The Ranch... Open..

[redbaron05]

Smiling down at Kat he replies, "I'm glad i'm not the only one having that problem this morning" as he leans down and returns her kiss.

As Kat looks away to think Josh smiles and takes in her incredible beauty thinking to himself how did this cowboy from texas get so lucky, his thoughts are interrupted as Kat lists the things that need to be done.

After Kat finishes the list Josh says, "I will handle feeding the horses and livestock.checking the tack and checking to see if any repairs need to be made around the house while you and the girls handle the riding lessons and making the fliers."

Hopping off of the cabinet Josh slips his arms around Kat and gives her another kiss releasing her from his embrace Josh says, "See you later darlin" before grabbing a slice of toast and heading out the door to feed the livestock.

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat smiles watching Josh head out the door and yells You better have the ranch hands help you with all that work or you'll awncer to me.. Grinning she finnished off her coffie and then went to her Office to get out some blank paper and Markers so she could begain on the flyers for the Trail Rides and Riding Lessons.

Looking up at a the sound of someone walking in the hall Kat smiles seeing Casey walk by and gives her a holler. Hey Casey there is some coffe out in the kitchen and breakfast still on the table if you want when your done i could use some help. We can do your riding lession when were finnished..

 

[redbaron05]

As Josh goes out the door he hears Kat yell."You better have the ranch hands help you with all that work or you'll awncer to me.." Smiling he yells back, "i will darlin." Shaking his head and smilng as he heads for the bunkhouse to find one of the hands to help with the feeding and other chores

 

[LadyFairy]

An hour or so later Kat and Casy finnished the flyers and went outside. Kat saddled one mare for the ridding lessions and lead another over brininging saddle and tack with her. So she could walk Casy through, saddling, mounting and dismounting from the horse as well as walking out and around the hind legs so she didnt get kicked, before having her mount up, and get a feel for sitting in the saddle.

Mounting up in the mare she had already saddled Kat started Casy off with a walk around the barn and small pen next to it. In a few days once your more comfortable.. If Sam thinks your ready then well take you out on one of the trails she said smiling as they rounded the pen and she spotted Josh, along with some of the other hired hands feeding the horses. She watched them for awhile and waved when they noticed them sitting there before moving off again.

Once the ridding lessions were done for the day Kat smiled at Casy. I'll clean the mare up and such hun you go in and soak in the tub.. Leading the horses into the stables Kat begain removing their saddles, and brushing them down.

When she was finnished she made sure there was water in their troffs and a combination of oats and grain in their feed bags. Smiling she scratched them behind their ears and told them they had behaved well, before leaving the barn.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

"Goodnight sam, sweet dreams," Sam heard his words and knew that he was affected by her actions but try as she might she couldn't explain why she felt the way she did.

Sleep didn't claim her as she had wanted it to, it was slow in coming but when it finally did it left Sam very bothered. By her own thoughts and the remaining fill of George's lips upon hers. She honestly liked George but was she sure about anything in her life yet?

Waking after the longest night of sleep Sam had ever felt, she didn't feel that she had come to any possiable solutions. She liked George she knew that but everything else was more of a blur in her mind. Who knew how long it would take before she could say she was sure.

Moving from within the warmth of her bed roll, Sam headed for the firepit they had made the night before. Stoking it carefully building a small fire before moving away and beginning to rummage in the packies. Thankful they had kept some of the food stuffs from the kitchen. Finding the salted meat and bread that was still within their packages.

It wasn't long before the smell of food filled the air and still Sam found herself reluntant to wake George. Pouring herself a mug of coffee Sam moved about the clearing remembering some of the fun that she had, had in her younger years. Kat had changed a lot since the last time Sam had seen her but she had held out against all odds and that made Sam proud of her. Now if she could just find a good guy for Kat then maybe Kat could have it all. Looking back to George, smiling breifly touching her lips remembering the night befores kiss. Sam can't help but wonder what George would be like to have around for a long time. He was stable and knew his self well. There wasn't anything fancy about him but she liked that, George was just George. Nothing but the truth behind his words and thoughts.

Walking over to the sleeping man, Sam carefully shakes his arm. "George breakfast is on."

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

George had taken a long time to get to sleep, thinking over what he’d said to Sam the only thing that he’d said that could have upset her was that he wouldn’t make a commitment to her at the moment. He had said he would once they’d got to know each other a lot better. It looked like him thinking of her not getting hurt was causing him more problems than it was worth, he knew he wouldn’t intentionally hurt her but he wanted her to be sure before things went any further.

He’d slept longer than usual due to thinking half the night about Sam and woke to her insistent words as she shook his arm gently, he didn’t know what to say after last night’s little episode he’d obviously said something to upset her and he knew it wasn’t the kiss.

Before she could let go of his arm he’d taken hold of hers and with a gentle pull brought her down on top of him, quickly finding her mouth with his he kissed long and hard.

“That’s how I want to wake up every morning,” he told her with a stupid grin on his face as he finally broke the kiss.

“Sam, I know I upset you somehow last night but I’m only thinking of you. I’m ready to be with you for a long time but I want you to be sure of yourself before we make any commitments. You jumped into one marriage without thinking, and although I’m not thinking of marriage at the moment a long term commitment is nearly the same thing. You’ve got a spell over me I can’t do anything without thinking of you, can we forget last night and start again?” he asked running out of words, and pulling a sad face at her.

 

[redbaron05]

Josh waves back at Kat as she gives a riding lesson. As he and the hands finish feeding the horses he helps them load hay bales into the back of his truck and he directs them to drive out to where the cattle are and to drop the hay bales out and when they are done they can return to the bunk house to rest before lunch. As they drive off Josh sees Kat leading the horses into the stables. In a playful good mood he hides behind the barn door and playfully grabs her from behind pulling her back against him as she comes out of the barn and asks, "Where do you think you're going?" as he kisses her neck.

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat jumped in surprise as Josh grabbed her from behind and laughed. As he kissed her neck and she recognized his voice.. I was going up to check on Casey and see if she needed anyting.. How about you what are you up to, besides picking on me? she said smiling as she truned around in his arms to face him kissing him lightly on the lips.

George and Sam should be back sometime today.. hopefully, and then we can tell them about the Dance, and i was figuring insted of running to town and putting up the flyers i would pass some of them out at the dance... What do you think?

 

[redbaron05]

Returning her kiss he replies, "We finished feeding the horses and I sent the hands out to drop some hay for the cattle and I was on my way to find you to see what else needed to be done." As Kat tells him about her idea of passing the flyers she made out at the dance instead of going back to town Josh smiles and tells her," That's and excellent idea hon." Reluctantly releasing her from his embrace Josh says,"Let me clean up a bit at the bunk house and I'll meet ya inside" as Kat turns to head inside Josh playfully swats her butt as he runs off toward the bunkhouse laughing.

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat laughed watching Josh head into the bunk house to clean up. Looking at her watch she reolized it was past noon and headed inside to check on Casey and see what Caroline had fixed for all of their lunches.

Still smiling when she entered the house Kat waved at Caroline as she set the table with an asortment of sandwiches.. Due to the heat outside Kathrine couldnt blame her for not wanting to turn on the oven. Lunch looks good hun i am going to head up and check on Casey and i'll be right back down. Josh and the other Ranch hands should be in shortly as well. she said and went up the stairs.

Knocking on the bathroom door.. Kat peeked her head in at the saying at the same time.. Its Kat.. Casey just coming to check on you and see how your feeling, and to let you know lunch will be ready in just a few moments.

 

[redbaron05]

Smiling as he goes to his area of the bunk house Josh grabs a clean shirt and jeans. Whistling to himself he goes to the bathroom and takes a hot shower with thoughts of Kat running thru his head. After he showers he shaves and dresses in the clean shirt and jeans before heading to the main house. Entering the house Josh sits down and waits for the others.

 

[Screech]

Tim had been very quiet of late. Sure, he had helped out with odd jobs here and there, and always waved whenever anyone had wandered by, but other than that he had been out on the grounds, normally some distance from the main building, and always with a bag in hand.

In actual fact, he was trying to be as sneaky as possable as he tried to find a good angle in which to start his painting of the ranch that he had been 'commissioned' for. This time, however, Tim thaught that he had found it. Facing almost due west, it seemed perfect for a sunset painting. Unpacking his sketchbook, and grabbing the ever-present pencil from behind his ear, he began his sketch

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat headed back downstairs after checking on Casey and smiled seeing Josh and the others at the table, but noticed that three of the chairs were empty.. George, Sam, and Tim's.. she could remember only a few days ago when all of the chairs had been empty save for her own.

Meeting Josh's eyes she asked Has anyone seen Tim?

 

[redbaron05]

smiling back at Kat Josh replies, "I thought i saw him earlier with his sketch pad"

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Laughing softly while resisting the urge to kiss George again opting to answer to him instead. "Agreed." There were a lot of things she had wanted to say but George's kiss and his sad face made her forget everything except how good he felt.

"We had better see about getting you something to eat before we head out. We should be back at the ranch today, and there still is a bit of range to ride before we get there." After saying this she finds George's lips with her own once more kissing him softly for but a moment. Before moving out of his arms and offering him a hand up with a smile on her face. Ok, maybe she hadn't messed things up to badly, Sam could only hope.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

"Agreed."

George felt as if a weight had been lifted from him with thar one word. Thinking back maybe they'd been spending too much time trying to please each other instead of really getting to know each other.

He knew they had a bit of riding to do before they returned to the ranch and he was glad that the previous nights upset had been settled. The feel of Sam in his arms while he was still in his sleeping bag felt great, he just wished that he hadn't been such a gentleman on the trip.

The smell of breakfast got him out of his sleeping bag and he was soon enjoying the first of what he hoped was many that Sam had cooked for him.

It took them about an hour to finish eating and clear the camp so it was midmorning before they got under way. Still they had plenty of time to finish riding the fence and get back to the ranch before dark.

"Shall we head off?" he asked Sam as he prepared to mount.

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

They had shared a great meal together joking and teasing lightly about anything that came to mind. And Sam found herself once again relaxing with George, he was actually a very intelligent person. Full of knowledge of how Ranchs worked and things that could help build them up along with the livestock and how to tend to those as well.

After clearing up their breakfast and resaddling the horses it didn't take long before they were ready to go. Hearing George ask, "Shall we head off?" Giving a smile answering back that indeed they should Sam set them off at a decent pace. At the rate they were going it would be early evening before they got back to the ranch. Which gave them still a whole afternoon to enjoy each others company.

Sometime after noon Sam turns in her saddle to look at George. "Its about time for lunch, theres a glade just up ahead if you want to stop we can rest the horses and get a quick bite to eat. Sound good to you?"

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

The morning went quite quickly now they were both relaxed again in each others company. George put the upset down to his lack of knowledge about women, although he wasn't a virgin he'd never really been close to any woman the way he was with Sam.

"Its about time for lunch, theres a glade just up ahead if you want to stop we can rest the horses and get a quick bite to eat. Sound good to you?"

"Sure does" he replied and followed Sam off the track into the glade. There was a small pool fed by a stream for them to water the horses.

They had a cold lunch anticipating Carolyns cooking for their evening meal, as they ate they continued to talk about everyday things. Although George wanted to pull her over to him and kiss her, he managed to refrain so as not to spoil the mood.

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat smiled at Josh and headed for the door her eyes reflecting that she was in an onory mood and probly up to no good. Looking over her sholder she replyed I'll be right back.. i am going to ring the bell so that he knows its time for lunch. She had always loved doing that as a kid, ringing the bell for her mom so that her dad and his ranch hands and friends would know it was time to eat.

Stepping out on the porch she walked over to the bell and looked at it a moment before grabbing the string and giving it a shake ringing the bell loud and clear.

 

[Screech]

Tim heard the peeling of the ranch's bell. "Huh? Lunch already? How time flies". Carefully packing up his sketchpad and pencils, he rose from his spot and stretched once, scratched his cheek, and made his way back to the main ranch building

The bell kept ringing and, as Tim approached, he saw why. Kat was furiously ringing the bell, almost with a look of glee on her face. "Yo! Kat! You can probably stop ringing that thing now"

 

[LadyFairy]

Kat couldnt help the burst of laughter that escaped at Tim's comment when he came around the corner, and she stopped ringing the bell. Ready to eat? she asked grinning from ear to ear as they headed inside.

Her broken down ranch was once again becoming a home and it was a wonderful feeling to have.

 

[Screech]

Tim was right. It was glee. Kat had laughed as she had stopped ringing the bell. Ready to eat? she asked while grinning. Without waiting for a response, she had tured and merrilly headded back inside.

Tim shrugged his shoulders, than rubbed his belly. It grumbled. "Guess I am" He chuckled to himself as he followed Kat inside

 

[LadyChance]

Sam & George

Sam enjoyed their cold lunch a lot but the conversation with George is what she enjoyed the most. He made even the most mundane topics more interesting with his thoughts on them. Sam even had the feeling they could talk about Malasses in January and George would make the conversation interesting for her.

The afternoon was turning out to be glorious and Sam found herself relunctant to return back to the ranch. Even though she knew they must she had enjoyed the quiet time out here getting to know George just a bit more.

Each time he moved Sam's eyes would follow him taking in every greedy detail of him motions. Whether they were simple movements to rearrange himself on the ground or him picking up the coffee cup to take a drink. She found herself noticing the small things that he did. How his eyes would look at her and though his words from the night previous had led her to believe that he wanted to take things slow with her. His eyes showed that he wanted to be able to touch her as much as she did him. Realizing this made her feel more relaxed, thinking that maybe they did have a chance once they got to know each other more. Once she was sure about everything.

"George about last night your right, I want to take the time to get to know who you are. Thank you for thinking of me, I guess I am just not really use to that and its nice." Upon saying this Sam stands and stretches feeling slightly embaressed about what she had just said. But knowing that it would have bothered her not to say thank you to him or to let him know she appreciated what he was doing for her.

"Maybe we should head out it'll be early evening now before we get there and though the food has been great out here. I think I have become spoiled with Caryoln's cooking." Giving a wink and smile at George as she says this part.

 

[DarkLdyElectra]

Casey

After Kat shut the bathroom door I stood up to get out and dried off. As I put my clothes on I must have been spacing cause when I looked at my top it was on backwards. So I got everything on right and made my way downstairs for dinner. As I set into the dinner room I said hi to everyone before setting down. Looking at Kat I told her thank you and that if she had time I needed to show her some of my ideas for the dance.

 

[bullshot]

George & Sam

George could feel Sam’s eyes following every move he made, it made him feel a bit uncomfortable but he tried to ignore it the same way he was ignoring the itch to get hold of her and give her a passionate kiss.

"George about last night your right, I want to take the time to get to know who you are. Thank you for thinking of me, I guess I am just not really use to that and its nice."

“It’s alright Sam, I just don’t want to rush you that’s all,” he told her watching as she got up and stretched, admiring her body as she arched it in the stretch. It was all he could do to remain on the ground for a few moments knowing that if he got up with her like that he’d regret it for a long time.

He laughed when Sam virtually said she preferred Carolyn’s cooking to his. “Next time we’re out here you can cook for yourself then if you don’t like mine,” he said laughing at the look on her face as she at first took him seriously then realised that he was teasing her.

Sam gave him a little kick on his boot laughing with him as she told him they’d better head out if they were going to get back before night fall.

They set off at a brisk trot covering the ground quickly without stressing the horses, as luck would have it they had to stop and repair one break in the fence making them later than they intended.

“There it is Sam,” George said as they came over a hill and could see the light of the ranch house just over a mile away. “I hope Carolyn’s kept something hot for us, I’m starving now,” he said with a smile remembering her comments earlier.