Hi all!

Update time!

I'm late in updating, I know but I've had a very busy week. Officially started training my service dog prospect and brought a horse! Finally! After so long, I've got a horse again. It's s little unusual, having a horse again, she arrived yesterday so I'm giving her time to settle. Her name is Honey, she's a appaloosa X QH, about 17 years old so she's bern there, done that. We were told shes 15hh but she's way smaller, probabably around 13ish or a bit above but a nice size to get back into horses with.

Anyway, hope you all enjoy the update! Things are going to start getting interesting again soon... *chuckles*

Enjoy!

Chapter 20.1

'Jessie, honey, it's time to get up.'

'No it isn't.' The girl mumbled, turning over and pulling the sleeping bag over her head. She didn't want to get out of bed. Hadn't she literally just fallen asleep two minutes ago? Morning couldn't be here already could it? 'Go away Lisa.'

Lisa chuckled, pulling the sleeping bag down off the girl. 'If you don't get up we might just have to pack the tent with you inside.'

'Oh, we're camping.' She yawned, vaguely becoming aware of her surroundings again. She opened her eyes, blinking in the dim light. 'Alright, alright, I'm awake.'

'Good girl. Breakfast won't be long.'

'Mmmhmm.' She flopped back down onto her pillow with a groan, yawning as she rolled over and watched Lisa packing up her bed. 'Is it morning already?'

'Afraid so.'

'Feels like I was barely asleep.'

'How are you feeling this morning?'

'Tired, but I slept good. All I remember was heading to sleep and then you woke me up.' She stuck her bottom lip out in a fake pout. 'Spoil sport.'

Lisa laughed, stuffing her sleeping bag back into its cover. 'Very funny Jessie. Come on, out of bed or I might have to get Jack in with a bucket of water to pour over you to get you moving.'

'I'm up, I'm up.' She yawned again, crawling out of the sleeping bag. 'Where's my clothes?'

'Here.'

'Thanks.' Opening her bag up she pulled out her clothes, Lisa turning her back to her to let her change. She yawned again, trying hard to shake off sleep as she slipped into her day clothes and tossed her clothes from the day before into the bag. Buckling her belt she made sure she had her pocket knife and hoof pick handy then flopped back onto her bed. 'Ugh, I think my starter motor is broken.'

'Do you need an early bath?' She teased, rolling up her bedroll. 'We could toss you in the creek if you like.'

'No need, I'm awake. Just don't feel like moving is all.' Jessie glanced over at her. 'Aren't you the one who has problems with early mornings?'

'Not when you haven't slept all night.'

'Oh Lisa.'

She brushed it off. 'It's okay Jessie, I'm fine. I'll just be glad to have my own bed tonight. Last night was some excitement-' She cringed, thinking of the snake. 'I could have done without.'

The girl nodded sympathetically. She could see Lisa was still shaken by finding that rattler in her bed roll the night before. She got up, kneeling down beside Lisa and placed her arm around her as she rested her head on her shoulder. 'It's okay. The snake is long gone by now.'

'I know.' She smiled, the girl's concern for her touching. She looked down at her, placing her arm around her back. 'How did I get so lucky to have someone as thoughtful as you?'

'I don't know.' The girl's eyes danced cheekily in the dim light from the fire outside and the impending sunrise. 'Just remember that when I'm being cheeky.' She saw her giggle and she smiled, then turned serious. 'Your scared of snakes, aren't you?'

'How'd you know that?'

She shrugged. 'Instinct. I watched how you froze yesterday.'

'Yeah.' Lisa replied quietly. 'I don't know what I would have done if you didn't take control of that situation like you did. I was too scared to do anything.'

'I know. We're just lucky that nothing bad happened.' She leaned against her, breathing her presence in. 'I don't know what I would do if something happened to you or Jack.'

'Nothing's going to happen to us sweetie.'

'Look what happened last night. It's a long way to the hospital. If that snake had bitten you-'

'It's alright honey, nothing happened.' She gently assured her, stroking the girl's hair. 'Don't think of what could have happened.'

'I'm scared I'm going to lose you.'

'Hey, it's okay.' Lisa kissed her head gently as the girl started to sob quietly. 'Your not going to lose me honey. I'm right here. Nothing is going to happen to me. I'm not going anywhere.' It made sense now why Jessie had tried to brush off what happened with the snake last night, the way she'd tried to shrug it off. 'I'm right here.'

The girl nodded as she held onto the feeling of Lisa's arms around her, slowly calming down again. She looked up at her, her cheeks wet with tears. 'I've lost too much already.'

'I know honey.' Using the back of her hand she gently wiped the girls cheeks dry. 'But you're not going to lose me. I'm going to be right here for you whenever you need me. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Thanks Lisa.' Jessie gave her a small smile, sniffling back the last couple of sobs. She wiped her eyes, looking over at her stuff. 'I better go get packing.'

'I'll give you a hand, I'm finished with mine already.'

'Okay.'

Lisa grabbed the girls sleeping bag and began putting it into its cover, glancing up at the girl as she rolled up her bedroll. Her heart went out to her. Jessie was afraid of losing more people she'd come to love. She remembered a conversation she'd had with her ages ago when the girl had confessed to her she was scared she'd lose her and Jack. Obviously seeing what she had last night had brought those feelings up again for her. She felt sorry for her, she really did. Jessie was right. She'd lost so much already.

'Alright, I'm done.'

'Good girl.' The girl's voice brought her back to reality and she finished packing up the girls sleeping bag for her. 'I'm finished here too. Let's go pop this stuff in the truck and see what's cooking for breakfast, shall we?'

'Sure, but I want to check on Warrior first.'

'Okay.' She laughed, picking up her things to take out of the tent. 'We'll go check on Warrior before breakfast.'

'I wondered when you two would emerge.' Jack remarked as the two of them came out of the tent, going over to them. 'I was wondering if I needed to send the cattle to wake you up.'

'Haha.' Jessie rolled her eyes. 'Very funny.'

'Anything I can help with?'

'Here.' Lisa handed him her bags and her bed with a cheeky smile. 'Make yourself useful.'

'What have you got in here?' He teased as they walked over to the truck. 'You must have packed everything including the kitchen sink.'

'Nope, only the laundry sink.'

The girl giggled, listening to their friendly banter. She tossed her stuff in the back of the truck, rubbing her hands to try and warm them up. 'Okay, can we go check on Warri now?'

'Alright.'

'I'll go scrounge up some breakfast for you two.'

'Thanks Jack.' Lisa looked down at Jessie, grabbing out her torch from her pocket since Jack had taken his with him. 'Hopefully Warrior had a quieter night then we did.'

'I imagine he's probably spent the entire night grazing.'

'Probably.'

They walked over to where Warrior was penned, passing others of the camp that were scattered around going about various tasks. She spotted Amy and Mallory with the horses, going over them as Ty and Caleb helped in dismantling some of the other tents and things. Warrior snorted, walking over to the gate of the pen as they approached and the girl gave him a pat as he sniffed her pockets. 'No treats yet mate. Sorry.'

'Hi Warrior.' Lisa acknowledged as the stallion brushed her cheek with his muzzle. She gave him a pat then he turned his attention back to his owner. 'Oh, apparently he likes your company better then mine.'

'He's just hungry Lisa.' She chuckled. 'Alright mate, you'll get your oats.' She looked around, nodding towards a bag and bucket next to Tim's trailer. 'Can you grab that bag and bucket please? It's his morning feed.' The woman nodded and headed off to grab what she'd requested as Warrior nudged her again. 'Patience mate. Patience.'

'Here.'

'Thanks.' Warrior was snorting, tossing his head as she poured the oats in the bucket. Passing the bucket over the gate he quickly stuck into his food. 'Happy now?'

'Looks like Paint wants a share too.' Lisa nodded over at the gelding as he made his way over. 'You got any more?'

'There's a little left in the bag.'

'Okay.' She grabbed a handful of oats, showing Paint that she had food as she led him a little way from Warrior so they didn't fight over the bucket. 'Here Paint.'

Jessie smiled as she watched Lisa with Paint, taking the bucket back once the stallion had finished the oats. 'That's it mate. All gone.'

Lisa brushed the oat shells and horse slobber off her hands as she joined Jessie again. 'Looks like it's going to be a nice sunrise.'

'Yep.' She nodded with a glance towards the eastern horizon, the two of them walking back to the camp. 'What are you going to do with the saddle you got Jack? I mean, I think he likes his old one better.'

She sighed. 'I'll just take it back. I shouldn't have got it for him anyway, I should have known that he'd react the way he did.'

'I still think it was a sweet gesture.' The girl replied, trying to make her feel better. 'It was the thought that counts.'

'Thanks honey.'

'Anytime.' Jessie chuckled, skipping ahead of Lisa as she spied Mallory. 'Hey Mallory.'

'Jessie!' She exclaimed as she turned around, her bowl of breakfast still in her hands. 'I heard about the snake! Man, you guys were so lucky! You caught it with your bare hands and a sleeping bag cover? How on earth did you do that?'

'Woah woah woah. One thing at a time Mallory.' She laughed. 'Slow down. I can't make out a word you just said.' Mallory took a deep breath, repeating what she had said. 'Okay, that's better. Yes, we were lucky. Yes I caught it with a sleeping bag cover, there was nothing else and how I did it, don't you try it.'

'But how did a rattlesnake get into Lisa's bedroll to begin with?'

'We think it crawled in when it was on the ground. It must have fallen out of the back of the truck and unluckily a snake thought it was a good place to have a nap.'

'Were you scared?'

'I just did what I had to do. There was no way I was sharing a tent with both Lisa and a snake.'

'Speaking of Lisa,-' Mallory nodded towards where Jack and Lisa were standing, Jack giving her a kiss on the lips. 'What's going on there?'

'It's none of my business and it sure ain't yours but it's got my tick of approval.' She replied with a smile on her face. Her eyes sparked cheekily as she turned to Mallory. 'Soooo, how'd it go with Jake? I saw you two dancing. Obviously you couldn't avoid him forever.'

'Don't go there.'

'Oh really?'

'Jessie!' She protested. 'Don't tease me.'

'We'll make a deal.'

'What kind of deal?' Her tone was one of slight suspicion but mostly curiosity.

'I'll leave you alone about Jake if you don't go poking your nose in whatever Jack and Lisa have going on, okay?'

'I don't go poking my nose in other people's lives.'

Jessie raised her eyebrows. 'Really?'

'Well, maybe I do a little. I just can't help myself.'

'Jake-'

'Alright, alright!' She put her hands up in defeat, spilling milk out of her bowl down her arm. 'Woops.'

Jessie laughed, passing her some paper towel that was still sitting on a table next to them. 'Here you go.'

'Thanks.'

'Morning Mallory. Jessie.' Jake tipped his hat at them. 'Spill some milk on yourself did you?'

'Yeah. Kinda.' She replied, slightly strained as she wiped it off her sleeve. 'What are you doing?'

'Same as you.' He nodded towards the table where the breakfast cereals had been placed. 'Would you care to join me?'

'Alright.' She handed the roll of paper towel back to Jessie. 'Thanks.'

'Anytime Mallory.' Jessie replied, a grin on her face as Mallory walked away with Jake. It was so funny the way that Mallory was acting especially when it was plain to see that she liked him. She placed the paper towel back where she'd got it from and prepared herself a bowl of muesli, glancing around for Jack and Lisa once she'd got her breakfast. She spotted them, heading over in their direction. 'Can I join you two?'

'Sure honey.' Lisa smiled, patting the seat beside her. 'What were you and Mallory giggling about over there?'

'She spilt her breakfast on herself.' She took the seat beside her, having a couple mouthfuls of her breakfast before placing it aside. 'What's the plan for today?'

'Packing up camp, moving the cattle to the summer pasture then heading home.' Jack glanced over at her, seeing she wasn't eating. 'You not feeling hungry this morning Jess?'

'Not really.'

'Your not getting sick are you?' She placed her hand on the girl's forehead. 'You feel a little warm.'

'I'm fine Lisa, I just don't feel like eating some days. I've got a couple granola bars in my saddlebag if I feel hungry later.'

'Alright. Just tell me if you do start feeling off.'

'I will Lisa, I promise.' Jessie glanced around, seeing the sun rising. 'I might go tack Warrior up and get him ready for the day. Is there anything you want me to do Jack?'

'We were going to let the cattle out shortly to graze while we pull the yards down so you could help the other riders if you like.'

'Okay.' She got up and tossed the contents of her bowl into the makeshift bin beside the fire. 'Catch you up on the trail.'

A couple hours had passed by the time the camp had been dismantled and they'd started the cattle back on the trail to the summer pasture. The air was clean and fresh, the morning was still new as Jessie and Warrior ambled alongside the herd. Jack had given Ty and Caleb the job of riding drag as a second punishment for their behaviour that had resulted in the cattle getting out; relieving her of the job. Mallory had swapped horses with him, riding Betty so the mare could stay near Slick while he took the horse she'd ridden the day before.

The girl looked around, breathing in deeply of the beauty surrounding her. The grass was still wet with dew that had fallen the night before, the drops of water glistening in the early morning sunlight. Warrior shook his head, jumping out of high spirits and she laughed. 'Yeah yeah boy. This is much more fun than being stuck behind the cattle.'

She looked over the herd and the people driving them, searching for Jack and Lisa. She spotted them up towards the front, appearing to be deep in conversation. She patted the stallion's shoulder, nudging him on faster a little. Warrior swished his tail, responding by happily stretching out into a slow gallop. She caught up to them, slowing Warrior down to a walk as she joined them. 'Mind if I ride along?'

Lisa shook her head. 'Not at all. How's Warrior doing?'

'He's good. Think yesterday took most of the vinegar out of him. He's much more patient and calm today.' She patted his neck, looking over at Jack. 'I'm really glad he and Paint get along. It can be pretty boring for a stallion, not being able to associate with the other horses for the most part.'

'It'd be even more boring for him if he was at a stud farm and not Heartland.' He agreed, checking over his shoulder to see how the cattle were traveling. 'Warrior's not an ordinary stallion but he's still a stallion.'

'Yeah, I know.' The girl chuckled. 'I got a couple of weird looks when they saw he was a stallion yesterday. I guess it's not everyday a twelve year old has a stallion for her mount.'

'No, you're right there.'

'Will Warrior being a stallion cause a problem with me wanting to compete? I mean, are there any rules about how old you have to be to compete a stallion?'

'I'm not sure to be honest.'

'Would you be able to find out for me please?'

'Sure.'

'Thanks.'

'So you're pretty serious about going in the rodeo then Jess?' Lisa asked, swapping which hand she was using to hold the reins to give her arm a break.

'I'm seriously considering it, if Caleb's rodeo friend who's going to give me a couple pointers thinks Warrior and I'm good enough. I just don't want to make a fool of myself.'

'Well if you keep practicing and improving they'd better watch if you do go in.' Jack teased. 'Warrior's a fast horse, he'll give them a run for his money.'

'If he can ever learn what it means to be patient. Hey boy?' She patted his shoulder again then rested her right hand on her thigh and stretched as she looked around. 'It's beautiful country this.'

'It is gorgeous.' Lisa agreed. 'I've been to a lot of places but I have to be honest, being in the mountains is one of my favorite places to be.'

'Still doesn't quite beat where the fishing cabin is though. The mountains, the river. So utterly beautiful.' She glanced down at her watch. 'How much longer till we can start heading home?'

'You've got somewhere to be Jessie?'

'Not exactly but after spending all day yesterday and most of today in the saddle my bottom and my legs are starting to complain.'

Jack chuckled. 'It's not much further to the pasture, probably another hour or so. From there it's only a couple hours ride back. It's much faster heading back since we don't have to worry about the cattle.'

'Sounds good. I wonder if Cougar will have missed me.'

'She probably wouldn't have even noticed you were gone.'

'Your probably right there.' She smiled, looking down the trail ahead. 'I'm going to let Warrior run. I'll be back soon. Let's go boy.'

The rest of the day was uneventful, just driving the rest of the cattle to the pasture then the trail ride back. Jack and Lisa had plenty of time to talk alone on the trail back, the girl giving them some space as she hung out with Amy and Mallory. Once they got back to the ranch and he thanked everyone for coming they loaded up the horses and headed back to Heartland.

Jessie was fast asleep as soon as the truck pulled out of the yard, her head resting on Lisa's shoulder. Lisa chuckled, glancing down at the girl then over at Jack. 'Someone's tuckered out.'

He smiled. 'Poor girl. We worked her too hard.'

'And she enjoyed every minute of it.' Jessie's laughter as she and Warrior herded a belligerent steer back to the herd was still fresh in her mind. The girl had so much fun on the cattle drive, she really was in her element being in the country with horses and cattle. Her face sobered as she looked back down at Jessie. 'How often is she like the way she was this morning Jack? With not eating that is.'

'I'm not sure Lis, I haven't really taken much notice of it to be honest.' He slowed the truck as they came to the turn onto the highway. 'I think her going off her food is emotional though. I know when Cindy was leaving and she had a lot to deal with she didn't eat much.'

'I might talk to Barbra about that when I take Jessie in for her appointment, just in case it's something else.'

'Sounds fair enough. She's got an appointment with the psychologist this week too don't forget.'

'I haven't. I don't know if I'll be able to take her though, I may have a couple of people coming to look at a stud.'

'That's alright, I can take her.'

'Thanks Jack.' She fell silent again, watching the scenery fly by. 'Alright, I'm not going to beat around the bush. You hate the saddle I brought you, don't you?'

'I don't hate it Lisa.' He shrugged. 'It's a nice saddle, I'm just partial to my old one though.'

'Alright.' Lisa sighed as they pulled off into Heartland's driveway. 'I'll take it back then.'

'Are we home already?' Jessie asked sleepingly as she felt the truck stop, blinking from the light as she woke up. She flopped her head back down on Lisa's shoulder in exhaustion, wishing she could go back to sleep but they'd arrived home.

'I think you need to go to bed honey.' Lisa chuckled, kissing the girl's head. 'Go clean yourself up and have a nap, I'll look after Warrior for you.'

'You know, that sounds like a very good idea.' The girl yawned, unbuckling her seatbelt and opening the door. 'I'll take you up on that offer.'

'I'll call you later if I don't see you before I go.'

'Okay.'

She hopped out of the truck as the girl headed to the house, Jack already beating her to the trailer. She stepped forward after he'd opened the door, Warrior glancing around nervously. 'It's okay boy, your home now.' She assured him, unlocking the partition as Jack stood back to give the stallion some room. She slowly reached for his lead, patting his neck as she untied it. 'Alright, let's hop out now.'

She led him out of the trailer and into the barn, Jack unloading Paint after her. Warrior snorted a greeting to Spartan as she turned him loose into his stall, giving him a pat as she closed the door behind him. Jack walked in, leading Paint as the others took care of the horses still in the trailer. 'I'm probably not going to be able to come around for a few days, I've got a lot on my plate this week so can you keep me in the loop with how Jessie's doing?'

Jack nodded, giving Paint a pat as he left his stall. 'Sure Lis.'

'Try to keep a closer eye on her too Jack.'

'Lisa, she's going to be just fine. I'll keep an eye on her.' He placed his hands on her shoulders. 'What's this all about Lis?'

She sighed, looking away. 'I'm just worried about her Jack, even more so that I have to leave for France next week.'

'Jessie's going to be just fine Lisa. Trust me.'

'I've put your bags in your car Mrs. Stillman.' Caleb interrupted, coming into the barn. 'I've got things to do Jack so I'm going to head out now.'

'Alright. You might want to get that shirt fixed from that longhorn tearing it.' He couldn't help but remark. 'Just make sure it doesn't happen again.'

'It won't.'

'What was that about anyway?' Lisa asked as he headed back out of the barn.

'I get the distinct feeling it was probably over a particular granddaughter of mine.' He replied then turned back to the conversation that they'd been having before Caleb interrupted them. 'She's going to be fine Lisa. She's got us and plenty of things to do to keep her busy.'

'I know. I just feel bad for leaving her but I knew this was going to be the case when I agreed to look after her with you.'

'You'll be back before you know it. I know there's no way Jessie wants her presence interfering with your life overseas either. Granted she'll miss you but she understands that you have to go.' He stroked her cheek gently. 'We both do. It'll make the time we spend together more meaningful too.'

She nodded, again asking herself how she'd come to be lucky enough to find a man like Jack who understood her needing to be away and tried to make her feel better about leaving him and Jessie. The moment was broken by Warrior snorting and she chuckled, glancing at him. 'Even he agrees.'

'Apparently so.'

'I'm going to have to get moving.' She remarked, looking down at her watch. 'I'd say goodbye to Jessie but she's probably napping by now. I'll ring her after dinner. I better get that saddle before I go too.'

He nodded as they walked out of the barn and he grabbed the saddle out of the storage compartment in the trailer, heading towards her car. 'You sure about this? '

'I am sure.' Lisa sighed, glancing up as a truck pulled up but continued what she was saying. 'Your right. I don't know what I was thinking. It's a ridiculous saddle.'

'Hey. Hey Jack.' Tim called out as he rolled his window down. 'Jack, Lisa. Jack, I've got to thank you for introducing me to Callie.'

'My pleasure.'

'Yeah, it must have been something you said about those longhorns, because, well, I just couldn't stand to see them left behind.'

'You brought Ray's longhorns?' He asked, not quite understanding what he was getting at.

'I brought the longhorns. Yeah. And Callie sold me the whole damn outfit. Six hundred and one acres.' He laughed, driving off towards the house. 'I got to tell the girls.'

'Well.' Lisa raised her eyebrows as they continued on to her car. 'Who'd have thought you two would be neighbours.'

'Yes. Who would have.'

'You don't sound excited.'

'About as much as being bucked off a horse.' He replied, placing the saddle in the back of the car. 'Maybe I shouldn't have introduced him to Callie.'

'It's been a weekend of surprises, that's for sure.' She agreed, closing the back of her car up. 'I had a lovely time with you and Jessie. Thank you for letting me tag along, I know I probably wasn't much help on the cattle drive.'

'My pleasure Lis. I don't know, you held your own pretty good with those steers.'

'I still don't know how I didn't end up in the mud chasing those two.'

'What did you like best about the weekend?'

'Watching you dance with Jessie was beautiful. You really made her day.' She smiled. 'There was only one thing better than that.'

'And what might that be?'

'This.' She replied, kissing him on the lips. He kissed her back, placing his arms around her. She opened her eyes again as their kiss ended, her face radiating with happiness. Somehow it seemed too good to be true that she'd found a man who really loved her back, despite her flaws. She smiled up at him, gazing into his loving eyes. 'I'll see you later cowboy.'