Brook Walker & Ladybird

It was a warmer day than usual, however the breeze was a bit chilly. The girl stopped at the entrance to the barn and stretched her arms out to the sky, breathing in the crisp air. She wore a form fitting shirt with a zipped up hoodie over top. A pair of dark blue jeans fit her legs perfectly while her old brown riding boots kept her feet warm at the bottoms. She regained composure as she walked into the barn and was immediately greeted by the familiar homely scents of hay and horses. It must have been feeding time as she could also catch a whiff of grain. She welcomed each of these smells with another deep breath.

Her brown eyes gazed about her as she searched for Ladybird's stall. It didn't take long before she spotted the chestnut's head poking out over the door, as if waiting for her. She could make out that characteristic star on her forehead. Brook smiled at the sight and reached out to rub her palms against the horse's face before pushing open the door. "Hey, girl," she spoke quietly as she entered, leaving the door open. She briefly kneeled down. The mare's leg had healed nicely so there was no longer a wrap around it.

With a deep content sigh, Brook stood and rested her head against the horse's warm neck and breathed in her scent. The girl's own long dirty blond hair blended in with those lighter red strands of mane. That reminded her-- Ladybird would need her hair trimmed. Brook only grinned and continued to lean against the horse, enjoying the idea that she had nowhere she must go.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Will jogged along. He had left Brook by accident when he went to see his brother Daniel at the pound. He saw Brook and slowed to a walk. His jeans sagged a bit but he didnt mind, he had on a muscle shirt also. ''Brook!! Im so sorry about the other day when I left, it was not planned and I didnt meant to and im-'' he stopped ''Im sorry'' he said. He looked at Ladybird and then to Brook. He was sorry for leaving without it being planned and wasnt about to leave again unless he needed to.

Kristi followed her brother. Her gray tight fitting jeans made it a little hard to run. She had her tight fitting form shirt on that was fitting at the bottom and wavy at the top and was white with a black kiss mark on it and it said Kiss Me Unconditionally. She walked and looked at her brother Will then to Brook. Hi, Im Kristi, Will's sister. She said holding her hand out to shake the girls hand.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

Brook took another moment to enjoy the smell of horse before backing away and checking Ladybird's feed bin and hay net. They were empty of course save for a few strands of hay. Then she looked at the water. It was half full with a bit of hay in it which she easily plucked. She was about ready to head back out when she noticed Will and Kristi. She smiled widely at him and the unknown girl, whom she imagined to be a friend or something of the sort. Will immediately started apologizing for leaving but all she did was shrug her shoulders in response. "Don't worry about it," she said. She wasn't angry or anything.

"Hi," Brook said as she stood by the stall door. She had to take a moment to push Ladybird's head away when the mare attempted to stick her nose into her back.

"I'm Brook," she began, "and it's nice to meet you." She looked between Will, her familiar friend and then to Kristi, who identified herself as his sister. She reached out to gently shake the hand that was offered to her. "What brings you to the barn today?" she asked to strike up a conversation.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Will smiled as he reached a patted Ladybird's neck looking at Kristi. Oh, just making sure my lil bro dont get in trouble She answered. Will chuckled a little. ''Thats my sis, always looking out for everyone'' he said. Kristi glared at him. And the fact Im in town because of Luke Anderson. Last time I was here we met at the cafe and we hung out for two days non stop and I grew feelings for him and I havent seen him lately I might be going in a few hours to see if I can find him She said. She looked at her feet. so Will told me about what happened with your horse getting hurt, is she ok? She asked.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

The chestnut mare lifted and bobbed her head when she felt Will's hand make contact with her neck. She emitted a low rumbling nicker, remembering him from not long ago when he had helped with her leg. She picked that same leg up and stamped it into the hay. She was feeling much better nowadays. Brook was also looking forward to this season, when she and her sister could once again begin jumping.

Brook stood there as Kristi began speaking. She wasn't sure what the apparent problem was, but it seemed the other girl had met a man here in the Valley and wanted to find him. Suddenly something in her mind clicked as she pondered the name. "I've heard of that name before," she stated as she quickly remembered the Andersons. Unfortunately, she would be no help in determining where any of them were at the moment.

Brook's mind was redirected to Ladybird and she nodded. She casually reached over and placed a palm on the mare that stood next to her. "Yeah, she's fine now. Which is also nice because my sister and I were planning on jumping this year," she said with a grin. Their skills were coming along rather well.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Kristi smiled, ''I was planning on racing this year but I cant because Snow recently had her foal. Jake called and told me.'' She said. She walked along and just a few stalls down was Snow and her foal, Fern. She clipped a lead rope to Snow, knowing Fern would follow her. She showed the pure white mare to Brook. ''She wouldve been entered in the races but she had her foal to early. Fern, her foal, we didnt know if she would make it through the winter but she did.'' She said. Will's eyes softened at his sister's words. Will looked at Brook.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

Brook took a moment to brush a strand of long hair back behind her ear as she watched Kristi walk to another stall. Out of that stall walked a beautiful white mare followed by a smaller foal. Her face lit up with a smile, arm reaching out to see if the mare wanted a good rub on the face. She listened quietly to the story and nodded, "Well it's a good thing she did." Brook continued to smile at the mother and foal. "Perhaps we could all head out riding some time?" she proposed as she looked back to Ladybird. They needed to get out more and Brook felt terrible that over the last couple months the mare had been mostly cooped up in her stall. All the horse could do was look at Snow and then once again push her head into Brook's shoulder as a reminder that she was hungry.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Will nodded to Brook seeing that Ladybird was hungry. ''I'll get it, where's her feed?'' he asked. Kristi nodded. That'd be great! Maybe next time I'm with Will we could?'' She asked. Will nodded. Snow pushed her head into Brook's hand accepting the rub. Fern stayed by her mother and when Kristi attempted to get her so she could put a halter on her she ran to the other side. Kristi shook her head. I'll get Jake to hold her later She said and looked at Brook smiling.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

Brook looked at Will and gave a small smile at his offer. "Oh, it's in the locker with her name on it," she said. The locker was where she stuck this week's feed of sweet oats. It was possibly Ladybird's favorite thing to eat that wasn't total junk food, so she took each opportunity to fill her up.

She then turned back to Kristi and nodded. "Sure," she said in reply as she stuck her hands into her pockets. When Snow pushed her head into her hand, she once again smiled and rubbed her palm up and down the mare's solid face. Her attention was diverted to the foal, that quickly moved to the other side as Kristi when to put the halter on. She giggled as she watched. "Seems to be a little handful!" she spoke as she watched the small foal. She loved baby animals of all kinds, especially foals. This was seemed to be quite the rascal.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Will nodded going off and to Ladybirds locker. He got it and came back. Opening Lady's stall he stepped in and closed the stall half door. He poured some in her bucket and set the bucket of feed down on the other side of the stall. He reached his hand out to pet Lady.

Kristi nodded. That she is, when she doesnt want a halter on. She laughed a little at Fern hiding behind Brook.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

Ladybird perked up when she spotted Will walking towards her with something in his hand. Just as she thought, it was food! She barely waited and instead stuck her mouth in about mid-pour. She began munching away happily as Will petted her. One of her ears flickered in his direction.

Brook laughed as well as Fern hid behind her. She turned slightly and offered her hand to the foal before attempting to pet her. She then looked back to Ladybird. The mare had finished eating. "So where are you two off to?" she then asked as she placed her hands casually in her jacket pockets. She herself would be taking Ladybird out for a bit.

Will & Kristi Vincent

Kristi shrugged. ''Knowing me, I dont even know where im going. Ill probably go look for Luke at his house or his sister's ranch. Will, will stay with you. Knowing him, he likes company.'' She said. She smiled at Will and then looked around. She sighed and smiled as Fern nudged her head into Brook's hand. Kristi put them both up after and then looked at Brook and Will. ''Im gonna go now, see if I cant go find Luke anywhere. See y'all later.'' She said turning and walking off towards where Luke lived. She turned walking backwards. ''Will, make sure you dont get in trouble!!! If you do then make sure Brook aint with you!!!'' She called and turned running off.

Will blushed a little. ''So, want to go out riding again? Kree has been itching to get out of his stall.'' he said, smiling.

Brook Walker & Ladybird

Brook listened as once again Kristi mentioned Luke. She nodded in reply and continued to pet the foal as it nudged her hand before they were both returned to their stall. A small smile then spread across her face as Will's sister told him not to get in any trouble. He never exactly struck her as the troublemaker type and it amused her. She then turned back to Will, noticing the slight blush on his face, although she didn't pay too much mind to this. "Sure!" she said as she stepped into Ladybird's stall. "She needs the exercise after being cooped up in here half the winter." She clipped a lead onto the mare's halter and began to bring her out and to one of the ties.

Ladybird lifted her head, prancing just a bit with each step she took. She looked around eagerly with those two dark eyes, taking it all in. This was the same scenery she had been looking at all winter for what seemed like eternity. Finally she was out! She knew was this meant, that they would probably be headed out for a ride.

Brook tied the mare up and proceeded to tack her up.