"Ah, the old diner." Kris looked around the familiar restaurant and sighed. Everything was exactly how she remembered it. Old pickup trucks lined up beside expensive luxury models outside the small diner. "I guess not much has changed since I left, not the scenery anyway. I hear Amber's going through some trouble, how is she? I didn't get a lot of details last night."
"Yeah… We sorta lost touch after she entered the rehab program. I never exactly… enjoyed her company. Dani was forced to find friendship in… me and Junior." Matt sighed as Junior's recently acquired red Porsche pulled up beside them.
"Holy shi-" Junior removed his sunglasses when he saw the woman sitting in his best friend's car. "Oh my gosh! Is that… Jailbird?" Dani nearly screeched as she jumped out of the back seat of her brother's car. Kris rolled her eyes at the remark, but said nothing, wanting to keep the peace, at least in public. Matt took a deep breath and spoke in a calm voice, as if he had been practicing this for awhile.
"Well, now that the introductions are done, guys, Kris is back. Kris, we're still here." He breathed again, looking straight ahead with his hands on the wheel.
"Matt, it's ok, I'm not a criminal anymore, I won't kill anyone." Kris said lightly, wanting to reassure them that there were no hard feelings. She just wanted to talk to Matt alone, but she didn't know how to tell him about what happened to her while she was gone. Matt gave a nervous laugh, still not totally comfortable with the situation.
Junior looked around and tried to pierce the awkward silence "Are we going to eat or what? It's weird enough being here together… all of us."
Dani moved over to Kris' window and got a good look at her before speaking.
"What are you doing here? You should have stayed where you were. You'll regret this." she hissed so that only Kris could hear. Kris did not bother lowering her voice when she addressed Dani.
"I cannot believe you. Matt has been over you for years. What is your problem?"
Dani smirked, "It's not Matt, I just don't like you." She turned back to her brother. "Take me home."
"Fat chance, look who just arrived! I am not going anywhere." Junior smiled his charming smile that gave Kris the feeling he had a plan, but it had always done that. Dani stamped her high heeled foot and walked away towards a couple fairly attractive guys that were already drooling.
"So, beautiful, where have you been for the last two years?" Again Junior gave her that signature smirk. Kris couldn't help but smile, she had missed him, annoying though he had been.
"Well, my equine veterinarian service is based mostly in Tennessee, but we do some out of state work. How about you, still playing the ponies?" She didn't realize how much she loved this place, being with people who at least almost accepted her.
"How else did you think I got this baby?" He patted the beautiful car with affection. "What, me, a job?"
Finally Matt regained his voice. "Well, I don't think we'll be eating here, what do you say we go cruising?" Junior looked eager, but Kris shook her head. "No, thanks, I think I want to go visit Wildfire. I really, really miss him. Do you mind taking me back to the ranch?" Before Matt could answer, Junior volunteered. Not looking to be alone with Matt anytime too soon, Kris agreed, and before she knew it they were whizzing back towards the farm.
