Next Time

Reese grins and nods. "Yeah. Imagine that. I don't know the last time I really enjoyed real alone time with anybody." He thinks. "Well, I guess I've had a few hours here and there with Wyatt, but that's about it."

For just a moment, his eyes dim slightly. He and his son had always gotten along. They'd always had a great relationship, able to tell each other anything. That is... until lately. And Reese wasn't sure at all what had caused the change. But he didn't like being at odds with Wyatt like this.

Recovering quickly, he stands from the table, offering Angelica a hand. "Shall I take you back to work? Or would you prefer to play hooky and run up to the lake for a few hours?"


Almost more surprised that Beth had accepted his offer more than the fact that he'd offered at all, Zach's eyebrows rise as he smiles again. "Great. What days work best for you?" Did she want to get together soon? Or later? Would she want to do it right away, or put it off until she'd forgotten about him?


"Exactly." Eric nods to Ashlee his encouragement. He loved seeing her fascination with even the simplest tasks. He was so tempted to tell her today that he'd teach her how to ride, but he knew he should wait until her birthday. At least then she'd have the boots Stacy had bought her.

"Leather needs enough moisture not to crack and break, but too much just makes it wet and slimy. Ain't worst thing that can happen, but I wouldn't want to sit in a saddle that had been over-oiled."

He reaches into the mess, drawing out a couple different pieces of tack. "This here is a breast collar... it fastens to either side of the saddle and goes around the chest of the horse to keep the saddle in place." He sets it aside. "And this, is a bridle, but see, it has a hackamore, which is different than a bit that goes in a horse's mouth.... and then this here piece is..." He stops, frowns and turns the smaller piece of leather around in his hand. "Apparently this is part of a back cinch, but looks like it's been busted. I wonder if that's the one Mick broke," he muses mostly to himself.

"Anyway... if you ever got questions about what stuff is, just ask."


"Don't be sorry." Tal tucks a strand of hair behind Ryan's ear. His voice was soft to avoid waiting Eli. "You're worth it all and more."

Shifting a bit more so he's lying on his back, he hooks his legs around Ryan, bringing her down on him so he can wrap his arms around her. He grins and kisses her nose. "Next time we call Scarlet to go take your brother out of here for a while," he teases.

But despite sleeping big brother, Tal slips a hand up behind Ryan's head to bring her lips down to his. Enveloping her in a passionate kiss, his free hand rubs her back gently, just allowing the enjoyment of the moment.