Chapter 54

I hope by the time I post this we get some sort of SEAL Team promo because I am dying for one! I know they've been doing some night and action shoots it seems from what people have posted online. I started an Instagram fan page just for the show: bravost_fan. I follow a lot of the cast and as many writers as I can, so I will try to share some of their stuff. Thank you for the continued support of this story. On to the next chapter!

After breakfast, Mandy led everyone to one of the garages where they had their multi-person ATV carts. They were like golf carts but fortified. They had half doors to the front and back row and could hold up to four or five people. They had windshield in front and covers all around the sides that could be pulled down if it rained as well. Mandy had Jason, Emma, Mikey, and Gunner in one while Troy had Jessica, Haley, and Sarge in another. The property had paved pathways for them to follow that branched out in different directions sometimes. They had street name signs and guides put up along the way as well.

"You guys own a city here or something," Jason joked as he saw the signs.

"You'd think," Mandy laughed. "It's a lot of land and just easier to navigate if we put up signs. Especially when you have contractors or other employees on the grounds. Easy to get lost around here."

"Scenery is nice," Jason observed.

"Yeah, you kind of forget about the whole world out here and just stay in this little safe haven," Mandy replied.

"You grew up out here?" Emma asked.

"For the most part," Mandy answered. "We did spend time in Virginia Beach too since Dad was a SEAL. I was fifteen when I came out here. I finished high school out here. Did college in New York at Columbia. Came home every chance I got though."

"Do you make it back here now?" Emma followed up.

"Not as much as I should," Mandy shook her head as the barns came into view. "Welcome to our ranch section."

Up ahead, you could see different barns with their doors open. Cows were out on the pasture and another section had chickens. The chickens had their own house where they laid eggs. Another fenced in area had some horses grazing while you could hear some neighing in the barn. Mandy parked the cart off to the side and everyone got out. Before leaving the house, Mandy had made sure everyone had boots on because you never knew what you could step in.

"Mandy! So good to see you," a man called out.

"Randy," Mandy smiled as she hugged the older man. "Guys, this is Randy. He takes care of the animals."

"Howdy all," Randy tipped his hat. "And you must be Master Chief Hayes. The one stealing our girl's heart."

"Apparently everyone knows about me," Jason tilted his head. "And it's more Mandy stole mine."

"Never knew you were so corny, Hayes," Mandy raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, Dad, pretty corny," Emma giggled as Mikey nodded along.

"Randy! How's Dusty? Is he ready for me?" Haley fired off.

"Why hello Ms. Haley. How are you?" Randy laughed.

"Why is your horse named Dusty?" Mikey asked.

"Cuz, we leave you in the dust," Haley laughed.

"Hey, good one," Jason chuckled as he held his hand out for a high five.

"Alright, all your horses are in here," Randy lead them into the barn. "Look who is here for ya, Raider!"

Towards the end of the barn, the head of a dark brown horse stuck out of its stall. The horse turned its head towards them as they approached, and it started neighing. As it neighed, it shook its head and moved around in its stall.

"Hey buddy," Mandy said softly as she approached with one hand out to let Raider sniff her. Suddenly he nudged her hand and neighed louder. "I know, I know. I missed you too," she replied and started petting him. Raider greeted her like a dog who hadn't seen its owner in a while. Raider neighed and moved excitedly as Mandy went to open the door to his stall.

"Wow," Emma breathed out as Raider walked out and they could see his beauty.

"Yeah," Mandy smiled as Randy brought Dusty in for Haley.

"Dusty!" Haley exclaimed running up to him to hug the horse. "I missed you so much," she exaggerated.

Mandy grabbed Dusty's reigns and lead both him and Raider out of the barn as Randy went to fetch the other horses. Both trotted along either side of Mandy and kept nudging her.

"Are you secretly an animal whisper?" Jason joked as Mandy chuckled.

"Hope y'all are ready to do some riding," Mandy said to the Hayes family.

"I've never ridden a horse," Mikey sighed.

"Don't worry. We'll give you a quick lesson," Mandy said leading Raider and Dusty into a section with different jumps set up. "Your Dad is pretty good from what I've seen."

"You can ride a horse Dad?" Mikey asked surprised.

"Yeah, got us out of some situations or was the best way to travel when limited on time," Jason remembered back to saving Ray when he was stranded since his parachute hadn't deployed.

"Alright, those who need a quick lesson in riding, come on over," Randy called out.

Mandy grabbed a couple saddles on the fence and put them on Raider and Dusty. She got both horses ready for riding. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Jason sneaking glances at her. Most looked at Mandy and figured she wasn't a farm type girl. Being adopted by Jack and Susan though had definitely changed that. Susan always made sure Mandy knew what hard work was and knew where she came from.

Haley and Troy came to Mandy after she got the horses ready. Haley was all dressed up with her riding gear. Troy helped her onto the horse. Mandy watched on and made sure everything was secure. She went through the safety rules with Haley before walking over to Raider. She heaved herself up and stretched her other leg over to get on the saddle. Troy handed her a riding helmet as well to fasten on. Mandy went through her checklist as well before trotting over to Haley. Both took their horses and started trotting around the fence line of the closed area.

After a few minutes, Jason and the kids went to stand next to Jessica by the fence. They watched on as Haley and Mandy trotted within the area. They came and passed by them and did a little wave. After a couple rounds, Troy started walking with Haley as Mandy broke off.

"What's Mandy doing?" Emma asked.

"You'll see," Jessica smiled as she watched Mandy lean down to talk to Raider.

Next thing they saw was Mandy picking up a little in speed. She led Raider through the various obstacle course set up in the area. She was coming up to some jumps and seamlessly Raider and she cleared them. They could all see the smile on Mandy's face.

"She rides too," Jason smiled.

"I'm sure you know the stories from her parents about Mandy warming up to them. This ranch seemed to help. Something about the animals calms her. She learned how to ride here. I know she always means to come back here more than she does. She loves to ride," Jessica said.

"Alright, who is ready to ride?" Randy said coming up behind them with some horses. "Ah, I see you're watching our champion," Randy stated proudly.

"Mandy's a champion?" Mikey asked in awe.

"Oh yes. You should check out the trophy room," Randy replied.

"Trophy room? Seriously?" Jason asked.

"Oh yes, we all have our achievements in there. Don't be surprised when Susan adds all of you guys as well," Jessica laughed as Troy and Haley came towards them.

"Mom, look at Aunt Mandy go!" Haley said as she watched. "Aunt Mandy said she would help me for my next competition," she added excitedly.

"That girl," Jessica said shaking her head as she led everyone in to get on the horses. "She idolizes Mandy. The bond they share, it's so precious and unbreakable. Mandy would be a good Mom. Maybe you can help with that Master Chief Hayes," Jessica smirked as Jason's eyes grew a little wide.

"Maybe," Jason replied as he looked over at Mandy and imagined them having kids together. It wasn't a bad idea, but they were still early in the relationship.

After a few more jumps, Mandy came over to join the rest of the group.

"Is there anything can't do?" Jason joked.

"I don't cook much, just enough to get me by sometimes," Mandy replied.

"Well then, that might just break this thing between you and me," Jason replied back.

"Your loss," Mandy shrugged.

"It would be. Just like scarf guy. Or fast and furious guy," Jason smirked.

"Maybe I should start naming your exes," Mandy raised an eyebrow.

"Jealous?" Jason flirted back.

"Maybe I was then but now I know I have nothing to worry about," Mandy said confidently. "Now, let's go cowboy," Mandy said getting Raider to pick up some speed.

"Oh, it's on," Jason chuckled.

After riding the horses, Randy took them around the barns and had everyone pitch in with the upkeep. Jason watched on amused as he saw Emma and Mikey get put to work on the farm. He wouldn't say his kids were spoiled, but they definitely had never done farm type things. He could tell they didn't really want to do what they were tasked with per say but they didn't want to be beat by Haley who gladly stepped up to the task.

"How are they doing?" Mandy said coming to stand next to Jason.

"I wouldn't say they're warmed up to the work part of the farm but they're enjoying the vacation none the less," Jason chuckled turning to Mandy and pulling her close. "So, you ever take any cowboys behind the barn?"

"Not really. Wanna be the first?" Mandy flirted back as she started guiding them towards a barn.

"Really? Pretty girl like you had to have the guys eating out hands like putty," Jason smiled as they walked into a barn.

"SEAL's daughter, meaning Dad scared the living day lights out of all the guys around town. I'm pretty sure he said he watched them from the drones or satellites above," Mandy laughed as they entered one of the empty barns.

They continued to make small talk while making out in between. They both felt like teenagers in lust with each other. Next thing they knew, they were falling into a stack of hay and Jason was making jokes of rolling in the hay. Mandy of course, laughed at his corny jokes. After a little maneuvering, both were left breathless minutes later.

"I like Nashville Mandy," Jason said as they straightened out their clothes.

"Vacation Jason is pretty fun to hang out with too," Mandy smiled as she looped her hands around his neck.

"Maybe we should make more time in the future to relax," Jason said as they started walking out.

"Definitely," Mandy replied as they stepped outside.

"There you are!" Jessica called out seeing the two emerge. "Well, I'll be damn. That's my girl," Jessica said proudly looking both of them up and down.

"Why am I friends with you again?" Mandy rolled her eyes.

"Anyways, I'm stealing my best friend. You see her enough as it is. Time to share," Jessica declared pulling Mandy along and Jason went to join the rest of the group across the way.

"So, is he good?" Jessica asked bluntly once they were a little bit away.

"What are we? In high school?" Mandy laughed.

"Oh, he's good," Jessica exclaimed. "God, I'm so happy for you. It's about time you found love."

"Love?" Mandy asked. "We literally have been together for about a month. Isn't it a little early?"

"Mandy," Jessica began. "You two started as friends, you know since he was married and all. Then you two have this on and off thing where you toed the line after the divorce. His wife dies and you're there for him in ways no one else could be. Just because you both finally got your heads on straight doesn't mean you're not in love."

Mandy sighed, "You're probably right, I just…"

"You're scared," Jessica filled in. "Scared this is just a fluke and won't work out in the end like everything else. I get it, but you can't give in to the fear. You both deserve happiness. The jobs you guys do, everyone needs bright spot or place they can breathe and find some peace. Right now, you guys have two weeks of uninterrupted time together before work comes back and the true test begins. You two are so strong for everyone else, yet when it's just the two of you the world fades away."

"You see all of that?" Mandy asked.

"Yeah," Jessica replied. "Promise me you won't just give up and run when it gets tough. Especially with Roman back."

"Hey," Mandy said stopping to grab her hands. "Roman isn't going to come near you or Haley. You can bet me, Troy, and everyone here will make sure of that."

"Yeah, well none of you better die doing that," Jessica said seriously.

"You know I can't promise anything," Mandy said turning them around to head back. "Jason is pretty great, isn't he?"

"Easy on the eyes too," Jessica added.

"Hey, you have Troy. Back off!" Mandy joked.

"Oh, don't worry. You can keep the cowboy," Jessica laughed. "I know how much you love riding them," Jessica smirked before taking off with Mandy chasing after her.