Chapter Three: Thorns

"Ashley, do you have a moment?" Andros walked into the breakfast room to find her in question sitting with a cross look and a slice of toast.

"Of course."

Andros wondered what had angered her, but chose to take a moment to fill a plate with breakfast items, and then found a seat across from her. "Is something wrong?"

Ashley, surprised at his concern, blurted out. "There's no fertilizer."

"What?" His eyebrows jumped up.

Not noticing his surprise she nodded. "I can't find any fertilizer for the roses. There are no cows here at KO-35, at least none that I can find. So now not only do I have no fertilizer, but I wonder where this milk is coming from." She picked up her glass with a skeptical look.

Andros couldn't help it; the look on her face sent him into a peal of laughter.

Hurt, Ashley looked up. "What's so funny?"

"Nothing, it's just the looks you get sometimes. Really you are most expressive." He stood up and motioned Ashley to join him.  Reluctantly, she stood and walked with him over to the window. "Look there, see that rise of hills?"

"Yes." Ashley squinted.

"That," Andros said "is the home of Billy and his niece. They have a great deal of land and raise both cattle and sheep for KO-35. There are landholders all around the borders of KO-35 and each have a special task. Lady and Lord Oliver have a large vegetable farm; Lord Brightly is a well known doctor, more so than perhaps even Trini." He waved an arm out. "Those landholders and more I didn't mention each have a specific task on their farms."

"Ah, I see." She shook her head and smiled slightly. "Or perhaps I don't."

"It is rather confusing, I know. But you shall meet Billy and his niece Tori when they come for dinner. I think you and Tori shall get along splendidly."

"And Billy?" Ashley asked with the dark look returning.

"He is the perfect gentleman; I believe you will enjoy his company.  He is in love with Trini."  Andros quickly turned away from her and walked back to the table. Confused by his abruptness, Ashley merely walked back to the table.

"And for the fertilizer?"

"Ask Dustin to bring you some." Andros's voice was abrupt, curt.

Ashley began to open her mouth, to ask him what she had done, but changed her mind angrily. Who cares what she said? Andros always found something about her he didn't like, why would this be any different?

Indeed, why?