The next morning Carol woke up early getting out her black dress and the iron. She started pancakes while she ironed her dress. Daryl woke up just as she was gettin done with the first plate.
"Pancakes?" He asked his voice thick with sleep, Carol set the iron down handing him a tray with pancakes, milk and a bottle of syrup. He sat up taking it, he felt like he'd just woke up in a dream.
"They're instant, I hope you don't mind." She told him he rubbed his face trying to wake up. He was adorable, all deshevled, barefoot, and half awake.
"I ain't gonna turn my damn nose up at a fresh breakfast woman." He told her taking the syrup and drowning his pancakes in it. She smiled glad that he was here, she didn't think she could have gotten out of bed if she'd been all alone and someone had to go to her grandma's funeral today.
"Ya ironin?" He asked looking at the simple black dress on the table. She sighed flipping a pancake onto the plastic plate.
"It's my only black dress, and it was stuffed at the bottom of my bag. It's Grama's funeral today." She told him, his expression fell, he should have known. Where else would she be going?
"Ya want me to drive ya?" He asked, he knew people were always saying shit like that, how folks that were moarning or whatever shouldn't drive.
"That would be nice." She said offering him a little bitter sweet smile. They ate in silence for a little while, then Daryl looked over at the stand up shower in the little bathroom.
"I best get fuckin clean before we go." He mumbled, his way of asking if he could use the shower.
"Ya... we can take my car." She told him taking his tray, she filled the sink and started washing dishes as he closed the wood lamenit curtain. She couldn't help but imagine him peeling out of his clothes and stepping under the water as she heard it turn on.
She swallowed hard letting her eyes close so she could lose herself in her little fantasy for a moment and forget herself. She imagined his hands slipping down his hard muscular body. She shook her head going back to her dishes to keep herself from fantisizing.
Daryl stepped out of the tiny shower feeling cramped, but blissfully clean. He used the horrible pea green towel to dry off and frowned at his dirty clothes.
"Hey." He called through the wooden curtain waiting for a response.
"Yes?" Carol said obviously moving to the curtain, he chewed on the inside of his lip.
"Pass me some clothes woman." He grumbled, he heard her giggle, he blushed shaking his head. Soon she knocked on the curtain. He shifted awkwardly up against the curtain and sticking his hand out.
He pulled the clothes in looking down at them, it was his best jeans, and his dark gray button up, the sleeves weren't going to be long for this world with how worn the seams were, but it was nice. He also had his only red boxers tucked under his jeans.
"Thanks." He mumbled pulling his stupid red plaid boxers on. It was strange being in such close quarters with a woman, even a quiet undemanding woman like Carol. He felt like he was playing house with the damn neighbor girl again.
When he got back out of the bathroom she was dressed in a sleek black dress. It went down to her calves, and the neck dipped modestly, but the way the streatchy fabric clung to her like a second skin made him wish they were playing doctor instead.
"You look nice, almost sharp." She told him, he soothed down his clothes uncomfortably.
"Ain't got call fer my Sunday best too often." He mumbled tucking at the one tear over his left pocket.
"You look better without sleeves any way. Come on, we better get going." She said they went out to her car and Carol gave him the keys. The drive to the graveyard was quiet.
"Ya got anybody else commin?" He asked as he stopped the car, she let out a humorless laugh.
"Aunt Drema was the only one close enough to make it, and when I called her she said 'oh I thought she'd died last year, well I guess there's no need to mourn twice.' I mean how can anyone be so selfish!?" Carol vented, he shook his head putting the car in park.
"I ain't never understood folks." He placated honestly, he opened the door for her before she'd realized he'd even gotten out. He didn't seem to be doing it to impress her, it was just something he did without thought.
))))==========)
Carol was glad he'd come when she got out to the grave seeing that umber casket that Sophie had picked out to match Howe's. They shared a head stone and all that needed to be added was the date on Sophie's name. She hoped one day she'd find a love like that.
Daryl stood quietly to her left while the pastor said a few words, most of them for Carol's benefit, though Sophie had writen a small passage that made Carol cry.
Daryl didn't know what to do to help her, so he just let his shoulder touch hers and didn't pull away when she leaned into him. It was odd that despite how uncomfortable he was with her tears, he felt mostly comfortable around her in silence.
Carol laid a braid of herbs over the casket and it was lowered into the earth. Carol had never liked the idea of being burried, but she wanted be laid down next to Howe, so Carol was happy she could have that. No, Carol wanted to have a funeral pyre, where she could see the sky, and have a clear path to heaven.
"Do you want to be buried when you die?" Carol asked as he got into the car. She watched him frown and scatch his beard.
"Guess not, wouldn't much care for how, so long as my soul went were it ought." Daryl answered, Carol leaned back in her seat.
"I always wanted a pyre, they just seem so much more respectful. Not cremation though, I don't want to be shoved in an oven. I wanna be able to see the sky." She told him, he thought about it for a second.
"It sounds best, ain't ever much liked gettin closed in." He agreed, she nodded and he flicked on the turn signal.
"Me either. I'm sorry about last night... I was drunk and... if you hadn't been there... I'd probably have drown, or... or gone back to him." The last part was so quiet he hardly heard it, he looked over at her all curled in on herself with even her legs tucked up against her chest.
"How'd ya ever end up with that piece a shit?" He asked, Carol laughed humorlessly letting her head fall onto her knees.
"I guess... nobody ever saw me, I was always just part of the background. I'd been with other men, but they all ended up badly. Then... then I met Ed and he wanted me. He was jelous and possesive, and at first I felt important, until..." She trailed off, Daryl knew the rest, he was quiet for a moment.
"Yer better then that shit." He said quietly, Carol looked over at him to see if he'd really spoken, but he was just staring out the windshield. She decided not to say anything, he didn't seem to like gratatude.
They sat together quietly as he drove, when he pulled into the drive. She blinked back her tears shaking her head, she felt like she was always crying.
"I'm gonna go for a walk." She told him, she didn't come back until it was starting to get dark her eyes puffy and red from tears. Daryl didn't say a thing about it, so they just went to sleep.
Daryl was up and working before Trick showed up, but he didn't make a comment about it, so he didn't have to explaine that he seemed to live here now. He got paid in cash so at least he could contribute now. Carol brought out sandwhiches and a beer for each of them at lunch and tea periodically.
Then just as they were packing up he heard the unmistakable roar of that damn triumph coming down the road. Daryl groaned as Trick pulled out, it was just him and Carol now, and he sure as hell didn't want her meeting Merle.
"Who is that?" Carol asked as Merle whipped the motorcycle down her drive.
"My damn brother." He grumbled heading towards where Merle was parking his bike.
"The fuck are ya doin out here Merle, this is where I fuckin work?" Daryl asked, Merle laughed coming around the bike to slap his shoulder.
"Haven't seen ya in damn near a week, went by yer place, some fuckin spic livin there!" Merle told him, Daryl shrugged him off irritably.
"Ya I got fuckin evicted because I lost my fuckin job remember." He spat, Merle cringed slightly, but then his smile came back.
"Ya sleepin in that piece a junk?" He asked, Daryl looked over at his truck.
"The fuck does it matter to you?" Daryl asked trying to keep himself between Merle's line of sight to Carol. She didn't seem to know what to do since Daryl obviously didn't care for Merle, but she did want to meet him.
"Fuck you brother, I ain't that much of a fuckin prick, yer comin to stay with me till ya got a place." Merle told him, Daryl apretiated the offer, but he didn't want to leave Carol alone in that place. She needed someone, and he was alright with being that person.
"I ain't stayin at yer fuckin crack shack, rather sleep in my fuckin truck." Daryl countered, Merle growled punching him in the chest.
"I'm over here tryin to fuckin fix the shit I broke ya ungreatful little shit!" Merle snapped, Daryl slammed his fist into Merle's face, and Merle laughed launching into a fight. Carol took a step back worriedly, but when she caught a glimps of Daryl bleeding and grinning from ear to ear she decided to just go get the first aid kit.
They broke apart panting and bleeding, Daryl stumbled falling onto his ass a few seconds before Merle followed him down. They were both laughing hard now.
"Missed ya brother." Daryl mumbled spitting out a mouth full of blood. Merle flopped back next to Daryl clutching his side.
"Ya got a few good fuckin hits in, gonna feel that in the mornin." Merle added, Carol stood a few feet away shaking her head.
"You two are bleeding all over my driveway." Carol said softly, they both looked up at her, Daryl looked sheepish, she probably didn't care for violance.
"You ain't no ninety year old widow sugar tits, who the fuck are ya?" He asked getting to his feet, Carol's expression hardened refusing to cry in front of this man who was clearly a bully.
"This is my home, my grandmother is dead. You can call me Carol, if you must. Nothing else." She told him as firmly as she could, Merle laughed wiping the blood from his face with the back of his bloody hand.
"Well damn Carol, it's nice to meet ya. You aimin to fix us good ol' boys back up?" Merle asked, Carol looked down at Daryl who finally stopped watching her struggle to sound confidant and got to his feet.
"Thanks." He said taking the first aid kit from her and shoving Merle towards the picknick table. Carol sighed, glad she hadn't had to work up the courage to answer Merle.
"You fuckin her?" Merle asked at seeing his brother try and defend her. Daryl smacked him upside the back of his thick head.
"Fuck you Merle." He snapped, Merle laughed taking the antibiotic cream and smearing it over his lip, knuckles, and jaw.
"Ain't dipped yer wick yet hu, what the fuck ya waitin for she's a fine little slip of thing bet she's a wild cat in the sack!" Merle teased, Carol snatched the antibiotic cream from him setting it by Daryl.
"*She* can hear you!" She spat, he leered looking her up and down in a way that made her blush.
"Ya, am I right?" He asked moving into her space, her throat closed up her mind flashing to Ed putting his cigerette out on her stomach. Daryl saw her start to shake as Merle towered over her. He whipped the antibiotic cream at his head drawing blood with the pointed end of the tube.
"Leave her the fuck alone Merle!" Daryl snarled, Merle laughed backing up. Carol practically fell back in relief rushing to the sanctuary of the camper.
"She's a mousey little thing." Merle said wiping ointment on the new cut on his temple.
"Her fuckin husband beat her, you gettin in her face twice her damn size, what ya think that brings up fer her?" Daryl asked, Merle looked guilty rubbing the back of his neck, niether of them liked the idea of a battered woman. Their mom had always taught them never to raise a hand against a woman like buck did.
"Fuck, didn't mean to scare her, just havin some fun." He mumbled, Daryl shrugged rolling his shoulder and hearing it pop.
"Ya never do." Daryl countered, Merle's expression hardened.
"So ya stayin here, or ya comin back with me?" Merle asked, Daryl looked over at the camper.
"I'm stayin." He told him, Merle grinned slapping his shoulder.
"Good luck baby brother." He teased heading back towards his bike. Daryl went into the camper seeing Carol sitting curled in on her self crying.
"He ain't as bad as he seems." Daryl tried, she looked up at him shaking her head.
"It's not even that, I thought... I thought I was getting better, stronger ya know. Like if Ed showed up I wouldn't cowtoe to what he wanted, like I'd stand up to him, but Merle... he wasn't even trying and I crumbled." She choked out tears rolling down her cheeks.
"Ya done fine, ain't like this shit fixes it's self over night." He reassured her going to sit next to her on her little folded down bed. She sat up pulling her knees into her chest and wiping her eyes.
"I just... I wanna be stronger. I can't even defend myself. I should... I don't know, maybe I should buy a gun." She mumbled, Daryl nodded thinking about it for a long moment.
"Can you actually use a gun?" He asked, she sighed letting her head fall onto her knees.
"No, it was stupid." She mumbled, he frowned walking out the door without a word. She gapped at the empty space he'd abandon while he walked out to his truck. He grabbed his crossbow out and popped open his glove box fetching his practice tips. He came back seeing her sitting their looking dumbfounded.
"Ya comin or what?" He asked, she looked confused, but got up and followed him. He grabbed a few boards from the scrap setting up a sizable target. He scored an ex in the center and went back to stop Carol.
"If ya can shoot this ya can use damn near any rifle." He told her cocking the string back and knocking a bolt before he handed her his most prized posetion. She took it gingerly obviously not sure how to hold it.
"Butt the stock up against yer shoulder, she won't kick like a rifle, but the aim is the same principle. Look through the scope and put the middle a the cross hairs where ya want the bolt to go.
"Take a deep breath and hold it when ya squeaze the trigger. Ain't much else to it, 'cept here... stand like that." He said tapping her anckle so he could move her feet into the right position.
"Like this?" She asked holding the bow awkwardly he chuckled shakeing his head.
"Na. Here." He said shifting to stand behind her, he put his hands over hers showing her where they belonged. She leaned back into his powerful chest comforted by his warmth and the rough feel of his hands against hers.
"Pull the trigger." He had meant the words to come out normally, but with her pressed against him all soft and warm it was instead a husky whisper in her ear. She seemed to startle a bit, then fired.
"See, that ain't so hard." He said backing away she fumbled a step at the loss of his touch.
"Ya, I can do that." She said trying to stand how he'd shown her.
"Put that on the ground, stick yer foot in it to hold it down while ya pull the string back." Daryl explained grabbing the string to make sure it didn't slip while she tried to cock it back.
"Holy cow that's hard." Carol groaned, he chuckled letting go of the bow now that the string was locked back.
"It ain't set light, but it gets easier. Just load the bolt, and fire." He offered, Daryl didn't know why he was doing this, he never let anyone use his bow. He just wanted to help her, to keep her from ever feeling helpless again. Carol fired, her aim wasn't perfect, but she wasn't half bad at shooting.
"Not bad, don't whince when ya pull the trigger and ya might even be a decent shot." He teased, she blushed putting the bow down and struggling to cock the string back again.
"I'll try." She mumbled loading a bolt, she could do this, it wasn't so hard. She fired and it hit mostly where she wanted, she gasped doing a little hop.
"I did it!" She wooped turning to Daryl with a beaming smile. She took his breath away, hell he'd buy her, her own bow if it would make her smile like that again.
"Good, now let's get my bolts back and see if ya can do it again." He offered, she looked down at the bow slinging it over her shoulder with a satisfied nod.
"How many people have you tought how to shoot?" She asked trying to wriggle a bolt out of the wood Daryl yanked one out looking up at her.
"Just you." He answered pulling the other one out before she'd freed hers. She looked up her hand ceasing to work the bolt.
"Really?" She asked all wide eyed and shocked like that made this mean something more then it did.
"Ya, ain't got a lot a friends who don't already know." He played it off wrapping his hand around hers and yanking the bolt free.
"Ya, I guess my parents never bothered to teach me much, and well, you met Sophie, she was a bit of a pacifist, and Ed... well he... you saw." Carol tried to make excuses, Daryl shrugged.
"Ya ain't half bad at it. Keep practicin, I'll cook tonight." Daryl offered turning to go check the freezer Carol's disbeliving stare stopped him.
"You cook?" She asked, he shrugged looking down at his boots.
"I grill, guess it ain't the same." He dismissed, she smiled cocking the bow back again.
"I've never had a man cook for me before." She said loading a bolt, ya she could do this. He shook his head going to get the food.
"Ain't nothin special woman, just grillin steak and potatoes." He dismissed her excitement again, but made a mental note to cook more. Carol watched out of the corner of her eye while he cooked. She had to shake this delusion that he was more then he was to her. He obviously wasn't interested or they'd have kissed while she was drunk, and coming onto him.
"Foods done." He told her cracking his beer and sitting down at the picknick table. Carol set the bow gently on the table by him before dishing up a plate. Daryl looked over at the decent grouping of holes in the target.
"I think I'm ready for an actual gun, or my own crossbow, though I think a gun would actually be cheaper." She told him, he looked down at his bow resting his hand on it gently.
"Then any bow worth buyin." He confirmed, she took a bite of her steak and smiled a sweet little moan escaping that made Daryl glad he was sitting down.
"This is delicious." She told him, he smirked picking at his own food.
"Ain't nothin special." He mumbled, she took another bite moaning again.
"I beg to differ, this may be the first meal I haven't had to cook or pay for in my whole adult life. Not to mention these are amazing." She insisited taking another bite, he was so mesmerised by her little moans of pleasure that he nearly forgot about his own damn food.
"Can't be that damn good, don't think we're even eatin the same thing." Daryl said reaching over and stealing a hunk of her steak since she was obviously playing it up, and her moaning like he was fucking her had him feeling confidant enough to tease her like she did him.
"Hey!" She gasped reaching over and stealing a piece of his steak as pay back.
"Ain't nothin special, think you're losin it woman." He teased once he'd swallowed.
"Maybe it's just you, my mouth tastes delicious." She told him with a little moan as she ate his piece. He swallowed hard clamping down on his response.
"I should find a job, I don't want to use up all of Sophie's money before the house is even built." Carol said out of the blue, Daryl frowned not sure where that had come from.
"If ya want, I ain't apposed to payin for shit though." He said filling his mouth to keep it shut.
"I know, but... I just want to get a job and be able to take care of myself, I never want to feel like I need Ed ever again." She told him, he nodded slightly, that made a certain kind of sense to him, he'd never liked owing folks.
"Old vet clinic off a Mill road had a now hiring sign on it, had been thinkin about stoppin by before Trick hired me here." He told her, she hummed her interest.
"I do like animals, plus it's close. I'm glad you didn't get a job there though, then I never would have met you." She whispered the last part with a fork full of steak in front of her mouth.
"Ya." He mumbled his agreement, she smiled finishing her food in silence.
"Come on." She said hopping up and rushing to grab the worn wool blanket and backing towards the woods.
"Where are we goin?" He asked getting up to follow before she answered.
"My favorite placing the whole world, which reminds me, I'm afraid I have to swear you to secrecy. No one else knows about this place." She told him, he sucked both his lips in gnawing on them while he noded slightly holding his hand up solemnly.
"Hand to God." He offered, she smiled, she was beyond grateful for Daryl being here to keep her distracted. She just couldn't cry anymore, and she knew Sophie wouldn't want that either. She lead him to a huge old tree with a ladder made of boards nailed to the trunk so long ago that the tree bark was growing around them as the tree tried to claim them.
"Feel like I'm climbin into Narnia or some shit." Daryl commented as they climbed the surprisingly sturdy ladder, Carol giggled.
"Could be, strange and magical things happen up here, Sophie used to go on about it because it's supposedly in some kind of fairy circle." She told him, he hurumphed as she got to the top.
"Ain't sure how magical the shit is, but it's got a fairy Circe, that's what that ring a mushrooms is called." He told her, Carol climbed up onto what turned out to be a platform nestled in the canopy of the tree, from which they could see the dying light as it filtered over the thick, lush Green of Sophie's woods.
"Sophie loved all that stuff, I..." She started laying the blanket out for them. "Just liked to come out here and watch the fireflies." She told him sitting down for a moment before she could point out the first pale green flicker of a lightning bug. He climbed up sitting on the blanket, but leaving some space between them.
"Ain't nothin wrong with wantin a little magic in this shit world, magic or not, it sure is peaceful." He told her while the last light of day trickled down into the night.
"Ya." She breathed the words like anything more would break the magic of the scene before them, with it's streaks of midnight blue flickering with what was now probably hundreds of fire flies all along the canopy.
"Once it gets really dark it looks like you're floating in the stars." She whispered, he hummed his approval of the idea, and they fell into a peaceful silence just watching the world drain of it's light and turn into a sparkling sea of dancing light that he would agree with Sophie was pretty damn magical, but none of it compared to the scerene little smile that played over Carols soft features in the pale moonlight.
He didn't know how long they slept there, but he woke up to the blinding light of sunrise with Carol tucked against his side. He laid there for a moment basking in the sensation of her curled up warm against him, until he realised he'd have to be at work if not soon then already. He shot up scrambling towards the ladder.
"Fuck!" Daryl snarled shifting over to the ladder, Carol groaned waking up to him scrambling down the ladder.
"Daryl?" Carol asked, he looked up as he got to the ground looking rather frantic.
"Gonna be fuckin late!" He called up to her rushing off, Carol sighed following him, feeling bad that she'd potentially gotten him in trouble.
"The hell were ya doin in the woods boy?" Trick asked as he got out of his truck, he scratched the back of his neck before gnawing at his thumb nail.
"Had to piss." He lied, Trick looked up seeing Carol coming out of the woods not far behind him, both of them looking ruffled and embarrassed.
"Right!" He chuckled, Daryl looked over his shoulder to see Carol trying to sooth the creases in her clothes, he groaned realising what Trick must think.
"It ain't..! Fuck!" Daryl cursed as Trick walked away, Daryl wanted to change, but that would mean going into the camper to get clothes, and he'd never hear the end of that, so he just got to work.
"Hey little momma, how ya doin?" Trick asked as Carol passed him. She blushed tucking her short curls back unnecessarily.
"I'm good, can I get you boys anything, any lunch requests?" She asked, he chuckled shaking his head.
"Don't go tellin my wife, but yer the best damn cook I ever met, whatever you make 'll do fine, better then. We're gonna get started with the actual buildin today, by the time we're finished you'll have done spoiled my crew." He teased, she smiled looking over at Daryl.
"I don't mind, I never liked eating alone." She told him, he laughed and his attention was drawn to the larger black man everyone seemed to call T pulling up with the lumber .
"I best get to work, you have a nice day Miss." He told her heading off to get started. Carol went in and showered, putting on her best clothes, and headed to Mill road. Daryl looked up when she opened her car door, and met her eye. She smiled, and he offered her a little nod.
"You best treat that woman right." T-dog told him with a nudge, Daryl blushed.
"Ain't even like that, why the fuck's everybody on about shit, ain't even goin on!?" Daryl snapped, T chuckled watching her car pull out.
"We all love Carol, but she's only got eyes for you redneck." He teased grabbing a board off the truck before Daryl could fight him on it. Daryl smiled slightly at the idea, as crazy as it was.
It didn't take Carol long to get to the Clinic, it had a carefully carved and painted sign that read 'Green Family Vetrenary Clinic.' Carol parked in the last parking spot in the small lot in case someone needed to bring in a pet. She flipped her viser down checking her light makeup.
She got out and headed inside feeling nervous, she'd worked in an office right out of highschool, but after she married Ed he'd insisted she didn't need a job. Inside a pretty little blond was thumbing through a magazine behind the desk, she looked up as the bell on the door chimed.
"Hi, welcome to the Green Family clinic, did ya have an appointment?" She asked sweetly with a bright smile that made her look so innocent.
"Um, no, I saw the sign." She started, the girl perked up her smile brightening.
"Oh, is little Hunter your puppy, cause we really can't keep him, and it's been a month now, and we don't wanna send him to the pound, so if ya wanted a puppy he's just the cutest one you could find!" She said happily, Carol was stunned for a second by her enthusiasm.
"Well no, I was here to apply for the job, but I wouldn't mind meeting Hunter, I've always wanted a pet." She told the girl, she beamed coming around the desk.
"Oh good, I was worried I'd be stuck here all summer, come on my daddy's in back with Hunter now, you can chat with him while I get ya an application, I'm Beth by the way." Beth told her leading her into the back.
"I'm Carol, it's very nice to meet you." Carol told her, Beth smiled back at her opening the door to a small kennel for the animals who had to stay over night.
"Hey Daddy, this is Carol, she's here to see Hunter and apply for the job." Beth told a white haired man with a thick beard and kind eyes who was kneeling on the floor with a little black and white mutt puppy who almost looked like a husky, except his paws turned out, and his head bore a small resemblance to a German sheaperd with the strikingly blue eyes from the husky side.
"Well, you must be quite the lady to come in here looking to solve all our problems, I'm Hershel Green, you've met my daughter Bethy, come meet Hunter." He said in a sweet fatherly tone, she smiled sitting down beside him, Hunter Yipped hopping from side to side before scrambling up into Carol's lap and licking her face.
"Carol Mason, he seems friendly!" Carol giggled, Hershel chuckled scratching the pup between the ears as he settled down flopping over so Carol would rub his tummy.
"Always a good sign when animals like ya, have you done any work with 'em before?" He asked, Carol shook her head petting Hunter absently.
"My Grandmother had quite a few before she passed, Sophie Mason, you may know her. I'm afraid I haven't done anything but office work and that was a few years back now. I just got out of a somewhat unhealthy marriage, and I really need a fresh start." She told him, he smiled leaning back with a look like he was remembering something.
"I know how that goes, I liked Sophie well enough, Howe and I used to go to the bar together in our younger days, I'm sad to say we fell out when he met Sophie and stopped drinking, we had only just reconciled when he passed. I'll tell ya what, you fill out that application, and I'll look over yers first." He assured her, Carol beamed her hand stilling.
"Thank you so much, I could really use the work." She told him, as Hunter Yipped rolling over far enough to nudge her hand with his nose. She giggled as Beth came back with an application.
"Well Daddy seems to like ya, Hunter too, have ya put any thought into taking him home with ya?" Beth asked, Carol smile getting up still holding Hunter.
"He's a little scruffy for my taste, but I might just take this cutey." Carol teased nuzzling Hunter, Beth laughed as Herschel ran a hand over his beard laughing at the good natured joke.
"Well I think we should hire her Daddy." Beth told him handing Carol a pen and the application. Carol sat in the chair in the corner by the small table letting Hunter rest in her lap while she filled in her application.
"I'll add ya to her reference list." Herschel teased, once Carol finished she decided she would take Hunter home with her. Herschel gave her a leash to go with his plain blue collar, happy to see him go somewhere safe.