Vacation

Chapter 5

Meanwhile over in the barn, Lindsay had just made her way over to the wall and pulled down her saddle, walking over to Shadow she set the saddle on his back, after making sure that it was fastened properly. She led him out of his stable and into the main part of the barn before mounting him and taking of towards the paddock, scaring Don as he had gone back to haul the rest of Stella's bags into the house.

"Shit Linds ya scared me. Watch where your goin' on that thin would ya." Don said holding onto his heart which was beating like mad thanks to Lindsay's inpromtu scare.

"Oh do shut you big woss, Shadow just wanted to say hello. Anyway i'm gonna take him out so he can stretch his legs." Lindsay called over her shoulder as she trotted away from a Detective would had been scared whitless for the second time that day but certainly not for the last.

As she neared the paddock gate she leant forward and urged Shadow into a canter and sailed over the gate, before slowing down and leisurely made her way around and over all the fences set out. The longer she spent just relaxing and getting back into the familiar rythm of riding Shadow, the more she noticed the feelings of anger guilt and greif wash away and be replaced with a calm only Shadow could coax out of her. As she drew closing to the gate she came to hault when she noticed she was being watched. Lindsay dismounted Shadow and removed the saddle to allow him to roam free in the confines of the paddock. After placing the saddle on the railing she sauntered over to Stella to find out what was up as Stella was waving her over excitedly.

"So whats got you worked up then Miss Gossip?" She asked teasing the other woman.

"Nothing really just had to get out of the house there was too much testosterone flying around in the lounge and I asked your Mom if she needed any help, which I was then ushered out of and told that I wouldn't have to lift a finger while I was here. So that leaves you kiddo." Stella replied not to happy about being teased when she had so much more she could tease Lindsay with.

"Yeah thats what happens when you go into my Moms kitchen to try to cook something, I think the only time she has ever let me or my brothers into the kitchen to cook is if she was ill or if Grandma Kate was there." Lindsay explained chuckling at the look on Stella's face.

"Well atleast we won't have to suffer from Don's cooking then as he can burn water." Stella reminisced causing Lindsay to break out into fits of laughter. "It's true he invited all the team over for breakfast one time and we were all sat around watching one of his many dvds and all of a sudden the smoke alarm starts to go off and being curious campers that we are went into the kitchen to find him, one pan and burn water. I don't think I have seen something so funny since Danny falling into a dirty nappy when he was on dumpster duty. Danny and Aiden didn't leave him alone for weeks, and we still find notes on aprils fools about Flack." Stella managed to choke out through peels of laughter also. Once they had sufficiently because as soon as they looked at the other woman they went sprilling back into fits of outrageous laughter.

"Come on then tell me, why haven't you been inside yet?"

Choosing her options carefully, Lindsay could A: tell her the truth or B: that is make up a completely bullshit story up and hopefully Stella would buy it and in the process lie to her find twice in the space of two days. After a minute of carefull consideration she decided lieing to Stella wouldn't be one of the best things to do right now, she opted for option A as it most likely lead to less questions later on.

"I don't think my Mom has really forgiven me for leaving Montana. She has this screwed up reality thing going on, that once the trial was over I would move back home, get married, have kids and become an exact replica of what she is, but don't get me wrong, my Mom is an amazing person and I love her too bits at some point you have to draw the line. So things have been a little awkward, to say the least since the last time I was here. When I came back for the trial I honestly think that my Mom expected me up sticks and leave behind my life in New York. I changed whilst out there and now I prefer the skyline to wheat fields. Don't tell Danny I said that. Daddy stills thinks of me as his little girl that needs protecting and won't let any man near me. Right now I am willing to bet that he's cleaning his gun and Mac, Don and Sheldon are scared shitless of him." Lindsay said chuckling alond with Stella thanks to that last comment. "I just wish that she would see that i'm never gonna be like her. I can't stay at home and do nothing all day that would just drive me more mental than what I am already."

"Well you got the mental part correct. Seriously though kiddo if you ever need anyone to talk to just come and find me i'm sure I can make room in my buy schedule of sleeping and tanning." Stella replied.

"Montana come on your backside in this house I can smell food and i'm scared." Danny shouted from the porch while grinning at the two woman who stood next to the midnight black horse. Lindsay threw her head and gave a heart felt laugh at Danny's expense.

"What is all that about? I've never heard Danny speak ill about food. Thats something I thought I would never see. What have you done to him?" Stella looked dumbfounded at Danny's retreating figure.

"I'll tell you later Stel? Or maybe my Mom eould just show you whats got him so scared." She answered whilst they made their way back up to the ranch house and into a situation which would mean embaressment for 2 CSI's and 1 Detective.