Dirt

Zach chuckles at Beth's comment as he looks up to meet her sparkling gaze. He was glad she didn't mind him being here. He had a feeling that she didn't share this part of her life with many people. He really didn't have any reason to think that, but it was just a hunch. He liked her... and it was kinda fun to see she liked him too. Maybe making new friends wasn't so hard after all.

Seeing Beth move about the room, Zach got the feeling that perhaps for now they could move on. Giving Sarah one last smile, he winks at her before standing. "Well, I think I'm going to go now, Sarah. I sure am glad I got to come today and see you. Maybe I'll come back sometime too."

On his feet again, he nods to Beth that he was ready whenever she was.

A few minutes later, he's leading the way at a leisurely pace to another wing where his great uncle was...

...Justin ambles down the hall at Brookshire having come from the office after filling out some paperwork on Scott. He hadn't really needed to do that today. But it was as good a day as any, right? Besides, he might just happen to see Beth too. And this friend of hers. Whatever his name was. Come to think of it, he really didn't need to be in this part of the building at all. But he did get to see some familiar faces and say hi, right? And Danitza and Zora were also enjoying the walk.

Keeping the dogs on their leashes, he stopped by a few patients to bring some smiles, slowly working his way to the front foyer. And when he gets there, he sees just who he... hadn't... been looking for.

Approaching Beth and her friend, he smiles. "Hey, Beth. Thought I might see you here today."

The dogs wag their tails, pleased to see someone they knew, and Danitza closes the gap to lick Beth's hand. Justin doesn't chide her, knowing that Beth enjoyed the dogs.

Zach was a little surprised but says nothing, waiting for Beth to introduce him if she wanted to.


Jeff gains a new grin and nods at Stacy. "Supper. I'll be here."


Eric chuckles. "Yeah, Thunder's pretty ornery sometimes. I think he just likes to cause trouble for the attention, like a little kid."

As he takes his time eating, he watches Ashlee out of the corner of his eye, noticing that it was getting harder for her to sit still. Another chuckle slips out and he pushes his plate aside. "I think I've had enough to eat for one meal."

He does drink the rest of his coffee though, not letting the special gesture go to waste. Standing up, he grabs his cowboy hat and slaps it on his head. "Okay, kiddo. Let's go get some dirty horses."

The first choice is a little gray mare that was mud from head to toe after apparently finding some nice wet earth near the pond when she'd gotten loose yesterday. Tying her up outside the barn, he lets Ashlee help him get the hose hooked up and some shampoo and brushes.

Once getting the mare nice and wet, he lets Ashlee pour on some soap and shows her how to scrub. "Just go in circles," he directs, starting to create lather. "And go ahead and press hard - she likes it and it'll help get all that dirt out of there."

Ornary

Watching Zach interact with Sarah Beth can't help but let her smile widen. He sure was good with her and was soft about everything he said and did. Beth could tell he had experience dealing with this kind of thing. There was no sense of awkwardness, or not knowing how to act. It made Zach a little more amazing than he was before. Being able to talk with her sister and treat her well was important to Beth.

"I think he's being sweet on us both Kiddo! What do you think? Yeah I agree He's a pretty nice guy."

Looking to Zach and smiling Beth looks back to her sister and leans in giving her a kiss on the cheek and a hug she just lets it linger for a long moment. She didn't mind if Zach saw the affection she showed her sister. She loved her and that was something she would never hide from anyone.

"I see snooty Nurse Mary let you keep your braid in this morning. Honestly I don't mind to much when she makes you take it out. That just means I get to play with your hair again."

Standing up again and giving a little stretch Beth disapreas into the little bathroom for a quick moment before returning with a cup and some water. Going over to the pretty violet that sat on the table she poured the water into it than throws the cup out. She wasn't sure how long Zach wanted to stay but she was ready to follow him to see his Uncle when ever he was. She could always come back to spend a little more time with Sara later.

Stacy gives a chuckle. It didn't seem so back cleaning stalls. It could be worse and at least Jeff was still able to do that with his health problems.

"Ah the life of a cowboy. Dosn't seem to bad to me. It could be worse right?"

Taking the last sip of her coffee Stacy leans back in her chair just letting her eyes roam the room for a moment before talking again.

"Well I better get back to work or I am not going to get anything done. See you tonight at dinner?"

Ashlee laughs right along with Eric knowing he was joking. Even if he wasnt counting bales couldn't be that bad right? Hearing about the baths and even getting to do the horses mains and tails Ashlee can't help but light up even more.

"That sounds like lots of fun. I walked by someone washing Tucker the other day and mmmmm the soap smelled so good."

Almost bouncing in her seat Ashlee waits patently for Eric to finish eating. She didn't want to rush him but she was just to excited to contain it all.

"I think the horses like being brushed the best. They always seem so content when you do it. Unless your Thunder. He's just ornery."