The Ranch... Open..

Tim strolled into the kitchen, his hair even more messed up than it was last night. He smiled, waving a greeting at everyone.

"Hey guys. Uhhh, anyone seen the toast? I'm starved!"

He managed a grin as he started the hunt for some toast
 
Sam

"Morning you two sleepy heads." Grinning at both Tim and George as they make their way into the kitchen. Having already fetched my hot cocca and sitting down at the table with the others while listening to their conversations and thinking about all that I had to do today.

George looked as good as ever and I gave him an even brighter smile noticing that he was clean shaved. That was how all men were suppose to look as far as I was concerned. It just gave something to their looks that left me almost breathless.
 
Morning all .. and yes George there is coffee right over here. i'll get ya a cup. How do ya like it? Black? with shuger? Cream? Kat said smiling as she laughed over Sam's comments about the Rooster.

Ahhh Sam ya know you'd just feel the same way about the next one so ya may as well let him live. she said with a grin as she pulled a coffee cup out of the cabinet for George, and waited for his reply on how he liked it.
 
George

"Black and sweet, please Katherin," George replied

Having got his coffee he sat down at the table opposite to Sam, looking around he could see that everybody was present.

"Now seems like a good time to announce whats happening, what do you two think?" he asked Katherin and Sam.
 
Screech said:
Tim strolled into the kitchen, his hair even more messed up than it was last night. He smiled, waving a greeting at everyone.

"Hey guys. Uhhh, anyone seen the toast? I'm starved!"

He managed a grin as he started the hunt for some toast

Penny immediately grins at Tim, and with a quick glance to Carolyn, says:

"Tim, you sure you just want toast? I could ... fry you an egg, or we could get you some french toast. Or ... if you really want it, sit down and I'll bring you some toast!"
 
Sam

"Oh french toast sounds so good, Tim I wouldn't turn down that offer." Grinning and winking at Penny as I say this I look back to George seeing Kat bring him his cup of coffee.

"Sounds good George and then I'll head out to go and check with the vet, while things are being straightened out here." Taking a quick sip of my cocca, sighing gratefully for having had Carolyn's help with finding it.
 
George

"Right folks I'm going to spoil breakfast before it's begun, and tell you what we're all going to be doing today," George anounced.

"You all know that Miss Katherin, Miss Sam and myself held a meeting last night to see what we could do about the ranch. First the good news, Miss Sam is going to pay off the bank so theres no danger of Miss Katherin losing it, as well as that Miss Sam is now a partner so the ranch hands and myself now have two bosses," he said turning to Sam and smiling at the look on her face.

"Now for the days schedule Miss Katherin has suggested that she and Josh concentrate on branding any cattle and horeses that need doing. Miss Sam is going to find a couple of quiet horses and give Anna a riding lesson. If Penny wants to have a go she's welcome as well. Tim and I will start clearing the riding trail, then after the riding lesson if Anna and Penny don't mind they could help Tim continue,"George added.

"Miss Sam is going to check with the vet then barring something going wrong she and I are off to check the fencing around our range. Carolyn could you make sure we've got trail rations for four days, we wont need that long but you never know. While I'm away if Miss Katherin has no objections I'd suggest that Josh acts in my place until I return, he is the next most experienced hand after me," he finished and took a swig of coffee.

Turning to Katherin and Sam he asked, "Did I forget anything?" hoping he hadn't. He looked around the room trying to get some idea of the feeling of the group, he couldn't see anybody looking unhappy so he relaxed and returned his attention to Sam.

What am I doing he thought as he smiled at her, just because she was friendly last night doesn't mean she wants to be more than that he told himself.
 
shadowoftheheart said:
Penny immediately grins at Tim, and with a quick glance to Carolyn, says:

"Tim, you sure you just want toast? I could ... fry you an egg, or we could get you some french toast. Or ... if you really want it, sit down and I'll bring you some toast!"


Tim gruns back, scratching his head. "Uuh, heah. A fried egg would be cool! Y'know, I can't say how long it's been since I had a propper breakfast, thanks Penny!"
 
bullshot said:
"Right folks I'm going to spoil breakfast before it's begun, and tell you what we're all going to be doing today," George anounced.

"You all know that Miss Katherin, Miss Sam and myself held a meeting last night to see what we could do about the ranch. First the good news, Miss Sam is going to pay off the bank so theres no danger of Miss Katherin losing it, as well as that Miss Sam is now a partner so the ranch hands and myself now have two bosses," he said turning to Sam and smiling at the look on her face.

"Now for the days schedule Miss Katherin has suggested that she and Josh concentrate on branding any cattle and horeses that need doing. Miss Sam is going to find a couple of quiet horses and give Anna a riding lesson. If Penny wants to have a go she's welcome as well. Tim and I will start clearing the riding trail, then after the riding lesson if Anna and Penny don't mind they could help Tim continue,"George added.

"Miss Sam is going to check with the vet then barring something going wrong she and I are off to check the fencing around our range. Carolyn could you make sure we've got trail rations for four days, we wont need that long but you never know. While I'm away if Miss Katherin has no objections I'd suggest that Josh acts in my place until I return, he is the next most experienced hand after me," he finished and took a swig of coffee.

Turning to Katherin and Sam he asked, "Did I forget anything?" hoping he hadn't. He looked around the room trying to get some idea of the feeling of the group, he couldn't see anybody looking unhappy so he relaxed and returned his attention to Sam.

What am I doing he thought as he smiled at her, just because she was friendly last night doesn't mean she wants to be more than that he told himself.
*Josh walks over too where Kat is standing* 'So it's you and me boss lady " he smiles and winks as he says it
 
Kat smiled at Josh's comment as he came over, and stood next to her. He really wasn’t bad looking she thought, and shaking her head to clear it and answered him Look's that way hope your up for some hard work cas we got a lot of horse's and cattle that need branded.

Setting her now empty coffee cup on the counter she looked back over at George. Yes George you covered everything we discussed, but I have one more thing for you if your offer is still stands? she said looking at Sam and smiling knowing that Sam was running thru their conversation trying to remember what George had offered, and Grinned seeing the look on her face when she realized what Katherin was thinking.
 
George

George looked at Katherin wondering what she was talking about.

"Miss Katherin I'm not sure what you're talking about, but I know I didn't say anything that I didn't mean. There's only one thing that I can think of and if it's that yes the offer still stands," George told her as he remember he'd offered her an interest free loan.
 
Sam

Grinning as I look about the room knowing what Kat is talking about but the confused look upon George's face says he was having problems remembering. Though I couldn't blame him, there had been a lot of things said and for a moment I had been confused as well. As it was I knew what Kat was going to do, Kat never took anything without giving something back in return.

Nodding in understanding to Kat seeing her raise her eyebrows my way in askance. The idea of making George a partner was a good one and one that I had already thought to talk to Kat about if things went right later on. But if I was right and this was what she wanted to tell him then I could see the last of our problems slipping away as the sun does of a night.

"Kat when you have a moment I do need to ask you a question before heading out on my chores list. But I would much rather sit here and watch George trying to figure out what your talking about so it can wait." Winking at George as I take the last drink of my cocca.
 
LadyChance said:
"Kat when you have a moment I do need to ask you a question before heading out on my chores list. But I would much rather sit here and watch George trying to figure out what your talking about so it can wait." Winking at George as I take the last drink of my cocca.

Hearing this from Sam confused George even more, she'd been in the meeting so surely she could remember his offer. The wink spoke volumes and his heart missed a beat as he smiled at her and waited for Katherin to reply.
 
Look's that way hope your up for some hard work cas we got a lot of horse's and cattle that need branded.
"Yes Ma'am shall i go saddle a couple of horses for us while you finish up here?"
 
Hearing Josh’s question as s slow smile spread across her face she looked from George to Josh Yes please I’ll be out their in a few moments. Thank you She said watching him leave the room, and then turned back to George.

Hearing Sam say she wanted to talk to her she nodded wondering what Sam wanted to say but hearing her comment. Kat decided she would tell George what she was talking about, before she decided to tease him too much further.

Well you offered to help by putting money into the Ranch. Sam's money will take care of the Bank and help cover the cost of everyone's pay, but we will still need money for feed, tack, saddles ect.

As Sam knows I don’t take with out giving in return, and if you are still interested and want to put the money in, then I would like to make you a partner as well, and when Sam's money comes in and we can go to the bank to pay off the loan we can have a contract drawn up as well and take care of all the legal matters.

In short I am asking you to consider possibly making this your home
Kat leaned back against the counter and waited to see what George would say.
 
George

George just sat there speechless, he looked from Katherin to Sam then back again. They were both grinning at him and he just didn't know what to say. He'd offered an intrest free loan and Kat was offering a partnership in return.

As a partner he wouldn't have to worry about how to deal with his feelings for Sam and if she felt the same anything could happen.

"I'm sort of at a loss, Katherin, I just don't know what to say other than yes, but if you're going to do that, I'm changing my offer. Instead of a loan as this will be my home I'll put the money into the ranch." George said finally.

He looked at Katherin and Sam to see what there reaction would be.
 
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Sam

Looking to Kat I see her looking to me, both of us grinning from ear to ear. Life was going to get interesting around here. Standing up and walking over to the sink I quickly rise my cup out and set it in the drain to dry before turning back to Kat. To anyone else we might have looked like we were considering what George had said but we both knew each other to well. Turning together and at the same time we look at George saying, “Agreed!”

“Now that, that is taken care of, Kat which pastures should I check for the horses? I am going to head out now before anything else exciting happens. Not that I want to miss it but I’ve got a long list of things to do and its going to be an even longer day if I don’t get started.” I stand there and listen to Kat tell me where to look remembering which pastures she is talking about before nodding that I understand. Still grinning with happiness that things are going in the right direction I look about the room taking in all the rest of the small group in the room, seeing my grin being mirrored on several others faces.

“Thank you Carolyn for the hot cocoa hun it hits the spot for me and my sweet tooth. I should be back in time for lunch and I am so going to be looking forward to it.” Turning and heading for the door I stop beside George, leaning down hugging him tightly for only but a brief moment. Whispering softly in his ear, “Welcome home” before heading out the door wearing the lightness of the morning on my sleeve for all to see plain as day.
 
Hearing Josh’s question as s slow smile spread across her face she looked from George to Josh Yes please I’ll be out their in a few moments. Thank you She said watching him leave the room, and then turned back to George.


Josh goes out to the stable and chooses 3 horses a good strong gelding for himself a smaller filly for Kat and another strong gelding to carry the pack of supplies they would need to round up and brand the ranch's stock. Going out to his truck Josh retrieves his personal saddle an saddle blanket lovingly running his hands over the strong smooth leather of the saddle he had recieved as an employee of the month gift from the last rancher he had worked for down in Texas. Shaking his head to clear the bitter memorys of losing his job as the oil company bought up the ranch just cuz they had found some oil on it and the rancher didnt own the mineral rights. Clearing his head he saddles the horses and loads the third down with the ranch's branding irons and a small pack of charcoal for a hot fire to brand the stock with then he leads the horses up to the house and waits for Kat to join him.
 
George

Looking around the kitchen and seeing that everybody had virtually finished their breakfast george said

" As Sam has gone to round up the riding horses, Tim would you come with me and we'll make a start on the trail. Anna and Penny if you finish helping Carolyn before Sam returns, you can come and help us if you want to,"

George turned towards the door looking back he can see Tim getting up to follow him.
 
Kat smiled as she watched Sam and rose herself to head out, Looking over at Carolyn before she left she said. Thank you for breakfast hun i know i didnt eat much but we got alot ta get done. We should be back in for lunch.

Grinning as she moved twords the door as well she looked at Tim and the others and said Dont be too long guys there is lots ta be done. , and glancing George's way she said Welcome home George.. and as soon as we can make everything leagl we will.

Slipping out the door she noticed Josh already had evertying they would need ready to go, and was waiting by the front porch for her. Including the branding Iorns with the R R circled in a celtic not for Renolds Ranch on it.

Hi Josh .. Thank you for getting everything ready i am ready to go if you are. Kat said smiling as she stepped off the porch
 
Hi Josh .. Thank you for getting everything ready i am ready to go if you are. Kat said smiling as she stepped off the porch

My pleasure maam Josh replies as he holds the reins and bridle of her horse for her to mount
 
Sam

Seeing Josh and Kat preparing to head out as I am pulling Damion from the stables preparing myself as well. I give a yell out to them, "take care you two I'll see you about lunch time."

Smiling and then mounting Damion, he was indeed a beautiful horse but once on his back I felt rather very small and the ground always seemed to have its way of looking very far off. Turning his head away from the ranch I give a final wave, catching sight of George just coming out the door as I pull through the gates. Heading in the direction that Kat had told me earlier.

It didn't take me long to find where Kat had told me about, seeing the smaller group of quiet mares off in the distance. Spotting Ghost in the middle of all them, even if I hadn't known the mares were there Damion's excitement would have told me. "Not today big boy, we are just here to collect a few of them and bring them home with us. But soon, you will have as many of the pretty young ones that you want."

Singling out first Ghost and Cleo didn't take to much, but figuring out which other two to bring in was harder for me since to me they were all beautiful. Finally I decide on a beautiful lil dappling with nice markings, and the other had to be the one mare that gave me the most problems. I had no clue what their names were since they must have been added to the stock after Tom and I had left but I notice that they are the only ones without brands on them.

Attaching a lead rope to Ghost tithering the rest along with her I head back to the ranch. Maybe if I hurry I could make it to the vets and and such before noon, and home for lunch as I wanted to be.
 
Carolyn kept up with all the comings and goings of breakfast. There was a lot of activity, lots of chatting and smiles. Everyone was fed and happy it seemed.

She talked with Kat, reminding her that she'd be going into town to get supplies and mentioned to George she'd make sure there'd be plenty on hand for at least the four days or so. She'd already made meal plans and would work off them as closely as possible. Over the next few days she thought she'd ask everyone what kind of meals they'd like or special recipes she could try. She figured it would bring everyone together even more or share something of themselves with the others.

Once everything was cleaned up, with the help of everyone, she took her list and keys and headed to town. She knew it'd be nice to begin to feel a part of the community, to meet some neighbors, even if the closest neighbors might be miles away. Feeling a part of a place was important to her.
 
Anna would have enough time to drive to town to pick up some boots and the other things that she needed. John had called to tell her that his flight had gotten in safely. The call was over in less than a minute.

There were calls from the publishing company as well. They were not quite so enchanted with her impromptu vacation. Anna was usually the first one in the office and one of the last ones to go home.

Anna was anticipating her riding lesson. She was impressed by the strength and beauty of the horses and she was eager to learn.
 
Screech said:
Tim gruns back, scratching his head. "Uuh, heah. A fried egg would be cool! Y'know, I can't say how long it's been since I had a propper breakfast, thanks Penny!"

Penny busies herself preparing fried eggs (she makes him two) and toast, complete with jam and coffee for Tim.

Once breakfast is over, she helps clean, and found herself with nothing to do. She had missed Carolyn, and didn't want to drive separately into town, and she had no interest in a riding lesson at this time.

So, she sat waiting for Carolyn to return so she could help her with preparing lunch.
 
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