Tempers

"Okay good." Ariel grins again before turning her attention back to her food. "That way, if I help you find a place, I'll know where to go when you invite me over."

Laughing, she lifts up her water glass. "To your new start. May this be the beginning of a bright future." Her foot nudges his back, her eyes retaining their twinkle. 

The rest of the meal, Ariel found enjoyable and relaxing. Knowing now that Trey's intentions were and knowing that they were going to date more, that question no longer hung in the air. And without it, small talk and laughter came more easily. It helped, too, knowing that Trey had decided to stay. Would things work out between them? Who knew? But at least there was a little bit of direction now, and that was good enough for Ariel. 

"Ohhhhh man..." Ariel savors the bite of dessert and sighs with content. "Now this... is a slice of heaven." She takes another bite, but also pushes the plate closer to Trey so he could share. "Just so you know... chocolate is one of my weaknesses. I shouldn't tell you that, but I figure you have a right to know." 


Accepting Chad's hug, Rosalyn buries her face in his chest, trying not to cry. Surely it wasn't that bad. Surely she was overreacting. Surely her dad wouldn't make a big deal out of it... right? 

Following the prompt of Chad's finger, she lifts her face to find his eyes again. Considering his words, she eventually nods. "Maybe he's not as mad as Clint thinks. Unfortunately, Dad's got just as much of the Henson temper as his siblings." She sighs, quirking an eyebrow. "For now, I won't tell you whether or not I inherited it." 

Pulling away, she wanders to the window where she moves aside the curtain to look out. Jim was headed to the dining hall, and by the pace of his long strides, he wasn't happy. She glances back over her shoulder, worry in her eyes for this man she hardly knew but for whom she had already formed deep feelings.

Squaring her shoulders, she walks back to Chad and takes his hand to bring him back to the door. "Come on... I don't want to postpone the inevitable."


On his way to the dining hall, movement catches Jim's eye and he glances toward the bunkhouses. Realizing it was Rosalyn and the man he recognized as Chad, he skids to a stop and spins on his heel to head in their direction. Meeting them halfway, his eyes glare first at Rosalyn, then Chad, then back to Rosalyn. Seeing them hand-in-hand didn't do anything to subdue his anger. "What in blazes do you think you're doing?!" 

Rosalyn cringes, stopping beside Chad. "I'm enjoying the company of someone who came to see me," she replies calmly. "What does it look like?"

Jim's eyes narrow. "Don't play that game with me," he warns. "You don't want to know what it looks like to me." His stare shifts to Chad again. "I don't know who you think you are, but you better turn right back around and-"

"Leave him alone!" Without thinking, Rosalyn steps between them, her own eyes flashing with anger. "He's done nothing wrong, so why don't you just calm down and talk about this with a level head?" 

"I have a level head!" Jim points down the driveway. "Your secret little romance has gone on long enough. I won't stand idly by, watching my daughter make a fool of herself - or worse." 

"The only one looking like a fool right now is you." Rosalyn backs up a step until she feels Chad behind her, taking her stance with him. "I knew you'd be upset and I'm sorry. But if you'd just calm down, we could talk about this."

"There's nothing to talk about!" Jim's glare finds Chad once more. "You are not welcome here. Go pack up your stuff and get out of here before-"

"It's not your call!" Rosalyn raises her voice to rise over her father's volume. "You have no right to kick anybody off this ranch and you know it." 

Jim's blood boils as amazement for his daughter's bullheadedness shoots through his eyes. "I'm warning you, Rosalyn. Don't make this any harder than it needs to be. So help me, if you-"

"Jim!" Mick barks as he approaches quickly. "Back off." 

Jim throws his brother an angry glance. "This is none of your business. I already told you that, so keep your nose where it belongs."

Mick folds his arms, clearly taking his niece's and Chad's side. "When you want to throw somebody off my property... it is my business." His eyes warn Jim not to try anything stupid with him. "When you've calmed down, we'll talk about it. But as of right now, your daughter's friend is staying. If you have an official complaint against our guest, I suggest you bring it before Rosetta and myself... after you're done shouting." 

Seeing that there's no point in continuing this argument right now, Jim shakes his head in disgust. "I will be talking to you about it. As for you..." He turns back to Rosalyn. "You better get your work done like you're paid to do and be home at a decent time. And this discussion is far from over." Spinning around, he gives no opportunity for rebuttal, and stalks back towards the barn. 

Tears sting Rosalyn's eyes and she stands numbly watching him go. It was far worse than she'd feared. Clint had been right. Looking to Mick, her lower lip quivers, her eyes begging him for help. 

Mick sighs deeply and looks to Chad. "I apologize for my brother. He's just looking out for his daughter. If you wouldn't mind, I suggest you two have a date in town tonight to avoid any more fights until he's calmed down."