A/N Hello again! I was so excited to see all of the people interested in the story and decided to get some more out as soon as I could. It will take me a little while to get into a rhythm, but I'm going to try to post at least once, hopefully twice per week. As you all know, these characters all belong to Stephanie Meyer, I just play with them. Reviews are appreciated, I love hearing what you guys think about the story! And now... enjoy!

Rosalie's mouth drew in to a tight line as her blazing eyes met her brother's. Her voice was frosty as she spoke. "Who was that?" She kept her statement short and her words clipped. Rosalie had no idea who had the gall to speak to her that way in her own house, on her father's death bed no less, but whoever he was she wanted him fired. When her brother spoke it was with the practiced ease of someone used to dealing with Rosalie's temper, one who wasn't afraid of it any longer.

"His name's Emmett, we hired him on a few weeks ago after James up and quit on us with no notice. We're lucky to have found him, he was in town for a rodeo, doing pretty well for himself too, when he started talking to me after one of the events I mentioned what a spot we were in, and he offered to work with us. We haven't looked back since. He's a dream with the horses Rose, even better than James and he doesn't have the problems James did. He listens well, and the horses dance for him."

"We'll have to disagree about the problems. We'll we can talk about him more after I see Dad."

"Rose, there will be no talking about him… Emmett's staying. That's not up for discussion. I know he made you angry, but he really is a great man, and I'm not willing to lose him over your stubborn pride. Let it go and focus on dad right now."

Rosalie's jaw would have dropped if she hadn't caught herself and regained her composure. "Jasper I really feel…"

"Rosalie I said no." Jasper's voice was firm, almost scolding, and the shock of it shook Rosalie into silence. Her twin never spoke to her that way. He was her protector, her confidante, but the strain of their father's illness coupled with the loss of James and running all aspects of the ranch was too much for him to handle in that moment. So Rosalie let it go, for now, and slipped her arms around her brother and they held each other in silence.

After a moment they parted. As siblings, they had always been close, but physical demonstrations of that in their family were few and far between. Rosalie cherished the physical closeness, allowing her guard down for a moment before slamming it back up as they parted.

"Where's Dad?"

"He's in the bedroom, why don't you head upstairs and I'll show your friends to their rooms, and get them settled." Rosalie choked back her nervousness, hid it behind her detached mask, and nodded. Alice and Jasper both squeezed her arm before following Jasper to their rooms and Rosalie, breathing slowly, began her walk up the stairs.

Each step was familiar under her body; it was strange how despite how long she had been gone this house was still so much a part of her that she ached with the familiarity of it all. As she trailed her fingers across the oak railing she looked up at the photographs of the Hale's that had come before her, a proud and hardworking family from the very beginning the Hale's were well respected, and had a reputation to uphold. She paused at the last picture, Rosalie, Jasper, and their father, standing tall and proud her father had his arms wrapped around his two children, the devotion clear in his eyes.

But now the rift between Rosalie and her father had become so large after everything that had happened; that Rosalie truly believed that even her father's dying wasn't something that could mend their relationship. Growing up, Rosalie had been her father's pride and joy, he had been a doting father, and Rosalie had wanted for nothing. Her father, William Hale, was a lover of beautiful things, and when his daughter was born he showered her with everything she had ever wanted. Rosalie's childhood had been privileged, as the children of one of the largest cattle providers and finest horses Texas had to offer their family lived in the spotlight, and Rosalie had thrived in it.

She and Jasper had begun riding when they were children, and they were quickly recognized as two of the most talented individuals on horses the town had seen in years. Rosalie's mother died during childbirth, but the love and affection that not only her father, but also the people of Hallettsville had showered on her had been enough that she had handled growing up without a mother quite well. She had been the bell of every gathering, and always the talk of the town, and that was exactly how Rosalie liked it.

When the mayor's son had started paying attention to Rosalie, her father had been thrilled. The Kings were the only family with more money that the Hale's in town, and Royce's good looks were the perfect match for Rose's. When Royce had proposed the families were ecstatic. It was going to be the wedding of the year, even the century if Rosalie's father had his way the wedding of the century. Everything had been planned, inventions had been sent out, the flowers purchased, and the wedding was only a few weeks away, and then…

Rosalie jerked her hand away from the painting as if she had been burnt. She was shaking, so she swallowed firmly a few times and blinked quickly before turning on her heel to make her way down the hallway toward her father's room. She paused at the door and rested her fingertips against it for a moment before knocking softly. Her father's voice, was a lot softer than usual, frail was a good word for it, when he invited her in, and that made Rosalie's cool mask slip for a moment, but she composed herself once more before entering.

The room was as familiar as the house, but the man she saw in it was not. Her father was lying in bed, something Rosalie had never seen in her twenty four years of life, and he looked awful. He'd lost a significant amount of weight since Rosalie had seen him last four years ago. His face held a yellow pallor and his breathing was labored, he nodded his head at Rosalie's entrance and dissolved into a fit of coughing. The wall that Rosalie had built around her heart cracked a bit as she walked slowly toward her father's bed. She knelt gently at the edge of the bed, her hands folded in her lap, her stubborn pride willing her to hold her tongue, waiting for him to speak first.

"Hello Rose." His voice was raspy, as if speaking pained him, and he struggled to sit up in bed. Rosalie didn't help. "I'm glad you came, I wasn't- I wasn't sure you would."

She nodded, for the first time in a long time, finding herself without words. Thankfully, her father continued ignoring her silence. "It's good to see you. We've got a lot of things to talk about I think." Rosalie swallowed dryly and forced herself to meet her father's eyes.

"I don't know if I'm ready to talk to you to be honest. Everything still… everything is still too fresh."

"Rosalie, it's been four years. You need to move on – "

"Dad, I can't. I can't move on because there's nothing to move on from. I needed you to be there for me. I've never needed support more in my life than that night, and you told me to FORGET about it." Her voice dripped with distain. "You told me to do the right thing, and MARRY him. And that…" She shook her head. "I'll let you get some rest." She rose, "You look tired."

For once in her life Rosalie was thankful for her father's silence as she rose and left the room. She closed the door firmly behind her and pressed her back against the wall next to it, forcing her trembling hand over her mouth. In that moment of weakness she closed her eyes tight to fight off the tears she couldn't let fall. At that very same moment, Emmett was making his way up the stairs to grab some spare sheets from the upstairs closet for Alice's bed. When Rosalie opened her eyes, watery with unshed tears he was there, thankfully clothed, but staring at her all the same. In that moment she was the naked one and she reacted in the only way she knew how, with the rage that spilled over inside of her.

"Get out! Get away from me you arrogant son of a bitch! I don't want you in my house, I don't want you on my Ranch, and I most certainly want you to get the fuck out of my way. The last part was a snarl low in her throat. The threat heavy in it and her eyes were dried with the heat of her gaze.

"Ever a lady aren't you Miss Rosalie?" His spoke slowly, his words filled with scorn which only made Rosalie angrier.

"What would you know about ladies, Emmett? I'm sure no proper lady would touch you with a ten foot pole. You might act all high and mighty but I think we both know you don't belong here." Her tone was biting, and she met his eyes dead on, Rosalie Hale never backed down from a fight, even one she started.

"I'd prefer you not speak of things you don't know anything about Miss Rosalie, I've known a good deal of women in my day, and better ones than you at that, so I'd like to suggest you keep your mouth shut." Rosalie made a strangled noise in her throat rage burning inside her.

"How dare you –"

"I'm not finished. And I might not deserve much, but I sure as hell deserve this job. I'm a great horseman, a good man and a hard worker. I'm helping your family out during a very difficult time, and doing a damn fine job at it, something you seem to know nothing about. I've been here every day for your family, helping out wherever I can, and where have you been? Off in your fancy city living your ritzy life, making millions of dollars, and despite everything you're doing, how're you helping your family?"

"You know NOTHING about my life, and the fact that you would –"

"You're right, I don't know anything about your life, and frankly, I don't care."

Then, Rosalie Hale, the woman who always had something to say, who always knew exactly how to get under someone's skin, stood speechless as Emmet turned, and once more walked away from her without a care.

Rosalie stood still for a moment, which was about how long it took for her brain to process everything that had just happened. When she came back to reality she stepped quickly into the hall bathroom to splash water on her hot face. She didn't feel regret over her actions, that was too strong a word, but she was frustrated that she had let him see her at such an emotional moment. Pulling her purse off her shoulder she silently fixed her make-up, refusing to admit that his words had actually hurt her. After a few moments of composing herself she took a deep breath and prepared to face the wrath of her brother.

When she neared the kitchen she could her murmured voices coming from behind the door, she didn't try to listen to what they were saying; instead she walked in as if she hadn't a care in the world. As soon as she entered the talking stopped and the three people she cared most about in the world looked up at her, the concern evident in their eyes. Alice had her hands wrapped around a worn red mug, and Edward sipped sweet tea. The three of them looked so comfortable together that Rosalie only had to force the smile a little bit.

"Hey, I was thinking I'd go for a quick ride before dinner, anyone interested?" She did her best to make it clear that she didn't want to talk about what had happened, and she didn't care about it at all.

"Rosalie, I think we need to talk." Jasper's voice was strained and he looked, sad. Alice looked at Jasper and shook her head slightly, almost as if to say not now, but Jasper ignored her.

"After my ride we can talk."

"Rosalie, Emmett told me what happened. Why would you snap at him like that? Why could he possibly have done to upset you that much?"

"I just have a bad feeling about him that's all." She looked around trying hard not to show how unsettled by everything she was.

"You don't know anything about him Rosalie, he's a good man. Why do you dislike him so much?"

She shook her head and her beautiful blonde hair moved smoothly across her back. "I can't explain it Jasper, now if you don't mind?"

"I'll come riding with you Rose, I just have to change, are you going to wear that?" Rosalie looked down at her black jeans and her tight blue top and shook her head.

"I'll go change too, and then we can hit the trails, I've wanted you to see them for a while now, it's so beautiful here Alice, you can't even imagine. Edward, do you want to come along?"

He rose from his chair. "Sure Rose, but I don't think I have the right shoes."

"Edward, why don't we see if a pair of my old riding boots fit you? I have some riding chaps too; I think we're about the same size." Jasper nodded at Rose and Alice before leaving through the kitchen door with Edward in tow.

Alice linked her hand through Rose's and tugged her through the door toward the guest room where both of their suitcases had been placed. As she closed the door behind her she locked her eyes with Rosalie. Her blue eyes held an intensity that always managed to get Rose's attention no matter what she was doing. "This room is now our honorary honesty room." Rosalie sighed. The honesty room was something that Alice had invented to get Rosalie to let her guard down, to really open up to Alice, and it basically meant that wherever Alice's bedroom was, that was somewhere they had to be completely honest, no matter what. To really let their guard down and say exactly what they were feeling, no matter how it might sound. In the beginning it was the only way to get Rosalie to talk to Alice.

"I lost my temper. At first I was shocked to find a strange naked man in my house, and then I was scared at how Goddamn attracted to him I was. I mean my God, Alice, he's gorgeous. I've never met anyone I've reacted to that strongly to before. It made me anxious, and then he was so arrogant that I just snapped. And then when he ran into me outside my Dad's room I… was… really upset. Then he saw me so upset and I just lost it, I didn't want anyone to see me that vulnerable. I lashed out… God I don't want to talk about this Ali."

"Okay," Alice said with a smile. "Thank you for telling me. Honesty room back?" Rose nodded. "I think you should try to mend this relationship with Emmett, give him a chance to show you who he really is, not who a livid Rosalie makes him." Without another word she planted a quick kiss on Rosalie's cheek before beginning to rummage through hers and Rose's suitcases. They both changed into well-fitted blue jeans and while Rosalie wore a tight fitted white t-shirt, Alice chose a loose long sleeved plaid button down which she tied about her waist in a flirty manor. Alice pulled on a sparkling new pair of brown boots purchased specifically for this visit, and a matching brown cowboy hat.

"Well? How do I look?" Alice struck a pose and Rosalie chuckled.

"Well aside from that being a little bit stereotypical and a little offensive, you look good."

Alice shoved her gently and they walked together in a companionable silence toward the barn. When they got there Edward was looking anxiously at the horse that Jasper was helping him saddle. Rosalie recognized it as one of Jasper's first horses, a patient gelding named Sonny Boy. He'd gotten him when he was only ten, and he was Jasper's baby. It was a good pick for Edward; Sonny was one of the kindest horses at the barn, and as sweet natured as they came. As Jasper adjusted the girth of the saddle, Sonny nosed Edward with a gentle noise low in his throat that made Edward smile and rub the velvety snout in front of him.

"It's about time ladies, although the two of you certainly make a man feel underdressed…" Jasper's eyes seemed locked with Alice and Rosalie couldn't help the smirk that graced her face, it seemed her brother was falling quickly under Alice's spell. "Rosalie, I've got Sundance tacked for Alice and waiting in the harness, I figured you might want some time alone with Rainey so I could take Edward and Alice for a few walks around the corral to get them warmed up."

Rosalie nodded at his words. Sundance was a good choice for Alice, she was an older palomino mare, her coat darkened with age, who had a little bit of feistiness in her that Alice would surely appreciate and be able to handle. Rainy Day was Rosalie's horse; or rather Rosalie belonged to Rainy Day. Rainy Day was Rosalie's birthday present the day she turned thirteen, and the two of them had been inseparable. Rosalie's father had found the Grey at a nearby ranch, and Rainy Day was the product of a well respected thoroughbred and her father's own quarter horse. Rosalie had gotten her when she was only three years old and, with her father's help, was actually able train the filly. It had been a dangerous undertaking, one that many people warned her father could result in her death, but William Hale hadn't cared. He'd told them that the bond his daughter would have with her horse would make her a champion. Sometimes her father was like that, so determined that Rosalie have the best of everything and get as far as she could in life that sometimes her safety, and feelings, were disregarded.

Rosalie walked silently down the barn, horses peeking their head out and calling a greeting to her as she passed, rubbing the noses that emerged. Rainy Day's stall was at the end, and Rosalie knew that her mare would be livid. She walked up, and at the sound of her footsteps Rainy Day swung her head over the door, when she realized it was Rosalie, she let out a highly disgruntled whinny, bared her teeth, and swung her head back into the stall. Rosalie took a step closer and crooned gently to the horse, her voice calm and soothing.

"Oh Rainy, don't be sour, you have to know I missed you." The horse ignored her as Rosalie slid open the two locks necessary to keep the willful horse contained. Rosalie slipped into the stall slowly, knowing that Rainy would turn on her if she gave her the chance.

"Oh Rainy, you're just as beautiful as ever," Rosalie murmured moving to slide her hand over the sleek powerful neck. When her hand was inches away from her Rainy moved and snapped her teeth down on Rosalie's forearm. With a murmured curse Rosalie drew her arm back to inspect it carefully. Rosalie knew she hadn't used her full strength, but it still stung and was a violent red. "Oh Rainy, you won't get rid of me that easily. I know you're mad," she soothed slowly moving closer. "But I missed you so much." Her voice caught in her throat and the temperamental mare waited a beat before lowering her head, an invitation for Rosalie to pet her. Rosalie moved in and in a second was wrapping her arms around her mare.

"Oh Rainy," she moan pressing her face tightly into her warm neck. The familiar smell of horse combined with the warm breath on her neck was too much. Rosalie closed her eyes and felt her shoulders convulse in her silent sobs. When she had quieted herself she pulled away from the mare wiping her eyes quickly turning toward the stall door, checking almost by second nature to make sure she was alone, when she was satisfied that no one had seen her second breakdown of the day, she left the stall to grab Rainy's tack.

It only took her a few moments to find the familiar saddle and bridle, and a few more moments to actually get the mare saddled and ready for a ride. She led Rainy slowly out of the stall and they made their way toward the ring where Jasper was off his horse, adjusting Alice's footing in the saddle, his hand a little higher on her calf than was actually necessary. Rosalie smirked before unlocking the padlock and making her way inside with Rainy. She mounted fluidly and when she molded herself into the saddle her muscles cried out in pleasure at the familiarity of it. God she'd missed this.

A/N I know another fight! But I promise this is a Rosalie Emmett love story, don't give up hope!