Trust

Travis felt Ashlee's foot and grinned before nodding. "Okay... Can't hurt to at least talk to him right?" He finally stood up and walked with Ashlee over to the other table and sat down across from Eric. 

Eric looked up in surprise. He'd seen those two eating together but hadn't expected them to come over. "Hey guys."

Travis nodded. "Hi. Um... Ashlee and I were... Well we were wondering about spending some time together again. Here. At the ranch, of course."

Eric sighed and adjusted Melody before his arm fell asleep. "I see. And have you talked to her mom about it?"

Travis shook his head. 

"Or your dad?"

He shook his head again.

Eric pursed his lips. "I think you know which avenue you need to take then."

"Well but... if we wanted to go riding..."

Eric's eyebrow arched. "Is that what you're really asking?"

Travis bit his lip. "Yeah... but we both figured you wouldn't like that, so we'd settle for being able to just go for a walk or something."

Eric had a hard time not laughing. He didn't like torturing them, but it was just a little amusing - the poor boy was trying so hard. "A walk huh? And... going to town?"

Travis shook his head. "Heck no."

"Uh huh." Eric's eyes shifted to Ashlee. "And what do you have to say in all this?"


Hunter did his best to help Ryan. It wasn't unusual for it to be a bit difficult - every rider's first time was a bit tricky. When she gave up though, he was surprised. He hadn't expected that, and immediately felt badly. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed her so fast. Maybe it hasn't been such a good idea after all, with everything she was dealing with. 

Taking the reins a little shorter, he patted Button's neck. "I'm sorry," he apologized to Ryan. "I didn't mean to push you into this."

He kept stroking the mare's neck. "You don't have to do this if you don't want." His eyes found hers. "But if you get up there, I can join you so you won't have to worry about falling off." It was at least worth a try. 

His eyes didn't move from hers. He knew the old Ryan was still under there somewhere. The Ryan that wouldn't give up. The Ryan that loved challenges. "You gotta get up there first though. If you can't trust the horse, trust me. I won't let you fall."


Hal furrowed his brow as he thought. "I have no idea. We could always install a camera in there. He wouldn't be expecting it and we could put it somewhere he wouldn't notice."

He shrugged. "Or... You could always just ask him what he's been doing in there." He imagined that's what Justin would suggest, but couldn't be sure. "Can't lose anything but your time, right?"