Sorry it has taken me so long to update. Finals are now over and I got a 3.6 GPA for the semester! Yay! So I gotta tell y'all I haven't been very happy with my writing as of late. I think I need to be a bit more descriptive. So I am gonna try that on this second chapter. Please let me know what'cha think! Thanks!

"Come on in! Since this will be your home for the next two weeks please make yourselves comfortable." said Raven as Niles, C.C., and Sam followed her into the kitchen. Niles let out a gasp as he got a look at the magnificent kitchen. The kitchen was all wood done with a rustic flair. Floor to ceiling windows lined the one side of the room which was topped off with a large skylight.

"This kitchen is incredible!" exclaimed Niles.

"Thank you, Niles. It's one of my favorite places in the house. You all must be tired from your trip. Let me show you to your room and you can get settled while I see to dinner."

Raven led them to their room which was as gorgeous as any honeymoon suite either Niles or C.C. had ever seen. There was a large four poster cherry wood bed with a matching dresser, vanity and trunk. The wall hangings matched the deep burgundy bedspread and the room was complete with a jacuzzi for two.

"I see the room meets your approval." laughed Raven at seeing the looks of awe on their faces.

"This room is just wonderful Raven! Thank you." said C.C. giving Raven a hug.

"Alright well, you all go ahead and get settled in and I will come get you when dinner is ready." With that Raven left C.C. and Niles to unpack and rest a bit from their trip.

Hours later, dinner had come and gone. C.C. and Raven were sitting together on the couch in the living room, giggling over old school photos while Niles was taking a shower.

"Look at Anne Reckenbocker. She looks like a hamster died on her head!" laughed Raven.

"A hamster? More like a guinea pig!" chuckled C.C.

"I wonder what ever happened to her. With that mouth of hers I wouldn't be surprised if she met an unfortunate end."

"I am sure there are more than a few from our old school who would say that same about you, Raven." C.C. teased with a smirk.

"Naw, they just expected me to become a hooker." Raven giggled. "Certainly not a cattle rancher, that's for sure."

"I doubt anyone saw that one coming. I know I sure didn't! I mean, over the years you have done a whole lot to spite your mother, but ranching is a whole new things for you." C.C. said reaching for her drink.

"Well, yes I am sure if I was asked say 10 years ago if I could see myself running a ranch my answer would have been no. Once I stopped laughing that is. But I gotta tell ya while it has been really, really, really hard I don't regret it. Not one bit. I have been very happy there past 5 years."

Suddenly C.C. grabbed Raven in a big hug. "I am so glad that you are happy!"

"Well thank you C.C." Raven said laughing. "What about you C.C.? Are you happy?"

"I have to tell you I have never been so happy before in my life. Niles makes me feel so cared for, so loved and cherished. I have never felt like that before. Even as a child I have always felt that there was something terribly wrong with me, like I was unlovable, that no one good would even give me the time of day much less love me. I know it sounds cliché but I sometimes feel like I am in one of those cheesy romance novels that we used to read in school. I never thought I would feel like this. He absolutely takes my breath away." Unshed tears sparkled in C.C.'s eyes.

Raven reached over for C.C.'s hand. "I'm glad that you have that with him. You deserve someone to treat you right and make you feel special and loved. I hope someday that I can find that someone special too."

"I know you will Raven. You are too sweet of a person not too."

Both girls were wiping their eyes as Niles walked in.

"What's wrong ladies?" Niles said alarmed.

"Nothing." C.C. said walking over to him. She placed a kiss on his cheek. "It's getting late and I think we should turn in."

"I think we all could do with a bit of rest. The ranch comes alive pretty early in the morning and Sam and I have to ride out early at sun up to oversee some fence repair. Y'all have a good sleep. Sleep in as long as you want and I will see you all when we get back." Raven hugged them both and they all went to bed.

----------------------------------------git along little doggey*---------------------------------------------------

The days that followed were filled with good food, horse backriding, exploring the beautiful Wyoming landscape and fun times for Niles and C.C. They both noticed a growing sexual tension between Raven and Sam but neither was sure if they should approach the couple in denial about it. On the 7th day after their arrival, Raven was just getting ready to head out to check the fences when Niles, clad in only his pajamas rushed down the hall to stop her.

"Raven! Something is wrong with C.C.!" he exclaimed just as Raven had opened the door to leave.

She slammed the door shut and rushed to his side. "Why? What's going on? Where is she?"

"She is in the bathroom. She won't let me in nor well she come out and it sounds like she is crying."

"Ok tell ya what? You go take a walk, maybe see if Sam needs any help and I will see what's up with C.C."

With a sigh Niles consented. He got dressed and went to find Sam. Raven tapped on the bathroom door.

"Niles I told you I am not coming out." C.C. said in a weak sad little voice.

"It's not Niles, C.C. and I can promise you that I can pick every single lock within this house. So you can make it easy on me and just let me in or I can go grab my tools and be in there in just a few minutes."

Raven heard the lock turn and then the bathroom door opened.

* the words in the divider were inspired by the way the author kateandharvey divides her stories. If you haven't read her work, you should! It's really really good!