Hi Guys,

I am so sorry that I haven't been around to update this story... My life has been kind of a horrible nightmare at the moment... My grandmother recently passed away and I still haven't dealt with her death, I'm trying to find a horse at the same time so that I have something to keep me busy and my mind off things and that has been proving impossible... And other family problems I won't bore you guys with... I went today to go see a horse that was being advertised as for a 'beginner' and it was a total nutcase. To top it off, it was an 8 hour round trip... I really don't know how I feel right now, I'm mentally and emotionally exhausted and my anxiety and depression is not making me feel any better. Add to that my health problems that are flaring up from my emotions and my life is rather bleak at this moment in time...

Sorry that this Author's Note has been on a downer but I just feel so blah and down right now... I haven't felt like working on my fan-fiction for nearly two months so I haven't been writing during my publishing absence which makes me feel worse... I want to write but I'm just not in the head-space to be able to do so... I'm hoping to start writing again, my writing is the one thing left that I enjoy and I really want to start again.

Anyway, enough about me. I really hope you all enjoy this update and I'll try to update as soon as I can.

Chapter 2.1

'You look like you had fun.'

Jessie laughed as she halted Warrior next to Ty out the front of the barn, her face glowing with excitement and exhilaration from her morning ride. 'We did have fun, didn't we boy?' She asked, scratching his withers with a smile. Warrior nickered softly, stretching his neck out as he enjoyed the grooming. 'I hope I didn't wake you earlier when I came in.'

'No, I was already awake. I was just thinking of some things.' He patted the stallion, the black nuzzling him gently as the girl dismounted. He decided it was best to change the subject before the girl started asking questions. 'You want me to take care of this guy for you?'

'It's okay, I'll take care of him.' She gathered his reins and led him into the barn, Ty walking beside her. Cougar rose to greet them, rubbing up against her legs while she tied Warrior up. 'Hey girl.' She patted the cat on the head. 'You've been good?'

'I still can't believe you have a mountain lion for a pet.' Ty shook his head in amazement as he watched the girl interact with the cougar. 'I've heard of them being pets but I've never actually seen one that's attached to its owner as she is to you.'

'That's because I raised her from a little kitten.' She patted her again then Cougar walked back over to the rug she'd left for her on the floor as her bed with an inconspicuous hand signal. 'She was so young when I found her her eyes weren't even open yet. I raised her on a bottle and I might add that getting out of bed at two in the morning to feed a hungry kitten is a labour of love.' She undid the girth and looked over at the cat lying down on the floor. Cougar was lying with her head on her paws, but her attention fully dedicated to watching her every movement. 'And I wouldn't change a thing. Cougar was the best thing that happened to me after Lillian died. Looking after her was what got me through my grief.'

He nodded, helping the girl get the saddle off her horse. 'You were close to her, weren't you?'

'Yeah.' Jessie grabbed a brush as Ty took her saddle and the saddle cloth over to its stand and put it away for her. 'Yeah, I was.' She fell silent for a moment, her hand absentmindedly suspended over the stallion's coat as memories came back.

'Jessie, I've made you muffins.' Lillian called, the girl sitting on the paddock fence watching the horses graze. 'Come and get them honey.'

A seven year old Jessie grinned as she jumped down and ran up to her. She took the muffin Lillian handed to her, biting into it eagerly. 'Mmmm, you make the best muffins mère.'

The woman laughed, tossling the girls brown locks with a smile. It always made her happy when Jessie called her that. It was an honor, one that she thought she'd never have been able to hear since she wasn't able to bear children of her own. That was until Jessie had come into her life. 'You flatter me, mon cheri.'

'They are the best.' She affirmed, snuggling up into her arms. The muffin gone, her eyes danced mischievously. 'Can I have another?'

'Jessie?' He asked softly, frowning. The girl jumped slightly at his voice, pulled out of her daydream. 'You okay?'

'Yeah, I'm fine.' She began to brush the horse with firm strokes, pushing her memories to the back of her mind. They were just too painful to think about, even if they were happy ones. She'd loved Lillian dearly, even thinking about her sometimes was just too much. 'Do you know if it's okay to turn Warrior out into the pasture? Are there any other horses that have to go out?'

'He's fine to go out, the other horses are in a different paddock so he'll have it all to himself.'

'Good.' The stallion sniffed her gently as she brushed his shoulder then touched noses with Paint through the bars of the stall. 'Maybe we could stick Paint or Spartan with him though. They get along and he needs some company.'

'We can put Paint out with him.' He nodded. 'They do seem to like each other.'

'You'll be happy with that, won't you boy?' She finished brushing him then glanced down at her watch. Suddenly her demeanor changed from being sober to slightly excited as she realized what the time was. 'Can I get you to turn him out for me please? I need to go have breakfast and if I don't get in there now I'm going to be late later.'

'Sure-'

'Thanks.' She undid his bridle and swapped it quickly for a halter, handing him the lead-rope. 'Come on Cougar.'

Ty raised his eyebrows, having caught onto the quick change in the girl. 'What's the rush Jessie?'

'I'm going on a trip with Jack and Lisa.' Jessie called over her shoulder as she hurried out of the barn with Cougar at her heels. 'I have to go pack.'

'Morning Jessie.' Amy greeted as the girl walked into the house, taking her coat and gloves off before coming into the kitchen. 'We saved you some breakfast.'

'Thanks.' She went over to the sink to wash her hands then took a place at the table next to her and Mallory. 'Where's Jack?'

'Off doing something.' She shrugged her shoulders. 'Finding his fishing gear or something.'

'Lucky you, getting to go on a trip up to the fishing cabin.' Mallory remarked as she spread some jam on her toast. 'While I get to go be stuck in school.'

Jessie chuckled. 'Anyone would think you didn't like school Mallory.' An exaggerated eye roll from the girl was her answer. 'Apparently you don't.'

'You wouldn't either, if you had to go. You get to stay here and I get stuck in a classroom for six hours of the day-'

'Mallory-' Amy kicked her under the table, giving her a look that translated as 'shut up for Pete's sake' and she begrudgingly did so with one of her own glares. She turned back to Jessie, the girl helping herself to the last slice of toast. 'How was your ride this morning? I was out with Spartan but I didn't see you.'

'It was good.' She nodded between mouthfuls. 'I took the back track back to let him gallop some more. He's in good condition, Lisa really did a good job with him. He's never been better.'

'I overheard Lisa mentioning you might ride him at the rodeo doing barrels.'

'Yeah, still thinking about that. I haven't really made up my mind yet. I've never even tried him at barrels.' She sighed. Part of her actually really wanted to compete, to see how she and Warrior measured up against other people and their horses and the other half of her screamed a loud 'no way' rather determinedly. She really was in two frames of mind. 'I don't know, I actually really wouldn't mind giving it a shot.'

'Well I think you should at least try.' Mallory finished the last of her juice and got up to put her plate in the sink. 'It couldn't hurt and if you really want to do it then do it. Don't let anyone stop you.'

'Thank you Mallory, that's probably the best piece of advice you've given.'

'I have my moments.' She returned to the table with the bottle of orange juice to fill her cup up again. 'There's other events too, team roping, breakaway roping-'

'How about Jessie just works on one thing at a time.' Amy laughed. 'I think if she decided to enter, barrel racing would be enough.'

'Ah, yes.' She rolled her palms against the edge of the table as she leaned back against her chair. 'Warrior and I are good at roping and stuff like that, I used to do that back before when I had to help Robert but on a professional scale? I don't think so. I don't want to make a fool of myself. I think one event is more than enough.'

'Well, you probably should make up your mind sooner rather than later if you want to enter or not.' She finished her breakfast, stacking up the empty plates on the table to take them to the sink. 'I can help you later with Warrior if you like.'

'Thanks for the offer Amy but I'll see how I go with him myself first. I've got a couple ideas but I'm open to suggestions.'

'Alright, well if you do need help just ask and I'll see what I can do.' She glanced up at the clock, it was almost eight already. Quickly she placed the plates in the sink then grabbed her phone and school bag off the desk and headed to the door. 'Hurry up Mallory or we're going to miss the bus. See you later Jessie.'

'I'm coming.' She placed her cup on the bench, grabbing her school bag as Amy put her jacket on. 'Have fun away Jessie, maybe next time you could convince Jack to bring me along?'

'Not on your life.' Jessie teased. There was no way she was going to be asking to drag Mallory along on a trip with just her, Jack and Lisa. She liked her but sometimes she could be just a little too much. 'Enjoy school. I'll be thinking of you when I'm relaxing beside the river with Cougar, catching trout.'

'Haha, very funny. Bye Jessie.'

'Bye.' She put her toast back on her plate after they had left, not really in the mood for finishing off her breakfast. Some days she felt like eating, some days she didn't. She didn't really know why either. 'Here girl.' She clicked her fingers and Cougar walked over, readily devouring the remainder of her food. The cat purred, licking her hands once she'd finished eating. 'Sorry girl, that's it for now.' She scratched her behind her ear then got up and took her plate to the sink. She glanced around. Lou wasn't anywhere to be seen, neither was Jack for that matter. With a sigh she grabbed the dish-washing liquid from the cupboard and began to fill the sink. There was no point leaving the kitchen dirty when they were heading out.

Cougar rubbed up against her as she purred loudly, hoping for more food. The girl chuckled as she continued washing up. Her cat certainly had an appetite. When the last plate had been washed she emptied the sink and wiped the bench down then checked her watch. She had a little under an hour before Lisa was going to turn up and she knew Jack wanted to leave on time. Clicking her fingers she headed up to her room with her cat obediently following at her heels.

Jessie grabbed her suitcase from her wardrobe then placed it on her bed and started to go through her clothes. A couple pairs of jeans, a couple shirts, socks and jumpers went into the bag as Cougar lay watching. Her hand rested over her other jackets for a moment as she decided then grabbed them and packed them in too. Her warm pajamas went in on top as well as some extra clothes in case she got cold or needed to change. 'Can't be too prepared.' She remarked to her cat as she put another pair of socks in the bag. 'Better to have more clothes than not enough.'

Her phone dinged and she pulled it out of her pocket, a smile on her face as she saw who had messaged. It was Cindy.

Hey Jessie, what are you up to today?

Heading out on a weekend camping type trip with Jack and Lisa. She texted back quickly. He's taking us up to his cabin in the mountains before Lisa has to head to France for a couple of weeks. It's near a river so we'll be doing some fishing. I'm just packing now, I'm so excited! A weekend with just Jack and Lisa sounds like heaven at the moment, it's been a rough couple of months.

I hope you have fun out there. Her reply was prompt. How's things going at Heartland?

Couldn't be better. I still have to pinch myself some days to make sure it's actually real. Jack and Lisa have been great. I'm settling in well, it's different then before because now I know I'm staying. It's kinda hard to explain. How's things there?

Okay. My school is having a pupil free day so Grandma is taking me out shopping and we're getting lunch.

Sounds like fun. I heard from Fiona yesterday, she and her sister are doing well apparently.

That's good, I liked her. I haven't heard from any of them but I hope they're okay.

Clint says they are, I asked when he came by the other day to go over some things with Jack.

How's Warrior and Cougar doing?

Great. Cougar is living it up in the house, she's actually napping on my bed right now. Warrior's good, we just went for our morning run. I've been thinking about entering a rodeo in a couple months.

That sounds awesome!

She chuckled, typing her reply quickly. I haven't made up my mind Cinds. I don't know if I should enter it or not.

I think you should. Give it a go Jess, you might surprise yourself.

Or make a total fool of myself and Warrior.

You couldn't do that. You're good at everything you do.

I wish I had as much faith in myself as you do.

At least give it a try. What would you be doing?

Barrel racing.

And have you ever done barrel racing?

Not exactly.

Well, there's something new you can do. Just see how you go then make up your mind. Hey, if you do enter I might see if I can come watch you.

That'd be a great idea. I'd love to catch up with you.

Let me know, won't you?

Will do.

Ugh, I've gotta run, grandma is nearly ready. You still wearing your necklace?

I never take it off. Jessie smiled, conscientiously touching the necklace around her neck. I've got to run too. I'll try and catch you later.

Definitely. Let me know how your trip goes.

Will do. Bye sis.

Bye.

She tucked her phone back in her pocket, glancing at her clock. It was almost time for Lisa to turn up. Quickly she grabbed the last few things she needed then zipped her bag up and headed downstairs. She put her bag down beside Jack's fishing gear that had appeared in the living room and headed into the kitchen as she heard the fridge open. 'All packed and ready to go. I've just got to grab my bedroll from the barn before we leave.'

'Good, Lisa will be here soon.' Jack packed the cold food they were taking into a cooler box. 'Anything you want to pack food wise?'

'Hmmm.' She thought for a moment. There was nothing she liked more than banana bread cooked in a camp oven. 'We got a camp oven?'

'Yep.'

'Brilliant.'

'What are you going to make?'

'It's a surprise.' She replied mischievously with a grin. 'You'll have to wait and see. Trust me. You're going to love it.'

'Alright, well grab what you need and pack it. I'll move out of your way.' He added the cooler to the pile to take to the car and took a seat at the table. 'Where's your girl?'

'Cougar's napping in my room.' A bag of flour joined the baking powder in the bag she was packing. 'Did you pack her food?'

'Yes, it's there.'

'Thanks.' She grabbed the last of the ingredients she needed and the extra set of measuring cups and spoons then zipped up the cooler bag. 'Anything else I need to get?'

'No, I think that's everything.' He patted the seat next to him. 'Come sit down for a moment. How's things going?'

'Good.' Jessie nodded as she sat down. 'It still kinda feels like I'm dreaming. I guess I'm just grateful and lucky to have you and Lisa in my life. I never dreamed that I would ever find a home or a family that I could call mine but you gave me a home and took me into your heart. I don't know if I could ever repay you.'

'You don't have to.' He smiled, touching her chin gently. 'We're all just as grateful and lucky to have you too. You're a special girl Jessica, we're happy to have you in the family.'

'Thanks Jack.' The sound of a car pulling up out front made her turn around and she saw Lisa's SUV parking at the fence. 'Lisa's here.'

'Go on.' He encouraged as he got up. 'I'll bring the stuff out. You go see Lisa.'

She needed no more prompting as she stood up and hurried for her jacket, putting it on as she ran outside. She ran through the gate as Lisa got out of the car, wrapping her arms around her. 'Hi.'

'Hey.' She chuckled, returning her hug. 'You ready to go?'

'Yep. I'm all packed.' The girl nodded as she let her go. She looked up at her, frowning slightly. Something wasn't right. 'What's wrong?'

Lisa sighed. 'Ah, just some problems with my trip to France. My business partner is being a pain.' She refrained from using the words she thought of about her ex. Dan had put a spanner in the works when he'd rang her that morning and told her that one of their business meetings in France had to be postponed because it clashed with his social calendar. Social calendar indeed. It drove her crazy sometimes the way he acted. 'So instead of leaving Tuesday I have to go in two weeks' time.'

'Hey, I'm not complaining.'

She chuckled, looking at her. Jessie certainly was something. She liked that mischievous glint in her eyes. She'd missed seeing that when the girl had become rather depressed. She was happy to see she was starting to go back to what they'd seen as the girls normal self. 'Neither am I, kind of. It is annoying though. I was all ready to go.'

'Such a shame.' She pretended to pout and Lisa playfully rolled her eyes. 'You'll be stuck with Jack and I for longer now.'

'Hmmm.'

'Maybe you can even help me with training Warrior for this rodeo.'

'You're going to enter?'

She put her hand up. 'Still thinking about it but there's no harm in getting him ready, just in case.'

'I'd love to help.'

'Brilliant.'

'Morning Lisa.' Jack walked out carrying a couple bags. 'You got everything?'

She knew what he was meaning. It was another little surprise she and him had come up with for Jessie. 'Yep. I'm ready to go.'

'How about you go grab your bedroll Jessie before you forget?' He remarked as Lisa lifted the back door of the car so he could put the bags in. 'Didn't forget your pillow either.'

'I won't.' She called back over her shoulder as she jogged to the barn.

Jack turned back to Lisa after the girl was out of earshot, sitting the bags down in a space next to her things. 'How's it look?'

'It's fine Jack.' She assured him with a smile. 'I picked it up from the jewellers yesterday, Jessie's going to love it. Trust me.'

'I hope so.'

'She will Jack. She liked it when she saw it in the shop, our little addition will just make it that little bit extra special.' She glanced towards the barn but the girl was still inside. 'How's she doing?'

'Good, really good. She's definitely improving.'

'I'm glad to hear that. She's a tough girl.'

'That she is. Apparently we aren't the only ones who have a surprise. Jessie's going to be cooking up something special for us.'

She smiled. 'She's so sweet. I still can't believe she's actually ours.'

'Neither can I. After Marion died-' He paused for a moment. 'While Jessie can't compare to her it's good she's here. I never imagined that I'd be raising another child though, she's more of a daughter than a Granddaughter even though she's younger than Amy.'

'I wonder how Lou will take to having an aunt who's younger than her.'

'I think Lou has other things to think about at the moment. She's been busy with trying to get this dude ranch running, it's been taking all her attention at the moment.'

'When does it open?'

'Couple of weeks. She's just trying to sort out the rest of the details and such.'

'Okay, got my bedroll.' Jessie headed back over to them, placing it in the back of the car. 'I'll go grab my pillow and some bags.'

'Alright Jessie, we'll be in shortly to grab the rest. We just need to make some room for the cooler.'

'Make sure there's room for Cougar.'

'She's bringing Cougar?' Lisa asked with a hint of surprise.

'I said she could.' He glanced at her as he re-arranged a couple bags. 'Is there a problem?'

'No, no. I guess I'm still getting used to the fact she's got a mountain lion for a pet.' She replied, her and Jack heading to the house. 'How's getting the permit for her going?'

'It's sorted out, they've just got to send the final paperwork and she needs a vet check to make sure she's being well looked after and it's finished. They've been quite understanding about it actually once I explained the situation.'

'Good. I don't know what she'd do if she hadn't been able to keep her.'

'I know what you mean.' They walked into the house, Jack getting the cooler and Lisa grabbing the other bags. 'You okay there with that Lisa?'

'"Yeah, I've got it.' She carried them outside, grateful when she could put them down into the back of the car. 'What have you got in there? An anvil?'

'Fishing gear.' He replied, pushing the cooler up against the back of the seat. 'That's everything. We just need Jessie and Cougar now.'

'We're right here.' Jessie announced as she joined them, pillow under her arm and cat at her legs. 'We haven't forgotten anything?'

'Nope, that's it.' Lisa closed the door and handed him the keys. 'You best get in or the bus will leave without you.'

'You wouldn't.' She replied cheekily, opening the back passenger door and tossing her pillow in. 'You'd miss me.'

'I would?' The girl playfully slapped Jack's shoulder as he hopped in the driver's seat. 'Hop in you.'

She grinned widely as she climbed in then patted the seat beside her. 'Come Cougar.' The cat jumped in at her feet then climbed over her taking the seat beside her. She closed the door, putting her seatbelt on as the cat lay down with her head on her lap. Lisa hopped in beside Jack, glancing back at them with a smile as she saw Cougar.

'That's so cute.' She grabbed out her phone, quickly taking a photo of them. 'Look at them Jack.'

He glanced around and chuckled. 'Seat belt on?'

'Yep.'

'Alright, let's go.' He turned the key in the ignition and the car purred into life. 'Get comfortable Jessie, we've got a long drive ahead of us.'

Hope you all enjoyed! Bye for now!