It was a new, odd sensation that Jason felt as Katie responds to him. He couldn't quite read her tone, but her words... stung? Just a little? Whatever it was, it wasn't the most pleasant of feelings. Trying to decide what it was, was difficult, and he wasn't sure he really wanted to, lest he make it worse. But for sure, it did sting.
As Katie moves on to say she's glad to meet Sandy, Jason wishes he could move on as quickly. But the slight sting was lingering. It wasn't too severe. And he was pretty sure Katie didn't mean it in a negative way. Regardless, it was hard for him to let go of it.
"Yeah, I'm... glad you got to meet her too. She's a lot of fun." He nods before his eyes lower to the grass as he plucks a new blade. "But I wouldn't go out to dinner with her alone," he mumbles.
Kaylee's squeal breaks the conversation and Jason looks over quickly to see her trying to catch dandelion seeds that Sandy had just blown into the breeze. The little girl giggles and runs around in circles. "Fler fly!"
Sandy laughs. "Yes the flowers are flying away."
Kaylee spins around, spies Jason and comes running over as fast as her little legs can carry her. Plowing into him, he's knocked off his elbow and onto his back, where she promptly lands on his stomach.
"Oof!" Jason's eyes widen as his breath is knocked out of him. He has to laugh though, catching Kaylee before she rolls off the other side. "Boy, you're gonna sleep well tonight. Mom's gonna want me to do this again but I don't know if I can handle it."
Kaylee gives him a cheesy grin and flops down so her head was on his chest. "Nap."
"Nap?! You kidding me?" Jason tickles her, making her giggle some more. "Later. We gotta find some lunch first."
Sandy was grinning as she wanders closer. "Yeah, I heard her tummy rumble a few times and so is mine."
"I'm thinking...." Jason takes Kaylee's hands as she straddles his stomach and bounces her a little. "Somewhere we can eat outside."
"We could just do McDonald's," Sandy suggests. "The one a few blocks from here has that outside patio. Or we could bring stuff back here."
"Hey yeah, it's close enough." He turns his head in the grass to look at Katie. "What do you think, Babe? Wanna eat here in the park or do you have a hankering for something else?"
The atmosphere was so warm and fun that everybody had a good time just mingling and watching Ashlee smile. She and Stacy really were becoming a part of the ranch family, and it was just an accepted fact now. Once a part of the family, always a part of it. It's just the way it worked.
Keeping his distance for a while, Eric just watches Ashlee, enjoying seeing her have a good time. He had a little cake and mingled a bit, but it wasn't until after he saw her open her gifts that he wanders closer.
Easing down in the chair next to her, he smiles before throwing Stacy a wink. She knew what he was doing, but he'd been successful at keeping it a secret from Ashlee. "Boy, those are nice looking boots," he comments, giving Ashlee a little nudge with his shouder. "I guess that makes you a real cowgirl now, huh?"
Leaning in a little closer, it's hard for him to control his smile. This was a bit out of his box. It had been a long time since he'd taught anyone how to ride, and that was usually Mick's deal around here. This was awkward for a few reasons, but he hoped it would be worth it.
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