The Ranch... Open..

[sparknfurter]

Have to go...

With heavy heart, I must leave this thread and Lit in general. I am sorry. If you folks know anyone who wants to pick up Michael O'Connor, please grab him up. Otherwise, please do whatever you want to clean him out of the story. He was supposed to go to Helena for a couple days soon, but he has a fishing date planned with Anna. I was hoping to handle that at least, but time has run out.

All the best,

Spark

 

[LadyFairy]

Ooc ...

Thats ok hun i am sure we understand, and i know i am sorry to see you go you are a fantastic writer and i hope that maybe later on in the future you will be able to find your way back to us. *Smiles*

 

[LadyChance]

Sam/Porch/George/Megs/Kat

Surprised to find Megs standing there as well, I didn't remember her coming out as well but was more then happy to see her as well. Smiling I give her a huge hug as well.

"Yes I am sure all will be fine and we shouldn't be but maybe two or three days. Help Kat hold down the ranch for us, since this is where I plan on calling home for a while at least until Kat gets tired of me and throws me out. Then I'll just use the bunk house for a while. I love you both you two be safe for me as well please.."

Giving Kat and Meg a wink along with a huge grin I turn to George giving him a nod indicating that I have said my goodbyes. "It's that time and if we are going to make it to the first camp sight tonight we had better be going now. We got everything we're going to need right?"

Heading down the porch I climb up on Damions back, quietly waiting for George's responce to my question. Knowing him he had everything but the kitchen sink in the back packs. Giving a chuckle with my own thoughts as I look up to Meg and Kat once more grinning.

"Hey you two do me a favor real fast check and see if the kitchen sink is still intact and that George hasn't packed that for us to." Giving a quick look back at the two pack horse laden down with materials for the fences.

 

[bullshot]

George - Sam // On horseback heading out

"Hey you two do me a favor real fast check and see if the kitchen sink is still intact and that George hasn't packed that for us to." Giving a quick look back at the two pack horse laden down with materials for the fences.

George tried to look upset at this remark but ended up laughing as he mounted Sheba. Turning his horse so she was heading in the right direction.

"Let's leave if we're going to be short of time, we'll see you two in a few days," he said as he waited for Sam to come alongside him before urging Sheba to walk forward, the pack horses followed on their lead ropes.

 

[LadyFairy]

Good luck you two and take care i'll be looking for you in afew days. Kat said with a smile watching them ride out still grinning over Sam's comment over the kitchen sink.

Looking at Meg as she said. Want to ride with me to the bank?

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Giving the two girls a last wave and grin I turn Damions head and follow along with George until I catch up with him. It had been good to see him laugh and smile back there but now he seemed to be in a world all of his own and I wondered if I should intrude or not.

Opting to try at least to make small talk with him, I ask softly "Is everything ok? You seem really put out by something, I hope my teasing you didn't get to you that badly. It wasn't meant to but just to get you to smile. You have a fantastic smile, but I am sure you have been told that several times now."

Watching the scenry pass before us our pace was just right to get us where I wanted to be for the night. I only hoped that George liked the area I had picked out.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

Opting to try at least to make small talk with him, I ask softly "Is everything ok? You seem really put out by something, I hope my teasing you didn't get to you that badly. It wasn't meant to but just to get you to smile. You have a fantastic smile, but I am sure you have been told that several times now."

Turning to look at Sam riding beside me, I smile at her.

"No, I'm OK, I don't mind you teasing. I was just thinking about your comment that we might be hard pressed to get where you want to before nightfall. I'm also thinking about being alone with a beautiful woman who has recently lost her husband and wondering if I can control myself," George told her with a sly grin.

There he'd told her that he thought she was beautiful and that he was interested in her even if she had recently lost her husband. He'd promised Katherin that he'd take his time, that hadn't been a hard promise to make, he knew that Sam needed time to decide what she wanted. He'd got the impression that the marriage had been something that had been done without a lot of thought.

"I'd like to know something about Tom if you're willing to talk about him. I get the impression that both Katherin or Mags weren't very keen on you marrying him," George said hoping that he hadn't said the wrong thing.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Taking the time to digest George's question and comments I thinking about what I should or shouldn't say before starting in. This was going to be hard, but I liked George and he had the right to know about it. At least he had waited to ask and indeed I knew he liked me, there was no question about it now.

"Tom is hard for me to talk about but I don't mind telling you about him or the mistakes I have made in the past. Everyone makes mistakes, mine just happened to be when I was younger and blind.."

Looking out at the scenry before me once again, the feel of Damion comforts me as my thoughts drift back to the days of Tom and I. It really wasn't that Tom was any different then most men actually it was just that he had a different idea of how life between a man and woman should be.

"I was young needless to say and Tom was Kat's brother, although to see Kat and I together at that age you would have thought her and I were truely sisters. We never did anything without the other, and Tom well he was nice and of course I had the biggest crush on him. I lost my virginity to him one night and got pregnant in the process. He asked me to marry him so I said yes, but I was under the impression that we would stay here on the ranch. Instead I was told that I could no longer talk to Kat or be here and that we were moving.

Kat was never told about the baby, and when I lost it Tom refused to allow me to talk to her about it. Or him for that matter, he just kept promising that we would have another one. Little did I know that he had gotten himself fixed right after I got pregnant. So he couldn't have given me another baby and he knew it, but then again he couldn't have gotten anyone else pregnant either. It wasn't that Tom beat me, he only hit me once or twice to stop my own histerics but he told me who I could talk to. Who I could be friends with, what to wear how to be, he had an image and that was what he was worried about."

Sitting there in the saddle I began to realize that my life was seriously f*cked up. I had been in a messed up marriage, lost a baby and now I was home, telling a guy who I really liked how messed up I truely was.

"Needless to say I found out the hard way about Tom's girlfriends, but he promised that he wouldn't do it again and I wanted to believe him. So after his death and the bills started coming in I found out how much of a fool I had been. He had been on his way to a buisness meeting when the plane went down. Come to find out one of his mistress's was with him so he did not go alone, I guess that was a good thing.

But Kat and Tom didn't see eye to eye once Tom and I got married and I can honestly say now that I did not truly love Tom. It was a fetish he was my first crush, the one who had taken my virginity and promised me the world for it. Megs, well she seen him for what he was, she never liked his domineering ways. She thought I could do better, maybe she was right. I don't know anymore, but time has a way of healing all things right?"

Finally I stop talking for a moment, waiting to see what George's responce would be.

 

[redbaron05]

Josh Finishes branding the horses

With the last of the horses branded and penned up Josh mounts his horse and rides back to the stables, where he unsaddles brushes and feeds him making sure he is settled down for the night in his stall before heading back to the house to grab a shower. Seeing George and Sam starting to ride out Josh waves at them and decides to just ask Kat if she has any instructions for him for the couple of days he's acting foreman. Stepping up onto the porch he greets Kat and another new lady he hasnt met yet. Adressing Kat he tells her " All of the horses are branded and safely penned for the night anything else I can do for ya if not I'm gonna grab a quick shower before dinner?" Josh asks as he awaits her reply wiping the sweat from his brow with the back of his shirt sleeve.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

But Kat and Tom didn't see eye to eye once Tom and I got married and I can honestly say now that I did not truly love Tom. It was a fetish he was my first crush, the one who had taken my virginity and promised me the world for it. Megs, well she seen him for what he was, she never liked his domineering ways. She thought I could do better, maybe she was right. I don't know anymore, but time has a way of healing all things right?"

Finally I stop talking for a moment, waiting to see what George's responce would be.

George was shocked when he heard the things that Tom had done to Sam, getting her pregnant that could have been an accident. But the fact she got pregnant showed he didn’t really care, all he wanted to do was to sow his oats regardless of who got hurt. He’d obviously learnt one lesson and got himself fixed, but that was so he could continue to sow his oats where ever he chose without any worries. On top of that he’d lied to Sam about having another baby, and stopped her from talking to the people who could comfort her.

George thought that stopping Sam from talking to Katherin and Mags was to prevent them from persuading her to leave him. Tom knew he was a rat but he liked to have his beautiful wife on his arm when she was needed, all the other times he’d take this mistress or that.

“I’m just shocked that he could treat you like that he sounds like he was a real b*****d, I can see why Katherin and Mags don’t have a good word to say about him. I just don’t know what more to say, except that I’m sorry you had to go through all that just for a mistake when you were too young to realise,” George replied sounding really upset.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

"Oh no don't take me wrong Tom wasn't a bad guy he just had other things he was more worried about. I had a nice house and as long as I did my job everything was fine, I went to parties with him for his bosses. And outtings that his buisness would put on for events and such. Basically all in all if I had been a better wife maybe he wouldn't have had to go looking elsewhere."

This line of conversation I knew was the age old thing that Theropy had faught with me for several months now. The way I seen it the whole thing was my own fault, if I had done this or that better then things would have been better all the way around. Tom wouldn't have gone looking for other woman and wouldn't be dead now. But then again I wouldn't have gotten to come home and see Kat, or Megs or even for that matter met George. So in a since I couldn't feel bad for it anymore but at the same time I did just not as much as I thought I should have.

"Its not that I am trying to defend Tom but in truth it wasn't just him. I tried honest I did but I can say I wasn't the perfect wife that he needed. I didn't cheat on him but maybe if I had been more for him then things would have been different."

Taking a moment I look at George to see if what I was saying made any sense to him. That maybe he was understanding that Tom wasn't a bad guy just had his own ideas of how a marriage should be. Ones that I didn't fit into at the time that he had desided he wanted me to.

From the look on Georges face I could tell he was upset and though he had spoken his mind I found that I didn't mind it at all. Actually it had made me feel more comforted, like maybe I wasn't such a bad person after all. Giving George a soft smile, before looking away to the scenry about us. Realizing how far we had come and still it hadn't seemed to have been that long since we had left the ranch.

"In about two hours we should see a bend in the road that will take us along a stream. Thats where we will want to cut off and follow the stream it will take us to the boundries for the property on this side of the range. We should be able to camp there for the night, it will give the horses fresh water and plenty of grazing space."

I didn't tell him about the small falls that was situated back in the area and how beautiful the spot was. Kat and I use to go there in the summer and swim, lounging during the hot hours of the days on the grasses thinking of our futures. What we wanted, how we were going to get it, who we were going to marry, what we wanted to name our kids. Oh how life was so simple back then, the only time we actually had any worries was when Tom would find us and start yelling.

 

[LadyFairy]

Looking from Meg as she waited for her answer. Kat smiled seeing Josh standing there as she heard him say. All of the horses are branded and safely penned for the night anything else I can do for ya if not I'm gonna grab a quick shower before dinner?"

Kat thought about his question before wandering. The horses had been branded, the bunkhouse cleaned out for the Ranch hands. George and Sam were checking the fences.

Kat couldn't think of any thing else for the night save for making rounds and dropping feed for the horses and cattle, and Since Josh was acting Forman he could have the other Ranch hands set to taking on that task.

Thanks Hun for finishing up with the horses I appreciate it I am sorry I didn't help you finish. Carolyn ran into town on an emergency, so I started dinner, but she is back now and is in the kitchen.

As for anything else that needs done. Other than seeing if Logan, Branna or one of the other hands will do rounds and check feed bens for the night. I don't thing there is anything else. I was asking Meg if she wanted to run to the bank with me. If you like we have time before it closes for you to take your shower, and you can ride along.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

"Oh no don't take me wrong Tom wasn't a bad guy he just had other things he was more worried about. I had a nice house and as long as I did my job everything was fine, I went to parties with him for his bosses. And outtings that his buisness would put on for events and such. Basically all in all if I had been a better wife maybe he wouldn't have had to go looking elsewhere."

“It takes two to tango, why should you take all the blame, how could you have been a better wife. He didn’t have to go elsewhere, he could have stayed at home with you. If he hadn’t had himself fixed so he could go elsewhere he could have given you another baby. You’re saying that you weren’t the perfect wife he wanted, but you’re using his values of the perfect wife. A married couple has to give and take that’s what marriage is all about, not what one wants but what they both want. It sounds to me he wanted to control everything that you did, and at the same time go out and enjoy himself with other women, without a thought for you. I think it’s time you stopped blaming yourself and put the blame where it really belongs. If he really wanted the marriage to succeed he wouldn’t have had the snip, and he certainly wouldn’t have gone off with various mistresses,” George told her sounding annoyed that she blamed herself for the failed marriage.

"In about two hours we should see a bend in the road that will take us along a stream. Thats where we will want to cut off and follow the stream it will take us to the boundries for the property on this side of the range. We should be able to camp there for the night, it will give the horses fresh water and plenty of grazing space."

George relaxed a bit now that the subject had changed, he was looking forward to them setting up camp in the open with a good fire, he knew that the rations that Carolyn had packed would give them a great dinner.

“That sounds good to me,” he said with a laugh. “As long as there’s plenty of wood around for a good fire, Ive got tinder in my saddle bags to get it going quickly. Carolyn packed plenty of beans,” he told her with a big grin on his face watching her for her reaction to having beans for dinner. He was of course only teasing her, Carolyn had packed bacon, sausage and various other things for their rations.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Taking the que that the conversation about Tom was over, and nothing else need said until maybe at a later time. I laugh happily for the first time in a long time with George's teasing about beans.

"Beans, Mmm Sounds fine with me, we wouldn't need kindling just put a flame near our @sses and boom everything will be on fire." Laughing even more as I watch the George's grin grow wider. Putting me even more at ease with this man, his easy going attitude had me always feeling as if I had known him my whole life.

"This place I am talking about will have plenty of wood for fires and fresh water for grazing. Kat and I use to swim there, for some reason the water there stays wonderful all year around. Its one of my favorite places on the range, the other one I will show you more along the lines of tomorrow late or early the next day. I think you will like both places or at least I hope you do."

Smiling more to myself as I begin to think of how beautiful some of the places on the ranch could be during sunset or sunrise. And I found that I wanted George to see them with me. Now all I needed to do was tell him how I felt about him, who knew with the way he thought about things maybe I had finally gotten lucky.

 

[redbaron05]

Kat Josh and Meg on the porcb

Thanks Hun for finishing up with the horses I appreciate it I am sorry I didn't help you finish. Carolyn ran into town on an emergency, so I started dinner, but she is back now and is in the kitchen.

As for anything else that needs done. Other than seeing if Logan, Branna or one of the other hands will do rounds and check feed bens for the night. I don't thing there is anything else. I was asking Meg if she wanted to run to the bank with me. If you like we have time before it closes for you to take your shower, and you can ride along


"Okay ill leave a note with Carolyn for one of the hands to check the feed bins and make a round of the place then ill go grab a shower and meet you at my truck we can take it to town has plenty of room for all 3 of us". Leaves Kat and Meg on the porch and goes to the kitchen and writes a note for one of the hands to check the stock's feed and make sure that everything is locked up for the night' Laying it on the table and Josh sees Carolyn and asks her to make sure one of the ranch hands gets it. then goes to his room grabs some clean jeans, shirt , briefs and his shaving kit and heads to the bathroom and showers shaking the images of Kat from his head as he bathes so he doesnt have an embarrasing problem in the truck. After shaving and and splashing himself with aftershave and dressing he returns to the porch and says " Ready when you are ladies"

 

[bullshot]

George & sam

George’s grin grew wider as Sam joked about the beans, soon he was laughing with her. It was a wonderful feeling to be alone with her and find that they were so relaxed together that they were teasing and telling jokes and both laughing about it. Provided he didn’t mess things up this trip could be very enjoyable.

"This place I am talking about will have plenty of wood for fires and fresh water for grazing. Kat and I use to swim there, for some reason the water there stays wonderful all year around. Its one of my favorite places on the range, the other one I will show you more along the lines of tomorrow late or early the next day. I think you will like both places or at least I hope you do."

The smile on Sam’s face as she spoke these words told George that it was a special place in her life, he was pleased that she wanted to share it with him.

“I haven’t got anything to wear so swimming is out, I’d probably embarrass myself if I swam naked with you,” George said laughing as he teased her some more.

He’d love to swim naked with her but that would probably push things along too fast, he had to stop his thoughts as he realised he was assuming that Sam felt the same way about him as he did about her. He really did want her to be sure of herself before anything serious happened between them.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

“I haven’t got anything to wear so swimming is out, I’d probably embarrass myself if I swam naked with you,”
Turning in my saddle so that I can now look upon him, I slowly let my greedy eyes partake of the man next to me. Starting at his feet taking in the boots upon them then up his legs. Seeing the muscles move under his jeans the way the squeezed signaling to the horse his wants and needs. Resting briefly upon his groin area, then moving my eyes up his waist seeing how trim he was to his chest and the broad expance there. My eyes travel further up his neck to his face before I make my comment. Knowing that if there was a way to strip someone with your eyes, I had just done it.

The heat in my cheeks told me how bold I was being but in truth I seen nothing wrong with the man riding next to me. "Oh hun, you would have nothing to be embarressed about trust me. From what I see you are 100% prime, nothing wrong with that at all." Grinning and then laughing I turn back around in my seat, continuing to smile. Shocked at myself for my comments but at the same time feeling so carefree with George that I wasn't to disturbed with what I had said.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

George could see her looking him up and down from the corner of his eyes, her words caused shivers through his body. He turned to look at Sam after she’d spoken to see if she was serious or just teasing him, she was smiling so he wasn’t really sure. She had at least said that he had nothing to be embarrassed about and there was nothing wrong with him.

As he looks ahead again George can see a bend in the road with what appeared to be a stream running under it. If this was the place Sam had spoken about they’d arrived a lot quicker than he’d expected. Looking at the time George saw that they’d been riding for a good two hours, all the joking and teasing had made time fly. He was pleased to be getting near their evening destination, but a bit nervous realising that they’ll be alone. While they’d been riding it wasn’t the same, now they were going to be within touching distance without the distraction of riding.

He just hoped they could stay as relaxed once they made camp as they’d been while riding together. They’d only known each other just over a day, but it seemed they’d known each other for a lifetime.

 

[JustyW]

Maggie Reed

Good luck you two and take care i'll be looking for you in afew days. Kat said with a smile watching them ride out still grinning over Sam's comment over the kitchen sink.

Looking at Meg as she said. Want to ride with me to the bank?

Maggie watches her sister as she moves off with George. Turning, she smiles back at Kat, "sure, be happy to." Stepping closer to Kat, Maggie leans close and speaks softly, "so what do ya think about George? Seems a lot better with Sam than..." She leaves the last word go unmentioned.

 

[DarkLdyElectra]

Kasey

As I was making my way out onto the front porch I could here Kat saying something to Meg about going to the bank and asked if I could ride ago.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Pointing at the bend in the road, "there thats where we will stay the night. I hope you like the place as much as I do, its so beautiful there during this time of the year."

Urging Damion into a trot turning him off the main path and down into the trees I let myself remember the fun that Kat and I had experienced here. The area still seemed the same except some of the trees I had remembered being smaller, and the grass had grown taller then I ever remembered it being.

Looking back at George I make sure that he was indeed following me though at a slower pace, I head directly for the area I knew would give us the best possiable camp site. Dismounting quickly I move about the area, spreading my arms wide, just happy to be home once again. The place just felt.... like home, the birds were singing as was my heart and though I knew George probably thought I was nuts I let out a laugh hugging myself. Before turning to look upon George, not caring that for once I had let myself feel and someone was seeing it.

Then realizing that indeed he is watching me but with a look of something different, not as if I was strange or nuts but more like a man seeing something wonderful. I feel myself blush suddenly feeling shy about my own reactions to being here.

Feeling the need to explain, I start to say something but for the life of me I can't think of a thing. As I see George dismounting, his body moving like liquid grace, the muscles of his legs ripple beneath the fabric of his jeans. Not caring that the world is slowly moving by me, I stand and stare at this man before me blown away with the fact that here I was with him alone. And to top it off, he likes me!

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

Pointing at the bend in the road, "there thats where we will stay the night. I hope you like the place as much as I do, its so beautiful there during this time of the year."

Sam trotted on ahead and George let her keeping Sheba at her walk, she seemed so enchanted by the place he didn’t want to spoil it for her. He watched as she dismounted and spun around with her arms spread wide as if she was dancing with joy, she laughed as she hugged herself then stopped dead as she looked askance at George. He smiled at the wonderful sight of Sam really enjoying herself, she looked as if she was going to say something but she never did.

George dismounted and walked towards Sam his mind racing as he did, wondering if he was going to spoil things for her as he wrapped his arms around her and gave her a big hug.

“That feels wonderful,” he whispered into her ear. She moved her head so that she could look at him, it was as if she knew what was coming next as he moved his head towards her and kissed her.

“Let’s get organised and set up camp,” George suggested as he broke the kiss before Sam could say or do anything.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

George's hug was totally unexspected but to be honest when his arms came around me there was no place on earth I would have rather of been. Relaxing deeply into his hold smiling softly giving a sigh of pleasure.

“That feels wonderful,”

Turning my head to tell him I thought so as well, his lips capture mine and I feel lost. Everything around us just disappears, and for a brief moment time seemed to stand still for me. My world spins with his touch, and I knew from this moment on things were going to change.

“Let’s get organised and set up camp,” George suggested as he broke the kiss before Sam could say or do anything.

My first thought as George breaks our kiss is, 'Wait.. come back!' But then I began to wonder is maybe my breath stinks. Emidently I had to ask myself if I had done something wrong by letting him kiss and hug me. So many things hit me all at once, the main thing was how I wanted George to kiss me again. To hold me to him and I found that I never wanted him to let me go.

But instead of saying any of these I nod my head weakly closing my mouth incase it was my breath and move slowly away from him. Softly clearing my throat I turn away trying to hide the disappointment from George that he would let me go so easily.

"We will need wood for the fire and its up to you there is plenty of game around we could maybe find something for our dinner or just use what Caroyln sent to with us?" The sound of my own voice to me sounds like I am to close to tears. Not wanting George to see it just incase I move towards the forest acting like I am just looking for the afore mentioned firewood. Anything or something just to keep me from showing how I really feel.

I had gone from delight to want in a matter of seconds with this man, and I didn't even think he had noticed what that small touch had done to me. Never mind that he had turned my knees to jello never mind that my heart beat had jumped its pace several beats. I just knew that I was going to make sure that before this time away was over, George would know how I felt about him.

Reflecting back on George's kiss and hug brings a smile to my face and soon I find myself humming softly to myself as I gather wood for the fire. Maybe he was just worried how I would take his kiss and hug. If that was the case then I would have to let him know that I enjoyed it greatly and wouldn't mind more of it. Who knew maybe it wasn't my breath at all maybe it was just him being worried about me.

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat, Meg, Josh, and Kasey.

Kat turned back to Meg as Josh went inside to write his note and take a shower. She would have felt better about telling the hands in person that they needed to feed the cattle and horses, but she didn't have time to find them all before heading into town. I think they will be fine... George is nothing like Tom. It’s just a matter of them getting to know each other. Only time will tell. She said seeing Kasey stepping out on the porch and ask to ride along into town.

Kat smiled and said. Sure Hun shouldn't be a problem... We can take the jeep instead of the tuck and there will be plenty of room. Were just waiting for Josh to finish his shower and we can be on our way. Looking out over the Ranch Kat started to relax and slid the two checks into her back pocket so that they wouldn't get lost, and couldn't help the silly grin that came across her face. Looking back at Meg and Kasey she said. If you all, and Josh want you don't have to wait on me at the bank you can go do some shopping and we can meet at the gazebo on main street.

Looking towards the door as she heard it open Kat saw Josh come out and grinned. We gotta take the jeep Hun... Kasey is ridding along with us as well. She said.

 

[redbaron05]

Kat Meg Kasey & Josh on the porch

As Josh returns to the porch he sees Kat grin at him and say "We gotta take the jeep Hun... Kasey is riding along with us as well." Returning her grin he replies thats fine " Smiling at the ladies Josh grins and says "Now I'm gonna be the envy of the guys in town with 3 beautiful women with me." He adds "I'm ready when y'all are ladies"