A/N: My usual thanks to mingsmommy for the advice and beta. Thanks to elm22 for the read through and encouragement and to TDCSI for begging me to get to the "good stuff" (so to speak :) Enjoy!

Chapter 29

Trotting into the town on board their respective horses, the couple headed for the main street.

"The market place is at the far end," Grissom informed his companion, pointing down the road. "It would be a good idea to steer clear of it; it can get a little chaotic." The rancher remembered what happened the last time he brought Sara into a town centre and wished to avoid any similar occurrence.

"Whatever you say," she responded with a slight nod. "You are the guide."

Smiling softly, he now pointed to what must have been the general store in the centre of the street. "We can get most of what we need in there."

"Alright," Sara agreed and followed as he urged Dante towards the store.

They dismounted by a water trough and tied up the horses beside the large drinking bucket. The two animals happily lapped at the liquid as their masters stepped away and walked towards the store, but as Grissom placed his boot onto the first step, someone calling his name caught his attention and he stopped.

"Gil!" a female voice shouted and both Grissom and Sara turned to see a woman approaching. "I thought that was you." She smiled happily.

"Hello, Teresa," the rancher returned warmly, stepping forwards.

"I was told you left town," Teri began, "I knew my friend must have been mistaken."

"Oh, no, I did," he informed her. "I have just returned for a few days to collect some belongings."

"You departed and didn't tell me you were leaving?" The older woman sounded astounded.

The echo of Sara clearing her throat prevented him from giving an immediate answer and he turned his head to glance at his student.

"Again, you are slow with the introductions, Grissom," she told him with half a smile, although he had the feeling her expression was entirely false and it made him feel slightly uneasy.

"Um, yes, sorry, Sara, this is, Teri Miller," he stuttered and looked to his friend. "Teri, this is Sara Sidle."

Both women looked at each other.

"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Sara," the older woman nodded.

Sara nodded in return, "Nice to meet you, also."

"And you…" Teri playfully prodded Grissom in the ribs. "…what is going on with you? Why did you just leave without so much as a goodbye?"

"Well," he began, "the trip was unexpected so I left quickly but matters have arisen that require my undivided time and attention, so I will be returning to Maryland once I have collected what I need. I'll be staying here two or three days, that's all."

Sighing in evident disappointment, Teri looked back at Sara. "So, do you, work for Gil or something?"

A look of bemusement crossed Sara's face and Grissom felt his eyes widening. "No, no," he cut in with a nervous laugh, looking to both women, "quite the opposite, actually."

Sara folded her arms across her chest and Grissom noticed her frustration. What a question…

"I see." She grinned at him. "So, you're babysitting?"

As Sara glared at the woman opposite and was about to add her two cents, Grissom cut in quickly, knowing this could turn ugly and that knowledge was enhanced by what he had learned of Sara's temperament over the last few days.

"I'm sorry, Teri," he started attempting to save face with his guest. "I have quite a lot to do, so really, we must get on."

"Oh, no," She licked her lips. "You are not getting away that easily and," she looked to Sara, "I apologize, Sara, I was only joking, I meant no offense."

Sara still didn't look impressed, apology or not, but she remained silent.

The older woman continued. "I still owe you a dinner remember? For when you assisted me with my foal, so, if you are leaving again, I insist you attend our party."

"That really isn't necessary," he insisted. "We have been on the road for…"

"Nonsense," she interrupted. "It isn't until tomorrow evening, so, my father's house, 7pm and I won't take 'no' for an answer and, you can bring your guest." She grinned again.

"Fine," he submitted on a sigh.

"Excellent, I will see you two tomorrow then." She smiled as Grissom nodded. Slowly, she turned and walked away with a chuckle.

Shuffling around to face his house guest, the rancher seemed a little lost for words. He offered her a weak smile and somewhat shyly slipped his hands into his pockets. "We should probably get the supplies," he began softly, "or breakfast will end up turning into lunch."

It was obvious Sara struggled to bite her tongue at what just happened as it took her a long moment to offer a reply. "Fine," she all but whispered.

"After you," he urged, indicating the store with his outstretched arm.

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After collecting what they needed from the store, the couple took a leisurely stroll back to the house with the two horses happily trotting behind. It didn't take them long and they soon arrived back at the small Grissom estate.

After tying the horses to the porch rail they went inside and Grissom placed the supplies in the kitchen. "Why don't you unpack while I start breakfast?" he called. "Several of the dressers are empty so take as much space as you need."

Looking to her two trunks which had been placed by the bed Sara sighed. Maybe she had packed a little too much. Oh well, she had to make her trip look as realistic as possible. Plus, she didn't need to unpack everything, just the essentials. "Alright," she called back upon hearing the banging of a pan. "I can do that, I guess. Are you sure you don't need any help?"

Popping his head into the room, the rancher smiled, "Just one thing."

"What?" she inquired eagerly.

Leaning against the wall with a boyish grin, he flicked his eyes back to the kitchen for a moment. "What would you like for breakfast?" he asked, folding his arms.

"Ah," Sara scoffed, "the ultimate assistance."

Laughing, he held his hands up. "I am very capable of cooking but I need to know what you would like."

"I told you before, Grissom," she began, kneeling before the first of her trunks. "I am not a fussy eater, so, you decide. Make whatever you wish." She pulled open the lid, blocking her view of her teacher and she quickly scanned the contents of the trunk. Looking over the open piece of luggage, she noticed Grissom was still looking at her and it sent a shiver down her spine as he ran a hand through his hair. Slowly, she closed the lid again as they gazed at each other. He was so ruggedly handsome with his overgrown beard and untidy hair. If she had to look at him all day long, she wouldn't complain.

"I really need to get a haircut," Grissom mumbled, breaking her lovely thought. He rubbed his hand over his chin.

"And a shave?" she added.

"That, too." He nodded in agreement.

"Well…" She pushed herself to her feet. "…I could…well…" she hesitated. "…I could, do it."

"Oh no," he replied with haste. "I don't want to be a bother. You should be enjoying yourself not…"

"Nonsense," she cut in, stepping towards him. "It's no bother. After all, I should do something to earn my keep."

She could see the hesitation on his face and placed a soft, warm hand on his arm. "Please let me do this for you. You have been more than gracious by allowing me to stay in your home. Please," she implored, "it is the least I can do."

After another moment's thought, Grissom finally nodded, "Alright, as you wish. Thank you."

"My pleasure." She licked her lips before offering a sweet smile. "We can do it after breakfast if you wish, or later, I don't mind, whatever you want." She seemed to stumble over her words as they came out all too quickly, a wave a giddiness suddenly washing over her.

The right side of his mouth hitched a grin. "Let's just see how things work out shall we?"

"Sure," she replied quickly.

"Right." He clapped his hands together, "So, no requests for breakfast then?"

"No, anything is fine."

With a quick nod he slipped back into the kitchen and Sara was left to unpack. She rolled her eyes, shook her head and sighed once he was out of sight. She wanted to be with him so much but the mere thought of being close to him, now made her feel nervous. She hadn't felt like that back at the estate but she did now. The fact that they were away from prying eyes and actually alone, probably contributed to her apprehension but she knew one thing. She couldn't get him out of her mind and every second they spent together she fell deeper and deeper. Sara Sidle, for the first time in her life, was in love.

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Grissom stepped out of the kitchen just as Sara finished unpacking what she needed.

"Have enough space?" he asked as she closed the dresser.

"Oh, yes, plenty," she replied with a smile.

"Good. Well, breakfast is ready. Would you like to eat out on the porch?"

"That would be very nice and my…" Sara's nostrils flared. "…the food smells delicious."

"Let's just hope it tastes as good as it smells, shall we?" He half grinned.

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After setting up a small wooden table and two chairs out on the porch the rancher urged his guest to sit while he brought out the food.

Sitting and waiting, Sara looked out over the small estate and sucked in a heavy, satisfying breath of fresh air. It was such a lovely day and not as humid as it had been back in Maryland.

"Here we go," Grissom announced as he walked from the house carrying a tray full of goodies. He placed the tray on the table and watched as Sara took a good look at what was laid out before her.

"This looks wonderful," she said cheerfully.

"Better than you expected?" he asked, taking a seat opposite her.

"Noooo…." she mewed. "I had faith in your cookery skills. I didn't doubt you for a moment." She grinned at him as she looked back down to their feast and he found his own lips forming a proud little smile.

"Well, tuck in," he prompted and Sara didn't dally and immediately went for a spoonful of eggs, a little cheese and a piece of toast.

"You know," she started, after swallowing her first mouthful. "You didn't have to avoid cooking meat because of me. You could have had bacon or something."

Shrugging his shoulders the rancher poured the coffee. "I'm fine with what we have. I'm also not that picky when it comes to food. Coffee?" He held up a cup and Sara took it with a smile.

"Thank you." She sipped from the contents then placed it on the table. "I can see why you moved here," she said looking around. "It's so peaceful."

"That it is," he agreed slipping a fork full of eggs into his mouth.

"May I ask you a personal question?" she inquired, their eyes locking when he looked up.

Suddenly, Grissom felt his heart miss a beat. He wasn't all that great at personal questions; he swallowed hard.

"You," Sara continued, "may decline to answer if you wish."

Flicking a piece of egg across his plate, the rancher contemplated her request. "Go ahead," he finally answered.

"How do you get by here? You know, make money."

"Oh…" he sighed mostly with relief. "Is that all?"

"Why?" Sara chuckled. "Would you like me to ask you something a little more personal?"

"No," he said quickly. "Your first question was just fine."

She laughed as she sipped from her coffee again.

"And, to answer your inquiry, I make money several ways. I don't earn much, mind you." His eyes floated downward for a moment, a tinge of embarrassment creeping up on him. The heiress to the Sidle estate was sitting opposite and here he was with a tiny amount of land pretty much explaining how he survived.

"Grissom…" She placed her cup down and smiled softly. "It's fine, alright? You won't be getting any judgment from me. I really don't care how much money you have. I don't care about money. If I did I'd be playing good little captain's daughter back at the ranch and courting with someone like Hank."

He looked at her and found himself a little startled by her confession. She had always been groomed into the rich life but she didn't care about the wealth she had become so accustomed too? He wasn't so sure about that yet, from what he had gathered so far and it didn't take a genius to figure it out, she was with him right now because she wanted to be. And, for whom he was, not what he possessed.

It made him smile and he shuffled a little in his seat. "Well," he began. "Firstly, there is the horse breeding. As you know, horses are my passion and I manage to make a little money from the sales."

"Is that how you managed to pay for your land?" Sara asked.

Shaking his head, he began to butter a piece of toast. "No, I didn't start the breeding until after I moved here. It took me many years to save for the land."

"Oh, so you haven't always lived here?"

With an easy laugh Grissom shook his head again. "I'll tell you what, let's finish breakfast before it gets cold, then we can take a walk and I can tell you all about it."

"I guess that sounds like a plan," Sara concurred. "It would be a shame to let this lovely food go cold."

Smiling to himself, Grissom poured more coffee and they ate.

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With breakfast finished, the couple took a leisurely stroll around the grounds.

"So, tell me more about yourself," Sara urged, obviously eager to learn a little more about the man walking by her side.

"Well," the rancher began as they approached the exercise field, "what exactly do you wish to know?"

"How did you get to be where you are? You know, here?"

Smiling as he watched his assistant exercising the horses, Grissom leaned against the fence and told his story about how he had become a resident of Alexandria County….

He had arrived in town about two years after he left The Grove with as much as a horse, a few personal possessions and the shirt on his back. That was it. When he vacated the estate, the captain had given him sufficient funds to insure he would survive, at least for the first few months, but after that he would do whatever he could to live and that meant finding work. After all, work meant survival and he would pretty much work so he could eat. Everything from being a farm hand to laboring to crop picking, if it was available and they would take him, he would do it. He saw many towns and met many people working this way, floating from place to place but, eventually he grew tired of moving around and decided to settle down somewhere.

That place was Alexandria County.

Even throughout his travels, he had always been a well educated man thanks initially to Sara's father. If he ever got any spare time he would spend it reading or writing down his experiences in his diary and he always yearned to learn more.

When he first arrived in Alexandria, he found a job working for Teri Miller's father as a ranch hand. His knowledge of horses was welcomed as Mr Miller had the animals but not much experience of dealing with them. And, after losing his main stable boy, he found himself in somewhat of a pickle at the time Grissom arrived. The older man, however, could only afford to give him four out of seven days work due to a current financial issue but despite that the young man took the job as it gave him a roof over his head.

The talents he possessed soon came to light, not only his skills with horses but his intellect and the ability to teach others.

After coaching young Master Miller, his boss's son, who was struggling with his school work, word soon got around about the new arrival in town and people offered him work, left, right and center. Whether they required help on their estates and with their horses or coaching for their children, due to the lack of teachers at the local school, Grissom was their man.

Steadily over time his reputation grew and eventually he was actually offered a job as a part time teacher at the school, a position which he accepted with an extreme amount of pride. So between that, continuing his work on the Miller estate as well helping other farmers around town, he was kept pretty busy and began to save every cent he could.

Several years passed and he had amounted enough funds to buy the land he now lived on. Then, over the next two years or so, with the aid of several friends, he built his house and then the stables.

Eventually, with his new home built and ready to move into, he left the Miller estate, bought a few horses and finally lived his own life. He continued teaching and helping around the town if people asked but he no longer needed to be a full time ranch hand to survive. He had his own home and was in control of his own destiny. Mr Miller was sorry to see him go and after sorting out his financial issues he offered Grissom a full time position at his estate but he declined. The older man understood and wished him the best of luck with his own ventures but made him aware that if he ever wished to return, the position would always be available.

So, he settled into his new home and began a little horse breeding in between his teaching and odd jobs about town. Eventually, he had to hire an assistant, in the form of David Hodges, as the amount of horses he owned grew and he struggled to fit all his tasks into a day. And that was it; he remained living his life this way until he received the captain's telegram.

Leaning against the fence, Sara seemed a little bemused. "Wow," she whispered, "that is quite a story and on your part, it's amazing you have achieved what you have."

"Thank you," he smiled, "All down to hard work and determination, nothing more."

"And the will to survive," she added.

"That, too."

The couple looked over at Hodges for a moment as he continued to ride in the field before Sara continued. "So, after all this time here, you must have many friends."

"I have a few," he confirmed.

"And…" Suddenly she stopped and he looked to her.

"What?" he asked.

"Um, well…" she stuttered. "…you have been here for a long time do you…you know…is there anyone special here, for you?"

"Oh…" Grissom knew immediately what she was eluding too. "...you mean, of the female persuasion?"

With a little hesitation, she nodded.

"No."

"Not even, Teri?" she questioned. "She appeared to know you very well and didn't seem to have a problem getting close to you."

Smiling broadly, he folded his arms. "I have known Terri for a long time. Don't forget I lived at her home for several years but we are just good friends, that's all. I have no personal attachments here."

Now smiling rather bashfully, Sara returned her attention to the field. "He rides rather well," she said pointing to Hodges. "Obviously he had a good teacher."

Grinning to himself, he watched as his assistant rode with the horses around the field. "So, what would you like to do now?" Their gazes met once more. "We can take a walk, or a ride, muck out the stables," he chuckled, "whatever you want, lady's choice."

"Ohhh…." Sara giggled, "My choice, huh?"

"Absolutely….."

A/N: Ooooh what are they going to do? Hehehehe. Get your mind of the gutter people! :) Or maybe not. Let me know your thoughts!