"Beth, I was wondering by if I could have Katie for the day?" John asked at breakfast. Beth was curious why he would want to have Katie for the entire day.

"Why Daddy?" Beth asked.

"Beth I want to spend some time with her." John told her. Beth had seen the governor leave the lodge that morning and Beth had a feeling John might use Katie to get what he wanted.

"Fine, but don't you use her as a pawn for your games." Beth touched his shoulder before going over to where Katie was.

"Hi baby." Beth said to Katie crouching in her heels.

"Hi Mama." Katie said without looking at her.

"You're going to spend the day with Grandpa. You'll have lots of fun." Beth told her. Katie lent around Beth to look at John before nodding ok to Beth.

"You'll still come get me?" Katie asked.

Beth nodded and showed Katie the clock. "When the big hand gets here and little one to the number five, I'll come and get you." Beth explained. Katie nodded giving Beth a hug before she stood and left.

"Anything you want to do today Granddaughter?"

Katie thought about the question before "can we go to the zoo?"

John didn't expect her to ask to do that but nodded anyway. "Come on then, let's go." He grabbed a jacket for each of them and put Katie in the truck before getting in the drivers seat.

John drove to the zoo in Billing's before getting Katie out, being a weekday it wasn't too busy other than a couple of other young families and a school group. "Stay close to me, no wandering too far away." John told her.

They followed the map to the first stop which was farm animals including chickens, alpacas and bison.

"We have them." Katie said pointing to the bison. John nodded, pointing out the giant rabbit and alpacas.

"We don't have them. Alpacas are good if you want to keep sheep safe from other animals." John told Katie. The school group was next to them listening to what he said.

"Are you a cowboy?" One boy asked him.

"I am." John said chuckling.

"Wow, that's so cool!" The boy said before telling his friends who all looked at John, impressed.

John and Katie kept walking around the zoo stopping at various sights and enclosures. "Grandpa, why are all those kids not with their mamas?"

"That's because they go to school during the day to learn things." John told her

"They don't do that at home?"

"No. They learn things like maths, science and history. Things that their Mama's can't teach them."

Katie scrunched up her face. "My Mama is smart."

"She is, but everyone goes there. Tate goes."

"Can I go now?"

"Not for a few more years." John ruffled her hair. He pointed out the wolves to Katie who were sleeping together in a pack.

"Big doggies. Mama doesn't like it when I go near them."

"I bet she doesn't. This one is a porcupine. It's got a baby too."

"It's a cute baby Grandpa. Oh look a big bear!" Katie moved to the next enclosure pulling John along. "Mama always says there is a bigger bear. This one is pretty big."

"I'm not quite sure that's what she means." John muttered

They stopped at the gift shop on the way out and Katie picked out a porcupine soft toy.

"Just one stop on the way home Katie." John told her as he did up her car seat. She was too preoccupied with her new toy to worry.

John drove in to town and parked the truck.

"Where are we?" Katie asked

"Come on." John said avoiding answering the question lifting her out of the truck. He carried her in to the building along the corridor to where they were going.

"I'm here to see the governor." John told the assistant.

"Come in John." Governor Parry called. John entered with Katie still in his arms. "Oh and an extra visitor. Hello." Lynelle said to Katie.

"You have a big office." Katie pointed out.

Lynelle smiled. "I do. What can I do for you John?"

"Look, I'll get straight to it. Are you endorsing Jamie as governor?"

"I intend to yes. Isn't that what you wanted?"

John sighed. "No. I'll run for it with your endorsement."

"I'll have to tell Jamie."

"I can't let you do that Lynelle."

"What's going on John? Is this why you're here with her, to soften a blow?"

"I know he's my son, but he's dangerous for the State. I can't let him abuse the power, he'll sell land and be led astray. He's already hurt his own family multiple times. I didn't bring her here as a pawn in any game. She's my own granddaughter. I'm keeping her away from all of that shit." John stood holding Katie.

"Let's talk when little ears aren't here John." Lynelle told him showing him the door.

"Who was that Grandpa?" Katie asked as they walked through the corridors.

"A friend, granddaughter. A powerful one." John told her. They turned a corner and Jamie nearly ran in to them.

"Dad. What are you doing here?" He asked.

"Showing Katie around." John told him. Katie squirmed in his arms. "What are you doing?"

"Hello Katie." Jamie said, Katie looked at him before turning away. "Thought Beth would have taught her some manners. Anyway I'm off to have lunch with Governor Parry."

"Careful Jamie. They're family."

"See you Dad." Jamie said before walking off in the direction they had just come from.

"Time for us to go home anyway." John put Katie back in the truck before driving back to the ranch. He parked up at the lodge and asked Gator to make them some afternoon tea to have on the porch swing.

"Is my Mama coming yet?" Katie asked John.

"In about half an hour Katie." John said passing her some fruit and water. "By the time you finish this she'll be here." The park gently swung on the swing until Beth arrive causing Katie to nearly fall off.

Beth was ready for Katie as soon as she turned the car off knowing what she was like.

"How's my girl?"

"I'm good. We went to the zoo and I saw a big bear. And a porkpine." Beth looked at John to fill her in about what a porkpine was.

"Porcupine granddaughter." John gently corrected.

"Yeah that. When do I go to school Mama? And we saw the governor and Jamie." The end of the sentence caught Beth's attention the most.

"Sounds eventful! Why don't you go and get your things and I'll just talk to Grandpa." Katie turned on her heel and went inside.

As soon the the door closed Beth turned to look at John, walking along the porch to where he was sat.

"Before you even start. I didn't know he was going to be there too." John said.

"I told you to not use her in your little games. What have you gone and started now."

"She was going to endorse him for Governor. Beth, I won't allow it."

"So what? You took Katie there thinking she could change it."

"No. I told her to endorse me."

"You did what?" Beth asked slowly. Katie came rushing out the door announcing that she was ready. "Put your stuff in the car for me please." Beth told her unlocking the doors.

"I'm going to run for Governor so Jamie doesn't win."

"Fuck Dad. You've got a big battle coming then."

"That's why I need your help Beth. You're the only one I can always count on." John said. Katie was calling for Beth to hurry up.

"I've got to go." She told him.

"Just think about it Beth. I can always pull out." John said.

"Don't make any more stupid decisions until you talk to me." She said before leaving.

Rip met them both on the porch when they got back.

"Daddy can we get a swing?" Katie asked

"What for?"

"Like Grandpa's."

"Mama and I will think about it." He told her. "Hi honey, how was your day?" He greeted Beth. She gave him a look that he knew not to ask any further and wait until she was ready.

"Burgers for dinner girls, it's nearly ready." Rio said opening the front door.

"Yummy." Katie said dropping her toys at the door. Beth cleared her throat, Katie turned knowing she's shouldn't have left her stuff at the door and came back to pick it up.

Rip helped Katie make a big burger before making his own. The three sat around the table eating their dinner.

"Can I got to school?" Katie asked.

Rip looked at Beth and back to Katie. "Why do you want to do that?"

"Lots of kids were at the zoo and Grandpa said they go to school to learn stuff Mama can't teach. Tate gets to go." Katie said sounding confused as to why she wasn't going.

"Darlin' you can't go to school for a few more years yet. They won't let you." Rip explained.

Katie pouted. "I want to do the science and maths."

"I hope you say that when you're 15." Beth commented. "Baby, you can't go just yet. You've got to be older."

Katie was getting frustrated and Beth and Rip could see it written over her face. "I just wanna go!"

Beth touched Rip's leg with her foot under the table telling him that she would handle it.

"How about we get some science experiments tomorrow in town to do at home." Beth suggested. Katie nodded wiping the tear falling off her cheek.

Katie went to bed easier than normal, worn out from her day with John. Beth was sitting on the bed waiting for Rip when he walked in to the bedroom.

"Hey." He said

"Hey."

"What's going on Beth?"

"He took her to see the Governor and Jamie was there."

Rip sat down on the bed across from her. "I told him to not take her and use her in his stupid games Rip. Now he's going for Governor so Jamie doesn't win." Beth ranted.

"Ok. I'm just gonna ask Beth what you want me to do?" Rip said. "You know I'll do it." Beth shook her head.

"He has to run. Jamie can't be Governor, we'd all be fucked then. We could just say goodbye to the ranch as we know it. I made a promise that won't happen." Beth got off the bed. "It's the fact he took her Rip. He took our kid when I said to leave her out of it."

Rip nodded approaching Beth from behind rubbing the sides of her arms. "I know, Beth. She's ok though and that's all that matters. Our family is ok."

Beth turned to face him. "Now I have to fight Jamie."

"Honey, you've never not been fighting him." Rip told her directing her to bed.