The Ranch... Open..

[LadyChance]

Feeling slightly nervous about the way the man looked at me but quickly brushing it a side. "Well perhaps we can help you with that you will need to check with our foreman. His name is George and he should be back at the Renolds Ranch soon, I’m Samantha Renolds by the way and I am part owner of the ranch up ahead.”

Giving the stranger a welcoming smile, as I indicate the ranch before us in the distance. “I’m sure we have enough room in the bunk house and I know for a fact that we are still needing the help.”

Noticing the accent and the way the man held himself I got the feeling that he was sizing up the situation before making any kind of commitment as to what he wants to do. “If you don’t mind I’ll just walk with you. Its a nice day and well I am not in a major hurry.” Even though I was actually wanting to get to the ranch to see if George had made it back yet or not.

But it would have been rude to just leave this man out here walking to the ranch when I could keep him company. The vet would just have to wait, besides I was more curious then anything. His accent was from Texas so what had brought him all the way to Montana and here to the ranch.

 

[Screech]

Tim striked his scraggly beard and raised an eyebrow. Paint the ranch house? It was big, so he'd have to sit a fair distance away from it. Although, if he picked his spot well, and at the right time of day, he could probably make a spactacular piece of art.

"Sure, I think I can do it. Have to pick a good spot, but yeah. No problem.

"I'd like to see some of your work at some time in the future,"

"Hey, no sweat! Penny's already looked through some of my work. She seems really sweet, y'know?"

 

[neoaurelius]

[/I] "Well perhaps we can help you with that you will need to check with our foreman. His name is George and he should be back at the Renolds Ranch soon, I’m Samantha Renolds by the way and I am part owner of the ranch up ahead.”

The man nodded to the information given him about the owner. "Renolds ranch...that's this place eh." He stated knowingly. He extended his hand as Sam introduced her self by name. "You can call me Roger."

Giving the stranger a welcoming smile, as I indicate the ranch before us in the distance. “I’m sure we have enough room in the bunk house and I know for a fact that we are still needing the help.”

"I'm glad to hear about the room ma'am." I replied, "It seems you're an hospitable group." He looked into the sky briefly, "It's quite the land you have here."

“If you don’t mind I’ll just walk with you. Its a nice day and well I am not in a major hurry.” Even though I was actually wanting to get to the ranch to see if George had made it back yet or not.

"I certainly do not mind ma'am." He again lifted his hat briefly before lowering it and then placing it on his head. It would have seemed comical if not for the solemness with which he did it. He offered an arm to the lady, it was such a natural thing for him to do that he didn't seem in the least worried that she would decline it.
"You think George will accept a complete stranger?" It was a normal question to ask given the circumstances.

His back pack had been shifted to his other hand since his right arm was extended and he made little move to walk on just yet, he simple peered at the house in front of him as if deliberating whether to go further on or not.

Being so close one was now able to smell the cologne he had on, showing that despite the rough outside appearance he took some care of himself.

 

[bullshot]

George

Listening to Tim he was sure that he could do what he wanted.

"There are a couple of conditions before you start. Nobody is to know what you're doing, and I don't want anybody to see it until it's finished that includes me," George told him. "You will get paid for it,"[i/] he added before Tim could speak.

"Now we better get this trail finished," he said getting up and replacing the water bottle on his saddle.

 

[sparknfurter]

Michael heard the door bell jingle and got up from his desk. Just as he rounded the corner to the front desk, he heard a woman call "Hello. Anyone here?"

Michael was surprised by her appearance, "definitely not from around here." Her outfit said City all the way. He became a little self-conscious of his messed up hair and somewhat worn jeans, casualties of the morning's rounds. "She sure is pretty..." came next to his mind, quickly followed by "...and married."

"Hello, sorry I was in the office. My names Michael O'Connor. How may I help you?"

 

[Luna-fey]

"Hello, Mr. O'Connor," Anna replied, grateful that someone was there. She extended her hand and gave his a firm, friendly shake. "I feel pretty silly; I'm staying at the Reynolds ranch and I'm a bit lost." She laughed softly. "I'm not from the area."

Anna certainly appreciated the way people were here. Much more friendly than in New York. It put her at ease. She didn't feel she had to have her guard up. It was refreshing. Mr. O'Connor was attractive in an unfussy, natural way "Ruggedly handsome," she thought to herself. She almost blushed. It had been a long time since she'd noticed a man in that way.

"Are you a vetrinarian?" she inquired, making conversation. "I imagine you stay pretty busy out here with all of the ranches in the area."

 

[Screech]

Tim listened to the conditions and sighed. "Bit strange not to check out a piece of work that you're comissioning, but ok"

He climbed back to his feet and grinned. "Hi ho hi ho, it's off to work we go!"

 

[bullshot]

George

George and Tim went back to work it took them a bit longer than they'd expected to finish the complete ride. By the time they'd finishe an hour and a half had passed since ther started.

"OK lets get back to the ranch, you can check on Penny then see if you can find a good spot for the picture. I want to check that Carolyn has everything we need before leaving to check the fencing," George said to Tim once they'd cleared the whole path.

 

[Screech]

Tim smiled as he mounted his horse. "To be honest, I wouldn't know where to start looking for Penny. Besides, I'm still learning my way around. I'm sure I can pick out a good spot and not look any more suspicious than I already do" Tim grinned stupidly at his last comment

 

[sparknfurter]

Michael shook the lady's offered hand and thought she may be City, but she seemed friendly.

"Yes, I'm a vet and I sure hope to stay busy - it pays the bills", he said with a smile. "I am the junior fellow here. Dr. Cortland is the boss. We mostly handle large animals."

While saying this, Michael rummaged around a cabinet and took out a map. Grabbing a pencil and paper, he turned back to his vistor.

"Getting back there from here. Let's see, the easiest way is to head left down the street. At the corner, turn right...let me show you, ma'am" Michael sketched out a little map and wrote the directions back.

"My brother owns the ranch next over. I stay out with him some times, when I don't feel like staying here in town," he said, pointing up the stairs. "I saw some cars over at the ranch yesterday. I am thinking of stopping by there later, to say hello."

 

[bullshot]

George

George and Tim rode back to the ranch side by side.

"I want the painting to be a surprise for everybody that's why I don't want anybody to see it. It's going to be a present from me to Katherin and Sam," George told Tim as they rode.

"You've done a good job today, you've proved I was right to hire you. I hope that Josh has done as good a job on the branding. We'll soon find out George said as they entered the yard and headed for the stables.

 

[Luna-fey]

"Thank you so much for taking the time to set me straight," Anna said, taking the offered map. "I really do appreciate your time. I hope you do stop by the ranch. I'll be staying there for..." Anna paused. "for a while."

She had no intention of returning to New York anytime soon.

"They're going to teach me to ride a horse. Maybe you can give me some pointers. I'm Anna, by the way, Anna Kent. Very nice meeting you, Michael. Thanks again for all of your help." She smiled.

 

[bullshot]

George

As they near the stables George can see Damion in the distance, the horse was unmistakable, but he couldn't see Sam on his back. Just a man standing close to Damion.

George turned Sheba and rode towards Damion.

"I'll be back soon, he called to Tim as he rode off.

As he got closer he could see Sam talking to the stranger.

"Is everything OK Sam," he asked as he reined Sheba in close to them both.

 

[sparknfurter]

"Thank you so much for taking the time to set me straight," Anna said, taking the offered map. "I really do appreciate your time. I hope you do stop by the ranch. I'll be staying there for..." Anna paused. "for a while."

She had no intention of returning to New York anytime soon.

"They're going to teach me to ride a horse. Maybe you can give me some pointers. I'm Anna, by the way, Anna Kent. Very nice meeting you, Michael. Thanks again for all of your help." She smiled.

"You're very welcome, Mrs. Kent. No problem at all. I'll be sure to stop by as soon as I'm able. The Renolds will set you up right with riding, don't you fear - they know their stuff. Have a great day."

Michael opened the door for Anna, and smiled back as she left. He'd definitely be stopping by the Renolds place today.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam

In the distance I could just see George and Tim coming into the ranch as I stood there talking to Roger. Taking his offered arm carefully, turning us both back towards the ranch. Just in time to see George heading our way.

Smiling and pointing towards George I offer the information to Roger, "thats George there coming towards us. He'll be the one you will need to talk to about a job and where you can bunk down. He's another partner to the ranch, and our foreman so he takes care of everything when it comes to the chores and such that need doing."

Stepping forward when George gets close enough to us, lifting my hand in greeting to him when I know he is close enough to see us clearly. "Is everything OK Sam," The concern in George's voice sends shivers of delight up and down my body. Seeing his eyes taking in the stranger next to me.

"Of course not George this is Roger and he is looking for you I believe. He is in need of a job and a place to stay." Turning to Roger I make the introduction between the two. At the same time I remove my arm from Roger's to make the introductions.

OOC: Sorry was typing to fast had to fix the NOT part other wise it would sound all wrong. *smiles*

 

[neoaurelius]

"thats George there coming towards us. He'll be the one you will need to talk to about a job and where you can bunk down. He's another partner to the ranch, and our foreman so he takes care of everything when it comes to the chores and such that need doing."

Roger watched George ride closer, listening to Sam's words, eyes narrowing in thought as he assesses the guy in front of him. He could feel the affect George's words had on the lady he was walking with and took note, filing the information away in case it was ever useful.

"Of course George this is Roger and he is looking for you I believe. He is in need of a job and a place to stay."

He takes his hat off slightly, "Mornin sir...this be a fine day." he said in a thick drawl..."Don't know that job is the right word but if you'll put me up for a few days i'll earn my keep...manual labour isn't the sort i'm un used to." He had an odd way with words and his drawl seemed to connect them all together in that charming southern way.

He paused, waiting to see George's repsonse to his semi commitment...a man's as good as his word was his personal belief but it was hard to let a stranger into your house when you didn't know him from Adam.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Penny had spent much of the day lost in thought. Even now, when she wandered back toward the ranch house and saw Tim and George approach, she did little more than give them a quick wave, then sat down on the porch.

 

[sparknfurter]

OOC:

Rats. Gotta go and probably won't be able to post again tonight. Will try, but unlikely. Will check in tomorrow morning. Good story so far.

 

[Screech]

Tim spotted Penny wander towards the ranch and wave. Smiling, he dismounted and led his horse over to where she was sitting.

"Heya Penny. What's up? You seem distracted"

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"What? Oh, Hi Tim. Yeah. Got a call from my father. Can you believe, my cell phone works out here? Get this, he wants to buy me a ranch out here in Montana. Wouldn't that be something ... me a rancher?"

She grinned, but it was a thin, joyless grin.

She shrugged.

"So how has your day been? Working hard?"

 

[Screech]

"Your... father want to buy you a ranch?" Tim couldn't hide his dibeleif. "Not to sound envious or anything, but, well, I am. Wish I knew someone who'd buy me something like this place!"

Shaking his head, he sighed. "Well, whatever you want, you go with"

He sat down next to Penny and put his arm around her shoulders, smiling a little at her. "My day's been a bit more hands on, I guess. Been clearing the trail"

He sighed again, unable to avoid the topic of Penny's own ranch. "So. What's your plan, Penny?"

 

[Cathleen]

Carolyn pulled into the ranch and people milling about, some she recognized others she didn't. She did see Penny on the porch, "Hi Penny, I wish I had you with me this morning. I met some great people and got lots of provisions and supplies." She had pulled in on the side of the porch.

Penny came over to Carolyn and helped with the bags of groceries. There were plenty of those. "Feel like helping with lunch? I've made a plan but it isn't set in stone if you have ideas." The ladies brought everything inside. "I did get some chicken salad, and thought I'd make some tuna salad too. We have lots of salad and bread too." She grinned at Penny about the bread, "Just in case you weren't covered in flour making homemade bread."

They put things away, took plates and dishes out for lunch and chatted easily. "I took a little while to check things out on the way out of town. It's very nice, so many great places to stop and look or walk - just get lost for a few hours." Carolyn hadn't even noticed Penny was a bit quiet. Even though they hand't known each other but a day, she could tell. "What's up? Everything ok with you Penny? You look distracted."

Before long the two had a plentiful lunch ready for everyone.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

Penny shrugged at Tim.

"Well ... his plan ... I ... I don't want to get it the way he's talking."

Carolyn arrived then, and she stood up, frankly glad to be away from Tim and this particular topic.

"Hey Carolyn. Wish I had gone, but that's alright. Let me help with those, at least."

She grinned at the comment about flour and bread.

"I wasn't that ambitious."

"I took a little while to check things out on the way out of town. It's very nice, so many great places to stop and look or walk - just get lost for a few hours." Carolyn hadn't even noticed Penny was a bit quiet. Even though they hand't known each other but a day, she could tell. "What's up? Everything ok with you Penny? You look distracted."

She sighed.

"I got a call from my father on my cell phone. He ... he wants to buy me a ranch out here, in Montana."

Lunch was ready quickly, and Penny tried to use serving the lunch to keep the topic from coming up again.

 

[Cathleen]

Carolyn

Carolyn noticed Penny kept changing the subject. She knew sometimes distraction was necessary and it seemed Penny needed distraction.

"Penny, maybe after lunch is done we can talk a walk together or something. Sort of explore a place. What do you think?" She wanted to give her new friend some kind of distraction of sorts. "Or maybe something else."

It seemed funny how at home Carolyn felt and so quickly. She'd met a few people in town and that was nice, she found a few beautiful places that looked perfect for doing nothing. She needed places like that, especially now.

 

[shadowoftheheart]

"Okay, Carolyn. I would like that."

She smiles thinly.

"I haven't seen the town... or really most of the ranch at all. And ... well, if you need the help, I can stay on here for a while. Really, as long as I want."