Kace leaned over and gently shoved his shoulder with a small smile as she squeezed her legs to get her horse to moving on and she didn't bother hiding her large grin when Caleb walked alongside with her and she wondered if maybe, just maybe he felt the pull too.
Dave Stamey - Opal
Troubles and worries she's left behind her
bustlin round her trailer in an old straw hat
got her magazines and her crossword puzzles
one-eared dog and a calico cat
"What are we doing here, Caleb," Ashley questioned from the passenger seat as they rolled up the worn down gravel road.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're a very patient person?" Caleb asked while not taking his eyes away from where he was traveling.
"No. Why," she snapped.
"That's because you're not," the reply was filled with snickers from Soraya in the back and the pouting of a very annoyed blonde.
"I just don't understand what we're doing clear out in the middle of nowhere when we're supposed to be helping Ty and Amy."
"We are! We just have to make a quick stop."
Before Ashley could reply Caleb pulled out his phone and put it to his ear after dialing a few digits. The blonde made a loud 'ugh' noise before leaning back into the large leather seat. Soraya was enjoying every minute of Ashley's annoyance, not that she would ever say anything, but still. They were friends but sometimes she really got on her nerves.
After several moments of ringing Caleb flipped the phone shut and put in on the console with the roll of his eyes. "Why do people have phones when they never answer?"
"Like you have any room to talk," Soraya scoffed.
Caleb didn't have a response to that, not that it mattered because as soon as the small camper at the end of the road was in sight Ashley made sure to not let anyone have a moment of silence.
"What are we doing here? Who's camper is this, Caleb? Soraya? What's going on," the young girl continued on and on making Caleb wonder why he was so upset when she gave him the silent treatment.
"How do you know she'll be here," Soraya asked as the truck came to a stop in front of the small camper.
"I don't, but her horse is here and so is her truck. That's a good sign," Caleb opened up his door and slid out onto the dirt patch that housed vehicles, "I'll be right back."
"Caleb," she protested but he had already shut the door and was on his way to the entrance of the small camper.
Kace was had just finished washing her dishes and was in the process of sitting down with the new Western Horseman of the mouth when a loud knock sounded through her house. She was startled, to say the least. No one ever came around her place especially not that late in the evening.
The redhead quietly set her magazine down and began slowly walking to her door but not before grabbing the pocket knife that she used to cut twine. She leaned over the kitchen sink to where the window was and stealthily looked through the drapes. To her surprise, it wasn't some criminal, but instead Caleb. Well, it at least looked like Caleb's truck. It was a little difficult to see because of the darkness and the bright shining headlights.
Kace perked up a little and wondered what he could possibly doing at her place so late at night. Her mind jumped to dark places and worries. Her father had been in Law enforcement her whole life and had taught her not only self-defense but to be cautious of everyone. She hoped that she was completely wrong though and that Caleb's intentions were purely innocent because she cared for him and thought of him very highly.
The young woman finally opened the door and was met with the beaming face of a smiling Cowboy. She lifted her lips in a hesitant smile and greeted him with an obvious curiosity in her tone.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Caleb asked in a hurried voice as if he had somewhere to be.
"Uh, just hanging out I guess," she crossed her bare arms as a chill came from the open door.
"Good, do you have a sleeping bag, because if not I brought an extra for you," Caleb asked.
"I do, actually... have a sleeping bag," she trailed off totally confused with what was happening and a little excited, "Why do I need a sleeping bag? Caleb, what are you doing here?"
The man's face lit up into a mega-watt grin that was incredibly contagious and Kace had a hard time keeping a straight face. Part of her was completely going over the moon because he came clear out to her house, er, trailer, and even had brought her a sleeping bag, for whatever reason. The other part of her, the more mature logical part of her was wondering what the hell he was doing on her front porch steps that late at night and what she would possibly need a sleeping bag for.
"My friends, Amy and Ty, they both work at the same place I do, well actually Amy kind of owns it. Anyway, they've run into some trouble and me, Soraya, and Ashley we're going to go help them," Caleb explained in an awkward sort of bumbling way.
"I've met Ty and Amy before. Just once but they seemed really nice."
"So you wouldn't mind helping then?" he looked at her with puppy dog eyes and a smile.
Kace tried to swallow the little bit of disappointment she was feeling. What was she expecting? That he was going to ask her out on a first date and they were going to go camping and star gaze? That was ridiculous and Kace knew it was so instead of feeling sad she rekindled the excitement of him coming clear out to her camper with a sleeping bag fully prepared for her.
"Okay, I guess, as long as it doesn't involve moving. You have no Idea how much I hate packing," she said in a serious tone though she was sure Caleb could see right through the facade.
"Trust me, you'll love this." and she did trust him though she didn't know why.
"Alright let me just grab my sleeping bag," Kace turned and went to head back into her trailer before turning back to Caleb who stood on her steps awkwardly, "Sorry, you can come in."
Kace heard his booted feet step into her small living abode as she hopped up onto her bed to reach for the cupboards that held her sleeping bag along with other camping gear.
When she had grabbed it the redhead hopped down onto the floor and looked over to the man. He was gazing around curiously. Kace's camper was by no means large, in fact, it was tiny but although it wasn't the largest she had definitely made it her own by hanging up pictures of horses and other things. The curtains which hung over the windows were made of fabric with pictures of tack; in under the tiny table was hundreds of horse magazines. The camper looked exactly like it was, a horse-crazy girl's home.
But Caleb wasn't focused on any of the pictures from David. R. Stoecklin or the paintings by Charles Russel and Ernie Morris, he was focused on the one thing Kace cared about more than anything in her home.
"Who's this that you're with?" he was referring to a picture that had a little blonde haired gal with bright blue eyes, smiling next to her. They were both on horses and had matching dirty appearances with bloody hands from bad rope management and popped blisters, as gruesome as it sounded. It was one of the first brandings that Kace was able to go to and actually rope. Kota had bucked her off more than once that day but if Kace had to choose what her favorite memory was it would have been the one captured in that frame hanging on her wall.
"My older sister."
"I didn't know you have a sister," Caleb grinned at her though her expression was completely somber.
"Had. I had a sister," Kace grabbed her coat and slipped on her boots as she attempted to block out Caleb and all the bad memories that were trying to surface.
"Oh, I'm sorry," his smile disappeared and was replaced with a deep frown.
"Not your fault," it was curt and briefly put before she grabbed her phone off the table and shoved it in her pocket. She didn't bother grabbing her hat because she didn't really see the point in it so she shoved one hand deep in a pocket (she was holding her sleeping bag in the other) and rocked back on her heels as she waited for Caleb so they could leave.
"Here let me get that for you," Caleb reached forward in one quick movement and took it from her hand. Kace couldn't help but liken it to training horses and how his movements were too jerky. Not that she was a horse and she wasn't quite sure why the thought popped into her head.
"Thank you," she gave him a tight-lipped smile and they left the trailer.
It wasn't that cold outside, it was actually pretty warm which surprised Kace. She still wore a jacket but that was mostly because she always felt uncomfortable with short sleeves and that was what she was wearing underneath that said jacket.
"So what exactly are we doing," Caleb's legs were a lot longer than hers and so she quickened her pace to match his own.
"Don't worry, you'll think it's great," he threw her a sideways grin which she returned. It cut the tension and she was more than thankful for that.
"I sure hope so," she said as she noticed the blonde in the passenger seat glaring at her.
Great.
He opened the back seat and put her sleeping bag in. She thanked him before hopping into the back and to her relief Soraya was there as well.
"Hey, Kace," she smiled as the redhead buckled her seat.
"Hey! Please tell me what we're doing, Caleb won't say anything but, you'll love it I promise," she lowered her voice in a weak attempt to match his voice.
"Don't tell her, Soraya. We have to keep her in suspense," Caleb protested while turning around the truck and pulling out.
"I just want to know why she's here," The spiteful girl spoke with acid from the passenger seat.
Before Kace could even defend herself or retort Caleb jumped in, "Because Kace is awesome," that was it. Nothing else was put but for some reason, it seemed enough.
"Hi, I don't think we've ever really had the chance to talk," Kace leaned forward over the console and held out her anything but feminine hands to the petite girl.
"Ashley," she said it like it was the bane of her existence to have to talk to her.
Kace didn't really mind. Well, she did, maybe just a little bit. She just didn't like conflict and drama. That was the bane of her existence. The redhead hated feeling like the odd man out too. She just liked being at peace with everyone and if not she just as soon move on then to keep an anchor where bad feelings were harbored. That was one of the reasons she left her home to Canada.
"Well it;s nice to actually talk and not get glared at," she joked referring to all the times she had been at the diner and been given a death glare, "Just kidding, you're still glaring."
Kace slid back into her seat while taking satisfaction in Soraya's laughing and the grin Caleb was sporting. Kace didn't ever mean to start shit but she sure did it a lot. Well used to. Now it was only occasionally done.
"Oh Lighten up, Ashley," The curly haired girl said from beside her.
"Yeah, Soraya's right. We're going to have a long night if you don't." Kace tried to keep her eyes off the road to avoid the anxiety that would surely rise so she instead looked over to Soraya and began a conversation to distract herself. Ashley even joined in and the hostility that was there was lessened. Slightly, but it was lessened none the less.
Before she knew it they were pulling up to the house that held the residents of Heartland. Kace wondered if it was okay that she was there seeing as she had only been there once and only for a few moments. She only knew Ty and Amy from the introductions and she wasn't all that certain if a strangers help would be received happily.
It didn't matter though because it seemed as if in an instant they were all marching through the door, sleeping bags in hand and helpful smiles highlighting their faces.
"We're overrun with orphans and she's going out," she remembered that voice. It was the man she had given a ride, Jack. She could only assume that he was talking about the woman that they had bumped into on the way in. Kace remembered meeting her but she couldn't remember the woman's name to save her life.
"It's okay, Grandpa. Ty and I can look after the kitten today," a chirpy optimistic voice said albeit an exhausted one.
"Yeah, we're going to be taking care of Merlin anyway, so," it was a man's voice and he sounded tired as well.
"Oh, I'll do my part."
"Well, were going to help too," and like heroes of the day, or night, as it were, they came stomping in with an energy Ty and Amy probably hadn't possessed in days.
"Guy's! Hey," Amy came at her friends with open arms and an overjoyed smile.
Kace was beyond uncomfortable so she held to the back as if she could make a quick get away from the beautiful house. She was happy to help with whatever it was she was supposedly going to be helping with but she was feeling like the odd man out. Something she hated with a passion. But Amy hugged all of her friends until she came to Kace in the back. The young Miracle girl came to a stop in front of her and Kace restrained herself from shuffling her feet awkwardly.
"Kace, right?" Amy gave her a hesitant look as if she wasn't quite sure if she wanted her to be there or maybe she was wondering why she was there but it made Kace feel like a bug being scrutinized anyway.
"Yeah, Caleb said you guys were in need of some help," she smiled through bared teeth.
"Yes, yes we are, thank you so much," she said after only a few seconds of silence.
"Awws," echoed around the room and Kace stood on her the tips of her toes so she could see what was going on.
Caleb seemed to realize her problem because he gently grabbed her arm and pulled her to the front of him and when he did she joined in with the adoration and coos right along with the rest of them.
"Is that a baby mountain lion," she asked in complete shock and wonder as she stared down into Jack's arms at the small bundle of meowing fur.
"Told you you'd love it."
"It's good to see you again, Kace," the elderly man said from his chair with a smile and suddenly the girl wasn't too worried about whether they wanted her there or not because the answer was pretty obvious.
Several hours later the house was silent except for the sounds of the tiny cub slurping down its food and the occasional snore from the other room. Ty and Amy had only lasted through a few short conversations before they disappeared into the land of snoring. After that, everyone took intervals and tried to be as quiet as they could so they wouldn't wake up. They deserved the rest from the sounds of it.
Soraya and Ashley were in the barn feeding the orphan colt named Merlin which Kace thought was an adorable name being a nerd herself. She thought the colt was cute too until Caleb and her had to feed it and she realized just how awful Ty and Amy had had it for the past week. Caleb got a kick out of her frustration until Merlin turned his wicked magic onto him as well. Then it was Kace's turn to laugh.
They were in the kitchen now and Kace had the ball of adorableness cradled in her arms as it nursed from the bottle. Its cuteness made the sharp claws a little more bearable but she would have a reminder of the ball of fluff for a few weeks more. Jack had offered her gloves but she had kindly refused just because she didn't want the perfect moment of the cub snuggled up in her arms to be interrupted.
The young woman was sure the smile hadn't left her face since she began helping. Caleb was right, she did love it and so did he. She could tell by the way his eyes softened and the small smile that held him hostage and Kace wondered if she looked the same way. The care that was given by the rodeo man to the small critter made her stomach twist in all kinds of knots and butterflies do acrobatic moves as they twisted through them. She didn't think it were possible for her to think him any more attractive but then he did that little coo thing and, well, she was proved wrong.
"It suits you," Caleb said with a sleepy haze in his eyes.
"What does," he had startled her out of her thoughts and had lit her curiosity with his off hand statement.
"I don't know. I guess this whole nurturer thing. It suits you just fine," Caleb smiled at her and she wondered if he could tell she was blushing. Probably.
She could see Jack off to the side with his coffee mug held in one hand while the other rested on the counter. A small smirk tugged on the older man's face and she wondered what he was smiling about and what he was thinking. The cub fell asleep in her arms and Kace decided if she were going to die now it would be because she couldn't handle the giggly emotions that came from the cuteness of the small animal and not for the first time that night she wondered how something could be so adorable.
She put him in the box and Caleb and her crawled off to find their sleeping bags in hopes of at least a few moments of rest. Kace hated sleeping in jeans but she was tired enough that she fell right to sleep the moment she was situated inside her sleeping bag. Caleb did the same and was softly snoring right next to her from his own bag.
They didn't have to wake up again until the sun came up the next morning and the earth rose with it. Kace reached up to the sky in a stretch and yawned. She was too tired to worry about how unflattering her face looked when it was all scrunched up or how she probably had morning breath. Nope instead she was worried, well curious would be a better word for the smell that drove her right out of the comfort of her makeshift bed and into the kitchen where Jack sat at the table with Caleb. They weren't alone though because along with them was stacks of toast, fresh coffee, and orange juice.
Kace had never been a morning person but she was willing to make an exception for that day. Besides, she couldn't ever remember a start to her day where she was around such beautiful souls. Maybe if she did she'd be more of a morning person.
Caleb gave her a sleepy smile from where he sat munching his toast and Jack gave her a good morning. She sat down at the small table with them and asked if she could have some coffee to which she was told to help herself to anything she wanted. The coffee was good and gave her the energy she was lacking and the toast was perfectly buttered. She didn't try the orange juice just because she didn't want to dirty up any more dishes and didn't want to mix coffee with it. Gross.
It wasn't long after she woke up that Ashley and Soraya joined them too. They looked both as worn out as she felt not that she would have said that to them. Well, maybe. She said lots of things when she was sleepy. But the exhaustion seemed to have sated Ashley's grumpiness and although she didn't spare a smile at Kace, she at least was civil. Everyone ate in a relative silence but it wasn't awkward. They were all too tired to have anything but a peaceful meal.
It was only after they had rolled up their sleeping bags and were all packed up did Ty and Amy wake up.
"You guys didn't wake us up for our shifts," Amy said as her and her boyfriend walked into the kitchen to join the rest of them.
"And you're complaining because," Ashley asked sarcastically and she did have a valid point.
"Are you kidding? Who knew eight hours of sleep could feel so good," Ty spoke with a satisfied tone, "Thank you!"
"Well it was fun and at least we got to see you. Sort of," Soraya smiled from her leaning position against the doorway entrance.
"Sort of," Amy agreed.
A shrill ring startled everyone in the room and Ashley made a grab for the source of the noise, "Oh it's my mother," she answered the phone and walked out of the house while talking about mac'n'cheese. She gestured for Soraya and let Caleb know that her mom was going to give them a ride and when she left she even said goodbye to Kace.
"Thank you Soraya, that was awesome," Amy grabbed her friend and gave her a tight hug.
"See ya," she waved goodbye to everyone and followed the blonde out the door.
"That was Scott, he found a home for Merlin," Jack came into the room, "he's coming to pick him up tomorrow.
Ty and Amy gave each other disappointed frowns and Caleb was completely oblivious to it, "That's a relief I guess," he sipped some more on his coffee and Kace had to smile at the crazy curls he was rocking.
"We better get going too," Caleb said once he finished his coffee and put it in the sink.
Kace was a little sad to have to leave but she had a job to get too and as great as sitting around and drinking coffee sounded, it wasn't going to get anything productive accomplished.
"Yeah, I have to get to work soon or I'll be lucky if I'm done before tomorrow morning comes," she yawned and pulled on her jacket.
"Well thank you so much for your help. We really appreciate it," Amy smiled and thanked them.
"Caleb," the pair of young cowhands halted from their attempt to leave, "Bring Kace more often. You work harder when she's around," Jack drawled from the top of his coffee mug.
"Sure thing, Jack. I'm going to try," Caleb grinned over at her and she smiled back although she felt more than uncomfortable with everyone's eyes on her.
"It was nice seeing you again," Kace held her hand out to Jack and he shook it with eyes that squinted when he smiled.
"Don't be a stranger," it was a demand and Kace would try her best to listen.
"See ya," multiple ways of farewell were used as Caleb and her exited the home and Kace wondered how there were such good people that existed but she definitely was not complaining.
"All right Caleb, you were right," Kace admitted when they were well on their way.
"Damn right," he shot a bright smile towards her.
It wasn't that hard to distract herself from the road with his jokes and easy going manner and later that day she didn't even mind when she collapsed onto her bed, instantly falling asleep and dreaming of cute fuzzy animals.
Just wanted to take a minute and say that I hope all of your holidays were amazing!
I wasn't planning to add this chapter into the story but then I was writing what I had planned before this and it just felt like it was missing something. So the next chapter is practically done and should be up by the end of this week, knock on wood. I try to add as much originality to the story as I can so it doesn't feel like you're just reading what you've already watched so I hope I'm not boring you all!
Bemabound: Your reviews are so sweet and I appreciate the so much! I hope your holidays were wonderful and that you enjoy this chapter as well!
GKB:Thank you for your compliments! I had a great Christmas and was able to spend it with my family so that's always the best! I hope your holidays were just as wonderful!
