AUTHOR NOTE: As promised a whole new chapter. Nice and long just for you! Hope you all enjoy! And sorry if there are some spelling errors since I wrote half of this with one hand as there was a cat asleep on my other arm.

Chapter 10

Rebecca put the phone down just as Lou stepped into the room.

"I thought you said you were going to the bathroom?" She asked with her eyebrows raised.

"Um, I was, I mean I did, I mean," Becca paused for a second to get her bearings. She wasn't lying when she told Ty that she suspected that Lou breathed fire. She could practically see the smoke coming out of her mouth with each breath, although that could have just been from the frosty morning air.

The two then proceeded to engage in a type of staring match, both participants not willing to lose. It was a minute or two before Becca's shoulder's sagged in defeat. She honestly didn't know how anyone could win against this woman in a battle of wills. She was starting to suspect that Lou's stubbornness might well surpass her own.

"I was just talking to Ty." She broke under the pressure. Becca had a strong fear that Lou could tell when someone was lying. She mentally added x-ray vision onto her list with fire breathing.

"You know, since you'll be staying let's get a few things settled." Lou said walking into the kitchen, clearly expecting Becca to follow her. She did of course.

"First of all," she said while grabbing a thermos out of a cupboard, "you can use the phone whenever you need to. There's no need to think up some false pretence to call your brother."

She paused as she flicked the switch on the coffee pot and turned to face her, placing her hands on the counter behind.

"Second, you don't need to ask for permission to use the phone or the bathroom or the kitchen. I don't want you to starve to death because you're too scared to ask for a piece of toast. Third, since you are now a resident of this ranch, I expect you to act as such. So, starting tomorrow you will help Mallory feed and water the horses in the morning and in the afternoon help Caleb clean out the stalls. Any issues so far?"

Becca quietly shook her head. Despite how strict Lou was coming across, a warm feeling was making itself known in her stomach. It had been months since she had actual chores to do. Before her mum died she had owned and managed her own ranch which meant that Becca had to do a lot of the heavy lifting herself. She was starting to get excited as the prospect of spending time outside started to become a reality. While all the jogging was keeping her fit, she hated all the time she had to spend cooped up inside. She guessed it had something to do with the thugs that attacked her last night. In some sick way the man who called himself her father was protecting her.

"You know," Lou started, as she pushed off from the counter and stepped closer to the young girl. "We're not that bad once you get to know us. You never know, you might grow to like it here" her voice had softened a bit, as had her eyes as she spoke.

Before Becca had a chance to answer the coffee pot whistled, grabbing their attention. After a second of gazing at Bec, she turned around and proceeded to fill up her thermos. With her back to Rebecca, she continued talking.

"I suspect that you really don't want to be wearing Mallory's clothes any longer then you have too. Considering that your Amy's age, you can wear some of her clothes. They might be a bit big on you, but I promise there's not a rainbow or unicorn in sight."

Becca, suddenly didn't like the change in conversation topic. It was then that she decided to speak up.

"I have clothes." She said stubbornly, unaware that her brow was furrowing the way Ty's would when he became frustrated.

"I noticed." Lou said as she eyed her ripped and torn jeans, worn out sneakers and baggy shirt almost hidden underneath the bright pink jacket that Mallory had loaned her. Becca really didn't like accepting charity but it was a really cold morning so working outside, she needed something more substantial. She was hoping she could shed the item of clothing as soon as possible as pink was definitely not her colour and despite how small she was, it was a little to snug for her liking. It didn't help that her shoes were now caked in mud. She didn't mention the trail she had tracked through the house, and while she was sure she saw it, Lou didn't mention it either.

"Take that jacket off before it cuts off circulation to your arms." Lou stated as she made her way purposefully into the entryway. A line of cloaks and jumpers were hanging on the hooks and boots were lined haphazardly along the ground underneath.

"Fine," Becca huffed as she shrugged the jacket off. While she outwardly showed frustration at Lou's bossiness, inside Becca was grudgingly happy that she was going to finally be wearing clothes suitable for the climate and that weren't pink.

"It's a little big." Becca said as she pulled on the thick khaki jacket Lou handed her.

"Of course it is," Lou said, in a tone that said she was maybe slightly amused at the girls grumbling, "You're quite smaller then Amy, but it will do until I can take you out shopping."

As Lou turned her attention towards the shoes cluttered on the floor, Becca froze.

"Shopping?" she asked, certain she had heard the woman wrong.

"Yes, shopping." Lou replied exasperatedly as she bent down to grab a pair of gum boots.

"Here try these on," she said, thrusting the footwear into Rebecca's stiff hands, "I don't want any more mud tracked through this house."

"I don't need to go shopping!" exclaimed Becca, starting to feel cornered by Lou's mothering, "Ty will be back soon with my clothes. These stuff," she said indicating to the jacket and gum boots, "are just a loan until he gets back."

"I'm not taking no for an answer." Lou said as she forced Becca to sit down and take her muddy shoes off, "Tell me I'm wrong when I say that the only clothes you have don't fit, are falling apart and will probably give you pneumonia before the weeks out."

Lou stood there will her hands on her hips staring Becca down, who could only cast her eyes towards the ground as she pretended to be focused on getting the gum boots on her feet. All the clothes she had at the moment were what her father had bought her. Every piece of clothing she had owned were ashes on the wind by now.

"I'll be fine." Becca croaked out before abruptly standing and walking quickly out the front door. As she stepped into the sun, she pretended that the sudden influx of light was what made her eyes water.

As she walked towards Mallory, who was, by the looks of it, trying to get a cat to walk on a leash she had attached to its collar. The animal itself was sitting quietly, staring at the child, with a look of boredom on its face, as Mallory tried to coax it forward with a biscuit. Considering it was a dog treat, Becca didn't think she was going to get too far.

"Mallory!" Lou yelled across the yard. The young girl immediately dropped both leash and biscuit before straightening up to attention. The cat, now free of the incessant tugging, slowly meandered towards the stables, the cord trailing along behind it.

"I thought I told you to keep clearing up this mess? I don't remember telling you to terrorize Tiger." Becca thought the word 'terrorize' was a bit strong. The feline looked as though it had been subjected to Mallory before and as such took the treatment with an air of monotony.

"Well you two were taking so long and I thought it unfair if I cleaned all the branches and leaves and stuff without leaving stuff for you so as you can see," She said while indicating to the area in front of the stables, "I have cleared my designated section. Don't worry Becca, I'm sure I can find time in my busy schedule to help you with your section, since your new and all that. Lou you've got the space in front of the house. Okay everyone, let's get moving. This debris isn't going to move itself and I think Coppers getting restless. If he doesn't get his morning carrot he can go a bit stir crazy."

Both Lou and Rebecca were left blinking as Mallory finished. It took a second for Lou to realise how she was supposed to reply to that speech.

"Funny, I don't remember designating sections."

Mallory shrugged, not put out by the way Lou's eyebrows rose.

"Of course not. Efficiency is something I know how to do Lou. Management material I am. It's a wonder how this place runs so smoothly without me. Don't worry now that I'm living here I can get everything on track for you. You don't need to know what I'm planning now Lou," Mallory said as she saw the older woman opening her mouth to interrupt, "I'll write a list and give it to you to look over. I can't very well manage without a secretary now can I?"

Lou, seeming to give up the fruitless task of shutting Mallory up, closed her eyes and sighed. A moment later Lou looked towards the girl.

"Mallory, why don't you go and feed the horses, and show Becca what to do. She'll be helping you from now own."

Becca looked at Lou with betrayal in her eyes and Mallory immediately ran up to her and grabbed her wrist in a vice like grip. With the way Lou was smiling evilly behind them, Becca suspected that it was her intention all along to get the hyperactive girl off of her back and onto Becca's. As Mallory started pulling her towards the large barn, Lou called out one final comment.

"Oh and Becca?" Becca managed to halt Mallory tugging for a second as she turned to face her, "Have fun." And with that Mallory's strong pull became too hard to resist as they entered the hay smelling stable and out of Lou's line of sight. The last thing Becca saw was Lou taking a long sip of her coffee before closing her eyes peacefully and turning her face up towards the ever warming sun.

As the older woman disappeared, Becca turned her attention back to Mallory who had let go of her wrist and was moving to stand in front of a calm looking chestnut horse with a white stripe down his face.

"This is Copper." Mallory said, reaching up to pat his neck as the horse leaned his head over the stall to start sniffing the girl's jacket.

"He's my horse, well almost. I half own him and I'm working off the other half. I own his front half. I made sure that was part of the deal I struck with Lou. Oh, don't worry about him," Mallory said, misinterpreting the way Becca was starting at the equine, "he's just looking for a treat. I like to give him a morning apple or carrot. He likes sugar cubes more but they're bad for his teeth. Scott said I had to stop feeding him so many or his mouth would fall out so I had to change sugar cubes to apples."

"I'm not scared." Becca said defensively. Since she had stepped into the barn, she could feel herself relaxing with the familiar smells and sounds. Her heart almost leaped out of her chest with joy as she reached forward and started stroking Copper's forehead.

"My mum and I used to own horses before," a lump formed in her throat as she mentioned her mother but the Copper's calmness let the lump dissipate soon after it appeared.

"I've had horses all my life actually," Becca continued softly, stroking the animal, "although it's been ages since I've been near one."

"Oh that's great!" squealed Mallory excitedly, making Becca smile and the girl's enthusiasm. How could she not feel happy around Mallory? The girl practically oozed cheerfulness.

"Does that mean you can ride? We can go on trail rides together! Although I was hoping to practice my teaching skills with you. Oh well, now we can skip that part and go right to riding together! Oh my gosh, the cattle drive is in a month. We are going to have so much fun!"

"Woah! Calm down!" Becca laughed, placing her hands on Mallory's shoulders to stop the jumping that was starting to happen. Copper was unperturbed as he continued to search for his daily carrot. Becca didn't know why she had told Mallory that. Ty didn't even know. Horses was a passion her mum and her shared and it hurt to think about it, yet since arriving here last night, she was starting to feel happier then she had in five months.

Becca continued to smile as she felt Mallory practically vibrating beneath her hands in excitement. The girl was so likable and innocent. After clearing the air with her last night, Becca could help but open up to her. She guessed Mallory's talkative nature was rubbing off on her.

"Oh my gosh!" Mallory continued to babble, "I can't wait to we tell Lou and Amy! We might be able to get off feeding duty and finally get into helping train the horses! I've trying for ever to get Amy to teach me to jump, but she said I can only learn on Copper and if you've ridden Copper you would know that he can't even walk across the yard without tripping over his feet. How is he supposed to walk over poles? Last time I set up a jump he just walked through it! Do you jump? Do you specialize in anything? Amy does show jumping but she professionally whispers to horses and cures them. You know? Like you see in the movies and on YouTube. She tells a horse to lay down and poof! It's rolling onto its back. That's what she does. Just last week, a horse came in absolutely terrified of the water. Next day, we couldn't get him out of the dam we have in the paddocks."

Becca quickly shushed Mallory before she wasn't able to get her to stop.

"You can't tell anyone!" Becca pleaded. She didn't want anyone else to know yet her past with the animals. They sat close to her heart right next to her mother and she fearfully thought that if everyone started pestering her about her past with the equines, her mum would inevitably come up and she wasn't ready to talk about that right now.

"Please Mallory. I really don't want anyone to know I ride."

Mallory looked shocked.

"Why not?" she asked.

"I just don't want anybody to know right now." Becca continued to plead, trying to get the point across to Mallory. Luckily, she seemed to understand, at least partially. Maybe it was the tone in Becca's voice or the look on her face that made Mallory agree.

"I promise," said Mallory, "I will try my 100, no! 200% best to keep this a secret. I should warn you though I'm not very good at keeping my mouth shut."

Becca smiled in relief as she dropped her hands from Mallory's shoulders.

"That's okay," she sighed, "As long as you really try, anyway if you feel like you're about to just start talking about learning to jump or something. I'm sure with enough pestering Amy will eventually give in and let you ride a different horse."

"You think?" piped Mallory, eyes sparkling at the thought.

"Sure, I mean look how you managed to wear Lou down to get out of cleaning up the rest of the yard. I'm sure you could do the same with Amy."

"Yeah," said Mallory, eyes zoning out for a second as she imagined what it would be like riding a horse other than Copper over a fence, "and you could help me!"

"Me?" queried Becca, "What could I do?"

"I don't know yet." Replied Mallory, "I'm sure I'll think of something though. Anyway, we're friends now so you're obligated to help me."

She didn't know why, but Becca smiled widely at Mallory's last comment. Even before she became isolated at her dad's, she didn't have very many friends. Her aggressive and defensive nature kept a lot of people at bay, although she wasn't that standoffish before the accident.

"Definitely." Agreed Becca as the two shook hands to 'seal the deal' as Mallory put it.

And with that the two new partners in crime turned to feed the hungry stomachs that were waiting for them.

AUTHORS NOTE: How'd it go? Did you enjoy it? Please continue to review, I love getting everyone's comments and next chapter is in Amy's POV so get excited!