Kayla watched as Mark unloaded his groceries. She stood there for a moment. Mark stopped and looked at her.
"What?" He asked.
"Umm do you mind if I keep my groceries in the house and If I make me something to eat?" Kayla asked.
She shuffled her feet and looked away from him. It was hard for her to have to ask this man for anything.
"Dammit Kayla stop treating me like I'm some horrible demon that keeps you chained in the basement, if you need to use anything in the house, come use it, you don't have to ask." Mark said in frustration and turned and went in the house slamming the door.
Kayla went and got her groceries and took them to the kitchen. She didn't see Mark anywhere. She put up her groceries. Kayla blinked back tears and made some lemonade. She fixed her a sandwich and got an apple and sat down and ate.
Kayla knew that Mark wasn't a demon. She also realized he was trying to be nice to her. But she had spent a long time disliking him. She knew if he hadn't bought the ranch somebody else would have and she would probably be out on the streets now with no place to go. But it was so hard seeing him living in her house, having to answer to him.
Kayla sighed. She would try harder to be civil to him, daddy would want her too.
Mark walked in.
"Sorry I yelled." Mark said leaning on the counter.
Kayla looked up at him. He saw the unshed tears in her eyes. She tried to be so tough Mark thought.
"I'm sorry I been a bitch." Kayla said.
Mark sat down beside her.
"Believe it not Kayla I know how hard this is for you. Losing your dad and the ranch. I know you're angry with me. I know its going to take time for you to adjust. I just want to be your friend Kayla, that's all I ever wanted." Mark said.
Kayla didn't know if she could think of this man as a friend, but he had given her a job and a place to stay.
"I'll try." Kayla said.
"That's all I ask." Mark said.
"I'm going to get you some help around here. I was just mad the other day. I don't expect ya to run this ranch by yourself." Mark said.
"I don't need no help. I can do it." Kayla said stubbornly.
"Kayla it's too much for one person." Mark said.
The thought of another stranger on her ranch didn't make her happy.
"Well you're here why don't you help, after all it's your place now." Kayla said.
Mark laughed.
"What do I know about running the ranch?" Mark asked.
"It's not rocket science Mark. I can do all the early morning work, like the feeding and the milking. You can help with moving the cattle and keeping an eye on them. I'll teach you how to groom and care for the horses you can help with that. I mean you're retired now, what else you got to do?" Kayla asked.
Mark thought about it. What the hell he didn't have any thing else to do. It appealed to him anyway.
"Okay." Mark said.
"Good you can start tomorrow. I won't get you up to early, I'll come get you at 6:00 when I got the feeding and milking done." Kayla said.
"6:00am if that's not early what is?" Mark asked.
"Well I could call you at 4:00am when I get up." Kayla said grinning.
Mark shuddered at the thought.
"6:00am will be fine I guess." Mark said.
"Fine." Kayla said smiling.
"Your awfully pretty when ya smile girl, I aint seen ya do to much of that." Mark said.
Kayla blushed and got up. She washed her plate and put it in the drain.
"I'll see ya later." Kayla said.
Mark nodded and watched her leave. He only hoped that could keep the truce they made today. He was tired of fighting with her.
Kayla walked in her room and let Champ out. She flopped on the bed for a few minutes. She had to go out and check on the cattle in a few minutes. She wanted to get along with Mark. She knew it was for the best and the truth was Mark was trying to be nice to her so she needed to try too. Her daddy would be disappointed in her for acting so hateful. Kayla sighed and rolled to her side. A short nap wouldn't hurt anything. She closed her yes and drifted off to sleep.
Mark went to ask Kayla if she wanted to share his dinner with him. He knocked on the door but there was no answer. He opened the door and smiled. She was sound asleep curled up on the bed. His smile faded, damn if it wasn't like a furnace in here. He went and sat on the bed. Poor thing was covered in sweat her hair was wet and clinging to her. How the hell did she sleep out here? Tomorrow he would go to town and get a window unit to put in here. Mark shook his head; she was so damn stubborn and proud.
Kayla mumbled in her sleep. Mark pushed her hair back from her face.
Kayla's eyes opened and widened when she seen Mark setting there. She sat up and looked at her watch.
"I didn't mean to sleep that long." Kayla said.
"How the hell can ya sleep at all in here as hot as it is?" Mark asked.
Kayla shrugged.
"Well I'm going to get ya an air conditioner in here tomorrow." Mark said.
"Okay." Kayla said.
"What no argument?" Mark asked grinning.
"Mark its hot as hell and its Texas, that's one thing I'm not going to argue about." Kayla said.
"Come on up and have some dinner." Mark said.
"I got to move the cattle to the pasture closer to the house." Kayla said trying to figure out how to get past him.
"Eat first and I'll ride out with ya and help." Mark said.
"Okay." Kayla said.
Mark startled Kayla by lifting her out of the bed and setting her on the floor.
"Take a shower first." Mark said getting up.
Kayla laughed looking down at herself. She was soaked from sweating.
"Yea I guess that would be a good idea." Kayla said.
"I'll be up to the house in a few." Kayla said.
Mark nodded and headed out the door. Kayla noticed that Champ followed him. Hell even her dog liked him. Kayla sighed and headed for the shower.