Remington Ranch

Cassie POV***********

Alex and I looked out the window, Colorado, interesting place, we still had an hour to go so not landing at that time. I was expecting more, I think. Well California was hot, Colorado seemed cold. I wasn’t really interested in anything right now though, I just kept playing with my hands. Alex took a photo of me looking out the window. I glared at him.

“Hey, don’t,” I tried to take his phone, “I don’t want my photo taken right now.”

“Sorry, Cass, I wanted to take a photo of you, new place. You know.”

“Ugh. Do you remember them at all?”

“Bits and pieces, but not fully. I might remember here and there, but I was 4 when Mom and I left. I don’t know. Don’t ask me, okay?”

I sighed leaning back into the chair, rubbing my face, my head was really starting to hurt. I haven’t slept much and cried mostly. Alex tried to help. Though there wasn’t much he could do. I leaned on the window and sighed, Alex rubbing my back concerned plastered on his face.

“Are you two, alright?” The flight attendant came over, she had shown us around and we got to take the first seats, we decided to sit a little near the wings of the plane since she said it wouldn’t bounce as much being it was my first time flying.

“We are doing okay,” Alex told her kindly, “Thank you.”

“Want anything to drink?”

“2 Ginger ale’s please, but any chance we can keep them in the can?” Alex asked.

“Sure can,” she smiled, “I’ll be back in a bit with it.”

Finally, the flight attendant headed to the next person. I sighed, leaning onto Alex’s lap, he ran his hand through my hair.

“Don’t feel good?” Alex asked.

I shook my head at his question. The motion making me want to throw up anything and everything I have eaten since then. The Social Worker had gotten us something to eat, but I was too upset to eat much, and he took me to the bathroom so I could cry because I didn’t want to do it there. Alex kept running his hand in my hair. He was on his phone. I felt my tears again, and he just let me press my face into his abdomen.

Alex has always been a very supportive brother, though he still has his moments that he is a brat, but he does love me a lot. I know from the moment he beat that boy up for pushing me off the swing. Gave me his power raid after.

Once the soda can’s came Alex handed me on and set the other on the back of my neck. When it was time to land, I sucked in my breath and after landing and getting off the plane we got our things and walked with the person to the exit. Alex was holding onto my hand. I thought about the night before, as we walked.

So much changed in such a short period of time.

****9 hours earlier***

“Cassidy let’s go, we are going to be late, and I am going to be angry,” Alex said sternly.

“I am just grabbing my lunch.”

“I have it,” he said, waving around the lunch pal. We headed out to school; he texted mom that we were leaving.

Sacramento, California in September is hot, it’s always hot in California. Though I am surprised that nothing was on fire this year, usually in September we get notice that something, somewhere was on fire in California. Mom had left super early this morning; I had been so tired that I hadn’t gotten up to wish her safe travels or anything. The day was going by pretty normally; I went to school with my elder brother Alex. He seemed to be in deep thought, but he usually doesn’t tell me what is bothering him. So, I tend to leave him alone when he is like that just because I know it would piss him off if I pushed his buttons too much. And last time he sat on me for 30 minutes and farted. GROSS!

I texted mom, to see what she wanted for dinner, before heading to school, I looked at my phone on lunch break. She was calling me. I smiled.

“Hi Mom?”

“Hey baby, sorry I didn’t see you this morning. Whatever you want for dinner is fine. I eat anything and everything you know that” she said, I could hear the smile in her voice, “Just no fire, make sure Alex is in the kitchen with you okay.”

“I will. Is it going well?”

“Yes, it is, I’ll call you later, text me when you two are heading home.”

“Always do.”

“Bye baby, I love you.”

“Bye mom, love you too, have you talked to Alex?”

“Is something bothering him?”

“Seems so,” I said, “He was quiet on our way to school.”

“I’ll talk to him in a little, he has a test today so that might be the case.”

During school which I suck at by the way, honestly when will I use this stuff in real life? Why do I need to know square roots for anything? Dumb, just dumb. Mrs. Clovis smiled at us.

“Alright, class we will be doing a health class tomorrow, I need your parents to sign this slip and bring it back with you tomorrow.”

Health Class, oh God who was teaching that. I looked at the paper, thank God. I sighed with semi-relief; it was not Coach Jordan. Nothing against the man, but he is close to mom, and I saw him a lot recently. I stuffed the paper into my bag and got up. Meeting Alex by the exit, since the elementary is K-8th grade in our area.

“Ready?” He asked, leaning onto the concrete wall. He seemed happier, which made me happy. I went up to him.

“Do you have practice today?”

Alex is starting the track team; he likes to run. I am not big on running, but I will do soccer and we both like baseball. Alex smiled.

“Nope, coach is setting up to help out with your guy’s health class tomorrow.”

“For the guys, right?! Not me, right?”

He smiled with an evil smile, “Don’t know.”

“Liar,” I hit his chest playfully, he shook his head. I went at him again and he put a hand on my forehead as I wind milled my arms around and round.

“Can’t say really, maybe it is for your class.”

“Alex,” I groaned, “Don’t say thatttt.” I put my face in my hands, Coach Jordon is one of mom’s friends, and the last thing I need is a man giving me the birds and bees talk as Alex called it. He made it sound so important but told me that I don’t need to worry about it until I am married. Whatever that means, birds and bees.

Alex just laughed, taking out his phone and texted mom. We live a few blocks away from the school in an apartment complex with good security. Mom works two jobs, so she isn’t always home when we go to bed or when we wake up. She is a vet tech and works a lot of shifts. Once we made it home, I sighed.

“Start on your homework and I will prep dinner,” Alex said, he went right to the kitchen and started prepping the veggies. I was stuck at the dinner table doing my math, ugh I hate math.

“Alex?”

“Hmm?”

“What’s this even mean?”

He looked over at it, helping me with a few of them and then went back to doing the prep work. After he was done, and I was done with my dumb homework I took a nap. Gosh I needed it I was exhausted. I woke up to Alex waking me up.

“Come eat, Mom texted me they had an emergency at the vet hospital, and she is gonna be late. At least an hour or so.”

“She said she would be here,” I told him sadly.

Alex made a sorry, I-don’t-control-life-face. Then I walked out of our shared bedroom. We lived in a two-room apartment for a long time. Since I was born, the only thing separating our sides of the room was a pole with drapes on it. I had shared with Mom until I was 2 and moved in with Alex. At first it was bunk beds then Alex got too big for it about a year or two ago and mom separated the room. I got out of the twin bed and sat down. Not complaining about dinner since the kitchen was also clean. Though Alex only cleaned when he was upset, or he really wanted to butter up mom.

Finishing up I smiled, and I did clean the plates and cups we used. No dishwasher. I looked at the clock at 9pm. Ugh. Why was I so tired?

“I need her to sign this stupid slip, I can leave it on the table. You think she will sign it when she gets home?”

“Let me see it.”

I handed it to Alex, who took out a black pen and sighed mom’s name. Well that worked too. I looked at him and he shook his head.

“No, I am not teaching you how to sign her name,” Alex said. I put it in my bag, leaving it by the front door.

“Movie?”

“Sure, but nothing long, I have to leave early tomorrow for school. Which means so do you.”

“Kayyy,” I sighed.

Criminal Minds is what we both agreed on, he brought in a bowl of popcorn. I’m not a huge fan but I’ll eat it if it’s in front of me.

“You hate popcorn.”

“Sharing is caring.”

After an episode he said it was time for bed. I got up and headed into our room. He let me get ready and stuff first. Once in bed, I thought a little.

“Alex, when is mom coming home?”

“Soon,” he said, “She will be back later than usual.”

“Okay.”

I soon fell asleep to the sound of the fan blowing in the room. When there was a knock on the door, and the door bell rang. It startled me and I jumped up.

“Alex?” I got out of bed.

“No, stay out of sight,” he told me sternly, “In the closet now!”

I opened mom’s door, and her bed was still made, I paused.

“Mom?” I called out, she wasn’t home yet. It was about 1am. I looked at where Alex was, he was looking through the peep hole.

“It’s the Sacramento Police department, please open the door.”

There were blue lights flashing, though Alex narrowed his eyes, “Badge numbers please.”

The Police complied, Alex did something with his phone and read the number off to someone on the phone and then nodded, Alex opened the door. I stopped him.

“Alex, Mom isn’t home still,” I said walking fast to my brother. He paused.

“Stay behind me okay,” he told me as he opened the door there were two men outside, they saw us, and they looked sad.

“This is about your mom or aunt,” One of them said softly.

“What about my mom? Is she okay?” Alex asked quickly. The chain on the door is still not removed. Mom?! Was she okay? A million thoughts in my head.

Mom!?

“May we come in?” A woman asked behind him. Alex allowed them to come into our home. I stayed behind him.

“I’m sorry, there isn’t an easy way to tell you both this. Your mom was in an accident. A drunk driver on the road was driving the wrong way on the highway and hit her. She...She died on the scene.”

My world went dark, my legs numb. I couldn’t think. I couldn’t breathe; I felt strong arms catch me. I couldn’t hear his voice, but I knew it was Alex. He helped me to the couch and invited the officers into the room. I shoved off of him and left the living room running to her bedroom. They are wrong, they have to be. Mom is strong, so strong. She wouldn’t leave me. Never leave. I fell onto her bed sobbing. It wasn’t true, no. She was going to come home, and things would be fine. She would be here. I cried myself to sleep, being woken up by Alex sitting on the bed.

“I’m sorry Cass,” he started. I just threw my arms around him and started crying again. Alex rubbed my back, finally I calmed down. He sighed; he sounded so sad.

“Hey, Cassidy, I know you don’t want to hear this, but we have to pack to head to Colorado. I gave the police your eldest brother’s phone number and said that you are both going,” The social worker said. I don’t know her name.

“No, I don’t want to, I don’t know them. I don’t have more brothers than I have Alex. I just need Alex.”

“I know Cass, but that is what is going to happen. I know it is a lot.”

“Why can’t we just stay here?”

“I’m sorry,” The Social Worker said, “But you are both under 18, your brother Sebastian said he will take you both.”

“But Alex is my only older brother, so what are you even talking about?” I looked at her, confused,

“I’m not your only brother, the officer gave me mom’s phone. She’s been talking to him, sending them photos of us and stuff. I know you are hurting, but please. Please, just do as your asked right now. Please,” Alex said.

I got up, sadly, and packed a few things, including a few photos of us, my chrome book, jacket etc. Alex was in the kitchen on the phone with someone, he saw me and gave me a weak smile. He hit a button. Putting an arm around me.

“You’re on speaker.”

“Okay, Hey Cassie, I’m Sebastian, I know you don’t know me, but I am your eldest brother. You and Alex are gonna come live with me and your other brothers. And don’t worry about the apartment. I am having some movers load stuff up and bringing it here to Colorado, The officer said he will help with that. You two can decide when it gets here what stays and what goes. The plane takes off in a few hours, and Miss. Amelia said she will drive you both and see you off. Alright?”

“O-Okay,” I sniffled, still wanting to cry, my life is so turned upside down right now. Alex hugged me and rubbed my back as I started to cry again. Once things were packed and loaded up into the car, we made it to the airport. The plane would be taking off in two hours. Alex said that he let me sleep since well it would be at least a few before we needed to go. Amelia got us something to eat but I just.

“I need the bathroom,” I told Alex. I used the family one, crouching down and crying softly into my knees. When I came out, Alex stopped me and pulled me back in. He cleaned off my face.

“It is all gonna work out,” he smiled, “I promise.”

“What if he is mean?”

“I will handle it.”

Amelia walked up to the boarding. Once on the plane we were flying to Denver since that was the fastest flight there.

****NOW****

“How will we know if it is them?” I asked Alex as we walked. I had on a short sleeve shirt and jeans. It was comfortable but still, Colorado was cold and so was the plane. We had both fallen asleep for a bit on the plane but woke up with two hours to go on the flight. It was a direct flight so that was nice.

“Sebastian sent me a photo,” he showed me. Four guys all smiling at a table. They all looked almost similar but still. I looked up scanning for them and my eyes landed on a huge sign that read welcome home Alex and Cassie. Well, no one could miss it, as the sign was bright green with big black lettering.

“Found them,” we said simultaneously.

Alex laughed at that, since it did make me happy that he was smiling. The lady smiled, got a signature and saw some ID and then we were good to go. I played with my hands, staying behind Alex. Yes, I am interested in my newfound brothers, but I just wanted to stay out of sight and mind. Sebastian introduced himself and smiled largely at Alex. Hugging him and looking at me, he squatted down to me. Everyone hugged Alex, but I didn’t really want a hug, since that would probably burst into tears. So, when they would lean in I would move back just a little and they would respect that and not hug me.

“Hello, Cassie, I’m Sebastian,” he smiled, “How are you doing?”

I shrugged, and he gave a little smile,

“Her head hurts,” Alex said, “Not a great flight for her.”

“Oh,” One of them said, “I have something for that if you want it, it will help. I’m Luke your second brother, I’m also a Nurse Practitioner of the family,” he smiled. I waved a little at him.

The youngest of them looked at me and smiled, his hands hooking into his pockets and rocked on his boots. He had on a cowboy hat.

“Goddamn you are freaking short, I’m Emmett,” Emmett said. The one close to him with the longer hair leaned over and bopped his mouth. That wasn’t surprising Mom didn’t like swearing either and Alex got his mouth bopped a lot.

“Emmett James,” Sebastian said sternly, the sternness in his voice made me jump, “We will be talking at home.”

“No, wait I’m sorry, Bubba.” He looked panicked, but Sebastian narrowed his eyes at him, he didn’t stand, but Emmett looked down and said nothing.

“I’m Morgan,” Morgan smiled, he didn’t go to hug me, but I moved closer to Alex, so he didn’t hug me. Though he did ruffle Alex’s hair, “You got big.”

“Bubba?” Emmett’s voice was more of a question; he looked at the ground. Sebastian just ruffled his hair.

“We will talk at home, Em. Okay, come on all of you before traffic gets bad.” he said it was getting really crowded. Morgan took my duffle bag from me, and we started walking. It was cold outside and I rubbed my arms. So, much colder than California. I wasn’t expecting it to be this cold out. We were going to cross the road, and Sebastian stopped me. I had let go of Alex and was walking near the road.

“Hand please,” Sebastian held out his hand to me.

“I can cross the road on my own.” I protested, ready to just walk. I looked back at Alex. He shrugged his hand in with Sebastian’s as well.

“Hand Cassie, you are short as it is, just do as I have asked. These cars are taller than you.”

I held his hand crossing the road, and all the way to the car. We all loaded up in a black Toyota 4runner, it was covered in mud, Morgan and I were in the middle, while Emmett was in the third row with Alex. I was looking around, but the car hadn’t moved yet. I was by the window.

“Seatbelt, Cassie,” Alex said, I paused and put it on, looking out the window again. Colorado was flatter than I thought it was going to be. And Denver was really interesting. I would like to explore the city, but it didn’t look like they lived in the city. I played with my hands a little.

“Where are we going?” Alex asked, looking out his window, rubbing my eyes. Darn it why was I so tired? I was happy to meet them, but I felt like a stranger. I am welcoming the distraction. Though under the circumstances I just didn’t know what to think. Alex had met them before but still.

“We live just outside Colorado Springs,” Emmett said, leaning over the seat, “so it will be about 2 to 3 hours to get back, depending on traffic. Good thing you guys landed in the morning of a Wednesday and not in the afternoon on a Monday.”

Nice? Really? Mom died, that is nice. I said nothing, wanting to ignore him and looked out the window. But I wanted to make conversation a little maybe.

“Is it nice?” I asked, “I’ve never been to Colorado till now.”

“I think it is,” Emmett smiled. “I’ve never been to California.”

“Not much to do in the countryside,” I said softly.

“We live on a ranch so there is usually a lot to do,” Morgan said.

“A ranch? Like with horses?” I asked a little too eagerly. I do like horses, mom’s love for them but we could never own one since we lived in an apartment. I’ve never gotten to ride a horse before. Mom used to watch movies, and I remember her looking sad when she did sometimes. Morgan smiled at me.

“Yes ma’am, have you gotten on a horse before? I know mom was the saddle queen here during the festival.”

“No,” Alex said, “Mom stopped riding, we lived in the city mainly, no nothing really except the city.”

“Hmm,” Morgan looked sad and then smiled at me, “Well we’ll have to teach you both to ride what do you think Bubba?”

“I think that’s a great Idea,” Sebastian turned at a light. I smiled leaning back into my seat. Emmett pulled out his phone and was showing me some photos. Horses, chickens, and dogs I could see wagging their tails fast.

“Who’s that?” I pointed at the dog.

“Oh, that’s Bear.”

“Bear? But he is a dog, like bearsie?”

“Nope just bear, he is a rottweiler, golden retriever mix.”

“He is huge.”

“That’s why he is called Bear,” Emmett told me, I smiled a little. I was getting a little restless, and I think I fell asleep. The thought of mom came into my dreams. We were baking Alex a birthday cake. The next thing I knew I heard gravel crunching under the tires. Morgan was waking me up.

“Cassie? Hey, cowgirl, time to wake up, we’re home.”

I stirred and rubbed my eyes, Alex was still asleep, “Alex, come on, you too, time to wake up we’re home.”

Home? Home is where mom is right? She wasn’t here, hot tears fell from my face, mom. The memory of her leaving that morning. I had forgotten to say be safe and see you later. My heart hurt, I could my throat constricted as I tried not to sob. Our last conversation on the phone.

“Cassie?” Morgan asked me, pulling me into his chest. Holding me and rocking back and forth, ’It’s going to be alright Cowgirl.”

“What happened?” I heard Emmett ask.

“Well, they did just lose mom and are here with us, and she didn’t know who we are so it might be catching up with her,” Luke said. “Come on, cowgirl, do you want to see bear?” His voice was soft.

Morgan carried me out of the car; I felt Alex’s hand on my back. I knew that. Though I did like the smell of Morgan, which is weird. I felt a little safe, but I didn’t know this man.

“Do you want to meet Bear?” Alex asked.

“Yeah,” I said sniffling. I looked around because it was a large property. There was a lot of land, around ten horses, that I counted at that time. A dog was barking and running over, it scared me, and I held on to Morgan, my mountain of a brother.

“Woah...slow down Bear, it’s nice to see you too.”

Bear went and smelled Alex, his wagging faster he jumped on him knocking him down.

“Ow, hey,” Alex laughed, “Stop, what are you doing, get off,” he continued to laugh. Alex pushed him up trying to get him off of him.

“Bear was Alex’s dog when he was here, you would never see Bear without Alex,” Luke said laughing, Emmett had his phone out videotaping. Bear came over to me having finished with Alex who was standing. Luke looked at his head.

“You okay.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” he said.

Bear smelled me and paused watching me, he wagged his tail, and I held out a hand. Morgan set me on the ground. He licked it and allowed me to pet him. I smiled as he got closer, and I smiled a lot more.

“You are adorable,” I smiled. He wagged more.

“Let’s get you two settled in,” Sebastian said, “Come on, and Emmett I want you to go to my room, find a corner, I’ll be there in a bit.”

Emmett looked down, giving a soft yes, sir and headed into the house. I looked at Alex confused but said nothing.

“Is he in trouble?” I asked Sebastian, he looked at me and then at them as they walked into the large house.

“Yes, ma’am, ” he swore at the airport and children. Are not allowed to swear at all.”

“Oh,” I looked at Alex, “Good luck.”

“Leave me alone, Cass.” He said, catching me under his arm.

“Let go of me,” I pushed at his chest, and we laughed a little.

“Come on troublemakers, let’s get you unpacked, your rooms are upstairs. Your names are on them.”

The house had Greystone and dark wood. It was nice, a huge two-story house with a wraparound porch, a swing in the front. There were a lot of windows in the back, a huge horse barn down a way, with a lot of land.

There was a lot, a workout place, movie and game room, a living room with a huge fireplace and TV, a large kitchen, downstairs there were offices, Luke and Sebastian had one, and then I didn’t see Morgans. Did he not get one? It didn’t matter, I made it up the stairs, there were enough rooms for all of us to have our own, and I got my own bathroom. Emmett and Alex shared, and then Luke and Morgan also shared. My room was huge, a walk-in closet, a bathtub with a shower, and a full size bed. It wasn’t really decorated. I am sure they might let me if I ask. It was nice. A desk and a vanity. Neat a vanity!

“Do you like it?” Morgan asked.

“I do, thank you.”

“Cassie,” Morgan squatted down, “If you ever want to talk, I am here for you, okay? I know this is a lot in changing of things.”

“I’ll be okay,” I told him. Morgan gave a small smile. He hugged me tight and didn’t let go until I was ready for him too.

“You unpack, I’m going to start on lunch, when you are done you can wander around, but until you have been trained to be around the horses stay away from the corral.”

“Why?”

“We have a horse in there that isn’t the friendliest I don’t want you or him getting hurt, understand?”

I nodded my head.

“I need a verbal answer please.”

“I understand.”

He smiled, “A little tip, if we ask you if you understand you say yes sir. It’s what we do around here, everyone does it, understand?”

“Yes....Sir?”

He smiled and kissed my head, “Good girl.”

And he headed down. After I unpacked, I laid on the bed, a photo of my mom, me and Alex at the pumpkin patch on my bedside table. I rubbed my eyes. Pressed my face into the pillow and cried, she was gone and never coming back, my throat hurt. I felt a hand on my back. I looked up at Alex.

“Hey,” he smiled, “It’s going to be okay.”

“She’s gone,” I cried.

“I know, and I promise it’s gonna be okay. I’m here for you sis,” he had tears in his eyes, but he smiled at me, “Come on, Morgan is calling for lunch. Why don’t you wash your face, and we head down together.”

“Kay.”

I got up and did as he asked, ready I headed downstairs. Lunch was sandwiches. I didn’t mind that, I ate it, but only half I wasn’t really hungry. Emmett was shifting in his chair; his eyes were red and puffy from crying. Did he get in big trouble for swearing?

“I know a lot has happened, but I want to go over some rules with you both,” Sebastian said, “rules and consequences not really a fun conversation but it must be done sooner than later, this is a ranch. Lots of moving parts, and animals.”

“Okay,” Alex said. I just nodded while playing with the food.

The rules were simple mainly, no swearing, fighting with siblings, disrespect, disobeying, putting yourself in danger, if you wanted to leave the house you needed to get permission that will be for the first week until we are used to things, no going into the horse corral, or the tool shed. Also not dating, if you’re interested in dating you can come talk to Sebastian and talk about it. On weekdays bedtime is 8:30 pm for me and 10:30 for Alex.

“What! That is so early,” I grumped, Sebastian leaned back into his chair watching me. “Why can’t I get to bed at 10:30 like Alex? When does Emmett go to bed?”

“Emmett goes to bed at 10:30, and you are going to bed at 8:30, you are not 14, when you are then we will talk about changes in the bedtime, however, no yelling and do not interrupt me again Cassidy. You’ll get used to the time.”

I crossed my arms and leaned back into my seat huffing my displeasure, this man was crazy. Mom had rules, some of them were the same but others were not. I went to bed at 11 because that is when I was tired.

“Stupid,” I grumbled, crossing my arms.

“Cassidy,” Sebastian warned, “this is your first strike, you lose your disrespectful attitude, or you and I will be having a conversation in my bedroom, and I do not want that since you both got here, and a lot has happened.”

Not wanting that, I uncrossed my arms and mumbled an apology.

“Moving on, on the weekends you two can stay up an hour past your bedtime unless you get permission from Me, Morgan or Luke. You both will have chores suited for your age, for example Cassie you’ll be in charge of the chicken coop getting the eggs and we’ll teach you how to clean it, Alex you’ll be helping clean the horse pins and both of you will help around when asked do you two understand?”

“Yes sir,” we said at the same time, Sebastian smiled.

“Now then it is late in the school year for you to start back at Emmett’s school so you’ll both be homeschooled here until next year’s school year.”

That was interesting. I’ve never been homeschooled before.

“Okay, consequences, more of it will depend on what you did, but a list is fairly simple, you could get an essay to write, lines, extra chores, privileges taken away, earlier bedtimes, and spankings. It will all depend on what you have done. I’ll be raising you very similar to how dad raised us. We are strict but loving, if you have a question or something is wrong you can tell us okay.”

“S..I’m way too old for a spanking,” Alex protested. Watching Sebastian, who just watched Alex.

“I can assure you Alex you are not too old for a spanking until you turn 18 am I clear?”

Alex huffed but said nothing. Doing the same thing I have gone, he glared down, “That’s Bull sh...Bull. BS, Dumb.”

Sebastian raised an eyebrow at him, “Lose the attitude, strike one.”

“Yes sir.”

“Good, also nice save in the swearing department. Luke and Morgan both have the authority to punish you both. Do either of you have questions for us? Or about the rules?”

“What do you all do for a living? And how old are you?” I finally asked, I was curious what the age gap was? I just wanted to distract myself from moms death.

“I run the ranch we breed, sell horses, board horses, and also sell cattle, it’s been in the family for a long time now,” Sebastian said smiling, “I am also 26.”

“I’m a Nurse Practitioner at the local hospital, I help with the Cattle mostly and I am 25,” Luke said

“I’m a veterinarian student right now but I will be graduating in a few years and will be a Vet. I help with the horses, more like a sanctuary,” Morgan said, “I’m 22.”

“I’m a high school student, I’m 16, well just turned 16 three weeks ago. I want to be a welder and will help with the ranch more.”

“How old are you two?” Emmett asked, “Alex you’re 14 now right?”

“I’m 14 and Cassie is 11.”

All eyes looked at me like I was interesting. I wasn’t.

“Oh, woah you two are little.”

“I’m still growing,” I told, Emmett glared a little.

“You are adorable.”

“You are being a brat.”

“Leave her alone Em,” Luke said, “alright, how about we show you two around the ranch, show you where the boundaries are when you come out to play and go from there.”

“Okay,” Alex said, I smiled. Though I didn’t really want to get my bottom whooped so I will try and follow the rules, even though they are stupid.

Luke and Emmett showed us the Barn. There were about 20 or more horses inside, and then there was a small house on the ranch. The ranch hands live there, we have about three. I’ll be introduced later. I turned to see the most beautiful horse.

“Who is that?”

“The wild horse. That’s the corral I don’t want you near, and one of the horses we are working with. I want you to stay out of there okay?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Atta girl,” he smiled.

I am not allowed in the tool shed. Alex and Emmett are though. I got to look inside. It was creepy. It had a crap ton of tools I couldn’t name. Mom had a mini tool kit at home, but if something was broken then she would call someone to fix it.

“Why am I not allowed in the tool shed?”

“Cause little hands move things,” he looked at Emmett, “That one ruined it mainly.”

“I did not, Morgan did that is what I was told. Besides I was in here cleaning as punishment. Remember.” He made a dah sound and I giggled.

“That is true,” Luke smiled.

There were 4wheelers, three in total, a few trucks, the 4 runner, and a very old looking truck in the old garage that had a tarp over it. Morgan said the blue one is his with the bench seat. And Luke has the Tundra.

After the little tour I was looking at the chickens, there were ten of them, I saw a mouse on the ground, what the heck? Why was there a toy in there? I opened the gate and went in. That was a mistake, the chicken went crazy, and started attacking me. I screamed and Bear started barking. Strong hands grabbed me and got me out of there. I wasn’t sure who it was. I was just crying, and my arms hurt. He was walking. I knew it was a guy I wasn’t stupid that was the only thing on this ranch. He picked me up.

“Luke!” Emmett yelled. He was hurrying with me in his arms.

“What happened!” Someone yelled from the house running over to us. I am starting to learn their voices, that was Luke.

“She went into the chicken pen and met Jet.” Emmett said.

“Bring her to the infirmary,” That was Luke, Emmett followed but I was still crying. It hurt so much my skin hurt and I hated chickens, that’s what I figured out. The infirmary was Luke’s office, there was a twin bed and a few medical supplies and folders. I was sitting on the bed, not sobbing anymore but sniffling. Luke looked at my arms.

“What on earth made you go in there?”

“I saw a mouse.”

“You saw a mouse, what were you going to do with that?”

“Get it out of there.”

“Cowgirl I rather have a mouse get eaten by the chickens then be in the house okay,” Luke said, “don’t go in there for that again,”

I didn’t answer, Luke tilted up my chin. I met his blue gray eyes.

“Okay, I want a verbal answer, so I know you understand.”

I sniffled, “Yes, sir.”

“Good girl, this is gonna sting a little, just try and stay still.”

The door opened and Sebastian walked in, “What happened, Emmett said you were in here.”

Luke told him and he smiled at me, “You are something else, are you doing alright.”

“I hate chickens,” I said as a matter of fact.

“Sweetie, they were just protecting their food, I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense,” He smiled and kissed my head, “Bear will go with you, the chickens won’t bother you okay.”

“No,”

“Leave her alone for now,” Luke told him, “Come up with a different chore or something.”

“The chore she can do is feed animals that are also chickens. Until you are comfortable one of us will help you with that okay. We will not do your chore but we will be there to help with Jet. Though little miss you are going to have to learn how to handle him yourself in the future okay?”

“Fine.”

After I was all patched up, with some band aids and Luke gave me something to take. I took the pill and rubbed my eyes.

“Why do you call it Jet, it’s more like Devil?”

“He is a rooster, he is there to protect the ladies, he is a fast one that’s why his name is Jet” he smiled.

After I was all patched up, I went outside again, wanting to find Alex. I heard him laughing and talking with Morgan. That’s when I saw him again, that beautiful horse, it was white with tan spots all over. I walked over to it. I looked at her, I think, or him? I wasn’t really sure, he moved, I knew that when I saw below. I put my hand into the pen. He wasn’t coming near me, so I climbed onto the fence and went to get inside.

“CASSIDY!” Morgan yelled, “Stop.”

I paused and looked at him, why? He wasn’t gonna hurt me, the horse made a noise and I looked over. Getting down as he started running around.

“Get back now!” He ordered sternly. I looked backed at the horse, and he jumped up kicking the pen and I fell back scared. Morgan grabbed me and pulled me away. The horse calmed down after that.

“Are you okay,” He asked, looking me up and down. He tucked some hair behind my ear.

“Yes, sir.”

He nodded, making sure I was alright. He then pinned me to his side and landed ten hard smacks to my bottom. I stomped my feet on the ground. I hadn’t ever been spanked; Mom did it once when I had run off in the mall. It was terrible she hadn’t spanked me before that.

“Ow. ow. Stop....Owwww, stooooop.”

I was stomping my feet as he was landing some more firm smacks. After he was done, he picked me up and set me on the railing of the house. I shifted. He snapped and I looked up, “You were told to stay away from the corral,” He scolded me.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s dangerous, Cassie,” Morgan said, “don’t do it again. I hate having to spank you but you need to listen to the rules. Understood?”

“I..I..Just wanted to see.”

“I know, but you were told to stay away, what if he really hurt you!”

“I’m sorry, Morgan.”

Hot tears fell from my face, and he pulled me into a tight hug. Rubbing my back. He let out a long breath picking me up as I cried into his shoulder as he swayed me side to side.

“What happened now?” Luke ran over, “What’s with the yelling?”

“She was going inside the Corral and almost got kicked.”

“No, I am near a Pen,” I told him sniffling, trying to play stupid not wanting to be in more trouble. Morgan landed a hard smack to my bottom. I yelped.

“I am beginning to think you need a proper spanking, because that” Luke said, he pointed, then put his hands on his hips “is one of the many corrals I pointed it out to you during our little tour. Do not give us attitude, young lady, it’s dangerous to be near him right now if you don’t know what you are doing.”

“I’m sorry,”

“Come on, I’ll show you some of the other horses that you can learn to ride, but young lady you go near that corral again and you will get more than a few smacks to your bottom. This is your strike two and if you get one more then you are in huge trouble, am I understood?”

“Y-yes sir.”

“Good girl, let’s go.”

The barn had about 20 horses, maybe more. I wasn’t really sure, but none of them caught my eye like the other horse. There was a white one that Emmett was leading into the Barn. He saw us and walked towards us.

“Morgan?” I looked up at him.

“Yeah?”

“The other horse, what kind is it?”

“An Appaloosa, he is beautiful isn’t he.”

“Hmmhmm.”

“Well, when he is able to ride, we’ll see about you riding him okay. That will depend on him though, if he isn’t safe you won’t get on him at all. But right now, you need a starter horse, this,” he smiled, “Is Avril. Our Momma horse, an American Paint Horse. she is gentle and caring, come say hi,” he said gently. I walked over to the horse, and she nuzzled me. I smiled giggling.

“Hi there,”

“Here give her some of these.”

Sugar cubes, I gave them to her, and laughed as her muzzle ticked me, “You are fun.”

“She is gonna be your responsibility,” Morgan said, “She is a good horse to start with. So you’ll help feed her, brush her, check her hooves. I’ll go over it with you sometime this week. Not right now since I got a few things to do. If you’d like you can help me.”

“Kay. I am sorry.”

“I know cowgirl. It’s alright you’ll learn.”

The day went on, and then the sun was going down, “Alright,” Morgan announced, “Time to feed the animals and put them away,

“Doesn’t Cosmo get to come in?”

“Cosmo?” Morgan looked at me. I pointed at the corral.

“I..named him Cosmo.”

He laughed, “Okay, Cosmo it is, but no not yet, he is too scared of tight places. A wild horse doesn’t like to be contained. We are easing him in, don’t worry he will be just fine.”

“Okay. Can I feed him?”

Morgan raised an eyebrow, “I’ll feed him you stay back, I told you no corral.”

“But you’re with me.”

“Cassidy,” he warned, “I am really serious here, no corral I don’t want you to get hurt, now please stop asking my answer is no, continue to argue and you’ll be standing in a corner of the kitchen is that clear.”

“Yes, sir.”

I gave him a sugar cub to give to Cosmo and he smiled, “Okay, I’ll give it to him, stay back.”

“I will.”

I watched as he threw some hay and put the sugar cub on it, “From Cassie,” he said and left.

“Come on, chickens are next.”

Fear pulsated through me, “No,” I didn’t move. Morgan looked at me, he was told right? He smiled, getting to my height, “it’s alright, jet has a basket over him. Emmett put it over him for you, so you’ll just take it off when you leave. Okay?”

“O..Okay,” I held onto him as we went into the coop, I locked them up and we checked on them counting to make sure we had them all. We did, and we went inside. Alex and Emmett were coming back from the horse barn. Alex with a huge smile on his face and Emmett was smiling as well. Morgan turned to them.

“All good boys?”

“Yeah, Alex was a great help. He is really interested in Spirit.”

“Really?”

“Who’s Spirit?” I asked.

“The abused horse we got last month, he took a liking to Alex and came up to him any everything.”

“Really?” Morgan exclaimed and looked at Alex with a large smile.

“If you’ll have him, you can ride him, but we will give you some lessons, it’s been a very long time since you were on a horse.”

“Okay,” he smiled, “I used to ride. I kind of remember, but not really.”

I am unsure how I should feel. Alex has memories, but I’ve never been here. It was getting close to Supper time, and Morgan was showing us what we needed to do for the horses for evening chores. After we were done, he turned to us.

“Alright all you kids go clean-up for supper, Emmett you got some homework to get done?”

“I finished it all.”

“Okay, bring it down so Bubba can sign it.”

“It’s in his office already.”

Morgan nodded, “Alright then go on and get your stuff ready for school tomorrow. I think I’ll be taking you.”

“Do I have to get ready for bed?” I asked sadly as we walked into the house it was almost five which is dinner time. The rules said I would go to bed at like 8:30 and I already hated that. Though I was tired I didn’t want to admit that to anyone right now.

Sebastian looked at me from the kitchen where he was cooking. I was told we had ranch hands, and they came during the day times to help out especially during the spring we would have them come and they would stay in the bunk house.

“Cassie this is Darryl, he is one of our ranch hands that lives in the bunkhouse year-round, he also helps run the ranch. He’s been here for as long as I can remember. Goodness, you are 55 now?”

“In counting,” he chuckled.

“Nice to meet you,” I said softly, moving behind Morgan.

“As for your question, No, you just need to shower and change out of your dirty clothes into clean ones, comfortable ones if you would like, if that is sweats and a shirt that’s fine. But you don’t have to get ready for bed until 8.”

“Okay,” I headed up the stairs, the shower was nice, and after I put on sweats and a shirt paused at mom’s photo, I sat on the bed for a little bit and bit my lip. Alex poked his head in.

“You good Cass?”I shrugged.

“I don’t know them.”

“You will, and I only have good memories of them.”

“Anything you remember clearly?”

“I used to sleep in with Sebastian a lot I think. Come on, let’s get something to eat.”“Are you not sad?”

“I am sad, but I process differently than you little sister. COme on, come eat.”

They were all in the kitchen. I had found some more sugar in my pocket and wanted to give it to Cosmo. I went out the sliding door and to Corral. Making sure no one saw me. Cosmo was eating, and I paused, he looked at me. I held out a few sugar cubes.

“Here,” I said, putting my hand into the corral, he didn’t come near me. I tossed the sugar into his food and smiled at him, I rested my arms on the fence, “I wonder why they say you are wild.”

Cosmo had a noise and moved a little aggressively like before, so I wanted to get away. I got up and when I turned around, I saw Sebastian was standing by the door, his arms crossed. He waved me forward with a finger. When I got closer, he started speaking.

“I believe you were told multiple times today to stay away from the corral. Or am I mistaken?”

I was walking up the stairs, “I didn’t go in it and all I did was throw the rest of the sugar cubes that were in my pocket into it.”

He sighed and squatted down to my height, “Cassie, I need you to understand something here. When we say stay away from the Corral we mean it. You sticking your hand into the corral, or resting your arms on the fence of it, is just like disobeying the rules. He is a wild horse, he is unpredictable, and could really hurt you.”

“I was just giving him some sugar I had in my pocket.”

“I can see that, but here is what is going to happen, because you were told by Luke and Morgan to stay away today, and it is a rule. You already got warning smacks to your bottom. So, you are going to be standing in a corner for 11 minutes.”

“I don’t want to.”

“That isn’t a choice you get, come on,” he said, leading me to his office and walking me to a corner standing me there, I huffed and crossed my arms. I stood there and kicked the wall.

“Young lady,” Sebastian warned, “I do not want to spank you today, but if you kick my wall again, then I will be rethinking that spanking you should be getting, am I understood?”

“Whatever,” I huffed, and kicked it again. Strong hands picked me up and tucked me under his arm.

“Wait, Wait I’m sorry. I’m sorry.”

“I warned you, Cassidy.”

He said and landed a smack to my bottom as he walked over to his desk. I started to kick my feet. And was disposed of over his knee, as he kept peppering my backside.

“But I wasn’t close to the corral, Cosmo wouldn’t have hurt me!” I told him loudly; kicking my legs more. He stopped peppering my bottom, standing me up in front of him and I sniffled.

“Disobeying, going near the Corral, these are part of the rules I went over with you and Alex already, yes?”

“I’m sorry, Sebastian.” I looked down. Sebastian tilted my head up to look at him, his hands though were rough, his touch was soft and gentle. His soft blue green eyes watched me, mom’s eyes. I never noticed that before.

“Now answer my question, what was going through your head?”

“I just wanted to see Cosmo...”

“Cosmo?,” he sighed, “Sweety he is dangerous right now, unpredictable, and can really hurt you. I can’t even ride him yet, what makes you think you can?”

“I never said I could ride him; I was just giving him some sugar cubes so he would like me.”

Sebastian let out a long sigh shaking his head and something like a smile. Though that smile disappeared quickly when he turned back to me.

“Cassie, give it time and he will like you maybe. But right now, that is not okay, if you wanted to give him sugar cubes which isn’t really healthy for him by the way, you ask. You do not sneak behind our backs to do it anyway. Morgan already gave you warning swats today, and you still didn’t listen and put yourself in unnecessary danger. Luke also told me to stay away on your property tour. You went behind our backs and did it anyway.”

“I’m Sorry, Sebastian.”

“Then I decided to give you a mild punishment by standing in the corner to think, but you decided to kick my wall. Told to stop and you didn’t. This does mean you are getting a spanking for going to the corral again and it hasn’t even been a full 24 hours here.”

“No,” I shook my head.

“You need to learn to listen, especially with the horses. It’s dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing, they can get spooked and hurt you.” He said sternly. I looked down and he gently tilted my chin up. “Listen horses are amazing, and I love that you want to learn and be around them. They are strong, graceful and protective. Cosmo right now though is more wild than anything. Until he is trained-”

“Can I help with the training please?!” I begged, interrupting him. I didn’t care that my bottom hurt at the moment, I knew I was in trouble, but I wanted to learn and I wanted to be a part of it. I already felt estranged from the family anyway. Sebastian paused watching me. He tapped my bottom in warning.

“Don’t interrupt me, I will think about it. Right now, though, you are getting a spanking for breaking the rules.”

“I don’t want a spanking, you already spanked me.”

“I spanked you just now for kicking my wall, now you are getting spanked for going near the corral again.”

“I won’t do it again, please.”

“Cassidy Rose, this is happening, we gave you plenty of warnings, now then sweats down, you are going over my knee.”

“Noo, please, I don’t want a spanking, please.” I burst into tears, rubbing my eyes and crying where I stood. Sebastian pulled me into a hug and rubbed my back, calming me down. He held me until I wasn’t upset.

He set me down, wiping away my tears.

“I’m sorry, but this changes nothing. Now Come on, the faster we start the sooner it will be over, this is your first spanking so I will go easy on you, but you will be getting it. After that we will go to dinner.”

I shook my head, “No.”

“Do you honestly think you shouldn’t be punished?”

“I...can’t I have a different punishment?”

“I tried giving you a different punishment and it didn’t work. So, Cassidy this is your last warning: if I have to bend you over you will not like the outcome.”

I sniffled, tears already falling from my eyes, as I pulled down my sweats and hiccupped. He guided me over his knee, I was short enough that I couldn’t touch the floor, he trapped my legs resting one of his hands on my back.

“You are getting my hand today, young lady, and 11 with the wooden spoon, but if I see you disobey me again and put yourself into danger you will get the spoon for the entire spanking, is that understood?”

“Yes, Sir.”

He started to cry out at the first smack. His hand hurt so much I wiggled. My bottom was already a little sore. Trying to focus on something else but failing. I was sobbing after a bit. I don’t think he was counting at all; I think he was just going until I was sobbing or something.

“Almost done, you’ll get 11 since that is your age” he said tapping the wooden spoon to my underwear clad bottom. I clung to his leg.

THAWK

“OWIE, Please, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, please stop.” I tried to reach back but couldn’t reach. He rubbed my back.

“Ten more,” he said softly rubbing my back.

“Nooo. No more!”

My pleads fell on deaf ears. It was fast, but he paused,

“Last two, these are gonna hurt a bit more, and I want you to count them, Cassie.”

“Please, no more.”

“Count Cassie, two more.”

“One.”

TWAK.

I cried out, “T...Two.”

TWAK.

After the last one I was bawling my eyes out. I felt a soothing hand rub up and down my back comforting me. Strong hands picked me up and he helped pull up my sweats. I went to rub but he caught my hands, holding them and I jumped from foot to foot.

“It hurtssss,” I cried.

“I know, I know,” he said, pulling me into a strong hug rocking me. “All done, and all is forgiven. No more disobeying us.”

When I was finally calm, he broke our hug and used a washcloth to clean my face, “Tell me young lady, what you learned from this. Why did you get a spanking?”

“Cause I kept going near the corral after being told not to a lot today, and kicked your wall,” I hiccupped, “But Cosmo is all alone and sad, and it’s cold outside. What if he freezes to death?”

I cried again; Sebastian pulled me into a strong hug. Thinking of everything, my crying now isn’t because of the spanking, everything that happened today. From Mom’s death, to moving out of California, to just everything. Sebastian, I think knew this and just held me, picked me up and set me on his lap, making sure my bottom wasn’t touching anything. He used one hand to hold me head to his chest as I sobbed.

“Cowgirl, breath,” he said, holding up some water and I drank it a little bit, sniffling. He kissed my head.

“This is his first day here, after a week he will be in the barn, if he is comfortable. Don’t worry he is okay. I promise. We are getting him used to things as we go. I know all of this is very new to you too, but over time you’ll get used to it all. I promise, and I am always here for you. No matter what. Understand?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And try and follow the rules, Cassie, I really don’t like spanking you kids, but I will if I need to. You are allowed to make mistakes that is part of being a child, but blunt disobedience to the rules is not okay.”

“I miss her,” I said softly, Sebastian held me tighter, rubbing my back.

“I know, I do too,” he soothed, not telling me to calm down, or stop crying. He just held me, “Cassie darlin, you are gonna make yourself sick.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be, not for crying, that is alright. Are you ready to head to dinner?”

I nodded and he set me down. I looked at him and he smiled at me. We headed to the kitchen, Alex was bringing a few bowls of chili to the table. He saw me and paused. My eyes were probably red and puffy. He set it down and walked over to me and I gave him a small smile.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah.”

He glared at Sebastian.

“Now Alex, best lose that scowl. Cassie was punished for going to the corral again after being told three times not too. You are not in charge here, I understand you feel protective of her. That is fine, but I am the guardian and elder brother here. Okay?”

“Hmm, okay,” he looked at me.

I didn’t want to tell him anything right now. Sebastian ruffled his head, “Don’t go prodding her with questions, if she wants to tell you she will if not you are not to force her understand?”

“Yes sir.”

Sitting on the hard wooden bench seat I made a face, shifting on the seat. Emmett joined me in my discomfort. After dinner, which was a little quiet, Emmett spoke up.

“Can we watch a movie before going to bed?”

Sebastian looked at him, “Hmm, is your homework done.”

“Yeah, I got it done Friday night. Didn’t you see it on your desk? It’s in the orange folder.”

“Oh yes, I did sign that. It’s still on my desk. After we cleaned up dinner. But I don’t want you staying up too late, you have school in the morning.”

I put cheese and got some cornbread to go with the chili.

“What kind of Chili is it?”

“Cowboy Chili, it’s a family recipe.“As long as it’s not SOB Chili we are in the clear Cass.”

“What’s SOB Chili?”

“It’s everything no one wants to eat from the cow,” Sebastian explained, “We don’t normally make it here. Dad did once or twice when we had to butcher a head or two.”

A head or two? I just ate my dinner.

Dinner was really good, though I and Emmett were shifting in your seats. Alex just looked at us and said nothing. I met the other ranch hands, Arnold (25) and Hunter (22) both want to start their own ranch one day and are learning while here.

I was drying the dishes as Luke washed, I went to sit on the counter as I was drying them and jumped up. Rubbing my bottoms my eyes pricked with tears.

“You okay Cowgirl?” Luke asked.

“My butt hurts,” I looked at the corral, “Is he gonna be okay out there alone?”

“Yeah, he should be perfectly fine,” he told me, “Don’t look so sad, Cosmo will be alright.”

I smiled a little; I would make them see that Cosmo will be my horse. Though Avril was sweet I wanted to ride Cosmo. The move they picked was a family one, Racing stripes, it was cute, and I liked it. Though it was a Zebra it was an interesting movie. I looked at the clock, 10:30pm. Looks like I got to stay up late tonight. I was exhausted.

“Alright time for bed for all of you kids. Everyone is going to bed early.”

“Aww.” All the kids said. Emmett huffed.

“Emmett James,” Sebastian scolded lightly, “Do not start,”

“Sorry.”

“It’s way past your bedtime Cassie, come on, I’ll tuck you in,” Sebastian said.

“Fine.” I mumbled and got up, Morgan caught me around the waist and kissed my hair,

“Where are our goodnights? Nothing? Am I easily replaced by the big bad wolf of Sebastian?”

I laughed and kissed his cheek, “Night Morgan, good night, Luke.”

“Night cowgirl,” Luke smiled at me. “Alex you next,” he said catching him and Alex tried to get out of being kissed on his head.

“Gross, let me go,” he laughed as Luke tickled him.

“Alright, Alex, Emmett teeth.”

“Kay,” They said and headed up the stairs.

I went upstairs and got dressed, I was looking out the window. I heard someone yelling and opened my door confused.

“Why do I have to give you my phone, it’s my phone, that is so fucking stupid” He yelled, and then there was a pause. Then....

“Ow, ow, ow, okay, okay, I’m sorry, please,” Alex said.

I paused semi wanting to know what was going on, but I slowly closed my door; guess he is taking phones? Why? I went to my window and looked at the forest. I forgot already how many aches they have here. I know there is 5 acres of forest. Sebastian knocked and came in.

“Alright, get on into bed Cassie.”

“Kay.”

“Oh, hand me your phone, I forgot to tell you downstairs. Emmett already put his on the charger in the hall.”

“What why?”

“So, I know you’re going to sleep. It’s a rule Dad had since we got phones and he found everyone playing on it passed bedtime. I already took Alex’s.”

“I heard.”

He paused, “Yes, well Alex, like you will learn to obey when told to do something. You can get it back in the morning. Though I am transferring yours and Alex’s phone to my account so they might not work in a day or two. I will let you know.”

I handed him my phone and crawled into bed, he smiled at me, “Alright, get some sleep.” He said making sure my blanket covered me and my curtains were close but not all the way. It was too quiet here.

“Sebastian?”

“Hmm.”

I paused, “I... sorry, but is there something that makes noise? like a fan or something I... I can’t sleep in pure silence, it gonna drive me crazy.”

“I’ll be right back,” he said and brought a little white machine into the room turning it on, it made a fan noise and I smiled.

“What’s that?”

“It is something we used for Emmett when he couldn’t sleep, he has one and this is the extra, does Alex sleep with one too?”

“We shared a room in California, so I am unsure if he liked it or not.”

“I’ll ask him,”

“B..Sebastian? Could you come back in here for a little bit when your done? Mom used to do it, but umm she...”

“Of course,” he walked out and I didn’t hear him, but he soon came back and laid in bed with me rubbing my back, “Go to sleep.”

I relaxed, not too long ago these hands had whooped my bottom hard, but they were providing me comfort and I smiled falling asleep.

When I woke up, he was gone, but his jacket was still here on me. I smiled wanting to fall back asleep. But there was a knock on my door. I looked and sat up rubbing my eyes. It opened to show Morgan. He was in jeans and a long sleeve, no boots. Sebastian didn’t like shoes upstairs, but you could wear them downstairs. Something Emmett told me.

“Time to get up kiddo, we got morning chores.”

Right, we live on a ranch, where you will never be bored from what Emmett told Alex and me. I huffed and fell back onto the bed, looking at the clock. It was 6 am. Putting my blanket over my face, “No, it’s too early.”

“Come on, don’t make me get Bubba. I don’t have time for these theatrics I have to study. And he isn’t as nice in the morning when kids don’t get out of bed. He threw Emmett in a tub of water once because he was gonna be late to school. And had to be woken up twice.”

I was up, “No he did not.”

“Oh yes he did, you can ask Emmett, come on, I found some overalls you can wear today around the farm.”

Overalls? Umm no, I looked at it, it would fit me, interesting, whose was it? I put it on with a long sleeve green shirt, my arms still hurt, and they itched from the stupid chicken. I headed downstairs, Emmett was doing something outside yawning.

“What’s Emmett doing?”

“His morning chores, he is helping to feed the animals like you should be doing, get goin,” Luke said while he was cooking, Alex came down too in jeans and a long sleeve blue shirt. Luke looked at me and smiled.

“I knew that would fit you, you’re so small.”

“Who was this?” I moved the overall straps trying to fix them and failing. Luke walked over to me and helped.

“Emmett’s actually, but You and Alex will get you your own stuff today Sebastian is taking you kids shopping when he drops off Emmett at school.”

So, we are going shopping today. I had clothes, but it sounded like they wanted to get us boots and some clothes that actually fit. I went out to help Emmett and Alex followed me.

“Go let the chickens out,” Emmett told me tired. I froze. He waved me to him, “This is the feed, pour it on the ground before letting them out and they will go straight to this and leave you be.” He handed me a green plastic cup. “They won’t bother you.”

“Are you coming with me?”

“No, why would I?” he paused, “oh that’s right, but Jet won’t hurt you, just take Bear he’ll make sure he behaves.”

Emmett walked away to the horse barn with Alex. I went to the chicken coop terrified. Damn it. I looked at the pen and looked around.

“BEAR!” I called and he ran to me. “Come here boy.” I wonder where he sleeps. I didn’t see a doghouse. He needed a bath; I will tell Sebastian so I can get some soap if they don’t have some already. I opened the pen and walked in, having bear go with me I paused looking at him,

“Umm. Sit,” I said sternly as he sat. Good boy I patted his head, “You are so cute.”

I poured the feed and then opened the door slowly. I needed to secure it once it was open. I was shaking, the chickens ran out and I got scared, released the door and it smacked a chicken, and moved behind bear, he just watched the chickens. Not all of them were out yet. Darn it. I did the thing and then ran out with Bear behind me. I was breathing hard, danger avoided. I looked at the chickens, Jet was eating too. Should have named him Devil. Jet the Devil!

“Cassie,” Morgan was there, “Are you, okay? I heard you call for Bear.”

“Emmett said I could take bear when I let the chickens out.”

Morgan passed, “I told him to go with you,” he sighed looking at the chickens and then back to me, “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” my stomach growled “Hungry.”

“Come on, Luke made some breakfast, he has a few weeks off. But we have one more thing to do,”

I followed him to the horse barn. Alex and Emmett were doing something in the pasture, I had seen Emmett with a white horse.

“What are we doing?” I asked Morgan.

“Fill up the water buckets if they are low, twice to three times a month we’ll dump out the water and clean the tanks.”

“Tanks?”

“The water galvanizer, they are just big water holders mainly,” he said smiling, “We have a huge one that we use as a pool but now it’s a hot tub for the ranch hands to play with.”

“I saw the pool out back, and a hot tub.”

“Yeah, there is actually a story behind the hot tub.”

“Really?” I asked as he handed me a hose, I started to fill one of the water containers. It was really low.

“Yep, Emmett was riding and fell off of Stormy a year ago.”

“Stormy?”

He pointed out the door, and I saw a white horse, Emmett was standing there scratching his head and hugging him. Emmett’s large smile and he kissed the horse on the nose.

“He is a gentle horse, but some idiot decided to shoot up a barrel racing final and it scared Stormy. He had held on, but Stormy fell and Emmett well, he hurt his shoulder. Dislocated it.”

“What do you mean shoot up?”

“Someone came into the fair with a gun and was shooting it to scare the horses and other animals. He was taken down by police and Emmett was taken via ambulance to the hospital. He couldn’t ride for a month. He was so upset. The hot tub was to help with his shoulder. We got one to help with the healing and well we all decided to pitch in and buy it for the ranch.”

“oh, ow,” I looked at Emmett who saw me and smiled waving. I waved back.

“Is he better now? Wait, what is barrel racing?”

Morgan smiled, ” it’s a rodeo event in which a horse and rider attempt to run a cloverleaf pattern around preset barrels in the fastest time, until last year he finished the race against Sebastian’s wishes mind you. He won second place, but usually he is first.”

“That’s cool, did you do that too?”

“Yeah we all did, and we helped him train, once we get you and Alex up on your horses, you’ll both be doing what we call Gymkhana. It’s to help teach your balance, and if you get good enough, we can always sign you up for competitions; that’s where we all usually started as kids.”

“Sounds really fun,” I smiled, filling up more water buckets. Morgan shoveled a stall as I continued with the watering. He did only two stalls.

“You clean that one, shovel the manure into that bucket.”

I did, and then fell on my butt, yelping, gross. Morgan laughed at me. Brat.

“Hmm, we need to get you work boots. I am sure Sebastian knows that. Leave it for now, we have the rest of the ranch hands coming today to help out.”

“Ranch hands?”

“Yes, aside from Arnold and Hunter, we also have Darryl, Jones and Kane who is the ranch foreman who makes sure things are running smoothly, Kane and Jones don’t live on the ranch. I do have schoolwork that I have to finish, after that I usually help out with the animals.”

We walked out of the Barn, and I paused looking at the corral. Cosmo was still there. I played with my hands.

“What...about Cosmo?”

“I already fed him, he got oats this morning,” he smiled, “Come on, you can come say good morning, but not too close. How’s that bottom.”

I blushed, “Fine.”

He kissed my hair, “Behave and it will stay that way,” he joked. After seeing Cosmo, we were gonna head inside until I heard a splash of water and yelling. Morgan looked over fast. I looked at the horse’s water and Alex stood up pissed.

“What the FUCK is your problem I was just helping.”

“You were in the way, and I told you to move back, that is why you are wet.” Emmett glared, crossing his arms, “I told you to go, and you didn’t.”

“So, you shove me into the water, what the fuck, Emmett.”

“What is going on here,” Morgan asked angry, walking over, “No yelling, and Alex you and I will be talking about that mouth later, this stops now, both of you with me.”

Morgan pointed to the ground, and they walked away, I could still hear them as I started to fill the water. Stormy watched me, I smiled. She is beautiful.

Alex was upset and I could hear it in his voice, he usually doesn’t yell, “He pushed me into the horse water when I was helping, saying I was in the way.”

“Emmett, what do you have to say?”

Emmett huffed and crossed his arms, “He was making Stormy uncomfortable, so I threw him in the water.”

“That is unacceptable, if Stormy is uncomfortable, you either lead her away or introduce them if she isn’t aggressive. And I know for a fact you are lying since Stormy is a gentle horse is she not? And she looks fine, I know you are protective of her, but Alex is your younger brother and needs to learn about them too.”

“She is, but I told him to get back and he didn’t.”

“Alex, did he tell you to move back,”

“Kinda but.”

“Yes, sir or no, sir?”

“Yes, sir.”

Morgan sighed putting his hands on his hips, “You two are brothers, you are to work together if you can’t then I will make you. Both of you will be cleaning out the Barn. All the stalls this Saturday with each other and no one else.”

“But the party is this Saturday,” Emmett said.

“Best be done before the party then if you want to go. You are older, if Alex is being unsafe you need to be clear about it. Alex, if someone tells you to move back you will do so without rebuttal is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“This is your first strike of the day for both of you, Alex for not listening and Emmett for throwing Alex into the water. Fighting is a no go, that’s why you two have stalls. Also, Alex you will be getting your mouth washed out this morning for dropping the F bomb twice. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” they said together.

“But Morgan he was-” Alex tried.

“I don’t care what he was being or doing, you are not allowed to swear. And Alex, if you are helping, maybe focus on a few different horses,” Morgan points out, picking a few for each of them, “Those will be the ones you take care of and those are for your Emmett that would include your horse as well.”

“Now both of you apologize to each other or so help me you both will get a morning thrashing before it’s even 6:30.”

I was standing there confused, I was done with the water and put it away. I walked back to them; Alex was still dripping wet. They apologized under Morgan’s stern gaze. Morgan shook his head. Alex though, something was wrong, I knew this, but I couldn’t figure out what it was. He looked at Emmett who still looked upset.

“Sorry Emmett, when you told me to get back, I didn’t think it was because of Stormy. I thought you were just not a morning person and were grumpy at me for no reason.”

Emmett uncrossed his arms sighed loudly, “Fine, fine, I’m sorry, I’ll try and be clearer about what is going on, but honestly, if I say move back. Just do it, I’ll explain all the details later.”

“Okay.”

“Good, now let’s get breakfast,” Morgan said and turned to the house. I walked back with them, once to the back door, Sebastian saw us.

“Drop the clothes and get into dry ones before you get sick. Alex,” he paused, “Wait why are you wet? you trip?”

“No, Emmett threw me into the water,” he said, taking off his shirt. Sebastian looked at Emmett sternly.

“I handled it,” Morgan said, “They get to work as a team to clean the barn this Saturday, isn’t that right gentleman.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Alex and I have some business in the bathroom before breakfast.”

“Oh?”

“He dropped the F bomb twice this morning,” Emmett told him, and Sebastian looked at Alex and put his hand on his hips. Alex looked down and did not comment.

Sebastian turned to look at Morgan and then turned to Emmett, “We’ll talk in a bit, for now go get ready for school and come back down. Alex strip and dry off, I don’t need you getting sick. Cassie, go get some clean clothes we are going into the city today.”

I did as told finally coming back downstairs, Emmett was eating, rubbing his eyes he seemed drained. Alex was in new jeans now too with a short sleeve soccer shirt. He was not happy though he kept rubbing his mouth.

(Alex’s Punishment: Alex POV)

“You go get changed, you have 5 minutes, and then you come to the bathroom downstairs. understood?”

“Yes, sir,” I sighed. Going to my room I put on some clean jeans and my soccer shirt. My own room, it’s wild. I have always wanted my own room. Mom didn’t make enough to have more than a two room apartment. A full sized bed and everything. Wild! But now, ugh the rules that came with it. I sighed walking downstairs. Morgan was leaning on the wall and he looked at me.

“Alright come on,” he said.

“Can’t we do this after breakfast?”

“No, Alex, cause you guys are heading out right after breakfast, so come on,” he said again. I followed him into the bathroom and watched as Morgan got out a new box of Irish spring soap and wet it under the warm water. It was torture really it was. I was biting my lip.

“Morgan, really I don’t need my mouth washed out, I won’t say it again.”

“Alex, this isn’t up for discussion, we already told you not to swear.”

“Couldn’t we overlook it this once?”

“No,” Morgan sighed, “If you were comfortable saying it twice and it wasn’t even a full day, you young man need some correction in the foul language that you used today. Now are you going to open your mouth, or do I need to get a wooden spoon?”

I made a face and sighed, looking at the very sudsy Irish spring bar, I gave him one last pleading look and he shook his head at me. I sighed and opened my mouth and he put it in. Instantly I wanted to spit it out, but Morgan held it in place. Hitting a timer on his phone I groaned when I saw the 1-minute start. I was staring at the timer, this was terrible. I closed my eyes. It felt like forever.

“Spit it out,” Morgan finally said and I did, spitting out some residue.

“Alright no more swearing Alex, or your time will be doubled, understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Hey,” Morgan looked at me, he wasn’t angry at me, “I don’t like punishing you, but we really just want what’s best for you. Swearing isn’t something we want you to have a habit of, since you already have it, we will be breaking that habit from here on out. I love you kiddo.”

“Love you too....M’sorry.”

“I know, come on, let’s get something to eat.”

Morgan said, hugging me tight. He held me for a bit, until I pulled away and we started to go to the kitchen.

(End of Alex POV)

“We need to get you two some cowboy boots,” Sebastian said. “Along with work boots, and a few other things, so we will get all that after we drop off Emmett at school and then you two have to get signed up for homeschool and we need to get you a few things for home.”

“You guys get to go shopping,” Emmett grumped,

“You went shopping last week, Em, is there something else you need? You forget somethin,” Luke asked.

“No fair,” Emmett grumbled, dropping his fork, Sebastian narrowed his eyes at him.

“Emmett, strike two, I know you are tired, but you need to remember it’s easier to take a few at a time shopping, you went last week if there is something you need then tell me and I can pick it up. You have school, and they will be starting homeschool and then go to your school next year, so stop with the attitude this instant or you will be in big trouble.”

“I’m sorry,” he said softly, picking up his fork again and finishing breakfast.

“Forgiven, what do you have today? Anything going on?”

“Not that I know of,” Emmett said softly shrugging his shoulders.

“Alright,” Sebastian said, ruffling his hair. After breakfast we all got ready to head out, Luke is working with the cattle today which I guess there isn’t a lot, but by a lot she wasn’t entirely sure, and Morgan was staying at the ranch to work on his books and Sebastian was driving us to the city. It was 0700 when we left. And made it there in about an hour because of traffic.

“We live far,” Alex said.

“A bit, but this is the school we all went to growing up, it’s a good school. The one you two are attending online is something I looked into, and it was approved by the private school here.”

We pulled up to a really nice-looking building and Emmett jumped out when we got to the drop off area. The building was white with a huge field. A smaller building wasn’t attached to it. I saw a few houses on the campus, weird, something about this school screamed boarding and preppy. I wasn’t sure how I felt about it too much.

“Love you Bud, have fun, and remember your phone is for what again?”

“Emergencies only, I know, Bubba, bye,”

“Be safe,” I told him quickly, “See you later?”

“Sure thing Cassie, I’ll see you later.”

“And?” I watched him, I would make sure he was safe, I didn’t get that with mom. I hadn’t told her to be safe that day. If I had maybe she would still be here. Emmett watched me, and smiled a little at me.

He smiled at me, “I’ll be safe.”

“Okay, bye.”

“Can I ride shotgun?” Alex asked, when Emmett went to close the door.

“Sure, Alex,” Sebastian said.

“Can I ride it on the way back?”

“We will see,” Sebastian said, “I don’t like how that seatbelt is cutting into your neck.”

“Kay.”

Alex jumped out and went to the front happily getting in, he smacked his knee. I bit his lip and rubbed his knee. I looked at him and so did Sebastian.

“You alright?”

“I’m fine.”

Sebastian nodded his head and once Alex was buckled up, We were off. We headed to the stores. I got some overalls, jeans, and a cowgirl hat which was really cool. It had a horseshoes emblem on it but I thought it was a C for Cassie so that’s why I picked it. Sebastian walked over with a belt. He looked at me and wrapped it around my waist checking the size. I watched him as he measured and once he found a good one, he put it in the little cart we had.

“Let’s get you a cool belt buckle, what do you think? Want to pick it out?”

“Yeah,” I said joyfully, “Can it be sparkly?”

“It can.”

“Do you have belt buckles?” I asked him, looking at a few of them pondering on them. I knew he had one he wore that he got from Dad but that was it. Or...well their dad, I never met him so he doesn’t feel like my dad at all.

“I do, a few are more like trophies that I won, I’ll show them to you if you like, but I only wear a few of them.”

Alex walked over and put some overalls and jeans in the cart, Sebastian smiled at him. He passed him a few belts measuring him as well.

“Why don’t you pick out a belt buckle you like.”

“Cool,” he said looking at them. I found one that had stones on it, it was sparkling so I took that one. After we got a few more things, it was almost noon.

“Alright let’s get your boots and head on home.”

“Mr. Remington,” someone smiled walking over, “As I live and breathe, how is the ranch? I don’t think I see you much anymore.”

“The Ranch is really good, Matthew, how are your twins? Wife doing well?”

“She is doing great; my boys are healthy and home.”

“Thats good to hear,”

“And who...is that Alex? Woah boy you go so big, last I saw you were just a toddler crying cause you couldn’t ride with Sebastian during his barrel run. Through the biggest fit I have ever seen before your Dad got you up.”

Alex looked confused, and I was reminded that I didn’t even know I had brothers. I also have never met Dad. No one knew about me. I looked down at my belt buckle feeling like I shouldn’t get it now. I put it back unsure what to do.

“Really?” Alex looked at Sebastian, “I would ride with you a lot?”

“You loved riding, so much you would go crazy and sad when you couldn’t ride,” Sebastian said. Matthew turned to me and paused, he smiled.

“And who do we have here, good afternoon, little lady.”

I moved behind Alex. I could feel my tears. I said nothing watching him.

“Cassidy is our little sister, my mom was pregnant before she left, remember.”

“Oh, so this is her, nice to meet you, Cassidy.”

After a bit Sebastian said goodbye and he squatted down.

“What’s wrong Cassie?”

“Nothing.”“That isn’t a nothing is wrong look. You put your belt buckle down, and look ready to cry. I can’t help you if you don’t tell me.”

“It’s…It’s just I didn’t know about any of you, and I never met Dad and stuff. Feels unfair and weird when people bring it up.”

I held my breath he was going to laugh I know it. Strong arms wrapped around me.

“I know it’s sad, but let’s make some memories okay? I know you didn’t know or meet Dad and I am more than happy to tell you about him. Whenever you like? Okay?”

“Okay. Was he nice?”

“He was a man of his word and kind to people he met.”

I smiled at that, making an image in my mind of him.

“Come on, time to go to Boot barn. I’ll show you photos later.”

“Okay.”

We headed to Boot Barn, I looked at all of them as Sebastian was talking to the woman there. After a little bit of looking at them. She measured me and I got two pairs. I got brown ones with stitching on the side that were red, white and blue, and so did Alex. Getting a rounded toe for each of us and then nice boots to wear out. We headed home after that. I jumped upfront and Sebastian shook his head.

“Sweetheart you are too short, I rather you not sit up front for long distances.”

“Can I sit in the middle, please,”

It was a F350 dual cab, so it wasn’t like I wasn’t safe. Sebastian just watched me and sighed.

“Okay, but I need to get you a booster seat. You are still short that the belt is cutting into your neck. Anyway.”

“I’m not a baby,” I protested as I put the lap belt over me. He looked at me and raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t say you were, I said you are short which is fine, come on don’t start with attitude now you’ve been doing great all day.”

We stopped at our last store, Costco, and got a booster seat, Sebastian installed it in the back, he got two. We didn’t really get groceries, but he said they already went shopping for all that and this is the only thing we honestly needed.

“Why two?”

“I’m going to put one in whatever truck or vehicle you are in.”

“ugh fine,” I huffed. Sebastain looked at me sternly. I didn’t like the idea of sitting in a booster seat and I didn’t like the fact that I had to do it anyway. Also, it didn’t even look like a regular booster seat, it was a stinking car seat.

“Can we get something to eat before we head home?” Alex asked, pointing at the hotdog place in the Costco.

“I don’t see why not, let’s get some lunch.”

Alex ordered and I did too, while we waited for food, Sebastian smiled at us.

“So, I don’t think we even got to talk about your guys’ likes and dislikes or know much about you.”

“I dislike school,” Alex said and laughed at Sebastian’s expression, “I’m playing, I’m playing.”

“You are a jokester that is for sure,” he smiled and riffled his hair, “Homeschool will be a little different, it will be online for one, and you’ll get assignments like normal and then a quiz at the end of each week in each subject, so Friday is going to be your busy day, but also, your short day. You’ll get a midterm and you’ll have finals as well which will be proctored online and sometimes by us.”

“I hate tests,” I said, “I’m not any good at them.” I say playing with my napkin. Sebastian smiled.

“You’ll be just fine. If you are struggling with something let me know okay. And we’ll see what we can do.”

“45!” Someone called.

“That’s us, Alex, come help me,” Sebastian said standing. They went and got the food, and I sat there watching them. I looked out at the parking lot, it was nice out today. I saw a man holding a sign. I couldn’t read it from here, but he saw me looking at him and walked over. I paused, feeling a little uncomfortable that he was walking over here.

“Hey little miss,” A man said, “I like your hat.”

“Oh, umm, thank you,” I looked behind me. Sebastian was getting some ketchup. Alex pulled on him and pointed in my direction. I turned back around and the man was still smiling at me. I felt uncomfortable, so I got up and went to Sebastian. He saw me walking towards him.

“What’s wrong? We were coming back.”

“I...the man over there kept staring at me and made me uncomfortable so I wanted to be by you.”

He looked up and the man was walking away from the table we had been at, “Okay, come on, let’s eat over here then we will head home.”

I sat down close to him, my back to the street. He leaned over and kissed my hair. I got a milk shake, Chocolate, cause girls gonna have that, and was drinking it down, Sebastian got one too, strawberry. I finished the entire hotdog, and we cleaned up.

“Hand, both of you.”

“Aren’t I taller than Cassie?”

“Alex, it’s easier for me to pull you out of the way if some idiot doesn’t know how to drive.”

“How about I hold Cassie’s hand then?”

“Fine.”

He did just that, I smiled, winging their arms back and forth. Once to the truck I crawled into the middle seat again, wanting to avoid the stupid car seat in the back.

“No ma’am, it’s a long drive home, I want you in your seat.”

“But-”

“Cassidy Rose, young lady, do you need a spanking?”

“No.”

“Into your seat please. I won’t ask again.”

I crawled over the middle seat to the back and got into it. I was in the middle, not even by the window. I sniffled.

“People are gonna make fun of me.”

“No they won’t, just relax Cassie.”

I yawned and rubbed my eyes.

“Sebstian, do you have a blanket in here?”

“Alex reach back and grab it at this stop sign. It’s under the seat.”

Alex got it for me and I put it on. I rubbed my eyes more soon falling asleep.

Alex POV********

Cassie passed out leaning on her carseat. I smiled at her. Her brown wavy hair was in low piggie tails today.

“She is out.” I told him, “And is a deep sleeper when in a car, so good luck if you try and wake her while we are still moving.”

“You all stayed up late last night, gotta get to bed on time tonight,” he said smiling, “So Alex how have you been? School and what nots. I know a lot has changed and you didn’t really have time to prepare coming here.”

“I’ve been fine, I guess,” I looked out the window, I still couldn’t wrap my head around mom’s death and honestly, I wanted to cry but still hadn’t I needed to be strong for Cassie. She is what matters. Sebastian watched the road peeking over at me. I could feel his eyes on my head.

Our brothers were very welcoming, even though I hadn’t lived with them for at least 10 years. When mom left, she took me, and Cassie was born soon after that. My love for horses was still strong, but we didn’t ride anymore in California.

“Baby brother,” he said softly, “You matter too, if you want to talk to me or anyone, I can arrange that okay. Don’t let it just bottled up, alright.”

“Yes, Bubba.”

I wasn’t in trouble, I paused though and blushed, I called him Bubba, a name Emmett called him this morning. Everyone calls him that but us. I wanted to call him it too. I looked down at my hands.

“S..Sorry.”

“What for? Calling me Bubba, I don’t mind, everyone calls me it,” he chuckled. “Do you want to talk about what happened in California?”

Talk about? No, cry about loads, I had lost it all, my spot on the team, my mom, my life in California. I didn’t have many friends, but still I missed them. Jason was doing fine but still he was the only person that talked to me. The thought was making my throat constrict and I looked out the window trying to focus on something else. Anything else.

“No, not really,” I finally said when I knew my voice wouldn’t crack from wanting to cry.

“Okay,” he said, I had a feeling he didn’t believe me, but that was fine. “Alex, if you ever want to talk to me, you can, I am here for you okay.”

“Thank you, Bubba.”

He smiled and the drive was a little quiet, country music playing I decided to play on my phone, a few games and what not. Texting Jason, he was doing well, but still I missed him. He was a great friend. Though he had his issues. I sighed, turning my screen dark and leaned on the door.

“What happened to Dad? I know he passed away but how?”

“He died four years ago, he was trying to break a horse, and was being stupid and reckless. He did it drunk. It was on the anniversary of mom leaving and he usually got well stupid at that time so we all would head out for the day. Luke was doing university stuff and living in the dorms. So, it had been me, Morgan 18 was doing college too but stayed at home and Emmett was 12 at the time. We had come back later than usual, and he was on the ground not moving.”

“Oh,” I said looking down, “D...Did Luke come home after that?”

“I told Luke he needed to finish his schooling, he would come back and help with Morgan and Emmett and the Ranch on his breaks and after he got residency at the hospital in Denver, he was home a little more. Don’t worry about it, it’s just the past, we can’t continue to live in the past as then we will never move forward.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize, there is no need for it,” He smiled at me, “I’m glad I have you and Cassie back with us. Also just don’t be reckless, okay.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Atta boy.”

I smiled at that, I liked that he called me that. Cassie was still asleep, we were almost home, the drive had been really nice, trees and open fields. I saw the ranch sign, Remington Ranch, nice sign.

“Hop out and grab the mail, then open the gate so we can go in okay.”

“Kay,”

I grabbed the mail and opened the gate waiting for him to go through it and then after locking it I headed back into the truck. Cassie was still fast asleep. That was normal for long rides, especially if she was tired.

“How do you break a horse?” I asked him.

Sebastian nodded his head, getting the hint, though I think he will talk to me about it later. I hope he doesn’t. I really don’t want him to talk to me about it. The last thing I need is to cry like a baby.

“Well, we introduce Halters, then we’ll lead them around with it a bit, Bridle and Bit, and Saddle breaking, right now Cosmo is just wild and is getting used to us. At first, we were actually going to sell him, but Cassie has shown an interest in him, so we decided to keep him. He is wild, so he is just getting used to everything. As for the horse you are interested in is Spirit, right?”

“Right.”

“He had been abused by his past owner, Morgan is helping the vet with him, so he is not a bad horse, he doesn’t like a few things and we will go over that with you.”

“Oh...when you mean break them? Like are you hurting them?”

“No,” He said sternly, “Breaking them is a term to make them rideable, to train them to be ridden.”

“Oh, okay,” I told him, Cassie stirred and rubbed her eyes. As the truck came to a stop in front of the house.

“Home?”

“Yes, sunshine we are home.”

I smiled at her as she rubbed her eyes. I thought about the conversation the night before mom went to work, she was talking about going back to Colorado, Dad had passed away a few years ago and she wanted to see everyone she had been scared that they hated her for leaving. For taking me and keeping Cassie away. She smiled at me, then frowned. Cassie wasn’t great at reading people, but she was good at reading me. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that, in all honesty I wish she couldn’t read me.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine, just tired.”

“Why don’t you go and put your things away you two, I am going to back the truck up to the stables, Jones is here to help, go and settle okay and when you are done come back out.”

“Okay.”

“Who’s Jones again?” I asked.

“Jones, Darryl, Arnold, Hunter are all ranch hands since I needed extra hands, and then Kane is the ranch foreman he makes sure everything is working just fine,” he explained, “They come and help during the day and stuff, a lot of times I host kids to come, and they help clean up the ranch too, pricking up garbage and pulling weeds,” he smiled, “I love earth day.” He said joyfully.

“Kid labor laws,” I told him, “Isn’t that illegal.”

“I feed them,” he said, chuckling.

I shook my head and he just let out a deep laugh, “Go put your stuff away, trouble.”

“Okay.”

I hopped out of the truck; I looked back to see Sebastian helping Cassie down. Morgan came out.

“Hey Mor, put this in the 4 runner, for Cassie.”

“I don’t need a stupid car seat,” I told him sternly, stomping her foot. That got her a swat on my bottom, and it was probably still a little sore from last night.

“Cassidy,” he warned, “Strike one, enough of this arguing about the seat, you will sit in it and that is that it’s a safety concern for you. Now then go put your things away, get into your overalls and head to the stables to help out. I need to get things setting for your online classes and you’ll both be starting tomorrow.”

“Nice hat,” Morgan said, she smiled, and Cassie couldn’t stay mad at Morgan she beamed at the complement.

“It suits you very well.”

I brought my things into my room, while Cassie was smiling up at Morgan. My room was nice, I liked it. I laid on my bed, I wanted to cry but there were so many people here. I sighed; I need to go on a walk later to have some time to myself. A soft knock on my door. I didn’t move, ugh who was it now?

“Alex?” Cassie asked, I paused. Maybe if I say nothing. Well, that is mean of me, but come on I just want a bit to be alone, which is hard to do on a ranch. “You already go down? Guess so,” and she left.

I felt terrible, I should have said something, but I knew. God, I knew, if I started crying then I wouldn’t be able to stop. Why do I have to shoulder the burden of the pain, with the last conversation with my mom? I hugged my pillow; No, I can’t cry. I jumped up and slashed water in my face. Emmett and I shared a bathroom. It was connected. He wasn’t a clean freak, but he was clean enough. I saw his room, curious I poked my head in, woah it was nice. I closed the door and headed downstairs. I had put on my overalls that I got today and my work boots.

“There you are,” Morgan smiled watching me, he paused, “Look at you, you fit right in,” he smiled ruffling my hair, I just smiled at him. Morgan paused, “Are you okay? You look exhausted,” he put a hand on my face, “You feel warm do you feel sick?”

“No,” I lied, I did, but I knew I wasn’t. I was just sad, and the crap thing is being sad and holding it in for some reason I was cursed to get sick, no thank you. I am not sick; I just have allergies.

“I’m not Morgan.”

“Okay, tell me if you start to feel sick, okay.”

“Okay.”

I walked into the stables, Sebastian was looking up into the loft.

“Cassidy be careful, why don’t you start heading down soon.”

“Okay!” She called down. She was walking and slipped, almost falling off the side. She held on.

“CASSIE!”

A few yells and Morgan sucked in a breath. Sebastian though didn’t miss a beat he jumped onto the ladder and made it up there fast.

“Cassie?!”

Crying perused and I saw Cassie throw her arms around him and Sebastian rubbed her back. He carried her down the ladder getting to the ground he hugged her tight and rubbed her back, swaying her side to side. She was sobbing.

“No more loft for now okay, I don’t want you falling,” he said and kissed her head. Holding her head to his shoulder. After calming her down he kissed her head again and smiled.

“Why doesn’t,” he looked at Morgan, “Mor teach you two how to brush and care for your horses,” he smiled,

“Okay,” I smiled at him, I liked horses, they were amazing, the strength, how fast they run, pure joy is what I was told by my mother. After a bit of helping groom a few of the horses, Morgan wanted to teach how to saddle one,

“It might be better one on one,” he said, “Alex why don’t you help in the truck and then I’ll call you over when I am done and you two can switch.” I nodded and that’s how I ended up moving the hay from the truck to the end of the bed so they could grab it.

“You are a huge help,” Jones said. He looked interesting, his face was rugged and had a beard he smiled at me, “You have grown so much, it’s nice to see you again Alex.”

“I know you?”

“I’m high school friends with your brothers, I’m in college right now.”

“Oh, that’s nice,”

“Hey, keep going, talk later,” Sebastian said sternly, “We are almost done and you two are lollygagging.”

“What’s that even mean?” I asked as I pushed more hay looking at him, he smiled.

“You are moving too slow.”

“Sounds like your problem.” I said a little more attitude than I wanted, I was just playing but still. “Alexander.” he scolded sternly.

“Sorry, I’m playing.”

“I know, less play please and more work, let’s finish and you can play later, after we are done you can be done for today until your nighttime chores.”

After we were done, he smiled at me, “You can wander around the property until Morgan is ready for you alright, I have a few things I need to do. Do you remember the boundaries?”

He pointed at the tree line, I wasn’t allowed to go past that, darn and that’s where I was going. I would probably get in trouble for it later, but I really wanted to be alone. I nodded.

I didn’t want to hear any more, so I went faster, I went behind the house and sighed, I found the library inside the house, but was bored, I didn’t want to be inside, so I went into the forest. I hadn’t really wanted to break the rules as I didn’t want to, I smiled running along the trees and jumping the fallen branches like in track. I liked running. I felt free, but the air here made me breathe harder. I wasn’t used to the atmosphere yet.

I sat down and put my head between my knees. I had found a fallen tree. Damn it, my breathing hurt. I relaxed, and let out a sigh, falling asleep. Listening to birds and the wind rustling the leaves. This was nice, better than the city. I was woken up with my phone buzzing a lot. I didn’t have the sound on, since Jason kept texting me and the ding of the phone was getting annoying. I looked at it. And my stomach hit the ground in shock.

I have 7 missed calls from Sebastian alone, and a crap missed calls from everyone else, and a ton of texts. Telling me to come home or pick up the phone. I got a text from Cassie asking me to call her and that she was worried.

“ALEXANDER!” Luke yelled. Shit. I jumped up, I was in so much trouble. The fast movement made me a little dizzy. I paused.

“Over here!” I yelled back. Damn my head. I soon was moving towards the sound of Luke.

“I found him,” he said into the radio, I heard the horse. I stopped running to him, I didn’t want to scare the horse. Luke jumped down and walked over to me, running hands through my hair and making sure I wasn’t hurt. “Are you hurt? How many fingers am I holding up?” He looked at me, turning my head.