Reunion Part 2

Warm and soft was the bed she was in. Snoring was the noise she heard. It took Michelle a few seconds to remember where she was. "This isn't the bunkhouse," she thought to herself.In all the years she had known him, she never knew Tim snored. She turned her head to look at him and let out a light chuckle as she watched him sleeping. Now she would be the sneaky one with suprises in store.
She gently pulled back the covers and crept out of Tim's cozy bed. With her feet clad in the soft slippers, she snuck out of the bedroom and into the hallway. It was filled with warm bright sunlight, giving the house a whole new feel and showing her what she hadn't seen last night. Michelle wanted desperatley to search every room and marvel at what Tim had accomplished, but she didn't. She knew he would wake soon and she wanted to be there when he did.
She quietly hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen to see what he had in the fridge. After whipping up some eggs with ham, and toast, she poured some orange juice and made her way up the stairs with her bounty. As she opened the bedroom door she could hear a yawn and soon she saw Tim rubbing his eyes and stretching as if he had been in hibernation for winter.
Michelle smiled at him as she made her way to his side of the bed. She sat beside him and held the plate out. "I figured you built me a house, the least I could do was make you breakfast." she said with a smirk."Oh, yeah, that seems like a fair trade." Tim replied, and leaned over to kiss her as he took the plate. She grabbed a piece of toast and walked over to her bag.
"You know, I have to go down to the ranch and hand Jewel over to Mag and Carl, and judging by that clock you are already late for work. What are they going to think happened to us?" she asked as she pulled out a fresh pair of jeans and a fitted t shirt.
"They are going to think we finally realized what everyone else already knew. Don't worry. We will get down there in plenty of time."
That was all she needed to relax. Him telling her everything would be fine. He had a calming effect on her that she welcomed.They both dressed and headed down to the barn.
After the horses were fed, he walked her around the property telling her about the build. He had 144 acres on this ridge and the valley below. He had scouted for months to find the perfect homesite with the most beautiful view. She agreed it was a gorgeous view as they got into the truck to head down to the ranch.

When at last they reached the ranch, Tim drove them straight to the barn. He parked next to Michelle's own truck, and shut down the engine. "You ready?" He asked her with a smile of sheer delight. She took a deep breath, squeezed his hand, and opened the door. It was like the ranch was a new place to her again. It was like the first day she had ever been there. Everything was different, yet the same. She had Tim now, and he had her.
They made their way in, and Michelle walked over to the stall she had Jewel in. She introduced Tim to the beauty she had brought with her. He understood why Maggie and Carl had wanted her. As Michelle lead Jewel out to the pen to let her run a while, Tim made his way over to the arena where Carl was.
Maggie soon joined Michelle who was watching as the special delivery galloped in the round enclosure.
"So, how do you like the house?" Maggie asked Michelle.They both smiled and looked at each other.
"Tell me you didn't buy this horse just to get me out here." They both laughed. Maggie put her arm around Michelle's shoulders and squeezed her. Their bond was different then the paternal bond Michelle had with Carl. Maggie and Michelle were more like sisters than mother and daughter, even though Maggie could very well have been her mother.
"You know, this horse is pretty comfortable with you, and I see no reason to turn it's world upside down with a new trainer." Michelle turned to Maggie with a look of wonder on her face, "How did you know I'm staying?" she asked.
"Because Tim hasn't stopped smiling since you two pulled up. It's been a while since we saw him smile that much." she met Michelle's gaze. Michelle could tell it meant alot to Maggie as well as Tim. They hugged each other, held tightly. Michelle could feel her eyes welling up knowing she was coming home, knowing how much she was wanted here. The last two years she had enjoyed the ranch she worked at, but it wasn't a family there as it was here. She had never fully fit in there.
They let go, and laughed. Michelle wiped her eyes and Maggie smiled. Michelle began to tell Maggie about her new horse as they walked into the pen to get acquainted.

"So, our girl's comin' home, eh Tim?" Carl said as Tim walked up to him in the arena.
"What gave it away?" he replied.
"Your swagger, young man! Your swagger." Carl said, as only Carl could without sounding rediculous. Tim laughed.
"I think you have earned the day off. Heck, take a week. How long has it been since you took some time off? Too long!"
"It's been a while. I don't think I know what to do with a week off, Carl."
"Michelle mentioned going up to the falls. There's two days right there. I'm sure you can figure out what to do with the other five." Carl looked at him, and a smile slowly crept onto his face. Tim laughed again.
"Carl, you are too much, and I'll see you in a few days." Tim said as he turned his back and walked toward the girls.
"Remember son, you deserve it... and I'm not talking about the time off." Carl called after him. Those last words echoed in Tim's mind as he made his way across the field. He hoped he deserved her.

Once Michelle had Maggie settled in with her new horse, she and Tim made their way to the trucks. "Get anything you are going to miss for a week." he instructed her.
"Carl gave you a week off?" she asked, her mind wandering onto what they would do for a full week. "Whats the plan?" she asked, as she rooted around in her truck for any stray items.
"Not sure," Tim said as he grabbed the rifle case and put it into his truck, "head up to the house first. I can think of a few things to fill our time until we decide where to go next." he said as he leaned up against the truck.
Michelle turned and took a step towards him, she leaned into him, and looking into his eyes said "Oh, I can think of one thing we both need.... a hot shower". They both laughed and Tim kissed her forehead. She finished grabbing things out of her truck, and climbed in next to him.