Crossbar Ranch

Dusty--

Dusty smiled, Cooke was serving his cornbread, beans, and ham. Only thing was the ham was mixed in with the beans. She had always liked the meal. "The forks are in the box behind you." She smiled. When all of the visitors had eaten she waited for the other hands to go through. She would get her food last. She didn't take the guys going a head as being disrespectful, she just liked to see everyone happy before she ate. She stood next to Cookie as the hands were getting their eating utentsils and plates.

"So, any speicial additions to the food?" She asked with a smiel.

"Nope." He replied,


***Ok, me calling them hands isn't to be rude. I hope no one is takin it like that. ***

Caleb:

I watched Dusty go through the line and sighed. I walked up behind her. "My horse's restless. would you mind if I run him some? I'll be back before the campers even realize it. Please?"

Dusty--

"Of course, don't worry about time. I'm sure we can keep these guys under hand. If you aren't back by night we'll come looking." She smiled, "You sure your ok?" She asked in a lower voice. She looked his face over, something seemed to be bothering him. "You seem restless."

Caleb:

I shifted on my boots uncomfortably. What was I supposed to say? Yes I am because I'm in love with you. Your very presence sends me on edge. Yeah right. "I'm fine." I lied. "I'll be back soon." I turned on my boots and headed towards my horse.

Dusty--

Dusty watched him walk towards his horse. She noticed his gun was laying next to a stump so she grabbed it and ran after him. "Don't forget this, we wouldn't want any mountain lions or anything getting you." She smiled handing it to him. "Be careful." She turned on her heel and started towards where she had left her food. She couldnt' figure out what was wrong with him. What was wrong with her when he was around. She shook her head, she was going insane. She couldnt' read people anymore.

Caleb:

I sighed and saddle my horse. He could sense that I was anxious, and it passed onto him. He pawed the ground and tossed his head. He was ready to bolt. I smiled. speed was what I needed right now. as soon as I landed on his back, he took off, racing the wind. I shouted "Whipee" and spurred him on, trying to outdistance my thoughts.

**Someone post. :'(*

Caleb:

I rode back into camp a couple hours later, feeling better, until I saw HER! Her hair glowed from the light of the campfire. I sighed. The cook came over to me.

"When are you goin' to tell that girl you like her, boy?"

I sighed. "Never."

"Never! What do you mean, never? You can't live like this!"

I sighed and walked away from him. I unsaddled my horse and Dusty walked over to me. I tried not to look at her.

****Cookie can be mean. *****

Dusty---

Dusty crossed her arms in mock anger and looked at Caleb. "We almost went looking." She said, she couldn't keep the sarcasim from her voice though. "Did you have a good ride."

"Yup." He said working on his horse not looking at her. Could he be mad at her, was that it.

"Yup, that's all I get. No I saw a mountain lion, it's pretty, I'm not in a bad mood anymore?" She demanded with a laugh.

Caleb:

Her laugh grounded on my already sensitive nerves. Not because I didn't like it, just the oposite. Because I loved it! I loved everything about her. I sighed. "It was good. I just ran Magic hard. That's about it." I sighed and cursed under my breath. The brushes were on the other side of Dusty. I groaned and carefully manuvered myself around her and grabbed a hard brush, brushing down Magic. I turned his head to look at me and I scowled.

Dusty----

Dusty was fed up with it. What had she done. Why was he being so distant? She had always found him really cool to talk to because they felt the same way about horses. They both found it easier to talk and work with horses then humans. She crossed her arms. "Alright, what did I do that you're acting so weird I want to know Caleb, please. You never act like this, heck you wont even look me in the eyes. Even if you wont the rest of the trip I'd at least like to know what I did to make you so upset with me."

Caleb:

I spun around shocked. "You..you didn't do anything! I promise! It's...It's me." I sighed. "Look, I...I don't know how to say this..." I looked down at my boots. "I..I like you. I always have." I flushed red. "I'll understand if you don't want to talk to me now."

Dusty---

Dusty laughed, but he was serious. "You're serious?" He nodded, she didn't know what to say. "Trust me, I wont stop talking to you." She smiled reassuringly. "Caleb look at me for goodness sakes I know your boots aren't that interesting. No boot is." She smiled.

Caleb:

I slowly looked up at her. What was I supposed to do now? I looked at her questioningly. It was all I could do not to kiss her on her gorgeous lips. "I suppose I should go back to my horse and finish brushing him."

Dusty----

"I'll help if you want." SHe smiled. "We can talk about the route."


*Grrr< i have to go give the dog a bath, be back ni a lil' while*