Part 3

Scratching my bed head hair and sitting up in a heap of blankets I remembered Vaughn was coming over today.

I hopped out of bed and tripped over my boots. 'I should probably turn on the lights first.' I told myself.

After flipping the switch I dressed myself and combed my hair. I tied the knot on my red bandana and slipped on my boots that made me fall. 'Stupid boots…'

I stomped my way out the door angry with myself and slammed the door.

Remembering my chores I stomped all the way to the barn and finally cooled off when I saw my cows. I could never be angry when Calli and Bessi are around. 'My beautiful cows.'

They started nibbling on the fodder, and I started to milk them.

One last pat on their heads and off to the chicken coop.

Peeper and the nameless chicken were cooped up next to the eggs they laid. I don't have a name for the other one yet, hence me calling her the nameless one. She's been here maybe 3 days on my ranch. Hmm, if Vaughn ever decides to show up, he can maybe help me pick out a name. That's if he talks to me.

I threw out some bird seed into the feeing bins and grabbed the two eggs. "Oops." I woke them up. I laughed as they squawked and ruffled their feathers. Man, that new one is kind of grumpy. Sure does remind me of you-know-who.

Time to see my horse and dog! Wow…I need just one big barn. It'd make my chores way easier.

I went through the same process of feeding and petting my animals. I rode my horse, Peter, around the yard a few times. Somehow I found riding amazing. It settled me in a way.

Now realizing I wasn't alone I trotted over to the SECOND barn.

Yes! Vaughn actually came! I thought he'd bail on me and then I'd have to go track him down.

"You look like you enjoy riding." He said. He looked different. He didn't look annoyed. 'Was he actually happy?' I am amazed he talked to me first.

"Y-yeah, yeah I do. A lot, it makes me feel at ease." I'm talking to him! To Vaughn! The crab you can't talk to without being distracting to him! I…am at shock, and now his "smile" is displayed with that tilt of his hat. What next? I am so happy it's not even funny; I can't help but smile at him.

"That's great," he mumbled to himself while stroking the mane of my horse. I dismounted and pulled the reins for the horse to follow to his barn and Vaughn followed too.

As soon as Vaughn walked through those swinging doors my dog barked at him. He's a stranger to him. I spun around to seize the barking but it had already stopped. Vaughn was kneeling with an outstretched hand to show he wasn't any danger to us. That dog is so protective.

"That's Sammy." I walked over and kneeled down next Vaughn. "Looks like you made a new friend! Sammy, this is Vaughn!" I laughed at the odd introduction.

"Heh," Vaughn rubbed Sammy's belly.

"Oh yeah. My horses name is Peter, and I'll show you my cows and chickens too!" I jumped up and help out a hand to help him up. 'Will he take it?' He stared for a second and then grabbed my hand. 'Whoa! Big hands!'

"Thanks," he mumbled, again. Luckily I have great ears and can understand most anything…As long as it's English.

Walking in silence, both sets of hands in our pockets, we made our way to my cow's barn.

The moo's of happiness made me smile and laugh and immediately go and hug both my cows. I looked over to Vaughn smiling and laughing. One corner of his lip was perked as if he was amused by the bond I had with my cows. "The blue collar is Bessi, and the green is Calli."

"They seem real happy, they must have good milk." Vaughn responded. "Delicious! Let's go see the chickens."

On to the coop we went. I think he is enjoying himself. My chickens were cooped up together bathing in the sun. Sure looks like they were nice and warm. I crept up and kneeled next to them and motioned for Vaughn to follow. I pointed on the left.

"This one here is Peeper, she will cluck your ear off I tell you. That is how she got her name." I whispered and pointed to the right. "Now see, she's new. I still haven't given her a name. Any ideas?"

He looked over to me with a blank face. "Jill?" I laughed and he shrugged. I need something different. Oh shoot, now there's an awkward silence hanging in the air. Time to have some fun!

"I'm going to steal your hat!" I grabbed it and ran. Too bad for me he has great reflexes and was immediately grabbed my shoulders. Pulled to a halt he snatched back his hat put it back on.

"Man, I was only trying to have some fun." I saw him sit with one knee up and an arm perched on top of it. He was looking at the sun on the hilltop. For some reason, I felt he was like this all the time. I mean, sitting alone. My disapproving look face thought otherwise.

He looked over to me as I sat next to him. This was, kind of nice…