Be Kind

Hunter had thoroughly enjoyed the morning working in the barn with Katie. It might seem strange to some - friends or not, cleaning stalls wasn't the most pleasant work in the world, especially on a day as warm as this one. But talking and laughing with Katie made the time fly, and Hunter didn't even feel as much of his soreness after a while. Getting razzed by some of her uncles was a given, but he was getting quicker at dishing it out right back at them, which only seemed to feed the growing banter battle. 

Exiting the barn behind Katie, Hunter breathes deep the fresh air before chuckling. "Well, either way, apparently we have to clean up." He thumps Katie teasingly on the back of the head. She was right though - whether she could stand him or not, he could hardly stand himself. It was time for a shower. 

"I vote we clean up, ride and take something to snack on." Aiming for the bunkhouses, he turns and walks backward for a moment. "Last one showered and back to the barn's a rotten egg." 

A sprint for his bunk only added to the need for a shower, and Hunter finds himself enjoying the warm water. Left alone and relaxing though, only gives his mind the opportunity to wander, and as he closes his eyes under the water, he's taken back to his nightmare. 

Opening his eyes quickly, he shakes his head and goes for his soap. That's how it had been all morning. If busy, he was fine. But his dream had been the kind that just wouldn't let go. Whenever there was a free moment, he found himself thinking about it again. Reliving it. Obviously the solution was to keep busy so he wouldn't have time to think on it. Tonight would be better. 

It didn't take long for Hunter to be back at the barn - finding Katie there before him. Coming up behind her in the barn aisle, he slings his arms around her, pulling her back to his chest. "Be kind to the rotten egg." 

Jared grins at the faster pace, finding amusement in Grace's reaction. It did feel awfully good to not just be outside but actually go somewhere. Grace was being so nice... and even if he did feel like a bother, it made him feel good too. 

Laughing at her suggestion, he nods. "Okay. I'm game for trying a bunch of different flavors." 

After ordering, they find one of the small tables, shaded by a large umbrella. Jared has a ball tasting all sorts of different kinds of ice cream, finding he did like the strawberry, but it was anything with chocolate and peanut butter that he really liked. 

"Mm... okay so... I don't know if I was addicted to anything before but... I think I am now." He licks his spoon and gives Grace a silly grin. "Did anyone ever tell you that you have really good ideas?" 

Moving about the kitchen, Justin does his best to be quiet, letting Beth sleep as long as she wanted. He'd already been up, showered and started a pot of coffee, but he didn't need to be anywhere until this afternoon. 

Hearing the toaster pop, he takes out the two bagel halves and starts spreading some cream cheese. Looking to the side, he finds Zora staring up at him, licking her chops. 

"Nu-uh," he chides quietly. "My breakfast, not yours." 

In the living room, Danitza was still lying next to the couch, having not even gone outside when the opportunity was offered. Finally getting up, she sits and puts her head down on the cushion near Beth's hand, nuzzling it just a little bit.

Love

Giving a nod Katie stands making her way to the kitchen to play there dirty cups in the sink. Once finished with that she leads the way outside and to the barn. Moving quickly Katie points out the normal chores she does. Muck out some of the stalls, clean the tack room, make sure the garbage were taken out. After that she shows Hunter to the assignment paper than hung on the far wall with the jobs people signed up for, and marked off so nothing was down twice.

Working hard the time seems to slip by but working along side Hunter seemed to make it a little more fun. Talking, joking and laughing just made it that much better and Katie was thrilled she got to share it with someone else and her love for this ranch.

Finally finishing the last bit of work and signing her and Hunters name off on it Katie steps out of the barn with Hunter close behind. The suns was now up but there was still enough time to enjoy the rest of the day till nightly chores.

   "Alright since thats down, should we clean up eat and than ride, or clean up ride that eat? We can also bring something with us to eat on the trail too."

Katie takes her gloves off and turns to Hunter giving a smile. She was excited to just be able to join in a ride with him. If they took something to eat that would be great, or if they eat before hand she would be good with that too. One thing she new for sure though was she needed to clean up.

Giving a laugh and starting again Grace keeps her hand on Jared's shoulder for a long moment before removing it. Moving a little bit faster down the side walks Grace couldn't help but laugh.

   "Yes sir, moving again...faster this time."

Continuing to go fast Grace doesn't slow down till they are almost at the ice cream place. It was to much fun and the breeze felt nice from going a little faster than a walk with Jared. 

Getting up to the ice cream window Grace looks at the the options they had. Giving a smile and waiting her turn she looks to Jared and cocks her head for a moment.

   "How about we try kiddy dishes that a super small and only fifty cents each of all the chocolate kinds and the strawberry kind too. Might be fun to tell what one we want."

Letting out a small sigh as Garret gets up Victoria gives a nod. Garret might not be joining them for dinner tonight but he would be there and that meant she would feel safe and at least have someone to steal looks at every once in a while when someone else wasn't looking.

   "I love you Garret, now and always no matter what."

Watching him walk away she gives a small wave. After the dinner tonight they would mean again. Only short amounts of time was what they had but it was better than nothing and Victoria would enjoy it while she could.

Standing and going the other way around she makes her way back to the main house. She had to report back into her grandfather before he wondered where she was. He had to have known by now she was back and would want a full report.