Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt, Kayla, and Bethany had decided to go out for breakfast this morning. Well, it would be more like brunch since they had all taken the time to finish all of their chores and exercised the couple of horses that needed it the most before they returned to shower and get ready. Matt was of course the first to be ready and he grabbed the keys to Bethany's Jeep, knowing they wouldn't all want to go in his truck. And he secretly enjoyed driving the jeep, like all of the Andersons did. There was just something about a jacked up jeep that they all loved. For day to day, Matt was definitely a pick-up man but he didn’t mind having the Jeep for times when he could just enjoy himself.

It was a little while longer before the girls came out. Kayla was first, she wore a pair of tight jeans that flared at the bottom, a white tank top, and a short sleeved button up plaid shirt over top. Bethany soon followed wearing a darker washed pair of jeans much like her sister's and a maroon t-shirt that clung to her torso. They each pulled their jackets on that hung by the door. When they walked outside, they saw Matt already in the driver's seat of the Jeep and Bethany rolled her eyes. I never get to drive my own vehicle, do I? She spoke in a teasing manner as she let Kayla climb into the back before she got into the passenger seat.

They then pulled out, heading to the cafe. Once there, they got out and the three of them walked in and sat at a table waiting for the waitress to come over. They began to talk amongst themselves about just about anything while they waited.

Paige & Jenna Walker

After Brook left with her friend Will to head to the corral, Jenna and Paige stayed behind. They finished up their breakfast shortly after and had been left with nothing to do for the entire rest of the day. It was getting chilly out so for the most part, they were fine with it. It was also a lazy day though, so Jenna had brought up the idea of a meal at the cafe instead of preparing themselves something. It would do them some good to get out and actually maybe interact with others.

Paige and Jenna had hopped into the car and drove from their downtown apartment to the cafe. Jenna could feel her stomach rumble incessantly as they drew nearer to the building and when it was finally in sight she smiled. Paige parked the car and they both got out, shutting the doors quickly behind them. Both of them were wearing nice but casual shirts with their jackets. They also wore dark blue jeans and tennis shoes. Their attire was quite cozy.

The moment they walked through the door, Jenna was searching the room for a seat. That's when she spotted some familiar faces. She lit up and nudged her older sister. "Look!" she exclaimed, drawing Paige's attention to the trio. Paige also smiled as they made their way over to them.

"Hello! Looks like we aren't the only ones looking for something to munch on," Paige said as they stopped by the table. Jenna had followed after her like a puppy and offered them a wave. "Do you mind if we join you?" Paige then asked.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt looked over the menu silently for a few moments as the girls chatted away about how well the new foals were doing. Of course, they were still too young to begin any real training but they were doing well learning basic ground manners. Matt finally decided on what to order and now he just had to wait for the waitress which he did patiently. Then after a bit, he heard someone approaching their table. He turned to see a familiar duo approaching them. A big grin spread over his face, he thought they had all become pretty good friends over the course of time since they had met. It seemed they must think the same since they had come over to talk to them and then he heard Paige ask if they minded them joining.

Nope, we don't mind at all. It was Matt who responded and motioned to the two empty seats beside him and there was also one beside the girls, since there was three chairs on each side of the table. He waited for the two to pick their seats and then the waitress approached, asking them for their orders. I'll have a cheeseburger and fries with a coke.

Bethany and Kayla had smiled to Paige and Jenna as they had approached them, though they let Matt speak to them since he was already speaking before they could have opened their mouths. Now since the waitress was here they both glanced at the menu one more time. I'll have the grilled chicken sandwich and fries with a diet coke. The first of the girls to order was Bethany. Then Kayla spoke And I'll take the chicken Caesar salad and a sprite. Once they all ordered they waited for Jenna and Paige to order. After they did it was Kayla who spoke to Jenna first. You should see the foals, they are getting so big!

Paige & Jenna Walker

The two girls took a seat. Paige sat in the empty seat next to Matt and Jenna took the seat beside Bethany and Kayla. Jenna once again felt her stomach rumble as a constant reminder to finally eat something. She picked up a menu and began skimming through it although she already had something in mind. When the waitress appeared she spoke her order, "I'll have a buffalo chicken wrap with fries and a root beer." Her mouth watered as she formed the words on her lips. She then envisioned her meal sitting right in front of her. It didn't help matters.

Paige had also picked up a menu. Her dark brown eyes gazed over a couple of the items before she settled on one. They all sounded pretty good, though. "And I will take the steak salad with a water," she said, placing the menu back on the table.

Once they ordered Jenna looked at Kayla. "It's nice to know they're doing well," she replied with an enthusiastic smile. She remembered back to when they visited the ranch. They had taken a tour to see each of the little foals that had recently been born. She was sure they'd be champs in no time. "We need to stop for a visit again sometime," Jenna then said. She would love to see how things were going.

Paige smiled as Jenna spoke. She then turned to look at Matt. "So what have you all been up to?" she asked him as she rested her arms on the table. She figured now was a good time to get caught up.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Kayla and Bethany were happy to sit there and chat with Jenna about the foals all day if that was what she wanted to talk about. Of course, they loved to talk about the foals and would never tire of talking about them. Then Jenna said she was glad they were doing well and that they would need to come see them sometime. Yeah, y'all can stop by any time! We love having company. Bethany had spoken to Jenna, inviting them to stop by whenever they wanted to. Kayla nodded enthusiastically and added Maybe you and Brook can come stay at the ranch sometime or something! Both girls had begun to think of Brook and Jenna almost like little sisters.

Matt heard Paige speak after she ordered and he looked over to her, seeing that she too was looking at him. He shrugged slightly at her question about what they had been up to. Unfortunately things have been pretty boring lately. Just the normal every day thing. Matt couldn't wait until spring or summer when they could have parties or something at the house. He missed the parties back home with the big bon fires and pick-up trucks with the tail gates down. Sure, there was a night club here that could offer some partying, but it was nothing like he was used to. They didn't play country music and nothing could beat sitting around the big fire with a bunch of friends and your favorite beverage. At least not for Matt. But it was a little too cold for that right now. How about y'all, what have you been up to?

Paige & Jenna Walker

Jenna would also be quite content to sit and talk about the foals. She hadn't had much time to think about anything else for the part couple days since the little accident with their own horse. She smiled broadly, "I'll be sure to drag Paige out anytime!" Paige was actually her ride there so it would have to be the other way around. That'd be no trouble, though. "We would love to do that," Jenna then said. She knew she spoke for her sister when she said that. They really enjoyed Kayla and Bethany's company.

Paige nodded, understanding. Things were pretty slow for everyone it seemed. "Same for us." She looked around the cafe before her eyes settled on Matt again. She too couldn't wait for warmer months. She wasn't one for the cold weather. "Nothing much. Although Brook did get into a little accident with the horse," she stated with a sigh. That was why Brook was gone. She had gone to the corral to check on Ladybird. "Ladybird stumbled and we're guessing she sprained her leg." She shook her head then. She wondered how the chestnut mare was doing.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Kayla and Bethany both smiled as Jenna said that she would drag Paige up to the ranch sometime. They both did miss having the girls around since they always seemed to be so interested in the horses. And they always seemed so willing to help around the stables. Unfortunately, the stables weren't doing as well as they had hoped. They had yet to have a single person board their horses there and luckily they made enough from selling their cattle and foals along with rodeo and competition winnings to keep the place afloat. Don't get me wrong, though, they had plenty of income from those sources but they had been expecting more from boarders. I'm sure Paige would be welcome any time too. Kayla smiled as she spoke. It seemed to her that Matt got along pretty well with Paige, so she too would be welcome there any time. You have our number, you can just give us a call! Bethany spoke up, telling Jenna they could call. She then thought back to anything else that they might be interested to hear about the ranch. Oh, Jayla and Rose are expecting puppies as well. She knew that all of them had met the dogs, and they would know Jayla and Rose were their champion herding Australian Shepherds. They were expecting some amazing pups from the litters.

Matt really didn't like the cold because it meant less time outside unless you wanted to bundle up or freeze. It also meant that for the most part you had to work the horses inside, and he would much rather work them on the cattle in the fields rather than just around barrels or just running them. That wasn't what most of their horses were bred for, though they were used for barrel races and the likes they all loved the thrill of working with the cattle. He heard Paige speak of how things had been slow for them too and he nodded before she went on to speak about Brook having an accident on their horse. Oh, are they both ok? His question was more or less answered when she spoke of the mare spraining her leg. Hopefully she heals up fine...

Paige & Jenna Walker

Paige nodded, "Brook is fine; a bit shaken up if anything. I guess Ladybird is doing well but I haven't been out to see her." She crossed her arms ahead of her on the table. Deep in thought, she began to pick absentmindedly at her hands. "She has the help of a new friend of hers, he seems to be knowledgeable on the subject." she said. For that she was grateful. If she hadn't had someone else there, who knows what might have happened. She then turned her eyes to look outside. "It's getting very cold out," she stated. She would soon have to put up with the snow and digging everything out of it. She was going to be huddled down in her apartment for sure, with a blanket and something nice and hot to drink. When she wasn't working on school things, that's mostly what she enjoyed doing.

Brook smiled. "She'd love to come out," she said, shooting Paige a glance. She was too busy talking to Matt to really give the other girls' conversation much thought. She then nodded at the idea of giving them a call. Finally her face lit up at the mentioning of puppies. More baby animals! Jenna loved them all. "That's great!" she exclaimed. She had always wanted a dog, but her sister Brook still had an issue with large dogs. It made her incredibly unhappy to be stuck looking at little dogs when there was such a wide selection of breeds they could have. Jenna knew for a fact that in the future she would own a big dog of some sort--one that she would choose herself with no restrictions. She just had to get herself a place and a job of course; add on a few years to her age. She loved her sister indeed but some things just irked her.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt listened as Paige went on to explain how the two who were in the accident were. She said that both were fine and he nodded. That's good that they are both doing well. Then she went on to say that she had a new friend that seemed knowledgeable about the horses and such. He nodded once again and then just watched as Paige seemed to get lost in thought. Then she spoke once more. Yes, it is... Hopefully it's a short winter. As soon as spring rolls around we are going to have a big bon fire and party, I hope you might be able to make it? He invited her to the party that would still be a couple months away. There was a smile on his face as he thought of the fun they might have once it began to get warm once more.

Kayla laughed a bit and Bethany just grinned as Brook spoke of Paige loving to come out to the ranch. They could see the younger girl's eyes light up at the mention of the puppies and it was Bethany who spoke. We'll give you a call when they are born, then y'all can come see them. Maybe if Jenna sees them when they are so little and sees them grow up she won't be so afraid. She knew that the girl's sister was afraid of large dogs, and that could make some times at the ranch difficult since they had lots of large dogs. Maybe if the two girls found one of the pups they liked then they would even give it to them. Kayla's phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out, looking at the text. She then turned to Bethany. Well, it looks like we are going to have more company, Leila just text me and said mom and dad finally gave her the ok to stay out here for a while. Kayla spoke about their little sister, the youngest of the Andersons with a fond smile. Bethany grinned. Looks like the whole gang will be here! Leila is about your age, Brook. She is 15. She spoke with a smile, hoping that maybe Leila would also get along with their two younger friends.

Paige & Jenna Walker

Paige looked at Matt. Parties were always good. She loved parties, especially when they distracted her from other things that simply had to be done, but she couldn't stand. She had a pretty empty social life since coming to the Valley. Nothing but going out with her two little sisters. She loved them and all but the line had to be drawn somewhere. Having people that Paige could chat with and go out with was quite important for her-- and possibly her sanity. She also loved bonfires. "A bonfire sounds fun. I haven't been to one of those in years," she stated, unable to remember the last time she'd gone to anything with an open flame-- besides camping which simply wasn't the same to her. "I'm positive I'll be able to make it." She nodded with a smile. "All I need is something fun to do to keep my mind off work." She chuckled.

Jenna would nod her head every once in a while as Kayla and Bethany spoke to her. It was about puppies at first. She smiled widely. "Maybe that would work," she said hopefully. Brook pretty much shut herself up when a big dog was nearby. Perhaps, like Bethany said, she would like them as puppies and be used to them as they aged. That's when Kayla's phone rang. Jenna sat quietly as the other girl talked, wondering who it was. She smiled again when they mentioned the girl, their little sister, being 15. Just a year older than her and Brook. "That's great, I'm sure we'll have loads of fun here!" she exclaimed. She loved the idea of someone new to meet-- and possibly someone who shared the love of animals. She would have to tell Brook. "When will she be out?" Jenna asked.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt grinned as Paige stated that a bonfire sounded fun. He hadn't been sure if she would like something like that since it seemed like it was mainly only something that people who lived in the country did and he was pretty sure that Paige had said that they were from the city. He was glad when she said that she was sure she would make it. Great, it's a date then. He didn't really mean it as an actual date unless that was what she wanted it to be. Of course, he wouldn't object if she did want it to be a date, he liked Paige. I know -what you mean. You gotta have something to do rather than work all the time.

Bethany hoped that maybe that would work to have Jenna watch the puppies grow up. After all, they enjoyed having the girls around but it was difficult when one of them was terrified by large dogs and they had at least a dozen of them at the ranch. Then when Kayla had spoken of Leila coming to visit she listened to Brook's reaction. She was glad that Brook seemed like she would be very welcoming to their younger sister. She'll be here this weekend, she should get here first thing Saturday morning.

Paige & Jenna Walker

Paige smiled. "Okay," she said in reply to his first statement. She would have to go home and mark this somewhere. She didn't want to forget, that was for sure. "Yeah, I take every break that I can," she said, thinking about her school work. She especially could use a break after being forced to study with all the commotion of her little sisters. That and her job often got in the way. Sometimes she felt she never had a chance to breathe.

Jenna listened and nodded. "I'd love to meet her. And I'll be sure to bring my sister along too," she said. She felt that she herself needed some new friends in the Valley, especially ones that were about the same age as her. Brook was off with a new friend of her own, who only happened to be a couple years older than her, but Jenna hadn't had a chance to really talk to him. She sighed but then let a smile form across her face. "Does she like animals as much as the rest of us?" she asked with a grin.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt knew what she meant by needing a break, he too could use a break from time to time. Though he didn't have school to worry about, the ranch life was enough to keep him very busy. They were almost to the point they definitely needed to hire some help. Then he remembered something and he spoke. I completely understand. Oh, there is a rodeo not far from here soon. It's just a small one since it will be held inside, but I ride bulls in my spare time and my brother Matt does some reigning and stuff if you and the girls would like to come?

Kayla nodded as she said that she would love to meet their sister. She knew that Leila would probably get along well with them. She was a little more shy than Kayla and Bethany were but she was pretty fun to be around once she began to open up. Then the question that Jenna asked caused her to chuckle a bit. Well of course, you wouldn't survive in my family if you didn't Her statement was only partially joking, since it was true her whole family were animal lovers and they were very much part of their family's every day life. There was no escaping the animals when it came to being around the Andersons.

Paige & Jenna Walker

Paige's face lit up with an expression that was sort of surprised. She figured she had no real reason to be surprised but the look was still there. "Wow, that sounds dangerous," she stated. She'd never been to a real rodeo before although she had seen parts on TV. "I think we'd all like that a lot," she then answered, accepting his offer. Another thing to mark down on the calendar. She loved it, though. Especially since this would be a new experience for them all.

Jenna giggled at their response, "I see." Jenna's family was also full of animal lovers. Well, most of them could take 'em or leave 'em, but for the most part they really did enjoy the company of a pet. "Anyone know where our food is?" the young girl then asked, looking around the room. She'd suddenly remembered that they were here to eat, and was just reminded by her growling stomach. Now that she thought about it, it seemed like they had been sitting here for a while.

Matt, Kayla, & Bethany Anderson

Matt couldn't help but chuckle a bit at the look of surprise on Paige's face as well as the statement that she made about it sounding dangerous. In response he just shrugged his shoulders and then spoke. I guess it is, I've had my fair share of injuries from it. It's fun, though and it's definitely an adrenaline rush. He knew that there could be plenty of things that could happen but he chose not to think of the negative things and to just enjoy himself. Then Paige spoke again, stating that they would all like that a lot. He grinned and spoke. Well, we will see you Saturday, then. If you wanted y'all could meet us at the ranch and either ride with us or follow us there? It was more or less a question rather than a statement since he wasn't sure Paige would know how to get there.

Kayla and Bethany just looked around when Jenna asked about the food but it was Bethany who spoke. Not sure, they don't seem to be too busy... About that time the waitress came out of the kitchen with their meals and sat them down in front of each of them. Kayla and Bethany immediately began to eat as did Matt.

Paige & Jenna Walker

Paige continued to look at Matt as he spoke, nodding a bit between every few words. She'd regained her composure by now. "Hm, I wouldn't mind going up with you all," she replied, "It would be fun." And wherever she went the girls went. She hadn't the slightest idea of how to get there, or even where they would be going. Paige herself figured it would be fun to have them all pack up into a car and make the trek together. At this she reached into her small bag and brought out a small calendar. She quickly wrote down the date for next Saturday. "We'll be there!" she said with a smile as she returned everything to her bag.

Jenna nodded as she continued to search the cafe with her eyes. She turned to the kitchen doors to finally spot the waitress walking out. She smiled and prepared her spot on the table. Once her wrap was placed in front of her she picked it up and hungrily bit into it. It was amazing. "I think I love this place," she said after a deep swallow. Paige was also starting on her salad.