Gentle

Travis stalked to the barn, only to be met halfway by his dad. "I'm through," he hissed. "This stupid horse just threw me."

Lane's eyes widened. "You okay?"

"I'm fine," he growled.

Lane tried to hide his smile, but it didn't work. "Fairy needs a workout. Get your kind end back in that saddle."

"No!"

"You sure you want this battle?"

Travis shot him a glare before turning back around and heading for the riding ring again. "If I break my neck, it's on you," he threw over his shoulder.

Lane just sighed and shook his head. Travis would learn to cool down. Fairy would see to that.


In the barn, Eric saw Ashlee come back with another emptied wheelbarrow. Abandoning his grooming of Static, he came up beside her and reached around her to stop the wheelbarrow. "Leave this here and come with me," he prompted.

Leading the way, he went to the break room, and motioned her to sit in one of the chairs. Going to the supply cabinet, he then returned and sat in front of her with a first aid kit. Not saying anything, he took her hands one at a time and removed her gloves. How she'd managed to get such raw hands with gloves on, he'd never know, but it made him inwardly cringe. Still silent, he cleaned the wounds with iodine and bandaged both her hands to keep them clean.

Finished, he set the kit aside and nodded. "I think you've had enough barn work for now," he mentioned gently. "You should go do your schoolwork."


Garret did his best with Maggie that evening, and avoided any emotional upsets like he had the night before. She did well enough and he made sure to compliment her and tell her she was doing just fine. By the time the family was getting ready for bed, Garret was exhausted but his mind was restless. 

Sitting out on the back porch, Garret took a breath of the night air. It was chilly tonight but he hadn't bothered with a jacket. He looked up at the stars and wondered if Victoria was seeing the same ones. Would his helping Scott tomorrow keep her safe? He could only hope. 


Scott woke with a start, having not realize he'd drifted off to sleep in the chair. Squinting in the dim light, he could see Dalton still on the couch...and he felt badly for earlier. He really couldn't say any more though...he'd made up his mind about what he was going to do, and if he tried to explain, there was no way Dalton would let him follow through with it.

Unfolding his legs and getting up, he decided to get ready for bed.