Crossbar Ranch

Alicia

"No, I thought I'd go back now," Alicia joked as she nudged Megan forward so she could ride alongside Jude. "But then I'd have to give Megan back, wouldn't I?" She patted the horse automatically, already starting to feel comfortable with her new mount.

"Can't keep her forever," Jude agreed. They rode in a companionable silence for a moment, both soaking in the sun and the gentle breeze as the horses made their way across the grassy plains.

The day wore on and some members of the group began to complain of hunger while others said they were hot or sore or thirsty.

"We'll call a halt here," Dusty decided. "Normally we'd travel further than this but I can see that a few of you are in need of riding lessons." Her eyes hovered over the handful of people who had managed to either fall off of their horses or just completely lost control, slowing their journey considerably. "Get to work on your chores."

Dusty---

"Sammie, I'm going to go fetch Cookie, he isn't going ot like this." She sighed. She turned her mount and galloped to where Cookie would be. When she came back a grumbling Cookie was following as sour as ever. She dismounted and started rubbing Broc down before she went to help the visitors with chores. She noticed several unattended horses and she growled inwardly. This was going to be a long trip.

Caleb:

Everyone was struggling with their chores. I saw several abandoned horses. I rode over and hopped off. Then I saw Dusty. I sighed. "Hey," I greeted nervously. What was she going to think of me now?

Dusty---

"Hey," She smiled, "Wanna help me tend to these guys. I wont kill anyone today for it, but not again." She laughed taking a saddle off one of the horses and setting it on the ground. "I hope they relieze they can uses these for pillows. Maybe they'll clean them that way." She said motioning to the saddle. She wiped the horse down then moved to another one. "Why are you so quiet?" She asked looking at him.

Sam~

Sam dismounted Dancer and pulled off her saddle, laying down on the ground and brushing her off. Dancer neighed in thanks and shook her large head back and forth. Sam smiled and walked over to some unattended horses, doing the same and getting the same thanks.

Caleb:

I flushed. "No reason. Yeah, they are a bit of a hand full." I looked at the poor horses. I had always prefered horses. They were easier to talk to. I took the bay in front of me and untacked him. I gently ran my hand over him. He nickered. I smiled. if only people were that easy to read, maybe I'd know what was going on with dusty. I sighed and tried not to think about her, but I couldn't help it. I loved her. I always had. But I couldnzt tell her that.

Dusty----

"As long as they understand they need to be able to do this better later on." She sighed laying her head on one of the horses necks and breathing in deep. "Do you ever wish you could've been born in the 1700's so you could realyl do this."

Caleb:

I smiled. "You mean without all these little annoyances tagging along? Yeah...I have." I kissed the horses face and rubbed his neck. They were magnificent creatures. If you respected them, they would respect and listen to you. I sighed and put a halter on him. I walked by Dusty and accidently brushed against her hand. "I-I'm sorry. I didn't mean to do that!" I stuttered. I felt like a stupid moran. why was I acting like this?

Dusty---

"You brushed against me. Whats gotten into you, Caleb, your all jumpy. Don't tell me you'll be like this all summer." SHe smiled at him. "Relax, they'll get used to it and it wont be so hard."


*:'(*

Caleb:

I groaned inwardly and made myself calm down. "Yeah...probably just upset because they left their horses this way. I don't like it when people donzt take care of their horses. where I used to live, you didnzt even make yourself comfortable until your horse was taken care of." I sighed. The first part was a lie, but it did make sense. how was I going to be able to work with her so near?! I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "Let's take care of these horses."

Dusty---

"In a week that is how it is going to be, or their walking the next day." She smiled, she went and started on another horse. She smiled and started taking the saddle off the next horse. She brushed him down and brushed out his hair. "That's a good boy."

Caleb:

I sighed and went back to working with horses. Horses weren't as complicated as humans. My gaze wandered back to Dusty. She was wonerful. I was in love...and I didn't know how not to be.

Dusty---

Dusty heard Cookie call for dinner and she looked at Caleb. "Let's go." She smiled, "We'll give these guys some grain." They walked towards the chuck wagon and she smiled. Cookie was standing in front of a line of people. Guys were mixed in with the girls and in front.

"Now I'm sure Dusty tol' y'all girls go first!" He said out loud. "NOw you better get the line right our you ain't gettin nothin'!" He said crossing his arms.

"I'm not tryin to be rude, but why?" A girl asked,

"Cause, men are supposed to take care of woman. We're supposed to protect them, end of story." He replied.

***Don't let this die!***

Sam~

Sam snickered lightly at Cookie's statement. Even though it was true. She smiled and walked back to Dancer, brushing her off again and rubbing her neck. Dancer neighed in thanks and trotted off to the nearest source of food. Sam stretched and yawned, sitting down on the saddle that was on the ground. She watched as the guys got lazily to the back on the line and the girls begin to get their food.

"How are we supposed to eat this?!" One girl screamed.

"With a fork," Cookie replied. Sam covered her mouth, holding in a laugh.