What bet?

Chuckling at Katie, Hunter grins and accepts his shoes. "Thanks. You're probably right."

Bending to slip them on and tie them, he finally stands, stretching tall and twisting to pop his back. "Mmm... okay, that feels better now." Sighing with content, he wanders to the door, walking just a bit stiffly. Opening it for Katie, he gestures outside. "After you, melady."

Joining her on the porch, he pauses a moment and looks down at her, a new smile forming. Maybe... maybe this trip had more to it than he'd originally thought. He couldn't complain though. Katie had an effect on him that no one else did. She drew out the softer side of him, as if his rowdiness was shot dead whenever he was with her. And... he didn't mind. He'd rather have more of these moments than the ones with a group of rowdy buddies anyway. Would...there be more of these moments? Or was this just a one-time kiss to make them both feel better? He honestly didn't know.

Locking her hand in his, he gives it a squeeze. "Shall we dine?"

Entering the dining room with Katie a few minutes later, it's obvious that lunch had already started as most people were halfway through their meals. His entrance with her didn't go unnoticed though, as out of nowhere, Sparky stands up and starts to clap - as do Eric, Mick and several others.

Hunter skids to a halt, his eyes widening. What was going on?

"He's up and walking!" Sparky calls from across the room.

"I don't even think he's limping... much," Eric adds, stifling a laugh.

Hunter blinks and looks to Katie, bewildered before looking back around the room again. He could feel his cheeks growing hot. "Am I... not supposed to be?" He looks directly at Mick who just stares back at him, obviously holding in laughter. "Well?"

Luke comes slowly to them both, setting a hand on Hunter's shoulder. "The last time any of those fellas rode Bonzai, they were walking bowlegged for at least a week - and they're seasoned riders."

Hunter still didn't understand. He looks at Katie then back at Luke with question. "I don't get it."

Eric clears his throat and pushes his chair back from the table a little so he could turn around. "Bonzai is the roughest ride in the barn."

"His trot gets the best of riders saddle sore," Sparky adds.

Now it was starting to make sense. Hunter shoots as look back to Mick. "You mean you..."

Mick nods sheepishly, his grin twitching.

Luke pats Hunter's shoulder. "The fact that you rode for that long, plus bareback, plus helped in the barn afterward, then actually showed up here for lunch instead of lying in a hot bath the rest of the day... I think you deserve the rest of the day off."

Mick finally stands up and wanders over to Hunter too, holding out his hand. "Hunter... you may be from the city... but you have just lost your title of city slicker."

Hunter's eyes narrow as he looks at Mick's hand suspiciously. "Do you initiate everybody this way?" 

"No." Mick's eyes dance with humor. 

Smirking, Hunter accepts Mick's handshake anyway. "I don't know whether to feel honored or humiliated." 

"Honored," Sparky pipes up again. "Definitely honored. It's not every day Mick has somebody ride the only horse he hates to straddle." 

"Hey now." Mick laughs. "Shush." 

Sparky just grins - along with others who got the joke. 

Hunter shakes his head and sighs. "Anything else I should know about before staying here any longer?" 

Mick chuckles. "Naw. Thanks for being a good sport."

"He's just happy be won the bet." Luke rolls his eyes.

"Wait..." Hunter looks around again. "What bet?" 

"Never mind." Mick gestures to the tables. "Katie, get some food in this boy - he deserves it."

"Ha!" Jason grins. "Confusing Rick is the best. If he only knew how funny he looks..." 

Taking a sip of pop, he smacks his lips. "Okay good. My place tonight. But you better let me get there first. I should... probably clean up a few things." His cheeks grow a little warm. He hadn't exactly been keeping house very well lately. 

He takes another bite of food before quirking an eyebrow. "Think your uncle's gonna like me dating you, or should I be scared?"