Hi, Steve M Here is your critique as requested/


Overall Impression

This is a good story. It shows the change in the lives of three people. It gives the reader hope as well as a plan to impact their life.

Setting:
I understood the setting. You gave details so the reader could recognize a farm and how it works.

Plot:
The plot has a purpose. The main characters move toward a common goal. Their motivation was to survive the conflicts that came their way.

Characters:
I think you made the dialogue interesting and informative. It read short and to the point.
"You figure on staying?" Harry asked one evening as they loaded the hay.
Johnny shrugged, "If you'll have me."
There are no frills, yet the repoire between the two men leaves nothing unsaid.
You did a good job using action to show the character's mannerisms.


Suggestions:
My feeling while reading this is you distance the reader from the action by your use of Was,were, went, had and other passive words. I never felt in the story, but outside looking at the action. You did a lot of telling, not showing.
You told me they were sad, eyes shone with tears (good by the way), but show me what grief feels like. I wanted to know if Harry felt grief. If he didn't, it's okay, but he should realize he might be different than others. At the funeral, when men wiped tears or struggled to get words out over the lump in their throat, he shoved all that down.
Since this is told from Harry's point of view from the beginning, when you switch to Johnny's POV I was confused and had to reread see who was doing the action. Head hopping is confusing to the reader. Stay in one POV. We don't need to know Johnny's thoughts. You can show his reactions from Harry's POV.
At the accident, Harry and Johnny came to the rescue. It feels unrealistic that Mrs. Johnson didn't run to the porch to see why her neighbor arrived. Show Ruth driving into the farm honking her horn to get attention. Everyone comes out. Mrs. Johnson, wrapped in her robe. She doesn't change but goes with Ruth. Johnny and Harry converse and follow. Show me the suspense. What is Harry thinking as he drives the 2 miles? When the two men get to work, with the two women kneeling by Ruth's husband. Harry pulls a horse blanket from the truck to lay under the man. Show me some compassion as he and Johnny work to lift the tractor.
You say Johnny looks at the pocket watch on his wrist. Sorry, that can't happen. A pocket watch has a chain with a tab that fits through a button hole. It then slides into a pocket. A wrist watch is something entirely different. Pick one or the other.

In conclusion:

I loved the story and it's plot. With a little tweaking, the story will keep the reader engaged.




My review has been submitted for consideration in "Good Deeds Get CASH!" .