Even when you lie

Smiling broadly, Jeff looks over at Katie and winks. "And thank you for being you." 

He knew that this trip had been particularly difficult for her, but was so glad she'd come. He didn't know if she was going to leave having accomplished what she wanted, but he could see a spark in her eye again. It might be small and maybe it was still a bit deep, but it was there, and he would pray that it would surface again so she could once again be happy and live life to the fullest. 

Making it back to the ranch, Jeff was a bit tired, but feeling well enough to take care of Hawk then join everyone for supper. Sitting with Katie and Hunter tonight was enjoyable, then when the meal was over he knew he needed to go rest for the evening or he'd be paying for it tomorrow. 

Hunter's glad to spend more time with Katie after supper, telling her about the kitten, but keeping his conversation with Mick to himself. His mind was still quite full and he was still processing a lot of things - too much to be verbalized yet. He does push most of it aside for a while though, enabling him to enjoy a card game then a short walk with Katie before calling it a night.

And as the day passes on to the next, the sunshine is born once more, giving hope that darkness cannot last forever... 

"...about once a week, Rosetta, BJ and I have a family night at home, and we'd like to invite you both over for supper tonight." Lunch had just been finished, but Mick had caught Katie and Hunter before they'd left the dining room.

Hunter's eyebrows rise slightly, a bit surprised at the invitation. Mick had just said that it was a family night. It made sense for him to ask Katie over, but him too? He glances to the side at Katie. "Well with a bum leg, it's not like I've got very many plans... I'm okay with that, if you are." 

Mick's eyes drift between the two, waiting for a solid answer so he could tell Rosetta. He'd been thinking a lot about Hunter, especially after yesterday, and he just felt that this was something he should do - invite the young man to be closer to their family. Everyone needed a family, even if they weren't connected by blood. 

Axel grins a little, knowing good and well that if any of the guys had sensed Ryan was in any kind of trouble, all of them would have pounced on Alec full force. Nobody bothered their Ryan - that's just the way it was. 

Wondering if there was any more to what Ryan was feeling, Axel remains where he is for just a few more seconds. Her next words didn't surprise him, and he did feel badly for her. He knew it had to be difficult after all she'd been through with Alec. He'd gained bits and pieces from her, Eli and Carson along the way - enough to know most of the story. 

He nods slowly, and gives her a reassuring glance. "You're welcome. If you need anything, just let me know." Concentrating on his wrench again, he turns and wanders back to his own bay to finish his job...

The next day in the shop, things were busy, but pretty normal. The air was full of friendly bantering, most of which was won by Axel's quick wit, but sometimes Leo got his own upper hand. Usually the topic revolved around who was working on what, and who was going to finish first today. Never a day went by without some kind of competition - which was most likely to be won by either Ryan or Axel, the reigning queen and king of the shop, as it were. 

The only time things seem to be interrupted is late morning when a delivery car pulls up and a man emerges with a gift in hand. Wandering to one of the open bays, he looks around, confused for a few moments before clearing his throat, trying to be heard above the rattle of an air compressor and clanging of tools. "Um... I'm looking for a...." He checks his clipboard. "Ryan McKade?" 

Realizing Ryan was the only woman in sight, he automatically approaches her, noticing her name on her shirt and sighing with relief. "Hi, I have a delivery for you." 

Handed to her was a dainty bouquet of three long-stem roses - one pink, one yellow and one red. Tied together with a red ribbon, a note was also attached, handwritten by the gift-giver.

You're beautiful, even when you lie. 

Thanks.

A whistle comes from Jed's direction, while Leo gives a teasing cat call. "Ooooh, flowers for Ryan," Miles teases. "Tal's getting all mushy on us." 

Hard

Katie can't help as she smile grows just a little more. Her and Jeff they were always close and now she new why, but even before that there just had always been something there maybe it was the something a father and daughter were meant to have. If she had to pick someone to be her secret father though she would always have picked Jeff. Though she still did love Jay and looked up to him as a dad, knowing the truth explained a lot.

   "Well if you did move closer I would love that. Even if it was like a split thing I would get to see you more than I do now and just thinking about that makes me really happy."

As the soft wind blows it warms Katie and if they wernt riding at the moment she'd give Jeff a big hug. She was happy she made the desition to come here. This was her safe haven, this was home and Katie couldn't think of a better place. Maybe she hadn't worked through as much as she wanted too but she was getting there and feelings were slowly becoming easier to feel. It didn't seem like she was high wire anymore and the craving to have emotions fed to her were slowly going away.

   "Thanks Dad, for...just being you!"

Continuing to tinker with the car she had been working on it seemed she was just going a little slower now but she couldn't help it that her mind was else where. Alec coming, his words, giving her a kiss on the cheek it was just a million thoughts running through her head but she always came back to one thing, and that was though all this stuff with Alec is happing she had Tal, she loved Tal, and he was what was important.

Not even realizing someone had come over to her car Ryan gives a little jump but recovered quickly looking to Axel and giving a small smirk. He was like the dad in the family shop and no one seemed to mind. He always like to make sure everyone was ok, and doing alright, surviving, and in good moods. 

   "Yeah, Yeah I'm alright. Alec just needed his bike to be looked at thats all. He didn't bother trying to start anything else. Witch it probley a good thing so I didn't have to sick you guys on him."

Turning back to the car for a second Ryan new that Axel would be able to see there was more there. He was always like that able to look deeper and see what people meant, or how they felt it was just this gift he had. Though he would never prey he new it was there. Looking back at him Ryan new her eyes would betray her.

   "It's just hard still seeing him. I mean, I do ok, but ya its just hard. Thanks for asking though Axel."

Leftover

"You're more important than where I live." Jeff's answer comes quickly as he glances over to Katie. Yes, he'd miss it here. He'd miss it dearly. This ranch was his life. If he didn't live here, he didn't know what he'd do to make a living, and not being around the family or horses every day would really be hard. But he'd do it if it would keep him in a close relationship with his daughter. 

"This is my home but... things and places are just temporary." His eyes drift back to the clearing. Nothing in this world lasted forever. That was something he'd experienced over and over. "Yes, I'd miss it here," he finally admits aloud. "But it would be worth it if I saw you more often." 

He eventually turns Hawk around to head back towards the trail. "Something to think about," he concludes. He had no idea whether or not he'd end up moving, but at least now he knew Katie wouldn't mind if he did. 

Back at the ranch, Hunter finds himself on the porch swing of the main building, the kitten in his lap. He wasn't sure when Katie and Jeff would be back, but whenever they were, they were both bound to come to supper, so if he stayed here, he should see them. 

With both legs up on the swing, Hunter leans back and closes his eyes, letting himself sway back and forth just a little. His mind takes him back to his conversation with Mick as he continues to mull over everything they'd discussed. 

Soon though, the warm breeze had put both him and the kitten to sleep. 

As Ryan comes back into the garage and starts working, it would seem as though everything were normal. The guys were busy bantering and talking about hanging out after work, and the clock was being watched so they could get out of here. 

It doesn't take long though for Axel to have made it over to Ryan. Leaning against the car, he uses a rag to clean off one of his wrenches. He keeps his voice quiet and casual simply so he would draw no attention from the others. "You alright?" His eyes remain on his wrench. He wasn't going to pry, but he did want to make sure she was okay. Alec had come and gone, and it appeared without incident, but something just felt... off. 

Standing at the gas pump in town, Alec fills up his bike. Since he didn't have to pay for repairs, he actually had money for this now. He'd also have leftover. 

Glancing across the street, he tries to convince himself it was a bad idea. But deep down, his mind was already made up. He knew where just a little of that extra money would go.