Chapter 10

Disclaimer: Here we are folks, the final chapter of Wild Times In Texas. Big thanks to everybody who has reviewed, favorited, and followed! As for the quest who asked me why this is ending, well it can't go on forever now can it? But don't worry, I have a sequel coming soon and afterwards I'm thinking of doing a full on story that spans years (high school and college primarily) after the season ends that's set after the sequel for this story. Anywho.. One with the show!

Sunday, November 29th, 2015 11:40 AM at the Friar Ranch

Sunday arrived and it was time for Riley and everybody else to head on back to New York and more than one person was sad about that. Cory, Riley, Topanga, and Auggie would be taking the train back while Katy, Shawn, and Maya would be going in the truck with the mobile trailer. Lucas and his parents would be going back by car and the Babineaux's had already left earlier that morning after a quick stop by Vanessa's so that Zay could see her before leaving. Lucas and Pappy Joe had gone out about two hours ago to spend a little more time together as well since it would likely be awhile before Lucas would get to see him again. Friday and Saturday had seen everybody making the most of the time they had left and it had all proven to be very enjoyable for everyone. Even Pappy Joe, McCullough Sr., his grandson Timmy, Cletus, Dylan, Asher, and Vanessa had even gotten in on the fun as well.

Vanessa, true to her word had told many a story about Zay and even a few about Lucas with some tidbits thrown in from Dylan and Asher while Lucas and Zay were too embarrassed by the whole thing to really say anything. Riley and Maya had ate it all up with one loving it more than the other considering some of what Riley had heard was things she didn't necessarily like since it had involved Lucas doing some bad things. For Farkle, it left the young genius wishing he had been there for all of it and when Zay noticed how down he was looking instantly realized what was going on. And made sure to remind his friend that he had been there for it all as he had told the genius on the day Lucas had won the trophy for riding Tombstone the Bull for four seconds. Something Farkle had appreciated greatly and even Dylan, Asher, and Lucas said the same thing.

They had even offered to help Farkle find some trouble of his own to get into that would cement what they said but in the end they had gone fishing since trouble wasn't something he was looking to do. The genius would even get to learn how to skin fish from Pappy Joe and McCullough Sr. much to the disgust of Riley, Maya, Auggie, Topanga, Cory, Katy, Stuart, and Shawn. They'd later learn that Farkle had been counting prime numbers in his head in an attempt to keep from getting sick himself over the skinning until after it was done. Something he admitted that nearly hadn't worked much to Maya's amusement. A group photo had been taken on Pappy Joe's porch Saturday night around eleven before Lucas and Zay's friends had gone home and the New York bunch started to get ready for bed.

And once Lucas and Pappy Joe got back, the older man had gathered the four teens together and told the New Yorkers that if they wanted, they were welcome to come and spend the Summer there in Austin. Lucas was especially happy about the idea and it showed and Pappy Joe would go on to say that he would love to continue Farkle's education in the ways of the Cowboy life. Something the genius could get behind since he did like it quite a bit but made no promises since he wasn't sure what his parents would want to do during the Summer. Maya actually liked the idea of coming back since she privately liked the outfits Texas has. The fact a certain Huckleberry hadn't taken his eyes off her since seeing her wasn't lost on her either. As she'd been wearing a multi-colored Chevron print cowl neck with long sleeves and a black belt with brown boots with her hair in a ponytail.

While Riley had opted to wear blue jeans with black boots, and a pink long sleeved button up shirt with white floral print and rhinestones on it. Something that had also caught Lucas' eye and if Maya wasn't mistaken, Farkle's too. And once everyone had gotten ready to leave, Maya had disappeared back into the house much to everyone else's confusion but was soon back outside and carrying something rather big. Something Riley had a good idea about what it was but was really curious about what her best friend and sister in all but blood had created. "Pappy Joe, I think you're gonna like this." Remarked Lucas as the Blonde Beauty came up to them with a smile on her face.

As any painting of hers was always a sight to behold in his opinion. And he knew full well that everybody else who'd seen her work agreed with that. For Wendy, Jefferson, Stuart, Jennifer, and Shawn, this would be a first time experience for them. "Well whatcha got there lil' lady?" Asked Pappy Joe with a smile in Maya's direction.

"This is a little something I made in honor of you."

That made the older man pretty darn curious and he couldn't wait to see what she had made. Handing it to him without a word, he looked at her for a moment before turning it over and was pretty much taken aback in amazement by what she had made. "Good gravy and bacon! You made this Maya!?"

He turned it around so that everyone could see and they were all amazed by it. For Shawn, seeing just how well Maya could create stunned him as she hadn't realized just how talented she truly was. This girl is gonna take the art world by storm and I can't wait to see that. Thought the man to himself with a smile.

Katy was proud as can be of her baby girl and the talent she has and hoped she wouldn't ever turn away from it like the Clutterbucket side of the family would most likely do since most of them had a history of quitting before even really truly beginning. For the Minkus clan, Stuart and Jennifer had the shared thought with but a look at one another that they would be very willing to buy any artwork the blonde did if that was the kind of work she was capable of. Farkle, Lucas, and the Matthews' were all very proud of Maya for creating such a great piece of work and would definitely keep encouraging her to keep practicing her skills in art. Jefferson whistled at the work while Wendy had a big beaming smile on her face. "Damn girl, that's some amazing work." Said Jefferson and no one else could disagree with that.

The painting in question was of Pappy Joe facing a Bull head on by grabbing it by the horns with a big smile on his face. For Maya, it signified the older man's speech about grabbing life by the horns as it runs harder then any Bull and riding your fears before they ride you. The older man's eyes were suspiciously watery looking but nobody said anything and he handed it over to Lucas and quickly enveloped Maya in a hug that she quickly returned. Shawn was quick to take a photo of the scene too as he figured Maya would love to have it to be forever reminded of. Pulling out of the hug, Pappy Joe placed his hands on her shoulders and looked right into her eyes with a proud smile on his face. "No matter what happens in life, you are ALWAYS welcome here Maya. And as I said before, I'd consider it an honor to be your Pappy Joe for as long as I live."

His words had made the girl who considered herself as broken to tear up and hugged him again. "Thank you Pappy Joe, thank you." She told him in heartfelt sincerity that had more than one person there tearing up over the beautiful scene in front of them.

And after what seemed like forever, the two parted and the older man told Maya he'd hang it up in the best place possible in his house. Something she loved knowing and showed it by giving him another hug. Afterwards, he'd hug Riley and Farkle while Lucas handed the painting to Maya and after he and Lucas pulled away from their hug, he kept a hold of the young man by his shoulders. "Lucas, make no mistake about it, I love you and I am sorry fer makin' things worse on ya by puttin' so much pressure on ya."

Wendy had had a long talk with him and Jefferson over the whole thing and her husband had finally even gotten an 'I love you' from his father as well during it. The talk had helped to show both men that things had been really handled wrong where Lucas was concerned. But it wasn't too late to change that and both promised to try and make things better. Though Jefferson admitted it wouldn't exactly be easy for him considering how much of a hard ass he could be but Wendy simply had said that at least he would try and that's all that counted. "We all do things we think is right even if its really wrong Pappy Joe. But its all in the past now as far as I'm concerned."

He got hugged again for that before the group finally had to get going and Maya handed Pappy Joe back the painting and got a one armed hug from him before joining her mom and Shawn in the truck as she wiped away tears. Pappy Joe stood where he was as he watched them all leave while wishing that they didn't have too. As he made his way back inside the house once he could longer see them, he thought to himself that he could go on to his final adventure after having gotten such a great memory. But it wasn't his time yet and he hoped it wouldn't be for a long time to come. Preferably a few years after his grandson and his little artist had a few kids for him to spoil. Heh, ol' Wendy would probably hit me upside the head fer thoughts like that. But it'd be worth it since he knew his daughter in law was pretty darn fond of Maya as it is.

Pappy Joe couldn't wait to see what happened next with those kids and he truly hoped the best for his grandson as he went into the world.

Author's Notes: May there have been much enjoyment of this final chapter! Heck, certainly took me a few hours to write up but quality is important none the less. Even suffered through hearing some Dolly Parton film that was on tonight while writing this too. Which that probably helped put in more emotion for this chapter if that makes sense. The painting was something I'd long been looking forward to writing about after I thought about it. Once again, many thanks for all the support of this story! Cavenders is also a great site for Cowgirl outfits. And see you all very soon for the sequel I'm calling 'A Very Philly Occasion!' R and R!