A horse neighed in a near by pasture as the entire Joe clan entered the Double C Ranch's visitor center. The room's atmosphere held a cozy touch. Chairs were stationed near the fireplace, awaiting someone to sit down and enjoy the blazing fire in the hearth. A few sofas had been placed by the observatory windows, allowing guests a comfortable view of the pastures and the horses galloping by. The smell of hay and oats rose to everyone's noses, welcoming them to the horse loving world. However, the entire room was empty! No guests, no riders, and no employee in sight!
Flint walked toward the long reception desk and hit the bell that echoed a high pitched ding sound.
"Is this place closed?" Scarlett mused, her gaze shifting around the room.
Flint hit the golden bell once again. "I hope not."
"Good. It's closed!" Jaye remarked. "Let's go home!" She turned to leave when a creaking sound came apparent from their left.
The door behind the reception desk opened and their jaws dropped.
Colleen's posture immediately straightened and she stepped closer to her husband, resembling a guard dog protecting their master.
"Why hello everyone!" Judi, Cayden's assistant greeted the group. She wore a western outfit, complete with a cowboy hat and a belt buckle with an image of a horse. "I did not expect to see all of you today!" She sent them a smile.
"Hi Judi," Flint greeted the assistant. He looked back to the group and then returned to the woman behind the desk. He cleared his throat. "Um… we have guest passes if it's all right to redeem them."
Judi took the offered passes from the warrant officer. "Yes, of course, Flint!". she said once again, the smile never leaving her features. "My aunt had given you the passes as I recall! She and my uncle are not here for the week," she explained. "They have gone to a horse show and will stop to a few horse auctions on the way back to the ranch."
Flint nodded, watching the woman click the passes into the computer system.
"There we are!" Judi informed them. "I will have the horses all ready for you! Unfortunately, some of the horses that you rode during your last visit are not currently available."
Rowan slowly pouted. "Aww, but I really wanted to ride Silvershoe again!"
Judi smiled at the red-haired girl. "Silvershoe maybe still available! I'll see what I can do!" She then turned and hit a button on the desk. "If you all wait a few minutes, I will have Henry saddle up the horses for all you." She scanned the group, counting heads until her gaze landed on Colleen.
Cayden placed a protective arm around his wife. "My wife won't be needing a horse as she is not riding."
Judi arched a brow. "Oh?," she inquired.
"Yes, it is too dangerous for her condition to ride," Cayden explained to his assistant. He smiled down at his wife and dropped a kiss on the side of her head.
Scarlett glanced from the couple to the assistant and back to the couple, observing the conversation between them. She sent her husband a look that caught his attention toward the interaction. Duke arched both his eye brows.
Flint cleared his throat once again. "I hope that the Fellamella pony is available for Eryn," he requested, smiling at his daughter. He wanted this day to be perfect for her! And riding the pony would brighten up her day and emotional state.
"Falabella, Uncle Dash!" Rowan once again corrected, rolling her eyes.
Judi glanced down to the computer and her finger touched the screen scrolling down. "I do believe that Star is available!" Her smile suddenly vanished. "Oh dear."
"Anything wrong?" Flint asked curiously.
"Yes, it shows here on my chart that she is up for sale," Judi explained. "But no worries! I am certain we can have Eryn ride her today!
Flint glanced down again to his daughter. "See, Eryn!" However, Eryn remained quiet sucking on her thumb and slowly nodded.
"Please, let us know when our horses are all set. Thank you, Judi."
Judi continued to smile at the group. "Certainly!" She then turned and left the room, closing the door behind the reception area after her departure.
Lady Jaye mumbled something that none of them could even translate and strode toward the sofas and sat down in a huff.
Flint, who was carrying Eryn this entire time, walked toward the large observation window, so he can point out to all the horses in the pastures to his daughter.
"I am going to sit by the fire," Kastor claimed, walking toward one of the chairs and sitting down.
Watching Duke take Rowan's hand and guide her toward the bookcase section that was in the corner of the visitor's room, it gave Scarlett the perfect opportunity to question the couple.
"Is anything going on? I caught the impression that there was tension between you two and Judi." Scarlett looked directly at their faces, awaiting an answer.
"Nope." Both Cayden and Colleen instantly claimed simultaneously, before Cayden guided away his wife, trying to avoid the counterintelligence's cunning thinking.
Scarlett sighed and walked over to her son, sitting down on the chair opposite to his.
"I know nothing!" Kastor exclaimed, his hands in the air like a surrender.
His mother turned to him. "I didn't even say anything!"
"But you were about too!" Kastor stated, a twinkle in his eye. "Face it, Mom! I know how you work!"
Scarlett inched forward and crossed her arms in front of her. "And how do I work?, she causally asked.
"No comment!" Jeffrey stood up and walked to the magazine rack, chose a magazine and started to flip through the pages, avoiding his mother's curious gaze.
"Dad!" Rowan's voice echoed to the high beamed room with excitement. "They have the complete collections of Black Beauty and The Black Stallion!"
It was around fifteen minutes when the door to the side of the reception desk creaked opened and a young man entered the room. "Hiya, folks!", he greeted the group with a grin. "I'm Henry! All your horses are saddled and ready to ride!"
"Great!" Flint said, "See, munchkin. We get to ride like the wild Wild West!"
"Actually," Henry explained, "All the horses we currently have available is for English and Hunter class riding." He motioned for the group to follow him.
The group gathered together and followed the stable hand. They walked through a wooden hallway that connected to the west end stables. The aroma of fresh hay and oats came to their noses and a few neighs could be heard from the stalls.
At the corner of the stable section, close to an open doorway, leading to the large indoor arena, stood several horses, awaiting their riders. Henry assigned each of the group to their horse and began helping out everyone with saddling up.
Duke helped Rowan mount a grey mare named Charm. She looked a little disappointed that she would not be riding the prior horse but quickly shook the thought away as Charm nodded her head and gave a happy neigh. He held on to Rowan's reins while he stood next to his dark bay and mounted.
"That's Coco Craze," Henry informed Duke. "He can be a little spirited, so just giving you a warning."
Duke patted the horse on the side of its neck. "That's fine, I grew up with Friesians. I'm sure I can handle Coco here."
Henry approved the general's horsemanship. "And you?" he pivoted the question to Scarlett, leading a palomino mare and handing her the reins.
Scarlett patted the mare before saying, "I grew up riding Carousel horses!" And with a cunning grin, she mounted the palomino causing everyone to laugh.
They all turned toward the sound of hoofbeats on the floor, spotting Judi leading a few horses toward them. She handed the reins to a dark grey dapple gelding to Lady Jaye, then handed Flint the reins to chestnut mare. "Here you both are. These two are Romeo and Juliet."
Judi then turned and left once again, walking toward the stalls on the other side of the stable.
Jaye nodded and mounted the horse. "This guy reminds me of my horse Abhain back home!" She watched Flint and Eryn who still continued to remain in her husband's arms. "Want to ride with me, Eryn?"
Eryn slowly shook her head and placed her head against her father's chest.
Flint patted his daughter's back. "Don't worry, Allie.", he said, knowing that his daughter's refusal caused some emotional pain. "I think Eryn is waiting for that Falladalia."
"FALABELLA!" Rowan yelled out, once again correcting the warrant officer.
Colleen shook her head, watching from the side of the arena her husband and brother mount two pintos, and shaking their heads.
"Colleen! Go inside the viewing room!" Scarlett suggested, posting to the closed door near by her daughter.
"I'm all right here, Mom!" Colleen replied. "But maybe I will call Reena and see how the twins are while you all ride." She turned and headed back into the hallway, while taking out her phone and dialing Sky Dancer's number. She disappeared behind the door that led to the visitor's room.
Just then, Judi returned with the little white pony for Eryn. "Here you go, Eryn. Star is happy to see you!"
Flint lowered his daughter to the ground. "Look, Speedy!", he said with excitement. "It's your favorite horse in the entire world!" He slowly led her to the little pony. "Give Star a pat!"
Eryn slowly and timidly reached out and patted the horse.
"Want to ride her?" Flint asked but before he could receive an answer, hoofbeats sounded close by their position.
"Shrimp horse!", Rowan's comment came near next to him while leading her horse toward the arena, followed by her parents on their mounts.
At the comment, Eryn burst into tears and raced away, as fast as her legs could tolerate and entered one of the stalls, out of sight.
"Rowan!" Duke and Scarlett scolded. Both of their expressions held shock and disapproval.
"Oh crap!", came from Kastor and Cayden, taking the reins and entering the arena, not wishing to listen to the outcome of that scene.
Flint sent his own disappointed glance toward the red-haired girl and heard his wife mumble something in Gaelic. He looked to his wife. "Go with Cay and Jeff." He sent her a warm smile. "I'll go find and talk to Eryn."
Jaye shook her head, glanced back toward the direction where her daughter had gone and sighed. She then followed her son and his best friend into the arena, her mind in all sorts of emotion.
Rowan quickly guided her horse, following the other two men into the arena, before her parents could begin their lecture.
"I'm sorry, Dash." Scarlett apologized for her daughter's action.
"I'll go talk to her," Duke grumbled, still shaking his head from the appalling words that his daughter uttered.
Flint nodded and headed toward his daughter's hiding spot while the Joe leader, entered the arena. He caught sight of Judi mounting a chestnut and leading him toward the arena. "Oh crap." went through his head. He continued down the stalls, searching for his little girl. And listened for any sniffles and headed toward that direction.
Inside the arena, Rowan rode close to her brother, avoiding her parents at all costs.
"I came to keep you company, Lady Jaye!" Judi said, riding up to the surprised looking Joe team member.
Lady Jaye simply nodded and counted to ride in a walking gait, behind Cayden and Jeffrey.
"Rowan!" Duke called out to his daughter. "Come here a second!"
Rowan, however, ignored her father, knowing that a lengthily lecture was underfoot and her heart beat quicker, not wanting to listen to it.
"What is wrong with her?!" Duke sighed agitated. "Her behavior is not acceptable!"
Scarlett leaned over from her horse and touched her husband's arm. "Let me try this time," she requested. She knew Rowan adored her father but also feared for his disapproval and his lectures. "Maybe she will tell me something she won't to you."
"Fine," Duke finally agreed. He shook his head once again. "I'll go ride with Allie."
Scarlett nodded and turned her horse toward her daughter's way. She changed at a faster gait, and rode up next to her daughter. "Hold on, young lady." Her disapproval was etched on her features. "You and I need to have a little discussion."
Rowan looked to her mother and slowly nodded. She turned her horse and guided it to the center of the arena, knowing her mother would follow and halted the animal, allowing the other riders to continue their trail around the arena.
"She is so dead," Jeffrey's remark came. "I wonder which boarding school they going to ship her too?"
"Jeffrey! KP! One month!" Scarlett scolded toward her son.
"Mom! I'm married now! And with a child!" Jeffrey tried to escape his demise.
"Fine, then! I'll tell Reena and then she can add another month to your punishment!" Scarlett sent him a glare that would freeze any member of the team.
Cayden let out loud a guffaw. He spotted his wife returning from the visitor's room and he blew a kiss toward her way, making sure that Judi would catch the interaction between them. He wickedly grinned while watching Colleen not only catch the kiss in the air but then return another his way!
Scarlett turned her attention to her younger daughter, who had a downcast expression to her face. "Now young lady, your father, you and I are going to have a long and I mean long conversation tonight."
Rowan nodded in agreement.
"What you said to Eryn was not acceptable behavior!" Scarlett continued to lecture. "And you must apologize to her." She watched her daughter shut her eyes tight for a mere second before adding, "Making fun of anyone and hurting their feelings is wrong."
"Yes, I know," Rowan responded in a soft whisper. She then glanced up to her mother. "But you don't understand! I didn't make fun of Eryn!", she insisted. "I was talking about the pony!"
"Then you also owe an apology to Star!" Scarlett continued. "Your dad and I will discuss a suitable punishment for your behavior later but for now, you're finished riding for the day."
Rowan nodded again, this time with tears that danced in her eyes. She didn't mean to blurt out the comment, it just happened! Her heart raced within her chest as she led the horse back toward the arena's exit.
Scarlett followed her daughter, while glancing toward her husband and sent him a quick nod that the situation was under control. She then spotted Flint with a more calmed down Eryn entering the arena riding the chestnut mare together. It looked like Flint lost the battle for his daughter to ride the little pony that was meant for her. Her heart grew heavy knowing that her own daughter's doing that spoiled the outting.
Flint rode slowly around the arena, catching up to his wife and Judi. He then noticed Judi slow down her gait, her horse near Jaye's which allowed him to ride directly next to his wife.
"Eryn…." Jaye sent her daughter a loving smile, her heart aching seeing the little tear stained face.
Flint remained quiet, hoping that some of the experience could be saved, but noticed his wife fidgeting on her saddle. "Allie, you all right?"
"Yeah, I just need to use the little ladies room." Jaye quickly excused herself, wanting to hide the fact that the reason was the pain in her stomach and not wanting to use the bathroom. She rode toward the arena entrance, spotting Scarlett and Rowan, dismounting and leading their horses toward the other end of the stable. Then she noticed Colleen walking toward her.
"Finished riding already?" Colleen asked.
Jaye halted her horse and dismounted. "Can you hold the reins for a second, Colly?"
"Sure!"
She handed over the reins and raced toward the bathrooms. Quickly, she splashed water on her face and whipped away the tears that had trailed down her cheeks, before holding her stomach from the sharp pain. She cursed in several languages before composing herself together. She took a deep breath, let it out and walked back toward to the arena.
"Come on, Allie!" Flint called out to her. "Eryn wants to ride with you too!"
Jaye nodded to their direction and mounted her horse as Colleen continued to hold to the reins.
A whirl of events happened in seconds! Suddenly, the horse spooked and reared, causing Colleen to let go of the reins, lose her balance and fall down to the ground, almost getting missed by the animal's powerful hooves! The grey dapple reared once again, which caused Colleen to gasp in fear and cover her head in defense before she rolled away from the second hoof attack, in the same spot where she had fallen, missing her by an inch and became covered in dust. Lady Jaye let out a cry, trying to hold on, but went off balance on the saddle from the concern due to Colleen's safety, forgetting her equestrian knowledge for a moment before she felt herself fall toward the ground, right on her shoulder and a "ugrr" was heard. The horse bolted down the stables stalls, disappearing from sight.
Screams came apparent from all directions!
"DUKE! MOM! COLLEEN! ALLIE!"
In seconds, Cayden galloped his horse to them and did a hard stop, jumping off the mount and tried to check on his wife and mother at the same time.
Flint sprinted next, dismounted with Eryn who was now wailing that her mother and sister died and handled her over to a white faced Scarlett. "Hold her!" He kneeled down next to his wife. "Allie!" he cried, praying she was not seriously hurt.
"My shoulder…" Jaye barely acknowledged her husband.
Scarlett tried to comfort Eryn, who was inconsolable.
"Dad! We need to take them to the Infirmary!" Cayden cried out. He feared for the baby. He helped a shaken Colleen off the ground, before picking her up and raced toward the exit of the stables as Flint gathered his wife in his arms and followed suit.
Duke, Jeffrey, a shaken Scarlett holding Eryn and Rowan followed, ignoring the shocked faces of both Judi and Henry, who watched the Joes depart in haste.
The entire group ran to their cars, engines roared, and raced down the highway breaking all speeding laws in the county! It seemed like hours when the cars drove through the base's entrance, tires halted with a screech before everyone got out and they all entered the Infirmary like a stampede, making Lifeline, First Aid and a bunch of Joe delinquents startled.
Cayden immediately set to work and barked orders left and right. He ordered First Aid to get a CAT scan done immediately on his mother's head, just in case she suffered a head injury from her fall. His attention went to his wife, and closed the divider curtains, and examined his wife for any injury to the unborn child. His heart nearly stopped at the thought of it.
At least both women had not lost consciousness during their ordeal but it still concerned him.
Duke, Scarlett and the others remained outside the doorway, when First Aid apologized and closed the door. Twenty minutes passed with no sign of any doctor or update on the patients and the Joe men began pacing back and forth.
"Shana, take Eryn to the suite," Flint requested, wanting to calm his daughter.
"I DON'T WANT MOMMY TO DIE!" Eyrn's screams continued. He took his daughter from the redhead and slowly rubbed her back, holding her tightly.
"Honey, your mom is not going to die!" Flint assured his frightened daughter. "Please calm down. Everything is going to be fine! You'll see!"
Suddenly, the door to the exam room opened and First Aid limped his way out the room, shaking his head and mumbling about a crazy scot and needles. Then Cayden stepped out and breathed a sigh of relief. "They are both lucky," he explained.
"Are they okay?" Flint asked, deeply concerned for both their welfare.
Cayden nodded and put a supported hand on his father's shoulder. "Mom sprained her arm. I placed an arm sling to keep it in place."
"Colleen? Is the baby all right?" Scarlett asked, concerned for her daughter and the child inside the womb.
Cayden turned his attention to her. He nodded. "I am putting both of them on bed rest for a few days and they going to remain for the night for observation." He took another breath. "You all can go see them."
Flint entered the room and sent encouraging smiles to both the women. "How are my ladies doing?" A pillow to his head was the answer to his question. "Thanks, Allie."
"Don't mention it!" Jaye scowled at him. Flint walked around the bed and placed Eryn next to her mother.
"Mommy! Mommy! I thought you dead!" Eryn sniffled.
Lady Jaye gathered her daughter with her free arm. "See, I am all okay, Eryn!" She kissed her on the head. "Don't be scared."
"Colleen!" Scarlett rushed to her daughter side. Tears rolled down her face, trying to push away the dark thoughts.
The younger version of herself was in the verge of tears. "We are both okay, Mom." She hiccuped while her mother's embrace held her close. Letting go, her eyes widened. "The girls! You need to go rescue Reena!"
"I'll take the girls for the night, don't worry," Scarlett assured her daughter.
Cayden came by their side. "I'll stay with Colleen all night." He then turned to his father. "You and Eryn can stay too, Dad."
Flint nodded in agreement. "Yeah, I just hope there is room on the bed!"
A second pillow attack came from that comment.
Scarlett shook her head. "I'll go pick up the girls, and I'll drop by later to check on you." She bent over and kissed her daughter's forehead. Turning toward her husband who held Rowan's hand and Jeffrey, she signaled them to enter the room. She then passed them and touched Duke's arm gently. "I'm going to go get the girls from Reena for the night. Please take Rowan to the suite for me."
Duke nodded. "I'll see you in a bit." He watched his son enter the room, and walked toward his twin, embracing her with a hug and he followed suit.
The counterintelligence officer headed out of the Infirmary, where she felt the chilly winter's bite and continued on to the barracks. Entering the building, she headed straight for her son's quarters. She knocked on the door, listening for any cries, screams or sounds but nothing came. A second knock with no answer caused her to become nervous. Where they all right?
She took out a passkey, just for these kinds of emergencies and unlocked the suite's door. "Reena?, she whispered into the room. Again, no response greeted her. Stepping inside and closing the door behind her, she turned and halted mid-step, There, on the living room's floor, inside the large play space pen, filled with blankets and toys, she found the pilot, her eyes closed and surrounded with the toddlers, all of which copied their babysitter.
A smile spread on her face, spotting the sleeping twins cuddled under each of Sky Dancer's arms, while Beach Head's grandson had fallen asleep across her lap. And then she noticed the bassinet directly next to the pilot, with a sleeping newborn inside.
She instantly spotted Jeffrey's camera near the bookcase, took it in her hands and took a piece of memory that would be treasured forever.
Scarlett then opened the gate to the pen and slowly walked in. She bent down, touching the pilot's shoulder and gently shaking her. "Reena?"
Sky Dancer's eyes fluttered opened. "Hmm" before her gaze landed on the redhead.
"Something happened, didn't it?"
"I see that you had your hands full." Scarlett redirected the question, acknowledging the extra toddler.
Sky Dancer glanced down at the sleeping bunch before she answered, "Sammy came seconds after you all left and dropped Mikey over." A yawn escaped. "Beach and Cover Girl are off base for the weekend. Sammy then called after her shift and begged for me to keep Mikey for a few more hours so she can have some time with Spades. I couldn't say no. So we played, sung, ate, changed, cried, and finally after the fourth episode of Sesame Street, we all fell asleep it seems."
"I'll take the girls from you for the night, so you don't have an overload," Scarlett stated.
Sky Dancer sent her another curious glance. "What happened! You have me worried!"
Scarlett sighed before giving all the details of the adventure that day. The color drained from the pilot's face and she became worried if the woman's blood pressure had lowered.
"I should go see them!" Sky Dancer slowly began to sit up. Not even caring at the moment about traditions.
Once again, Scarlett placed her hand on the pilot's shoulder. "They are both fine, don't worry," she assured the frightened member of the team, "They are only staying overnight for observations." She went to pick up one of her granddaughters when her daughter-in-law spoke.
"Mom, leave the twins with me. Jeffrey and I can take care of them for the night. Please go rest and be with Dad and Rowan. Don't worry about us!"
"Are you sure?" Scarlett pulled away and glanced toward all sleeping children. Could her son and his wife handle the toddler bunch?
"I'm sure!" Sky Dancer assured. "Jeffrey won't mind."
"Jeffrey won't mind about what?", came from the suite's doorway.
They both turned to find Jeffrey Hauser staring at them with a questionable glance before a slam echoed in the suite and all chaos erupted.
"JEFFREY!"
Jeffrey Hauser with wide eyes, gulped toward the women he loved, turned and retreated out of the suite, praying no Wolverine will come his way!