'Woah Kota…' Maddie brought the mare to a halt after having her phone vibrate in her pocket and quickly pulled it out to see who had messaged. A smile came to her lips as she saw that it was from Colton.

Hey Maddie, wanna hang out later?

Hey, I'd love to but I'm working at the Side Step from four this afternoon till eight. She texted back. Sorry.

After a few moments, another text came through in reply. Well, when would you be around to hang out?

I'll be working at the Side Step each evening this week but hey, you could drop in. Geri and Dad wouldn't mind me taking half an hour off to chat.

Alright. Sounds good. Tomorrow work?

Sure. See you then. She added a smiley emoji before hitting send and after he'd sent a smiley face back, returned her phone to her pocket before sending Dakota back out on the lunge line.

It was Wednesday, Maddie getting back into her routine again after having gone camping for the weekend. She'd enjoyed her time away with Cordell, Stella and August, just the four of them. It had been nice to be able to go someplace and just relax and chill with also the opportunity for her to get to know them better. Cordell had gotten out of the hike and remained in camp doing some stuff with August and while she and Stella had been out hiking they'd had some good conversation. They'd talked about their moms and exchanged stories, all in all it had been good to spend some time with her sister.

When they'd gotten back, Bonham and Abeline had left to go away for a couple days. They'd be away until Friday and so she and Liam were looking after things while they were gone. Obviously they still had the farm hands but they were understaffed this year and so what workers they did have had quite a workload already.

'Woah Kota.' Maddie brought the mare to a halt again and went out to meet her, giving the mare a good rub on the neck as they finished their training for the day. 'Good girl.' She smiled as Dakota ate the sugar cube she offered her. 'Well done.'

Glancing at her watch she was pleased to see she was on time and after returning the mare to the pasture and tending to both Bel and Dakota for the evening, she headed on up to the house. 'I'll just change and get ready to go.' She told Liam as she walked past him, her uncle seated at the kitchen table in front of his laptop.

'Alright. Don't take too long.'

'I won't.'

True to her word it only took her ten minutes to have a quick shower and change into clean clothes and once she'd finished her makeup and tidied her hair, she was ready to get to work. 'Ready Uncle Liam.'

'Let's get going then.' He placed the lid of his laptop down and grabbed the keys for his car off the bench.

'Did Dad seem… I don't know… A bit off to you, this morning?' Maddie questioned as they went out the front door. 'I just… got the feeling he was a bit worried about something but I might just be over thinking things.'

'There uh… There's a case going to court today-' Liam started as they got into the car. 'That your Dad worked on.'

'The one that's been in the news for the last two weeks? The Serano case?'

He nodded.

'No wonder Dad didn't seem himself.' She remarked with a soft sigh. 'They were trying to get his charges dismissed, weren't they? What happens now?'

'I don't want you worrying about this, okay?' Liam said, glancing over at her as they drove out of the front gate and onto the road. 'Just… focus on something else, alright?'

Judging from his tone she took a guess that he considered the conversation over. 'Alright. I'll try.'

'How's your school work going?'

Another sigh as she rested her head back against the headrest. 'Don't ask.'

'That good?'

'You could say so. After my last report card I've been trying to do better but no matter how much I study, I can't seem to get my grades up. Is there such a thing as trying too hard?' She questioned, turning to him.

'Might be. I can give you extra help if you want.'

Maddie chuckled softly. 'You that bored at home you want to go back to seventh grade schoolwork?'

'Beats doing nothing.'

'Well, I might take you up on that offer since Mawline's still away with Grampa. I don't want to annoy Stella and Augie each time I can't figure something out. Besides, they've got their own homework to keep them busy.'

'So, nine o'clock tomorrow for some tutoring then?'

'Sounds like a good idea.' She agreed then fell silent, watching the scenery going by as they drove into Austin. When they pulled up out the front of the Side Step she grabbed her things and stepped out. 'Thanks for the ride Uncle Liam.'

'No problem kiddo. See you at home later.'

Maddie waved as he pulled away then headed into the bar where Geri was standing over at one of the tables with something. 'I see the posters have finally arrived.'

'Oh hi Maddie.' Geri remarked, the teen coming to join her. 'Yes, finally. Good thing I wasn't only relying on them for advertising, we've gotten quite a few hits on our Insta and FaceBook pages.'

'Many people sign up?'

'A few. Hopefully we'll get some more between now and Friday.' She glanced down at her. 'What about you? You think about joining in?'

'I have and the answer is no. Maybe another time.'

'Alright. If you change your mind-'

'I'll be sure to let you know.' Maddie interrupted with a smile. 'August here yet?'

'No, not yet but he should be here soon.' She took a glance down at her watch. 'Would you like to start fixing the tables outside?'

'Yeah, sure. I'm on it.'

As Maddie began wiping the tables down outside and placing the seats where they belonged and such, August arrived. 'Hey little bro.' She called out as he walked through the car park, school bag slung over his shoulder. 'How was school?'

'School was fine and the only little one around here is you.' He teased back at her. 'Either you started early today or I'm late…'

'I got here early.' She replied as he placed his backpack down inside the doorway. 'Want to give me a hand with the rest of these tables?'

'Sure.' He caught the extra rag that Maddie tossed to him and began wiping down the opposite side of the table she was working on. 'So, anything interesting happen today?'

'Well, apart from taking a tumble off Dakota while practicing our sliding stops, not much. You?'

'The kids at school were talking about Dad being in the news again.'

Maddie sighed softly. 'Perks of being a Ranger's kid?'

'Yeah, apparently. Anyway, I try not to think about it. You shouldn't either.'

'That's easier said than done when every single news channel is broadcasting the same story.' She replied as they moved over to another table. 'I had to turn off the tv this morning, I couldn't stomach listening to it any longer. Serano got out on bail too.'

'Really?' August questioned with disbelief then shook his head. 'Dad is going to be pissed.'

'That's an understatement.' She looked up at him. 'Do you worry, bout what Dad does? I mean, how do you deal with what Dad's job is?'

He shrugged. 'I just try not to think of it most of the time. I mean, someone's gotta take down the bad guys right? And Dad's been a Ranger for as long as I can remember so it doesn't really bother me that much.' Finished with his side of the table he joined her over at the next one she was working on. 'Dad knows what he's doing Madds.' He tried to reassure her. 'It's not by chance that he's the best Ranger in Austin.'

She chuckled. 'Yeah, they don't just give those badges out as party favors hey.'

'They sure don't.' August moved around the table to wipe a spot that she missed. 'But you know Maddie, if you want to talk bout anything, anytime, you can come talk to me. I might be your younger brother but I've been told I'm still a pretty good listener.'

'Thanks Augie.' She smiled at him then decided to change the subject. 'So, what are you saving up for with the money you're earning from working here?'

'I don't know yet, exactly. Guess I'll just keep on saving it up till there's something I want to buy. What about you?'

'Well, I'm hoping I might be able to buy Dakota at the auction when the Makeover comes to an end but… well… I'm not going to hold my breath.'

'Why?'

'Last year, one of the mustangs sold for over eleven thousand.'

August raised his eyebrows and let out a whistle.

'Yeah. My thoughts exactly.'

'How much have you got saved up?'

'Nowhere near that much.'

'Well, if you want to make sure you get her, just turn her into a bucking bronco and no one will bid on her.'

'Mmmm. Probably not the best advice you've given.' She teased. 'It would kinda be nice to win the competition though but… I'm not going to set the bar too high for us. There's a lot of other trainers with way more experience than I've got competing.'

'You never know. You might just surprise yourself.'

'If we get to the end of the competition and I get to buy Dakota, that would be more than enough for this girl.' Maddie replied, glancing around as Geri came out to hang the posters. 'Tables are done Geri.'

'Great. Come give me a hand with these?'

'Sure.'

August stepped over, reading the sign as Geri and Maddie hung it up on the door. 'Calling all bands and singers?' He questioned.

'Yeah.' Geri nodded. 'Figured I'd offer the Side Step as a venue for all Austin songbirds. Didn't you hear about it earlier?'

He shook his head. 'Nope.'

'Hopefully it might bring in a little money too.'

'Oh. So that means I'll get a raise.'

'We-' Maddie said as she held the poster so Geri could tape it up. 'That's we in the equation there, Augie.'

'You'll have to negotiate that with your dad.' Geri replied as she finished hanging the poster then turned to August. 'Hey. Why don't you audition?'

'Okay. That-that's real funny.' He laughed.

'No, no no. I'm being serious.' She continued. 'I mean, you were a hit over the holidays. Show everyone you can play more then just 'Jingle Bells.''

'At least your arm isn't still in that sling.' Maddie teased. 'You won't have to rely on Colton to be your literal right hand man.'

'That's enough of that Maddie.'

She chuckled. 'You were the one who thought it was a good idea to go climbing that old barn after all.'

'Well-' Geri started, August returning his attention to her. 'What do you say?'

'It's-it's tempting but… no.' He shook his head. 'I mean, you said you wanted to bring money into this place. The last thing Side Step or Austin needs, for that matter, is for me to headline a band.'

'You're in a band?'

'Uh-' August turned around to see the girl he had a crush on and a couple of her friends standing behind him. 'H-hey Faye. Yeah… Yes… Mm-hmm.'

'And you're playing this Friday?'

'Mm-hmm. Yeah, yeah, we uh… we are. Yeah, totally.'

Maddie had to stifle a chuckle as she watched their exchange, Geri slipping off to go hang a couple posters inside.

'Would it be cool if I came and recorded some content?' Faye asked. 'For my YouTube channel?'

'Uh… Okay. Yeah.' He agreed. 'That'd be cool.'

'Thanks Augie.'

August sighed heavily, running a hand over his head after Faye and her friends had just walked inside. 'What the hell did I just do?'

'Um…' This time Maddie couldn't hold herself back. 'August. You just rail-roaded yourself into playing in a band. Jolly good show little brother. You do realize a band is more than you, yourself and I. That I as in, another you.'

'Oh boy….' He exclaimed as what he'd just gotten himself into began to sink in.

'Mmmm. That's one way of putting it.' She grinned, handing him the cloth she'd been wiping the tables down with. 'I wish you good luck. Don't forget your family when you're rich and famous.'

'Maddie, I need your help.'

Maddie looked up from the dishes she was rinsing to place into the dishwasher as August came into the kitchen. 'Okay, shoot.'

'I need help pulling together a band and I have absolutely no idea where to start.'

'Well maybe-' She wiped her hands on a towel before turning to him. 'You should have thought about that before you told your crush that you're in a band.'

'My crush?... Maddie, this isn't funny-'

'I'm finding this quite amusing to be honest.'

August was less than impressed that she didn't grasp the severity of the situation. 'Maddie, please-'

'You could just tell her the truth.'

'And have her think I'm a total jerk? Come on.'

She sighed heavily. 'Alright. Alright. Start stacking dishes and we'll get this sorted out.'

'Thank you-'

'Don't go thanking me yet. If you're gonna pull this off you're gonna need a ton of luck on your side.'

'That's very reassuring.' August remarked as he started rinsing the dishes. 'You just going to stand there?'

'If I'm using brain cells to give you advice, you get to wash.' She replied with a sweet smile. 'Right. So, you're gonna need people to play with you. Who do you know who plays drums or guitar?'

'You could do the guitar-'

'Nope, nope, nope, nope. It was you who had to say you were in a band, not me. Since you play piano, that's taken care of. You're only a singer, guitarist and drummer short of a band.'

'And we need something to sing. Could you write something between now and Friday?'

Maddie raised an eyebrow.

'Another no?'

'Correct. I hardly have time to sleep these days. Sorry.' She thought for a moment. 'But hey, I might know someone who can write you something. You keep washing-' She pulled her phone from her pocket. 'and I'll make a couple phone calls.'

'Thank you-'

'Wash.'

August rolled his eyes. 'Yes yes. I'm on it sis.'

Maddie chuckled as she stepped across the room and rang Colton. After a short conversation and explanation of the situation, to her relief, Colton agreed to see if he could come up with something suitable which he'd drop by the next afternoon.

'Any luck?' August asked as she came back over.

'Colton is going to work on it tonight and bring something by tomorrow for you to look at.' She replied. 'You can thank me later. Now, about other players-'

'I've been thinking that over, there's a couple kids in music class that would probably help. I'll go give them a call...' He handed the dish cloth back to her. 'It's all yours again. Thanks for the help. Your brilliant sis.'

'Mmmhmm.' She murmured as he headed for the door. 'Good luck.'

Maddie was just wiping up the last of the plates when Cordell walked into the kitchen. 'Hey Dad.'

'Maddie girl. Are you finished here?'

'Almost. Just got a couple more plates to go.' She glanced over at him. 'August ready to go?'

'Ah yeah, he's already out waiting in the truck.' He waited until she placed the last plate in the cupboard and hung her apron up, the two of them walking out of the kitchen together. 'Night Ger.'

Geri waved from over at the bar where she was serving a couple customers. 'Night Cordi. Maddie.'

Maddie yawned as they walked across the parking lot to their truck, Cordell chuckling softly. 'You look tired.'

'Mmmhmm.' She replied softly. 'It's been a long day.'

'Well, let's get my tired girl home and to bed then, shall we?'

'Sounds like a good idea.'

'Hey Maddie.'

Maddie glanced up from the table she was wiping down as Colton walked into the sidestep, smiling. 'Hey. How did you go with the-'

Colton held up a music book. 'Right here. Spent most of the night working on it but-' He shrugged. 'Hopefully it'll do.'

'Can I take a look?' She asked, tossing the rag back onto the table. He nodded as he handed it to her and she took a moment to read over the lyrics. 'Honestly, that's pretty good Colton. Especially since it was on short notice.'

'August is going to owe me one.' He remarked as she handed the book back. 'Speaking of August-' He took a look around the Side Step. 'I don't see him here.'

'He'll be here soon.' Maddie assured him. 'I hope you don't mind waiting for ten minutes or so. I need to get a couple things finished then I can take a break.'

'Sure. I'll be here.'

She smiled again at him as she gathered the rag again. 'Won't be too long. Promise.'

Colton pulled up a chair at another table she began to clean and sat down. 'I'll just sit here, bored and lonely until you're done.'

Maddie playfully hit him on the arm with her rag.

'What was that for?' He questioned.

She chuckled, a wide smile on her lips. 'You'll live.' As she turned around to start another table, August sauntered in through the door. 'Guess you won't be bored and lonely anymore.' She remarked, motioning over to her brother. 'I'll join you both when I'm finished.'

August and Colton both headed over to the stage area to start organizing things while she finished up with the tables and the rest of the things she needed to get done before she took a break. Once she was done she double checked with Geri and once she'd obtained permission to take her break, she headed over to join them.

'Alright.' She smiled as she stepped onto the stage. 'What do you want me to do?'

'Well there's not much we can do until we get-' August started, being interrupted by the arrival of their father.

'Augie. Hey. I got the, uh…'

Maddie chuckled as August took the crate that Cordell had carried in and excused herself for a moment to go see him. 'Hey Dad.' She took a seat with him at the bar. 'How's your day been?'

'I-I've had better.' He replied as she gave him a hug. 'How's yours been?'

'Been pretty good. Had my fourth hundred like on Dakota's training page today.'

'Oh wow. Well done.'

Geri came over to join them and she smiled as she stood again. 'I better go see if Augie needs any help.'

'Oh-o-okay.'

As she walked away, she glanced back at them. Was she seriously the only one who saw that Cordell and Geri liked each other? Like, the only one?

'Maddie, come give us a hand with this.' August requested as he and Colton attempted to untangle the cords that had been in the crate. 'Someone got these well and truly tangled up.'

'Alright, let the expert take 'em.' She replied and was handed a complete rat's nest of a tangle.

'Thanks Maddie.'

She smiled as she set to work. 'No problem.'

As she sorted the cords out, August sat down to take a look at what Colton had written up. 'Dude, these lyrics are actually really good. Should definitely get Faye's attention.

'Yeah-' He agreed. 'just don't mess up my words.'

'Uh, what do you mean?' August asked.

'Bro, I don't sing.' Colton replied.

'Yeah, well, then… You're-you're going to, right?'

'No.'

'Dude…' August sighed as he placed the book back on top of the keyboard. 'I-I told Faye I was in a band. Right? That means, like, two or more people, you know?'

'Maddie said you wanted me to write a song. She didn't say anything about singing.'

'Great. I guess I'm dead to Faye unless-' He looked over at Maddie.

'No. No, no. Nope. No.' She replied as she placed another untangled cord back into the plastic crate. 'I already told you, Augie. I'm not singing in your band. Not happening.' As August went to reply, Todd, who was having a tutoring lesson with Stella at a table not far from them, began to sing. Maddie lent down next to August. 'Well, there you go.'

'Yeah man.' Colton agreed. 'Who knew Todd could sing?'

'He-he probably will say no-' August

'You won't know unless you go ask him.' Maddie interrupted. 'Go on. Go ask him. The worst that can happen is that he'll say no-'

'Maddie. Not helping-'

'Who was the one who wanted to impress his crush huh?'

'Maddie. Please…'

'Okay, okay.' She saw the look on his face and decided that he'd taken enough teasing about the situation for now. 'Alright. I'll be quiet.'

'That would be much appreciated.' He replied as he stood. 'Wish me luck.'

Maddie shook her head with amusement, placing the last cord into the crate as August went to speak to Todd. 'Well, if we're finished here-' She remarked as she looked around, not seeing anything else that needed attention. 'We might as well go sit down.'

'That might be a good idea.' Colton replied, looking at her closely. 'Maddie uh… You feeling okay? I mean, you look kinda pale-'

'I'm okay.' She lied with a smile. 'Just been on my feet too much today.' She said as he pulled a seat out for her at one of the tables. 'I was out all day training Bel and Dakota-' Maddie explained as she sat down, 'And tidying up the house and such before I came here for my shift. So yeah, it's been another long day.'

'Would you like me to go get you something to drink?'

'Some water would be nice. Thank you.'

'Alright, I'll be right back.'

After Colton had left, Maddie slipped a blister pack of painkillers from her pocket and slipped a couple into her mouth as inconspicuously as possible. Returning them to her pocket she rubbed her temples. The headache that had been creeping up on her all day was really starting to get annoying again… She sighed softly as kept rubbing, the pain alleviating for a moment. When Colton emerged from the kitchen however, she quickly stopped what she was doing and put a smile on her face as he handed her a glass. 'Thank you.'

'No problem.' He assured her as he took a seat beside her. Todd and August started over to the stage and he motioned over to them. 'Looks like he was able to convince him after all.'

'That's a relief.' Maddie placed her glass down after taking a sip. 'I really really didn't feel like singing in his band.'

'Why not? I mean, I've heard you sing-'

She turned to him with a raised eyebrow. 'Um… When?'

'A couple times when you've been over to look at Rocky and Biscuit.'

Her cheeks turned a little red. She knew exactly the time he had been speaking of. 'I didn't think anyone was around.'

'Why don't you want to sing?' Colton questioned after a moment. 'You have a good voice Maddie, you shouldn't hide your talent.'

'I um… It-I-' She didn't quite know how to reply and sighed softly, looking away for a second before she turned back to him. 'I don't want to make a fool of myself.' She replied simply after deciding that was the simplest explanation. 'I've thought about it but… I couldn't stand it if people laughed at me.'

'Why would they laugh?'

'Well… I…'

'Maddie-' He said seriously. 'If that's the only thing stopping you…' He paused for a moment. 'Don't worry about what other people think. Just give it a go. When you and Abby played at the Eisteddfod, you were brilliant. You can do it.'

At his encouragement, a slight smile came to her lips. 'Alright. Alright. I'll give it a go but-' She cautioned him with all seriousness. 'Don't you mention it to anyone. If I'm gonna sing, I don't want anyone knowing and making me nervous. They can find out when I step on that stage.'

Colton smiled. 'I won't say a word to anyone. Scouts honor.'

'Hey you two-' Stella started as she came over to their table. 'Mind if I join you?'

'Not at all.' Maddie replied. 'So, Todd can sing hey?'

'Yeah, apparently.' As she pulled out a seat to sit down, she nodded over in the direction of the stage where August and Todd were playing around with a song. 'He's not too bad at it either it would seem.'

'What would it take for you to go up there and sing?' Colton questioned.

'Um…' Stella chuckled. 'Hypnosis.'

'Hey, uh, Colton.' Todd called from the stage. 'Come over here real quick.'

'Oh what does he want?' He remarked with a sigh as he stood. 'I'll be right back.'

'So,' Maddie turned to her sister after Colton had walked away from the table. 'you and Todd-'

'We're just friends.'

She looked at her. 'Really?'

'Yes really.' Stella laughed. 'What about you and Colton?'

'What about me and Colton?' She questioned, blushing.

'Do you like him?'

Maddie's cheeks were bright red. 'Stella-'

'Well hey, you were the one who started it with me and Todd.' She pointed out. 'So… You like him, dontcha?'

A shy smile crossed her lips. 'Maybe. I don't know. I've never had a boyfriend before or even thought about… anything… along those lines.' She replied with a sigh, spinning her glass around on the table. 'But I do enjoy my time with him. Honestly though-' She looked back over at Colton as he spoke with August and Todd. 'How would it work? With everything between our families… I'd just be asking for trouble.'

'Just see how things go then?'

Maddie nodded. 'That's all I can do I guess.'