Die Happy

Taking the keys and giving a nod Dan watches as Dylan looks at his watch and than heads for the door. His eyes just follow him as he goes to the bus station. Would this be the end? Dan didn't know but he was confidant that Dylan would take his words with him and the young man would be ok. God would see to that.

Walking out of the dinner and heading to his truck Dan takes one more look at the bus station. A part of him was sad. He really did enjoy having him around.

Drawing in a breath Dan gets into his truck finally placing the package on the seat next to him. Pulling out his phone and dialing Jade's number Dan waits to hear her voice. He can't help but smile when he does.

"Hey Babe! I saw Dylan he's taking a bus out of town..."

Dan lets out a sigh.

"...You're dad's gonna kill me for coming back without him. On a bright side though I figure if its my last day alive I'll do it happy. Got us some ice cream to have."

Keeping her arms around Micks and returning the kiss Rosetta gives a smile. Being with everyone else was nice but just being home with Mick and BJ was something she wouldn't pass up either.

"Me not want to cook? Are you kidding me. I think that would be a really nice idea. Maybe we can even find a movie to watch before bed. Just relax the tree of us."

Though at one point in her life she would of picture what she would be doing at this point in time differently Rosetta wouldn't change it now. BJ was her son, blood or not and he put so much joy in her life. Mick was her husband even if sometimes it was hard to deal with him. She had family and a ranch even if it wasn't always happy. God had been good to her and this was perfect.

Following Scott into the living room Hope just continued to smile. Scott would go with her tomorrow and she was happy about that. Maybe her day off wouldn't be so boring after all.

"You can say thank you once more. But thats it...than your thank yous are all out for the day."

Humor danced in Hope's eyes showing she was kidding around. She was happy to have helped and if given the chance she would of done it all over again.

Amanda sit up again and looks out across the water. She often wondered about slowing down herself. But she never had any reason too. Now though she wondered if maybe there was a change in the wind.

"When you have a reason to slow down I guess it makes it that much easier. Maybe....we will both have a reason to do so!"

Finally coming to a stop Bree does her best to catch her breath. That had been quite the incident. What ever happend she wasnt sure but now it was over and she was glad.

"I think sitting by a shaded tree sounds good. As long as there are no bees or birds around."

Family Time

People had really grown attached? They were worried? Dylan sets his jaw stubbornly, even though Dan's words hit home. He didn't want to remember that there were people who cared. He didn't want to remember that he had it good at the ranch. All he wanted to do was think about where he was going. Fun to be around? He hardly thought so. All he did was sulk, work in the barn and complain about homework. Even the only humor he had was sarcastic. Jade really liked him? He questioned that, too. But... people had really grown attached?

Keeping his eyes glued to the table, he doesn't respond to anything Dan said. Inside though, his thoughts and emotions were churning. What was right? Who was wrong? Where were the lines?

Seeing the napkin with phone number, Dylan's fingers creep forward to accept it. He might call. He might not. But he might as well take the number anyway. Deep down, he was secretly glad he had Dan's number.... just in case...anything happened.

Realizing Dan was going to leave, he finally looks up. Why his future brother-in-law cared so much, he didn't know. Seeing the outstretched hand, he just looks at it for a few moments, then raises his eyes to catch Dan's. Why did his older friend have that much respect for him? It was strange, in a way. But he couldn't complain.

Finally reaching out, Dylan accepts the handshake. It felt... final. He wasn't going back to the ranch with him. Fishing in his pocket, he pulls out the keys to the stolen truck. "Here. Somebody can come pick up the truck."

Standing up, he checks his watch. He might as well go back to the bus station. It felt like he should say something more. Some parting words or something. But he had nothing. So all he does is nod. And walk away.


Even if Mick didn't know whether or not he believed Rosetta, her words really were a comfort. Leaning his face into her hand, he kisses her palm gently. "How'd you get to be so wise, hmm?"

Pulling Rosetta sideways onto his lap, he hugs her tightly. "Thanks... You may have to tell me another time or two I'm not a failure. Maybe one day I'll believe it."

Giving her a long kiss on the lips, he gives her an extra squeeze. "How about you, me and BJ eat supper here at home tonight? I could do with some quiet family time. Unless you don't wanna cook."


Part of Scott wanted to argue with Hope - he really did feel badly about taking Domino from her. But at the same time, he knew she was right. With the way Domino was acting now, it would be mighty hard to get away from here without her and it would be rough on her to be separated from him again.

He ruffles the little dog's ears. "Okay. Thanks. I can, um... bring her along tomorrow... maybe... to the park?" He was accepting Hope's offer to spend some time together tomorrow and take some pictures. He wasn't sure how wise it was but... it would be nice to plan some activities during the next few days as he tried to settle in.

Standing up, Domino is dumped to the floor where she grabs her toy and trots into the living room as if knowing they were going to pack up her things.

Scott chuckles softly, almost like a little kid giggling at their puppy. Wandering after her, he pauses by the couch, looking around the room for a moment. He'd spent many an evening here with Hope. A bit of melancholy settles over him before he leans down and picks up one of Domino's toys. Studying it for several seconds, he finally glances over his shoulder at Hope. "Can I say thank you again?" he asks quietly. "Just for everything?"


JT grins. "Yeah... those two are something else. I can't imagine being without Bree. It's like God knew I wouldn't have kids so he gave me her instead. I wouldn't trade her for the world, either."

Still gazing at the sky, he contemplates what Amanda had just said. "Maybe part of the fun of being with someone should be not needing to scrutinize schedules before being able to spend time together."

Slipping a hand out from under his head, he holds it up against the sun, studying his fingers. "I've been using these hands to help people for a long time. A million surgeries, a bazillion sniffles and countless broken bones. Maybe I need to slow down before I get too burned out."

His hand flops back down to the grass, feeling the prickly blades. "Maybe I need to adjust my hours and not be needed so much at the hospital."


Still flailing his free arm, Gunner pulls Bree back down the path until they were in the clear and the cawing crows were left behind. "No!" He answers her with irritation. "What is with this day anyway?!" He growls then tosses Bree a smirk. "Maybe we should just go sit under a tree somewhere and hope it doesn't fall on us."

Fuzzball

Motioning to the person behind the counter he would be sitting over in the booth when the ice cream was ready Dan slides in. Even if Dylan sounded irritated he was still happy that he allowed him to sit down with him. He might not be able to make the young man stay but at least he could chat a little with him.

"Don't worry I didn't plan on doing either actually. I told you before to give the ranch your best shot and if it didn't work out I would take you into town personally, that never changed. What did change however is how people got pretty attached to you over the last few months. Lots were askin about you today and if you were already. I'll have to let them know your in once peace."

Leaning back in the booth Dan just study's Dylan for a long moment. He'd gotten close with the young man and become friends with him. He was definitely sad to see him go and everything that had been worked on fall apart. Sure Dylan and Mick still didn't get along but there was a tiny bit of respect there between them both.

"I do hope you find what your looking for Dylan. Your a smart guy, and fun to be around, Jade's even admit it herself. You definitly deserve it with everything you've been through. Just keep your head on straight and I know you'll make it. You had alot going for you at the ranch, friends, family, if you could make it there you can make it anywhere."

Letting out another small sigh as the waiter comes over with both the ice creams to go Dan new his time was coming to an end. He'd have to get going soon so the ice cream didn't melt before he even got it back to the ranch. Grabbing a napkin and taking a pen from his pocket Dan writes down his number and pushes it Dylan's way.

"Do me a favor when you get to where your going give me a call so I can let Jade, Rosetta, Mick, and even Ashlee all the people that are worried know your alright. If you ever need anything don't hesitate to call me too. I'll do all I can to help."

Giving a smile Dan hold his hand out to Dylan the last sign that he respected him and everything he said he meant. Dan had no doubt Dylan would make the right choose, even if it wasn't right away, in the end he would.

Setting her book down in the grass and leaning back on her elbows Amanda gives a slight nod. She could never see JT doing anything but being a Dr because it was something he loved so much but it was just a fleeting though so she wouldn't comment on that.

"Well I guess thats one of the fun pats about being with someone. Making time to spend together, allowing yourself to slow down, and having a niece and her boyfriend who are not scared to ensure it happens."

Looking up at the clouds Amanda just stared for a long moment. Her mind wondered to many things, work, JT, Bree and Gunner. They had all come into her lift quickly and she had enjoyed getting to know them. It was hard to wonder now what life might be like without!

Walking with Gunner once more Bree was happy to stretch her legs. Enjoying the out doors with Gunner was special to her, and she liked being able to share this with him. Bree could never explain how Gunner made her feel, but now it was something she never wanted to think of living without.

Bree smiles as Gunners starts to talk about how much he enjoyed being with her, and about how it was so easy Bree can feel her heart thump. About to say something Bree catchs sight of the birds herself and lets out a little shriek.

Being drug behind Gunner Bree does her best to keep up and use her other hand to swat the birds away. She'd never seen them attack like this before and though she wanted to laugh at Gunner's comment she just couldn't.

"We can't get a moment of peace can we?"

Giving a shake of her head to disagree with Scott Hope holds her smile. She could never think of keeping two friends apart and never would she want too.

"I admit I'll miss the little fuzz ball but she is your dog and I new one day she would go back home with you. Don't feel badly its part of life and I am ok with it."

Maybe Hope would get a pet of her own to keep her company. Never before did she think of having an animal but after having Domino the idea came a lot more easy.

Leaning into Mick Rosetta just lets him talk for a moment. Not saying anything just letting him vent, and her listening. She new he must feel horrible and it made her sad. He had tried his best, and she thought he was doing ok.

"You havn't failed your kids. You were there for them and thats why you wanted Dylan here. Jade loves you to death and respects you very much. As for Dylan its just not as easy. He's hard headed like his father, and its not that you failed but only you have yet to connect."

Sitting up a little bit Rosetta searches his face. He was tired, worried, and frustrated. She really did feel bad for him and wished there was something she could do. Bringing her hand to his face she lets her finger run over his cheek bone giving a loving smile.

"Don't ever think you've failed because you haven't. Not in God's eyes and not in mine. There are just many bumps in the raid we need to overcome. Thats not failing."