Zach shakes his head quickly. "Naw, I wasn't uncomfortable. I just wondered was all." In truth, there was still something there that didn't seem to fit quite right, but he wouldn't pry any more. Beth had emphasized that she and Justin were friends - not more than friends - so Zach should be safe to hang out with her if he wanted. He had no intentions beyond that anyway, at least not now. All he wanted was to make a new friend, and that seemed to be coming along splendidly.
After giving her a smile of assurance that he was satisfied with the conversation, he works on his sub again, still having just a bit of trouble eating it without making a huge mess. It's not until hes crumpling up his wrapper that the chit chat turns a bit more solemn again.
Leaning his arms on the table, he sighs just a little. "Thanks... for sharing your story with me, Beth. I'm glad to know more about you and... I respect you even more, knowing what you've been through." He grins. "Me - I guess I've had a pretty normal life. Nothing to complain about really. Nothing spectacular either." He shrugs and sips his pop, finding it was almost empty.
"Grew up in Heartsville - northern suburb there of Victoria. Went to college a couple years, nearby in Franklin, so I didn't get out much beyond that area. Not until I moved down here for my job."
Leaning back in his seat, he tries to think of anything that might be of interest to Beth... there didn't seem to be much. "My folks still live in Heartsville... I've got a younger sister, Andrea. She's in Guthrie Square now and..." He shrugs again then laughs. "I guess that's about it. I've got boring down to a science."
Thinking back to Brookshire, he remembers his uncle. "And... uncle Harry... he's actually my mom's uncle. His wife is Karen - that's who he mentioned. She... has never gone to see him since admitting him to the facility. So that's... why he said her name. If he's in good shape like he was today, he usually asks about her."
Looking up quickly, JT catches Amanda's eye. She knew, didn't she? Without him even saying anything. Glancing back down, he thinks a moment before reaching up to take her hand and pulling her down to sit next to him. "Yeah... yeah, I know. Just gonna be different is all. I just don't want her to think I'm unhappy with it or anything."
Holding Amanda's hand, he runs his fingers along hers, lost in a million thoughts of years gone by. He finally forces a smile and leans over to give her cheek a kiss. "Look at me. I should be having a ball celebrating the fact that the vampire finally found his courage."
Jeff really couldn't help his surprise and he knew it must have shown on his face. He wasn't upset in the least - just shocked because he knew how badly Ashlee must want to ride.
"Oh... okay. That's fine." He hoped that Eric actually would ask her. He'd never been one to like giving riding lessons, and if he started driving truck again he wouldn't even be around much anyway. Had Eric hinted at lessons already, or was Ashlee just hoping on her own? Either way, in Jeff's mind, it wasn't a very good bet that his brother would follow through.
He holds his smile though. "Well, if he doesn't, my offer still stands, okay?"
Glancing up as the door opens, he spots Stacy coming in. Eying Ashlee again, his expression is one of question. "Would you mind if I sat with you and your mom for supper?"
3/3/12
Thanks but no thanks
Taking another bit of her own sub Beth is just quiet for a few moments. Zach had only been the second person she ever told her story too and it wasn't any easier this time around either. So collecting her thoughts, and her emotions she just lets Zach talk for now.
Finally feeling like she had pulled herself together Beth was happy the conversation kinda shifted back to Justin. That was something she could definitely deal with talking about. Pondering his actions again she tried to play the whole thing in her mind once more. There was a bit of jealousy there.
"Well, he's been my only friend for quite a while maybe he was jealous because he thinks your going to take his place as my friend. Witch is just silly."
Taking a quick sip of her water Beth just thinks some more. It was strange trying to figure out someones motives. Him being scared that Zach would take all her time was the only think she could come up with. Beth gives a little shrug there was nothing else she could say about it because she didn't know.
"I dont know, I dont know....all I can say is I am sorry if Justin made you feel uncomfortable. I am sure that wasn't the intention."
Giving a nod to Jt's comment she agreed. Bree and Gunner were perfect together. Two of a kind that no one could try and copy. God sure new what he was doing when he designed them both. It was just...perfect.
Seeing JT out of the corner of her eye Amanda suddenly felt a little bit of sadness for him. Just form that one look weather he noticed it or not she could see the though of Bree being gone was bothering him. Not that he would want to change it but only that she was moving on and he was feeling the empty nest.
Moving a little closer to JT Amanda bumps his shoulder a little before putting an arm over his shoulder. She'd never had kids, or anyone close enough to be a child so she didn't know how it felt but she would chide, or make fun of him for it either.
"Don't worry, its gonna be ok."
As dinner drew near Ashlee new for now the fun was over. Saying goodbye to Eric for now Ashlee heads to her bunk to get ready. Changing her clothing, showering and were fresh clean clothing she gives a stretch before heading to the dinning hall. Her stomach giving a growl...
...Sitting at one of the far tables and just waiting for her mom to get there before starting her meal Ashlee could feel her stomach start to growl. The activity of the day had worked up a raging hunger.
Looking up and seeing Jeff come over Ashlee gives a smile. She had nothing against Jeff so she would try her best to be nice to him. He had after all been nice to her and didn't do anything wrong.
"The day was pretty busy but it was lots of fun. I really enjoyed it."
Falling quiet again for a moment Ashlee was a bit surprised at his offer. She had wanted to ride, it was something she wanted to do more than anything but she wanted lessons from one person and that was Eric. She'd seen him work with the horses, and she new he was good, she trusted him as well. There was nothing against Jeff it was just...she had her heart set on him training her.
"Thanks for the offer Jeff thats really nice of you but...no thank you. Eric's gonna teach me how to ride as soon as he asks me that is."
Ashlee gives a smile to Jeff hoping he wasn't to upset she had declined. She didn't want to hurt him or anything it was just something she wanted to stand by.
Finally feeling like she had pulled herself together Beth was happy the conversation kinda shifted back to Justin. That was something she could definitely deal with talking about. Pondering his actions again she tried to play the whole thing in her mind once more. There was a bit of jealousy there.
"Well, he's been my only friend for quite a while maybe he was jealous because he thinks your going to take his place as my friend. Witch is just silly."
Taking a quick sip of her water Beth just thinks some more. It was strange trying to figure out someones motives. Him being scared that Zach would take all her time was the only think she could come up with. Beth gives a little shrug there was nothing else she could say about it because she didn't know.
"I dont know, I dont know....all I can say is I am sorry if Justin made you feel uncomfortable. I am sure that wasn't the intention."
Giving a nod to Jt's comment she agreed. Bree and Gunner were perfect together. Two of a kind that no one could try and copy. God sure new what he was doing when he designed them both. It was just...perfect.
Seeing JT out of the corner of her eye Amanda suddenly felt a little bit of sadness for him. Just form that one look weather he noticed it or not she could see the though of Bree being gone was bothering him. Not that he would want to change it but only that she was moving on and he was feeling the empty nest.
Moving a little closer to JT Amanda bumps his shoulder a little before putting an arm over his shoulder. She'd never had kids, or anyone close enough to be a child so she didn't know how it felt but she would chide, or make fun of him for it either.
"Don't worry, its gonna be ok."
As dinner drew near Ashlee new for now the fun was over. Saying goodbye to Eric for now Ashlee heads to her bunk to get ready. Changing her clothing, showering and were fresh clean clothing she gives a stretch before heading to the dinning hall. Her stomach giving a growl...
...Sitting at one of the far tables and just waiting for her mom to get there before starting her meal Ashlee could feel her stomach start to growl. The activity of the day had worked up a raging hunger.
Looking up and seeing Jeff come over Ashlee gives a smile. She had nothing against Jeff so she would try her best to be nice to him. He had after all been nice to her and didn't do anything wrong.
"The day was pretty busy but it was lots of fun. I really enjoyed it."
Falling quiet again for a moment Ashlee was a bit surprised at his offer. She had wanted to ride, it was something she wanted to do more than anything but she wanted lessons from one person and that was Eric. She'd seen him work with the horses, and she new he was good, she trusted him as well. There was nothing against Jeff it was just...she had her heart set on him training her.
"Thanks for the offer Jeff thats really nice of you but...no thank you. Eric's gonna teach me how to ride as soon as he asks me that is."
Ashlee gives a smile to Jeff hoping he wasn't to upset she had declined. She didn't want to hurt him or anything it was just something she wanted to stand by.
Green
Bree's scream and leap into the water makes Gunner jump and for a couple seconds, he's not all that sure if she had really meant yes or not. But that unsureness doesn't last long. Pulled into a hug, his arms automatically wrap around her in a strong embrace. Returning her kiss, his hug tightens. Really? Was this really happening? Her next softer words confirm it.
Smiling from ear to ear, Gunner can't even find any words to say. It felt as though he were permanently tongue-tied. "Good," he whispers back. "Because I don't know if I'd ever be able to ask you again without risking life and limb like I have this week." Kissing her again, he cradles her face in his hands before pulling away. "I love you so much."
He then glances down then up, then down then back and forth. They were standing in the pond, soaked from head to toe - a mess to say the least. He had just proposed to her... in a pond.
The humor starts as a quiet chuckle, but quickly grows to become outright laughter and Gunner grabs Bree in a hug again. Still laughing, he shakes his head. "Well... I wanted it to be memorable."
Watching the two together, JT smiles. "Yeah, I guess she did. Not that I expected anything different." Shaking his head, he throws Amanda a glance, accompanied with a grin. "Two of a kind, they are."
Slowly returning to his fishing pole, he sits in the grass again and fiddles with a spare hook. Bree wasn't his daughter, but she might as well have been, and he felt a tremendous amount of love, pride and happiness. But there was also something else... something that made his shoulders drop just a little. Something that forced a quiet sigh to the surface that he didn't think anyone else would hear. Though his mind is suddenly very far away, he tries to act like he's simply concentrating on his fishing, almost forgetting that Amanda is right close.
Zach's eating slows down to small nibbles as he quietly listens to Beth. Something stirred deep down inside - an outrage for such an event in her young past. A pity for her parents who didn't protect her and her sister. A sorrow for Sarah and what had destroyed her. A compassion for Beth and what she'd dealt with. A respect for her being able to pull through as well as she had.
He began to understand a little more about Justin, though there were still unanswered questions. If Justin was such a man to care for Beth that much and worry about her welfare, why would he have simply given a cold shoulder and walked away? Why wouldn't he have stayed to find out more about Zach himself? Zach had thought Justin looked like an overprotective big brother... but after finding out about all this... it just made him wonder all the more.
By now, his sub was lying in the wrapper, his elbows on the table with his hands folded. He studies Beth for the longest time, not really knowing yet what to say. Finally, he nods though. "You're obviously a very strong woman," he concludes. "I never would have guessed... and I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. Nobody ever should."
Glancing down to collect his thoughts, he eventually looks back up to her eyes again. "I'm glad you had someone like Justin to help you. He seems to be a very kind man." He cocks his head a little. He didn't want to pry. He didn't know Justin. He barely knew Beth. He was jumping to all sorts of conclusions and assumptions and it was none of his business whatsoever. But... he was still curious - for more than one reason. "I'm surprised he didn't stay and give me the third degree," he teases lightly.
Picking his sub up he takes a small bite then wipes some sauce off his mouth with a napkin. "I thought for a few seconds there he had a bit of green in his eyes." It was a lame hint, but it was all he could think of. If all Justin was, was a good friend and protector, he wouldn't have acted like he had earlier. At least not in Zach's mind. There had to be more to it. And he wanted to know so he could avoid stepping on anyone's toes. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
Seeing Ashlee laugh is contagious and as she goes to the barn, Eric and Mick finally crack up too. Mick shakes his head. "She's something else, isn't she?"
Eric nods. "She sure is. She's been having a ball this afternoon."
"Looks like you have too."
Eric takes a moment to look down at himself and then to the horse. His expression grows a little more sober. "Yeah... yeah, I have."
"Well... I gotta get some work done." Mick gives his horse a final pat. "Thanks for cleaning him up - I don't mind the braids a bit. It'll keep him from getting knots again."
Eric grins. "Good." Waiting for Ashlee to return he starts to pick things up. Seeing her feed the apple to Remington brings a new grin to his face. She had such an innocent excitement for all of this... it was refreshing to see that.
It takes a while to clean everything up and get it all back where it belongs, and by the time they do, suppertime is nearing. "Well, kiddo, I think you and I best get ourselves cleaned up before we eat." Eric looks between them, noting how dirty both were, and he chuckles. "Your mom would probably prefer that." He reaches out and ruffles her hair. "Thanks for your help today. I'll see ya at supper." Parting for now, Eric heads to his bunkhouse to get cleaned up...
...People began gathering in the dining hall, anxious for their evening meal. Eric wasn't to be found yet, but Jeff was, and when he spots Ashlee at one of the far tables, he makes his way over to her.
"Hey, there you are." Jeff smiles at her as he approaches. "Looks like you've been pretty busy around here today." Sitting down across from her, he folds his hands.
Still smiling, he cocks his head. "Had a quick question.... Tomorrow I need to exercise a couple horses and... I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come along." His tantalizing hint lingers for a moment. "How about getting in the saddle? I bet we could find you a pair of boots around here, and there's a nice little mare that would love the attention." He winks at her. "You've done a lot of work in the barn - I think you've more than earned some riding lessons."
Smiling from ear to ear, Gunner can't even find any words to say. It felt as though he were permanently tongue-tied. "Good," he whispers back. "Because I don't know if I'd ever be able to ask you again without risking life and limb like I have this week." Kissing her again, he cradles her face in his hands before pulling away. "I love you so much."
He then glances down then up, then down then back and forth. They were standing in the pond, soaked from head to toe - a mess to say the least. He had just proposed to her... in a pond.
The humor starts as a quiet chuckle, but quickly grows to become outright laughter and Gunner grabs Bree in a hug again. Still laughing, he shakes his head. "Well... I wanted it to be memorable."
Watching the two together, JT smiles. "Yeah, I guess she did. Not that I expected anything different." Shaking his head, he throws Amanda a glance, accompanied with a grin. "Two of a kind, they are."
Slowly returning to his fishing pole, he sits in the grass again and fiddles with a spare hook. Bree wasn't his daughter, but she might as well have been, and he felt a tremendous amount of love, pride and happiness. But there was also something else... something that made his shoulders drop just a little. Something that forced a quiet sigh to the surface that he didn't think anyone else would hear. Though his mind is suddenly very far away, he tries to act like he's simply concentrating on his fishing, almost forgetting that Amanda is right close.
Zach's eating slows down to small nibbles as he quietly listens to Beth. Something stirred deep down inside - an outrage for such an event in her young past. A pity for her parents who didn't protect her and her sister. A sorrow for Sarah and what had destroyed her. A compassion for Beth and what she'd dealt with. A respect for her being able to pull through as well as she had.
He began to understand a little more about Justin, though there were still unanswered questions. If Justin was such a man to care for Beth that much and worry about her welfare, why would he have simply given a cold shoulder and walked away? Why wouldn't he have stayed to find out more about Zach himself? Zach had thought Justin looked like an overprotective big brother... but after finding out about all this... it just made him wonder all the more.
By now, his sub was lying in the wrapper, his elbows on the table with his hands folded. He studies Beth for the longest time, not really knowing yet what to say. Finally, he nods though. "You're obviously a very strong woman," he concludes. "I never would have guessed... and I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. Nobody ever should."
Glancing down to collect his thoughts, he eventually looks back up to her eyes again. "I'm glad you had someone like Justin to help you. He seems to be a very kind man." He cocks his head a little. He didn't want to pry. He didn't know Justin. He barely knew Beth. He was jumping to all sorts of conclusions and assumptions and it was none of his business whatsoever. But... he was still curious - for more than one reason. "I'm surprised he didn't stay and give me the third degree," he teases lightly.
Picking his sub up he takes a small bite then wipes some sauce off his mouth with a napkin. "I thought for a few seconds there he had a bit of green in his eyes." It was a lame hint, but it was all he could think of. If all Justin was, was a good friend and protector, he wouldn't have acted like he had earlier. At least not in Zach's mind. There had to be more to it. And he wanted to know so he could avoid stepping on anyone's toes. That was the last thing he wanted to do.
Seeing Ashlee laugh is contagious and as she goes to the barn, Eric and Mick finally crack up too. Mick shakes his head. "She's something else, isn't she?"
Eric nods. "She sure is. She's been having a ball this afternoon."
"Looks like you have too."
Eric takes a moment to look down at himself and then to the horse. His expression grows a little more sober. "Yeah... yeah, I have."
"Well... I gotta get some work done." Mick gives his horse a final pat. "Thanks for cleaning him up - I don't mind the braids a bit. It'll keep him from getting knots again."
Eric grins. "Good." Waiting for Ashlee to return he starts to pick things up. Seeing her feed the apple to Remington brings a new grin to his face. She had such an innocent excitement for all of this... it was refreshing to see that.
It takes a while to clean everything up and get it all back where it belongs, and by the time they do, suppertime is nearing. "Well, kiddo, I think you and I best get ourselves cleaned up before we eat." Eric looks between them, noting how dirty both were, and he chuckles. "Your mom would probably prefer that." He reaches out and ruffles her hair. "Thanks for your help today. I'll see ya at supper." Parting for now, Eric heads to his bunkhouse to get cleaned up...
...People began gathering in the dining hall, anxious for their evening meal. Eric wasn't to be found yet, but Jeff was, and when he spots Ashlee at one of the far tables, he makes his way over to her.
"Hey, there you are." Jeff smiles at her as he approaches. "Looks like you've been pretty busy around here today." Sitting down across from her, he folds his hands.
Still smiling, he cocks his head. "Had a quick question.... Tomorrow I need to exercise a couple horses and... I was wondering if maybe you'd like to come along." His tantalizing hint lingers for a moment. "How about getting in the saddle? I bet we could find you a pair of boots around here, and there's a nice little mare that would love the attention." He winks at her. "You've done a lot of work in the barn - I think you've more than earned some riding lessons."
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