciting.

On the day of the wedding, Miss Carson and Chavo stayed behind to finish getting ready for the party. "I will bring Chavo to the church." Miss Carson said.

After everyone was gone, Chavo showed Miss Carson a bag of compost. They sealed it up tight. "Where should we put this, Chavo?" she asked. Chavo giggled. They put it under Little Pedro's camper. Little Pedro and Susan would have a silly surprise when they came home.