Chapter 47

'How's practice going?'

'Good.' Jessie replied to Ty with a smile as she led Warrior back into the barn, tying him up outside his stall. She ran her hand over his shoulder as the stallion nuzzled her, chuckling as his whiskers ticked her cheek. 'Really good. We had a good run.'

'You ready for the rodeo then?' He asked, brushing down Pegasus across the aisle from her.

'Hopefully, I don't know.'

'You'll do great, I know you will.'

The girl smiled, loosening the cinch to take the stallions saddle off. 'I'm glad you have faith in me. The closer the rodeo comes the more nervous I get. I don't know if I'm doing the right thing by entering or not.'

'You'll be fine.' Ty assured her. 'Just have fun, that's the main thing, isn't it?'

'Yeah.' She sighed, carrying the saddle over to the tack rack. 'I guess.'

He could tell there was something more going on in her reply. 'What's wrong Jess?'

'I don't know. I guess I'm just scared of making a fool of myself.' Jessie headed back to her stallion, taking off his bridle and replacing it with his halter so she could groom him down. 'And I really want to make Jack proud of me.'

'He already is, regardless if you get a place or not.'

'I know. I guess I just feel like I have to prove myself, you know.' Warrior nudged her gently as she started to curry the sweat out of his coat. 'I always felt like I had to with Robert, nothing I did was ever good enough. I know Jack isn't him, but old habits die hard. I just so badly don't want to make an idiot out of myself.'

'Jessie.' He placed the brush down, walking over to her. Warrior sniffed him gently as he stopped on the other side of the stallion, running his hand over the blacks coat as he looked over at Jessie. 'I've seen you and Warrior practicing, the last thing you'll do is be an idiot. You're giving it a shot, you're having a go. That's the main thing.'

'I suppose so.'

'Ty giving you a pep talk hey?' Caleb asked as he led Shorty in to tack him up. Ty rolled his eyes, heading back to Pegasus as he tied his gelding up. 'I can do one better. I'm sure Kit wouldn't have a problem coming back to give you a couple more lessons.'

Jessie nodded, slightly frowning but liking the sound of that. What was going on with those two? She turned back to Warrior, sometimes the way guys acted was so immature. 'That would be great Caleb, I'd appreciate that.'

'I'll give her a call later then.'

'Thanks.' She opened Warrior's door, letting him loose to go have his breakfast. 'There you go boy.' She slipped his halter off, the stallion going straight to his feed bucket. 'Enjoy.' Warrior was already eating by the time that she walked out and closed the door behind him. She looked over at Ty and Caleb. 'Anything I can help with?'

'No, I think we're all good here.' Ty replied, grabbing Pegasus' bridle. 'You go have breakfast Jessie, I think they're keeping it warm for you.'

'Alright, I'll see you later then.'

Caleb patted Shorty as he went to bridle him up. 'See you around Jessie.'

Jessie headed out of the barn, smiling as she made her way to the house. The day was promising to be the perfect spring day, already it was starting to warm up and there wasn't a cloud in the sky. It would be the perfect day for Jack and Lisa to go on a date. Her smile widened, jumping onto the porch instead of using the stairs and she chuckled. They didn't have the faintest clue what she was up to.

'Morning guys.' She started, walking into the house as she to took off her coat and gloves. 'It's looking like it's going to be a nice day.'

'Morning Jessie.' Jack replied, glancing up from his newspaper at her as she walked past. 'How was training with Warrior?'

'Brilliant. We're rearing to have a go at this rodeo.'

'We saved you some breakfast.' Amy remarked, grabbing herself a glass of orange juice. 'There's some juice left too if you want some.'

'Thanks.'

'Did you see the newspaper yet Jessie?' Mallory asked as the girl headed to the oven to get her breakfast. 'There's an article about what happened at the river yesterday.'

'No, I haven't. There is?'

'Yeah. Read it out Jack.

Jack rolled his eyes at Mallory but skipped over the article he had been reading and started to read the headlines of the story Mallory had been talking about. 'RCMP Constable Mark Rodriguez was commended yesterday for saving the life of a fourteen year old boy who nearly drowned in the Sheep River." Wow, there've been a lot of drownings in that section of the river over the years. That boy was lucky.'

'The best part is-' She took the newspaper from Jack. 'A girl known just as Jessie and her horse assisted in helping the constable and the boy out of the river while another local girl, Amy Flemmy, rode for help.'

'Oh no they didn't.' Amy grabbed the paper off her, looking through the article.

'Oh yes, they did. Flemmy sounds like-

'Yes, I know what it sounds like Mallory.' She tossed the newspaper back on the table and Jack picked it up to read from where he'd been rudely interrupted by Mallory syncing it.

Jessie chuckled, teasing Amy as she sat down at the table. 'Well, I'm glad they couldn't mess up my name.' She ducked as Amy threw a teatowel at her and she stuck her tongue out at her teasingly. 'Missed.' She saw Amy was about to reply when the front door opened and Ty walked in, interrupting her.

'Hey, guys, I'm just gonna take Pegasus out.'

Amy placed her empty glass on the bench. 'I was thinking of exercising Spartan.'

'Do you want to go together?'

'Yeah, sure.' She glanced back at Jessie as she headed to the mud room. 'Next time.'

'You'll miss again.' The girl teased back, starting on her breakfast.

'Maybe I should go with them.' Mallory suggested after Ty and Amy had left 'You know, act as a mediator.'

'Maybe you should stay out of it-' Jack glanced up at her over his newspaper. 'you know, and do the dishes.'

Jessie looked over at her as she picked up her plate and headed over to the sink, chuckling as she got a fright from Jake suddenly appearing at the window in front of her. She smiled, seeing the boy had flowers and couldn't help resist a slight tease at her expense. 'Go on Mallory, I can do the dishes.'

'Thanks Jessie, thanks a lot.' She rolled her eyes, trying to ignore Jake and hoped that he would go away but he didn't. He just stood there with that grin on his face and tipped his hat at her. She sighed. He wasn't going anywhere till he got what he wanted. 'Ugh. Fine.'

'You'll be going on a date with him next.'

'Not in this century.'

The girl chuckled again as Mallory headed out to the porch, finishing off her bacon and scrambled eggs while Jack continued reading his newspaper. 'Those two are so funny.'

'That they are.' He agreed. 'You got any plans for today?'

'Not- exactly.' She couldn't tell him that she had plans for him and Lisa now could she? 'Any reason?'

'No, just wondering.' He placed his newspaper back on the table to finish reading later. 'You need any help getting things ready for our picnic lunch?'

'Nope, I have it all under control.'

'Alright then, I'll go head out and take care of a couple of things. That old tractor needs some work on it.'

She nodded, clearing away the rest of the dirty dishes on the table as she got up. 'Okay.'

Jack frowned. 'Your up to something, aren't you?'

'Maybe, maybe not.' Jessie grinned then turned back to the sink. 'Off you go. Your tractor awaits.'

'Hmmm.'

She chuckled as he headed out, mumbling under his breath. If only he knew about the little plan she was formulating. Quickly she washed the dishes, cleaning up the kitchen so she could set about making some muffins for their picnic lunch. When the muffins were in the oven cooking she sat down to take a quick break, grabbing her phone to text Lisa. What time are you coming over? She waited for a couple minutes but she didn't get a reply and she placed her phone down upon hearing the kittens stirring in the living room.

Miracle and Hope wobbled out of their box over to her as she walked in, a huge smile on her face as she sat down on the rug and they padded over to her. 'Aren't you two just the cutest?' She cooed as they crawled into her lap, Cougar getting up to join them. 'Oh, not you too.' She laughed as Cougar tried to sit on her lap and she pushed her aside, patting the ground beside her. 'Your just a mite big ol girl.'

Cougar purred, rubbing her head against her as she laid down and the girl placed her arm around her. 'Oh you big baby. These two keeping you busy?' Miracle was on her hind legs, her front paws on her chest as the little kitten tried to lick her face. Jessie laughed, picking her up and nuzzled her nose against the kittens head. 'Oh you're so cute! You're just too adorable.' Hope meowed her disdain, pushing against her with her little paws. 'There's room for you too.' She assured her, picking her up as well. The kittens were growing quickly now and the house was a giant playground for them when they were awake. According to Scott, they were around five weeks old now and getting more mischievous everyday.

'Your so cute.' She cooed again, rubbing Hope's back with her chin and she thought she could hear the first little attempts of the kitten purring. 'Oh you're growing up so quick.' She chuckled, letting go of the kitten as she started to squirm and she placed her back down on the ground. It was hard to imagine that they'd been with her for almost a month already. It only seemed like yesterday the little helpless balls of fluff had come into her life, and they couldn't have come at a better time. They'd helped her so much with the after effects of the barn fire, they'd served well to keep her mind of what had happened. Miracle meowed again, bringing her back to reality and she checked her watch. 'You hungry again already?' She sighed, placing the kitten on the ground with her sister. Miracle looked at her, meowing about her hunger loudly. 'Alright, alright.' She groaned as she got up, the two kittens chasing after her as she headed into the kitchen to get their food. They were starting to be weaned now, their meals consisting of a mixture of both bottle feeding and the start of transitioning to cat food.

Her phone dinged as she headed past to the cupboard, the two kittens dancing around her feet and she detourted to check the message.

I'll be there around eleven thirty. I've got something for you.

She smiled, seeing Lisa's message. Care to tell me what?

Nope. Lisa's reply was prompt. You'll have to wait. See you soon.

Alright, alright. I guess I can wait. She texted back, adding an unamused emoji face in her message. 'Ouch!' She looked down to see Hope clinging onto her leg, digging her claws in and she quickly placed her phone on the table so she could grab the kitten. Hope meowed as she pulled her off her jeans, placing her back on the floor. 'Naughty girl.' The kitten meowed again, rubbing up against her and she sighed. 'I can't stay mad at you, you're just too cute and you know it.'

The kittens stayed at her ankles as she filled their food bowls and took them over to feed them beside where Cougar had her bowl, the big cat sitting back to watch them eat. 'They're not babies anymore, are they?' She gave her girl a pat as the kittens settled down to eat. Cougar purred loudly, rubbing against her leg as she enjoyed the patting. 'They're growing up, just like you did.'

The timer on the oven sounded and she headed over to it, checking the muffins to make sure they were cooked then she pulled them out and placed them on the bench to cool. Another glance at her watch reminded her it was time to start making the picnic and she set about preparing Jack and Lisa's lunch. Miracle and Hope purred around her ankles as she made their sandwiches, looking for any scraps that might fall for them. 'You had your meal, go on.' She shooed Hope gently away with her boot as the kitten tried to climb her leg again. 'Cougar, mother time.'

Cougar knew what that meant and she quickly padded over, taking Hope by the scruff of her neck and carried her away into the living room. Miracle followed her sister and adopted mom and she breathed a sigh of relief as she carried on with her job. Cougar was such a good mom to the kittens and she was thankful that she'd trained her to take them back to their box early on. It made life a lot easier now that the kittens were on their paws and looking for mischief at every opportunity.

It didn't take her long to finish preparing the picnic, placing the muffins in the basket along with the other things she had packed for them and she closed up the basket securely incase the kittens got whiff of the food and tried to get into it. Quickly she cleaned the kitchen up again, hastily writing down a note as she saw what the time was.

'Something smells good in here.' Lou remarked as she walked through the front door. 'You been cooking again Jessie?'

'Yeah, just some blueberry muffins.' She replied, glancing over at her as she finished writing the note. 'There's some left to cool under that towel if you want one.'

'Thanks Jessie, I'll have one with lunch. Right now I have things to sort out for this Queen Of The Rodeo Contest that I'm sponsoring Soraya in.'

'Okay, they'll still be there.' Jessie placed the card against the handle of the basket, looking around for a moment. It was missing something. Something red on the desk caught her eye and she smiled as she found it was some red ribbon someone had left there off something. Perfect. No excuses now Jack, your date is pre-planned for you. She grinned as she tied the ribbon in a bow around the handle then took a moment to look at her handiwork. Yes, it was perfect.

The sound of a car pulling up outside caught her attention and her smile widened as she saw that Lisa had arrived. Quickly she put on her gloves and a thin coat and headed out to her, running up to the drivers door as Lisa got out. 'Whatcha got me?'

Lisa laughed, closing the door being her. 'No 'Hi Lisa' or Morning Lisa' for me? Nevermind a hug.'

'Oh Lisa.' Jessie chuckled, giving her a hug and the woman returned the gesture. 'You know I'm terrible at waiting for something! I've been dying to know what this 'surprise' is.'

'Is this surprise something I should know about?' Jack asked as he came over to join them, placing a kiss on Lisa's cheek. 'Hey beautiful.'

'Hey.' She blushed at the compliment, butterflies in her stomach. 'It's nothing expensive Jack, trust me.'

'Oh come on.' Jessie teased as she stepped back. 'You two can kiss properly in front of me. It's not like I haven't seen you do it before.'

'Oh we can can we?' She looked down, a hint of amusement in her tone. 'Glad we've got your permission.'

'Can I have my surprise yet?'

'Alright, yes. Go on. It's in the back.'

'Yes!'

'That girl.' Jack chuckled, shaking his head as Jessie ran to the back of the car. 'Man.'

'I know. Talk about pressure.'

Jessie lifted the door, gasping as she saw what was in the back. 'My saddle is fixed? I thought it wouldn't be ready for ages.'

Lisa nodded. 'I spoke with the saddler about how you've got this rodeo coming up and he was able to move it up in the queue to get fixed.'

'Oh, thank you Lisa.' She smiled, pulling it out of the car. She looked the saddle over, it had been fully repaired from the damage it had sustained during the fire and it was good quality work too. 'It's just as good as it was before.'

'I know how nervous you are about the rodeo so I hope that having your saddle back will help some.'

'It will. Thank you so much.'

'Your welcome honey.'

'I'll take it to the barn for you.' Jake remarked as he walked past. He tipped his hat at Lisa. 'Mrs. Stillman.'

'Hi Jake.'

'Thanks Jake.' Jessie handed him the saddle. 'How did Mallory like the flowers?'

'She kinda got mad-' He shrugged. 'Guess I'll just have to keep trying.'

'She'll come around. They were nice flowers by the way.'

'Glad you thought so. See you around.'

'Mmhmm.' She nodded then looked back at Jack and Lisa. 'Well, are we ready for this picnic?'

'Yep.'

'I'll have to fill up my water bottle.' Lisa grabbed it out of the car. 'Forgot to do it earlier.'

'Alright, I'll catch you inside then.'

Jack looked down at Lisa as the girl hurried off inside. 'She's up to something.'

'She is. She's got that look in her eye-' She replied as they headed up the path to the house. 'I know that look. It's the same one she had when she was asking me about 'us' a few months back.'

'Us?'

'Just a couple things. I'll tell you later.'

He raised an eyebrow but didn't question her further as he opened the door for her. 'Jessie?'

The house was still and quiet as Lisa walked in, looking around for the girl. 'She's disappeared.' She remarked, taking off her coat then stepped into the kitchen. The basket on the table caught her eye and she smirked as she walked over to it. Her smirk turned into a chuckle as she read the note, glancing back as Jack hung his coat up. 'Listen to this. 'Due to circumstance beyond my control, it is my understanding that I effectively ended your plans for a picnic together a few months ago by events I don't wish to elaborate on. (I still feel bad about that too) This is my way of making it up to you, so today I won't be going on this picnic with you guys. This is your time to spend together without my interrupting your alone time so go on, take a couple horses and have a romantic trail ride and picnic prepared by yours truly. Have fun. P.S. Jack, don't mess this date up. I've given it to you on a silver platter, just make sure you take it.' She looked up at Jack, the look on his face rather amusing as he took the note from her. 'Don't mess it up.'

He playfully hit her arm with the note, Lisa ducking away from him with a laugh. 'Apparently she thinks I'll be the one to mess up.'

'Will you?' She asked cheekily, daring him to try and get her again.

'I don't know-' He carried it on. 'Depends on how my company behaves.'

Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at him. 'Well cowboy, shall we go take this 'date' that Jessie has fixed for us?'

'Definitely.' Jack picked the basket up, wrapping his arm around her. 'Shall we?'

'We shall.'

Jessie covered her mouth to stop a laugh escaping from her little spying place, watching their little discourse. She emerged from her hiding place after they had left, a glorious feeling of happiness washing over her. This was what it was supposed to be like. This was how parents were to act. Even though she didn't call them Mom and Dad yet, in her mind they were her parents now. Her face clouded slightly as she walked down the stairs, glancing out the window as Jack and Lisa walked to the barn, Jack with his arm around her. This is what it's supposed to be. She'd never seen her parents act like this, she hadn't even seen Robert and Lillian be loving towards each other. Somehow in her mind she knew that if they loved each other, they would love and care for her too. It made her happy inside to think that she had guardians like that now, parents even in her mind. To her, her real mother and father didn't deserve that title anymore. It belonged to those who really truly loved her.

'What are you up too?'

She jumped, hearing Lou behind her and she turned around. 'Nothing.'

'I know that look on your face-'

'Alright, alright.' She rolled her eyes, glancing at the clock again. The kittens would almost be ready for their bottle fed soon. 'You'll get it out of me one way or the other. Jack and Lisa were going to take me for a picnic today but I sent them off without me so they could have a date.'

'Really?' Lou raised her eyebrows. 'Your turning into a little matchmaker.'

'Aren't I?' Jessie grinned, glancing back as they led a couple horses out and mounted. 'They found each other so I can't take that credit but as for keeping their romance going I don't mind giving them a nudge in the right direction. I kinda have put a spanner in the works by my arrival.'

'To bad I didn't have your help before.' She mumbled under her breath then spoke to her again. 'I'm sure they'd tell you you haven't put a 'spanner in the works' by being here.'

'I know but they need their time together. I don't want to stop them from having it. Besides, I like seeing them spending time together.'

'Your a hopeless little romantic.'

She chuckled as Lou helped herself to a couple of muffins and took a place at the table to read the newspaper. 'Yep. I am.' She went to the stove, the kittens barreling into the kitchen as they heard her getting their bottles ready. 'Settle down, settle down guys.' She glanced back at Lou, filling up the pot with some water and their formula. 'They spelt Amy's last name wrong in that article about the river rescue yesterday.'

'It's not the spelling mistake I'm looking at.'

'Hi Lou.' Amy exclaimed as she hung her coat up and walked into the kitchen.

'Mmm. Amy, you didn't tell me this Mountie was so gorgeous.' She replied, looking at the photo on the front page. 'Seriously, I'm going to have to the myself to some railway tracks-'

'Um, Lou-'

Jessie couldn't help but chuckle softly, glancing around to see that the constable was standing behind Amy. Lou had no idea that he was right there.

'Then you can call 911 and say 'Help help. My sister needs rescuing but only by Constable Mark Rod-' She glanced up, stopping abruptly as she saw someone standing behind Amy. She glanced at the man then back at the photo and up at him again. He smiled and she wished that the ground would swallow her up.

'And this is my sister Lou.' Amy introduced, enjoying the look on her face. 'And you've met Jessie.'

Mark nodded. 'Pleasure.'

Lou blushed. 'I need to make a couple phone calls. Excuse me.'

Jessie chuckled again as Lou made a hasty exit, dividing up the milk between the kittens bottles as Amy offered a seat to the Constable. 'I'll be done in a moment, I'll take these guys to the living room and you can have the kitchen all to yourselves.'

'That's okay Jessie-' She took a seat at the table and the constable sat down across from her. 'you can feed them here.'

'Ouch!' Mark exclaimed, looking down at his leg. A grey kitten looked up at him, meowing loudly as its claws dug into his leg. 'Shoo!'

'Sorry.' The girl made a bee-line for the kitten, carefully extracting the man's jeans from the kittens claws. Hope meowed again loudly as she picked her up, her cheeks almost as red as Lou's had been. 'I'm so sorry. Hope has figured out what claws are and she loves climbing up people's legs.'

'No harm done.' He assured her. 'But maybe I should arrest her if she's a repeat offender.'

'Hear that Hope? He'll put you in kitty jail.' The kitten's throat rasped as she rubbed her head, trying to purr. 'I'm so sorry about that.'

'It's fine, don't worry about it.'

She grabbed the bottles, still holding onto the kitten as it struggled and tried not to trip over Miracle dancing around her ankles as Amy and the constable started to talk. 'Yes, yes, one moment.'

'Need a hand?'

She looked up to see Ty at the doorway and she sighed in relief. 'Yes, here.' She handed him Hope and a bottle, picking up Miracle before she tripped over her. 'Thanks.'

'No problem.'

'So, tell me what's going on with Venture.'

'Well, physically, Ventures fine.' He replied. 'But suddenly, he's terrified of water. And on top of that, he won't let anyone ride him, including me. Police vets weren't sure what to do so your name came up.'

'I'm glad you thought of us.' Amy pushed Miracle away as she tried to bat her arm with her paw, Jessie trying to keep the kitten behaved while she fed her.

'I didn't. Look, I got to be straight with you. I don't buy into this horse-whispering stuff. I'm just following orders.'

'You know, Amy's pretty good at what she does.' Ty interjected as Lou walked back into the kitchen to make herself some coffee. He glanced down at Hope as she continued to eat then back at the officer. 'You might be surprised.'

'I doubt that. So, I could bring him out tomorrow, then?'

'Yeah, sure.' She nodded. 'That would be great.'

'Okay, I'll see you then.'

'It must feel pretty good being called a hero.'

'Oh, I am no hero.' He replied to Lou as he started to the door. 'So stay away from those railway tracks, okay?'

'Stop drooling.' Amy teased as Lou headed to the window to watch the man walk out to his car.

'What?'

'Aren't you and Scott still technically together?'

'Yes. No. You would have to ask him. Besides, just because a girl already has great clothes doesn't mean she can't window shop.'

Jessie raised her eyebrows, placing Miracle back down on the floor since she'd finished her meal. She'd had a hunch that Scott and Lou had been seeing each other from little snippets of conversation she'd heard here and there but if they weren't together anymore was that going to cause a problem with having him around? Add to that the fact that no one knew they were related yet it was going to be just slightly awkward. 'Hope finished with her meal?'

'Yep.' He handed her the empty bottle, giving the kitten a pat before he placed her down. 'So where are Jack and Lisa off to?'

'On a date.' She replied with a grin. 'That I organized for them.'

He chuckled. Jessie certainly liked making things interesting. 'Organized dates, what next?'