Love

Feeling Katie's little tug on his warm emotions, Jason's eyes brighten, his smile growing wider. He loved it when she did that. Not only did it make him feel good but he knew it made her feel good too.

I love you, Hero. What would I do without you? 

Silent laughter bubbles inside.

Other than suffocate and die a horrible death.


"Can I get you anything else?"

Jason's emotions come to a halt as he glances up at the waiter, almost annoyed, but he remains polite, retreating from Katie's hand. "I think we're good, thanks."

Left alone again, he rolls his eyes. "Killjoy. So you be ready to go by tomorrow after work?"

Ryder closes his eyes as his face is met with Thirteen's soft palm. Hearing she would go, he opens his eyes again, smiling. "I think it'll be fun too. And you already know Katie and Jason and Trent. So including me, you already know four people." 

He gives her a wink. "As long as I'm the only bloke that counts, I promise not to get jealous." 

Leaning down, he kisses her lips again, but this time lets it linger, deepening the exchange to show he cared and was proud of her. His hand slides up to where his fingers could feel her hair, his other cupping her waist. She deserved to be cared for. She deserved to be loved. 

Kip looks up at Karla, his eyes widening, and for a few moments, he's able to keep a straight face as if he has no idea why she's laughing. But seeing her laugh so hard, he can't help the smile that finally breaks free, the bacon slipping from his mouth to fall back onto his plate. 

Joining in with the laughter, the goofy glint has returned to his eyes and he picks his teeth with a finger. "Hmm... I think I got it out, what do you think?"

Jade gives Dan's arm a whack as he teases her about her snowy artwork, but she laughs anyway. "Turkey. Either you have bad perception or I'm a terrible artist." 

Taking his hand, she lets him help her into the truck, a smile seeming to be permanently stuck on her face. Once Dan has joined her, she  thinks, then shrugs. "I don't really care where we go." She laughs. "Let's just go to town and stop at the first place that looks good. That way it will be a true adventure."

Would be ok

Taking Jason's hand in return and wrapping her fingers around his Katie looks up into his eyes as a smile spreads on her lips. Feeling his emotions they were so warm and inviting. Everything had been layed out for them and even if there relationship took some turns at time they new this was where they were meant to be. 

Fishing through Jason emotions Katie finds the right ones. The love Jason sheared, and the happiness she felt. Giving a tug on them her eyes twinkle with the love she felt for him. It was strange thinking back to the time when she was much differnt than she was now. She had come a long way, her and Jason both.

Getting pushed back on the couch as Ryder leans on her Thirteen gives a small laugh. Looking up at him she cocks her head a little looking back into his bright eyes. She enjoyed every moment spend with Ryder weather it was a walk, watching a movie or just cuddling.

Thinking about his question for a long moment Thirteen process the question choosing she wanted to do in her mind. She had never been to Texas before, let alone a ranch. In her eyes, one could see she was deep in thought. Ryder would be with her, maybe it would be fun.

"I think it would be fun to go and see some place new. If your with me, I think it would be ok too. I know you'd keep me safe."

Thinking again Thirteen brings her hands up to Ryder's face and cradles it running her thumb over his cheek bone, and his jaw. It was something she often did, remaindering herself of his features, mapping his face in her mind.

"As long as your with me, I am not scaired. I think it would be fun to go."

As the food comes to the table Karla's stomach gives a growl and her face turns a small shade of red. Smiling up at the waitress she gives her thanks. The prayers followed and Karla was happy they had come. It was nice praying with someone else.

Cutting her food Karla keeps her eyes on her plate. The pancakes looked so good, her mouth was watering. Finally being able to take a small bite Karla closes her eyes as it almost melts in her mouth. Severing the flavor letting it last forever. It had been a long time since Karla had tasted something this good. As a kid this was what she had to eat the most. 

"This is so good...thank you Ki...."

Looking up from her meal Karla's words break off seeing Kip with the bacon hanging from his mouth. Not being able to help it or even knowing why it hit her funny bone Karla lets out a loud and long laugh. Tears formed in her eyes as the laughing continued her whole body shaking from the laughter.  Finally as it started to slow though Karla wiped her eyes with her napkin trying to form her words.

"I think you have a little...something in your teeth!!"

Throwing his jacket back on once again Dan looks in the mirror one more time running a hand through his hair making sure it was ok since he was leaving his hat behind today. 

Exiting the bunk Dan just stands on the porch and watches Jade for a long moment. A smile on his face as he just watch's her make the heart track in the snow.  Finally coming off the the steps he walks slowly over to her stepping over the line making sure not to mess it up. 

"Its a horse right?"

The cheesy look in Dan's eyes that was chased by the twinkle showed he was just pulling her leg. Finally he gives a small laugh though and takes her hand in his.

"Ready to go? You can pick where we go."

Stepping twords the truck Dan opens the door and holds it for Jade.

Stranded

Jason nods absentmindedly. He had a weird feeling about all this. Not because he was apposed to taking Thirteen to the ranch, but just because of Trent and how he might react. In all reality, with or without Trent, it would be good for Thirteen to get out and among trustworthy people. 

"Yeah... there's something special about that ranch." 

Jason slides his hand across the table to take Katie's, giving it a little squeeze. If it hadn't been for the ranch, they might never have met. And if they had never met, he'd still have a big hole in his heart. 

He allows the emotions tied to those thoughts move in Katie's direction so she would know what he was thinking, and he smiles a little. 

"You're right - it's in Ryder's hands. He'll make the right choice, I'm sure. Regardless of where Trent is, I think Thirteen would enjoy the ranch." 

Ryder wanders back into the living room and flops down on the couch, knocking into Thirteen so she's pushed onto her back and he's looking down at her. He rests an elbow on each side of her, his face inches from hers. A crooked grin emerges before he gives her lips a little kiss. 

Looking into her eyes, he sees the potential he'd seen the first day. She had come such a long way but there was so much more out there yet for her to discover and learn and experience. Ryder didn't want to start trouble with Trent, but she'd already met him once, and the ranch was big enough that they might not ever be forced to interact at all. Family or not, it would be beneficial to Thirteen for her to be with those people for a few days.

"How would you like to go to Texas for a few days over Christmas?" His eyes twinkle as he stays on top of her in a teasing manner. "Jason just invited us to go with him and Katie to that ranch she's told you about where her family is. I haven't been there, but I know they're good people and it could be a lot of fun. I'd be with you every step of the way." 

Kip chuckles as he retrieves the paper crane and shakes his head. "I never could get the hang of origami. This is cool." 

Switching back to her question, he nods. "Yeah, there's a Walmart about fifteen minutes from here. We can make that at least one stop. It's whatever you need... I got all day." In all honesty, he'd rather have it take a little longer today so he didn't have to go back and face Erik or anyone else. 

In a few minutes, the waitress returns to the table with their food, sliding Karla's over in front of her with a smile. "There you go, Hon. I made sure they put some extra whipped cream on there too. And Kip..." She hands him his eggs, bacon and toast. "You're regular. Did you want just your water or cherry coke?" 

Kip grins. She knew his favorite. "Why not... gimme coke. That'll wake me up."

The waitress chuckles. "Alright. I'll be right back. You two enjoy." 

Kip waits until he's alone with Karla again to pray for their meal before digging in. As they eat, he concentrates on his food, but nonchalantly takes two strips of bacon and slips them up between his upper gums and teeth so they're sticking out of his mouth like thick fangs. He doesn't look up though and just keeps looking at his food, waiting for Karla to see him.

Jade smiles back at Dan and slips from his grasp, wrapping the blanket around her as she stands. "I'll be ready." 

Following Dan to the door, she watches him leave, just staring after him with a smile on her face for several moments until she finally retreats to shower quickly and get dressed. A quick call to Becky lets her know that she would be gone most of the day, and she also gives Rosetta a ring to tell her stepmother she'd be out with Dan.

Right on time, Jade is out to Dan's truck, beating him there. She was casually dressed for breakfast, knowing that later she'd have a chance to dress up more nicely in whatever outfit she could find today. Taking small steps in the freshly fallen snow, Jade creates a heart-shaped trail around Dan's truck while she waits.

Cars and semis whiz by on the interstate, kicking up wet sludge from plowed pavement. The stranded trucker stands up on the front of his truck with the hood open as his freezing fingers try to find the engine problem. It was bad enough stalling out in the middle of a run, but it had to be in northern Illinois where they'd just had snow and it was cold.

Finally frustrated with a lack of progress, he retreats to his cap and picks up his cb, radioing the dispatch. "Yeah, I'm out on route fifteen headed south. I'm gonna need a tow."

Waiting for a response, Eric leans back in his seat and sighs deeply. He was trying to make it back to Texas for Christmas... he wanted to be there for Rosetta. But at this point, it wasn't looking good.

Danger

Katie thinks again for a long moment. Was if fair? No probley not, but Rosetta lets her bring friends to the ranch all the time. What would be wrong with doing it again?


"I guess it wouldn't be, but is it really fair that Thirteen doesn't know her father ether when she so badly wants that part of her life. When she needs that part, and there is no reason why she shouldn't know?"


Letting out a sigh again Katie leans forward on the table looking down at her food. Maybe it was wrong of them to play the field like this. But the longer she kept this secret herself the more it killed her inside and she felt so guilty when she looked into her cousins eyes.


"I guess its in Ryder's hands now to do what he thinks is best. I do hope they come though, I think it would do them both good. Even if its my Aunt's ranch there is something special about it, and its just...nice to be there."


Just listing to Kip and the waitress as she comes over Karla can tell she new what was going on but like she had held her tong from butting into where maybe she didn't belong. Giving a friendly smile to the waitress Karla just continues to watch, taking in Kip and the other lady. Observation, a talent that seemed to come without even thinking.


Once the orders where taken Karla takes the napkin that was to her left and starts playing with it trying to keep her fingers busy. Folding the napkin over, and over...flipping it to the other side and doing the same Karla talked as she folded.


"Well...were can we go for nice things? I shop at the dollar store, and salvation army for my clothing and whatever else I need."


Thinking Karla picks up the napkin and looks at it for a moment before bending a little more, and folding, than unfolding, only to refold again.


"There is a Walmart around here right?"


Finally bringing the paper to her lips Karla blows a little puffing out the body and wings to a crane made from paper and napkin.


"I heard they have nice things. Something the greatest things, can come very little."


Placing the crane down on the table Karla pushes it over to Kip and gives a soft smile. She couldn't remember where she learned to fold paper like that but it had been something she could do for a long time now. Now that it really amounted to much but it was a good way to pass the time.


Feeling Jade's lips on his Dan returns the passionate kiss. Letting the emotions, feelings, and everything connected with it flow over them. This moment, was so nice, to feel the warmth, to feel the hands that crawled up Dan's back, to just feel the love.


As Jade retreats Dan's lips yurn for more as his arms tighten a little but as Jade turns her head and comes back to his lips again Dan draws her closer as he shifts her around lightly in his arms so she was now facing him. 


When Jade's fingers find the back of Dan's neck, a small sound was formed in his throat as he pulled her just a little bit closer. The moment continuing on, and who new how much time had passed as Dan's hands moved up Jade's back. But finally Dan does pull away as he looks into Jade's eyes and gives a smile. As much as he didn't want the moment to end he new it had to. Time wouldn't wait for them, and they still had a lot to do, and the more he stayed in this comfortable moment where his mind could not form a line the more danger he had of making a mistake and losing something so special to him.


"I am going to go clean up a little bit, and I will let you get dressed and ready. Meet you at my truck in a half?"