Pasture

Hunter was a little surprised when Ryan leaned her head over. He smiled though, pleased she was relaxing. He'd wanted this to be a success, for her to find something new and distracting away from the stress she was under back home. Not to mention, if he messed anything up, he'd have Eli to answer to. 

A light breeze blew, and his senses were suddenly struck by the scent of Ryan's shampoo. He recognized it from the other night, and for a moment, he felt as comfortable as he had been wrapped up together with her under the warm blankets.

"I'm glad you think it's relaxing," he finally responded. "It's good therapy for mind and soul."

After a moment or two, he reached both arms around her to take hold of the reins, and steered Buttons back towards the gate, without explanation. Once there, he leaned down and unlatched it, steered Buttons through, then shut it again, managing it all without getting off. Leaving his arms on either side of Ryan to handle the direction, he aimed the mare out behind the corral into an open pasture. It was the wrong time of year for flowers, but the grass waved in the breeze, and birds chirping happily as they flew overhead in the bright blue sky, painted with fluffy clouds. The sunshine was warm, and with their backs to the ranch yard, it felt as if they were out in the middle of nowhere, far from people, activities or worries. 

Hunter finally brought Buttons to a halt, and just breathed in the moment. The foothills weren't very far away, creating a beautiful scene that one couldn't help but enjoy. "This...is what drew me back," he admitted softly. "This here... this feeling." Katie, and Mick both had played huge roles in his life, but this was the third element. The countryside - the atmosphere that simply produced a feeling of peace. 

Realizing his arms were still around Ryan, he slipped the reins back into her hand, and let his arms fall to his sides. "Nice thing is... you can come out here any time you want. On foot or horseback. Nothing's really off limits."


Travis chuckled as they walked. "Mmm a little bit of heaven sounds good to me." 

Falling silent, he just enjoyed their walk, taking the lead out to the small apple orchard that was almost hidden from the view of the ranch. Finding a low-hanginf branch, Travis ducked underneath, and came up on the other side, turning and leaning his arms on it to peer over it at Ashlee. 

"What's your favorite flower?"


Garret tried to digest Sapphire's explanation, unable to help but recall his last encounter with Justin. He'd walked away with little to no respect, let alone forgiveness, for the man. But seeing him today with Scott... going against his nature as a method to help... seeming so distraught for not only Scott but for the pain his own actions brought... Garret wondered if perhaps Justin did deserve his respect.

"Do you think he'll be able to help your brother?" Maybe it wasn't a fair question, but it was an honest one.