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(The story is originally between Maddox and Hannah. But again, if you wish to join please ask.)
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An orange truck pulled up to the 59 diner. As the driver's side door opened up, a pair of cowboy boots landed without missing a beat. A hand appeared on the orange door and soon it was closed. The woman that appeared looked to be in her early twenties. But looks could be deceiving, though it wasn't intentional. She aged gracefully like the rest of her kin. With an outfit like hers, she also wore a simple straw hat. Hazel eyes glanced back toward the passenger seat where her red guitar rested in it's protective case. It too, was red. She walked over toward the front glass doors of the place and stepped into the cool air, though didn't bother her none.
Tanned skin showed, golden blonde hair with dark roots and eyes that were hazel could be mistaken for dark honey under the right lighting. Plump, bow-shaped lips curved into a friendly smile as she approached the counter where there seemed to be some stools. The place looked like it could use a decent paint job, but she wasn't going to complain either. Maybe they would have some decent food? Earth and evergreen clung to her like a subtle perfume. Along with it was the scent of horses, rope, metal and really everything that accompanied someone from a ranch. Hannah looked at the waitress as she took a vacant seat. "Hello darlin'. Could I get some o' yer ice water please?" Her voice carried a sweet southern charm to it and the smile she offered was genuinely friendly.
She didn't seem to be in a hurry. Her phone beeped in the pocket of her jean shorts and a hand dove in to retrieve it. There was a new text message from Charlie, her identical twin brother. She clicked on it quickly and had this silly grin on her lips. He'd sent her a photo of Speedy and Bebe standing next to each other, half asleep. Both were America Quarter Horses. With swiftness and accuracy, she texted him back, 'Aww! They're so sweet!' and then giggled to herself. The phone was put onto the countertop in case she got another text message or a call and just in time as the iced water came, too. "Oh! Thank ya kindly." She took the glass and set it over a napkin to soak up the condensation from the outside of the glass instead of it making droplets every time it was lifted. When she was handed a menu, she needed a moment to look over the contents. Honestly? She could go for a steak.
When she noticed that she could customize a dinner plate, that's exactly what she did. When the waitress came around again, that's when she placed her order. "I'll have a steak, rare please. Then, a side o' yer turnip greens and mashed taters. And stead of a biscuit, I'd like cornbread, please ma'am." Then the menu was given back and she smiled when the girl acknowledged her order and went about to go give it to the cook in the back. She took a long sip of her iced water. It felt good because of how parched her throat felt. It would be a moment before her food was ready, so she chose that moment to look around briefly while a hand moved up to tuck a strand of golden blonde hair behind one ear as a medium-sized gold hoop earring showed. She didn't have too much in the way of accessories. Just earrings, a precious locket, and a simple gold bangle on her wrist.
The heat hadn’t let up, not even a little. Asphalt shimmered in the sun like it was holdin’ a grudge, and the metal on Maddox’s truck was hot enough to brand a name into it. Still, he didn’t complain. Cowboy gear and all, jeans, shirt, the sound of spurs, and that hat on his head like it had grown there, he moved like a man who’d long made peace with the elements.
Boots hit the ground with a solid thud as he stepped out of his pick-up. She was dusty, dented, and honest. That Stetson shaded his eyes, and sweat traced a line down the side of his neck, but he looked untouched by it. That slow, unbothered rhythm to his walk never changed. The 59 Diner’s door squeaked before he even touched it, like it knew he was comin’.
He stepped inside just in time to catch the faint trail of someone who smelled like home. Not perfume. Not nothin’ store-bought. Real.
Earth and evergreen. Rope and horses. And somethin’ bright buried under it all. Like.. music, or memory.
His eyes landed on her without effort. She was sittin’ at the counter like she belonged there, like maybe this whole dusty joint was lucky she showed up. Blonde hair with a little wild to it, skin kissed by sun and wind both, and a locket that caught the light when she moved. She had the kind of smile that could start fires or stop wars, and Maddox felt himself grin before he meant to.
He slid onto the stool a few seats down. It was not so close it was rude, not so far she’d miss him if she was lookin’. His hat stayed on. Old habits and heat both.
“Didn’t think I’d walk into a place like this and find someone wearin’ the same scent as home,” He said after a beat, his voice low and warm, more observation than pickup. “You smell like saddle leather and fresh air. And maybe a little bit of somethin’ red.”
He looked away for a moment, then back to her with a lazy half-smile after she had ordered. His thought was sharp, but he moved slowly, almost lazily, but it was somehow charming as he looked at her. “I was gonna say somethin’ clever, but then you went and ordered turnip greens and cornbread, and now I’m just thinkin’ maybe I should follow your lead before I embarrass myself.”
He offered his hand across the space between them with an easy smile. “Maddox Everette. I raise horses and hell, mostly in that order. You new around here, or just passin’ through lookin’ too good for this place?”
Boots hit the ground with a solid thud as he stepped out of his pick-up. She was dusty, dented, and honest. That Stetson shaded his eyes, and sweat traced a line down the side of his neck, but he looked untouched by it. That slow, unbothered rhythm to his walk never changed. The 59 Diner’s door squeaked before he even touched it, like it knew he was comin’.
He stepped inside just in time to catch the faint trail of someone who smelled like home. Not perfume. Not nothin’ store-bought. Real.
Earth and evergreen. Rope and horses. And somethin’ bright buried under it all. Like.. music, or memory.
His eyes landed on her without effort. She was sittin’ at the counter like she belonged there, like maybe this whole dusty joint was lucky she showed up. Blonde hair with a little wild to it, skin kissed by sun and wind both, and a locket that caught the light when she moved. She had the kind of smile that could start fires or stop wars, and Maddox felt himself grin before he meant to.
He slid onto the stool a few seats down. It was not so close it was rude, not so far she’d miss him if she was lookin’. His hat stayed on. Old habits and heat both.
“Didn’t think I’d walk into a place like this and find someone wearin’ the same scent as home,” He said after a beat, his voice low and warm, more observation than pickup. “You smell like saddle leather and fresh air. And maybe a little bit of somethin’ red.”
He looked away for a moment, then back to her with a lazy half-smile after she had ordered. His thought was sharp, but he moved slowly, almost lazily, but it was somehow charming as he looked at her. “I was gonna say somethin’ clever, but then you went and ordered turnip greens and cornbread, and now I’m just thinkin’ maybe I should follow your lead before I embarrass myself.”
He offered his hand across the space between them with an easy smile. “Maddox Everette. I raise horses and hell, mostly in that order. You new around here, or just passin’ through lookin’ too good for this place?”
Hannah heard the door shortly after she had been seated and got an iced water. When a man stepped up to the counter a few stools down, she glanced over a wave of something that reminded her of home washed over her like a comfortable blanket. She could almost see the ranch from home and the saddles with the wind through her hair as she rode along the desert trails. A smile appeared as she felt her skin tingle with that familiar excitement she only truly got when riding either Speedy or Bebe. A man had sat down and already had caught her interest. He smelled like home and looked like nothing could bother him much. His words drew a giggle from her and she replied back, "Well the same could be said 'bout yerself, there. And how'd ya know 'bout the color red?" The drawl of her accent held a charm that some associated with the south. Her words were a bit slower than the northerners, unhurried and patient.
She had looked away long enough to order her food before she looked back to him. Of course his comment about what he would have said and then the comment about his order just made her laugh a little in amusement. "Well it's hard not to choose anything but, if I be sayin' so myself. Turnip greens and mashed taters, I grew up on those. Can't pass it up even as an adult." She took a sip from her iced water. Then the glass was put back down over the napkin when he introduced himself. With his hand stretched out, she reached out happily and shook it with a firm grip that often came from handling horses and wrestling matches with pit bulls and rottweilers. She felt an almost electrical feeling and also how warm his hand was. It was about the same temperature as hers. Maybe a degree or two difference, but close enough it felt like.
"Name's Hannah Declan. I also raise horses, pitties and rotties. Pleasure to meet 'cha, Maddox." When their hands let go, she straightened back up in her stool then. "What kinda horses ya raise? And sorts a hell ya mean exactly?" She grinned at the man. Then her phone beeped with another text message. Her eyes glanced to it briefly and saw it was a message from her brother, but she would get to it in a moment. Her eyes went back to Maddox as she waited for him to answer. Both her hands sat in her lap as her ankles crossed each other as the woman reclined in the seat a bit. She felt at ease as they walked and listened to each other while the smell of steaks filled the air around. Though now that she had actually glanced around properly, the walls looked like they could use something more than a paint job to spruce it up. Had a fire gone on in here recently? Though to Maddox's query... "Well, I just got an apartment over at Sunset where I'll be stayin during times Speedy and Bebe are due to show in a parade fer the city. Or during barrel races, or singin'. Whichever happens to be goin' on, really. The apartment is just fer extended stays. How 'bout yerself?" She looked at him, attentive as she listened.
She had looked away long enough to order her food before she looked back to him. Of course his comment about what he would have said and then the comment about his order just made her laugh a little in amusement. "Well it's hard not to choose anything but, if I be sayin' so myself. Turnip greens and mashed taters, I grew up on those. Can't pass it up even as an adult." She took a sip from her iced water. Then the glass was put back down over the napkin when he introduced himself. With his hand stretched out, she reached out happily and shook it with a firm grip that often came from handling horses and wrestling matches with pit bulls and rottweilers. She felt an almost electrical feeling and also how warm his hand was. It was about the same temperature as hers. Maybe a degree or two difference, but close enough it felt like.
"Name's Hannah Declan. I also raise horses, pitties and rotties. Pleasure to meet 'cha, Maddox." When their hands let go, she straightened back up in her stool then. "What kinda horses ya raise? And sorts a hell ya mean exactly?" She grinned at the man. Then her phone beeped with another text message. Her eyes glanced to it briefly and saw it was a message from her brother, but she would get to it in a moment. Her eyes went back to Maddox as she waited for him to answer. Both her hands sat in her lap as her ankles crossed each other as the woman reclined in the seat a bit. She felt at ease as they walked and listened to each other while the smell of steaks filled the air around. Though now that she had actually glanced around properly, the walls looked like they could use something more than a paint job to spruce it up. Had a fire gone on in here recently? Though to Maddox's query... "Well, I just got an apartment over at Sunset where I'll be stayin during times Speedy and Bebe are due to show in a parade fer the city. Or during barrel races, or singin'. Whichever happens to be goin' on, really. The apartment is just fer extended stays. How 'bout yerself?" She looked at him, attentive as she listened.
Maddox had barely settled on the stool when he heard the charm in her voice. That accent hit him like pure honey and heat. It wrapped around his brain like the warmth of a front porch sunset. He turned his head slightly, giving her a sidelong glance, and the grin that tugged at his lips was slow and lazy, like molasses in July.
“Well, now,” He drawled, “I reckon red’s just a lucky guess. But somethin’ told me you were the kind who don’t shy from bold.”When she looked back at him and laughed at his comment about turnip greens and mashed potatoes, his grin widened. Her laugh had a musical lilt to it. It was real and rich, and to him, it felt like fresh air after a long drive through cattle country. “Ain’t no shame in stickin’ to your roots,” He said, tipping his head with approval. “Turnip greens and taters’ll cure most things that ail ya.”
Her handshake was solid, firm, and confident. Maddox took note of that immediately. Hands like that had worked, on land, on animals, on life. He liked that. A lot. “Well, shoot, Hannah Declan,” He said, holding onto her name like he was gonna file it away for later. “Pitties, rotties, and horses? Now that’s my kinda woman. Coyote Run, my ranch, we raise some of the rarest horses in the world. Work stock and showstoppers. Had a filly sell to a Saudi prince last spring. But don’t get me wrong, I still muck my own stalls when I can. Keeps me grounded.” He leaned back on his stool, resting an elbow on the counter, his relaxed frame somehow still commanding. The diner’s faded walls and worn booths didn’t bother him. Hell, he liked places with history, even if the paint was peeling. “As for the kind of hell—well, it depends on the day. Lately it’s been mechanical hell, fixing busted water lines and keeping the bulls from tearing down fences. But hell, it keeps the blood movin’.”
She mentioned Sunset and something about her horses showing, and it clicked in his head with an almost audible snap. “Speedy and Bebe,” He echoed, eyes lighting with recognition. “Heard those names before tossed ‘round the General Store. Folks talk about ‘em like they’re celebrities. Barrel racin’, parades, singin’. You don’t sit still long, do you, darlin’?” His grin softened some as he glanced down at her phone buzzing, then back up again, catching her watching him the way someone looks at a piece of home they hadn’t expected to see again. “I ain’t in town often unless I’ve got plans to come..” That was his best friend, Cass, who he was currently thankin’ “… or a reason.” His gaze lingered again. Not heavy, not aggressive. Just that slow, thoughtful kind of look that asked more than it said. “You always make this place look better just by sittin’ in it? Or is that just today?” He sipped his coffee again, but his smile gave him away.
“Well, now,” He drawled, “I reckon red’s just a lucky guess. But somethin’ told me you were the kind who don’t shy from bold.”When she looked back at him and laughed at his comment about turnip greens and mashed potatoes, his grin widened. Her laugh had a musical lilt to it. It was real and rich, and to him, it felt like fresh air after a long drive through cattle country. “Ain’t no shame in stickin’ to your roots,” He said, tipping his head with approval. “Turnip greens and taters’ll cure most things that ail ya.”
Her handshake was solid, firm, and confident. Maddox took note of that immediately. Hands like that had worked, on land, on animals, on life. He liked that. A lot. “Well, shoot, Hannah Declan,” He said, holding onto her name like he was gonna file it away for later. “Pitties, rotties, and horses? Now that’s my kinda woman. Coyote Run, my ranch, we raise some of the rarest horses in the world. Work stock and showstoppers. Had a filly sell to a Saudi prince last spring. But don’t get me wrong, I still muck my own stalls when I can. Keeps me grounded.” He leaned back on his stool, resting an elbow on the counter, his relaxed frame somehow still commanding. The diner’s faded walls and worn booths didn’t bother him. Hell, he liked places with history, even if the paint was peeling. “As for the kind of hell—well, it depends on the day. Lately it’s been mechanical hell, fixing busted water lines and keeping the bulls from tearing down fences. But hell, it keeps the blood movin’.”
She mentioned Sunset and something about her horses showing, and it clicked in his head with an almost audible snap. “Speedy and Bebe,” He echoed, eyes lighting with recognition. “Heard those names before tossed ‘round the General Store. Folks talk about ‘em like they’re celebrities. Barrel racin’, parades, singin’. You don’t sit still long, do you, darlin’?” His grin softened some as he glanced down at her phone buzzing, then back up again, catching her watching him the way someone looks at a piece of home they hadn’t expected to see again. “I ain’t in town often unless I’ve got plans to come..” That was his best friend, Cass, who he was currently thankin’ “… or a reason.” His gaze lingered again. Not heavy, not aggressive. Just that slow, thoughtful kind of look that asked more than it said. “You always make this place look better just by sittin’ in it? Or is that just today?” He sipped his coffee again, but his smile gave him away.
She smiled happily to his response about her favorite color and the choice in food. The man's voice reminded her of a warm evening by the fire pit with a couple of cold beers after a long hard day of work. The firm handshake from him made her feel at ease somehow. She got the impression that he was someone reliable, able bodied and could work like nobody's business. The kind of man that didn't play games with people and was honest. Much like herself. Her smile became brighter as her name seemed held in his mind. Then again, she would make sure to remember his because he did honestly catch her attention. A brow quirked as he mentioned his ranch, but then she recognized the name of it as it showed. "I've been hearing good things from Coyote Run. Occasionally folks come through my town talkin' 'bout it. Plus, your reputation precedes ya." She responded with a grin.
Hannah had heard and read about Coyote Run and the gorgeous horses he mentioned. From what she had seen from pictures, the horses were indeed well-cared for and incredible! It made her remember her own ranch and the horses that ran in the pastures when they weren't in training. "The horses at Rusty Acres - Rescue and Friends, has mostly American quarter horses and mustangs. But there are other breeds because it's a sanctuary and rescue. Those we rescue are nursed back to health and we're sure they're ready for a new home. All background checks are made 'fore we allow a new owner to take 'em, course. Have to make sure they'll be safe." She was relaxed in her seat but did notice the way his seated position seemed a bit commanding. She liked how he answered though when she asked him what kind of hell he raised. Hannah chuckled and shook her head in amusement.
Though to be honest, she had those same damn problems from time to time. Especially when someone spooked one of the horses and they went into a kicking frenzy! She had to replace their stall doors a fair few times. When he said the names of her horses, she could practically see the dots being connected in his mind as her lips drew into a smile that said yeah that's us. But to his question, "Only to rest a mo' and sleep. I stay busy or try to. 'Sides, runnin' a ranch can keep anyone plenty busy." She liked the lilt in his tone. And when the phone had beeped, she knew who it was but was focused on Maddox at the time to answer. She looked away occasionally when she took a sip of her ice water. It was nearly gone by this point because she was that thirsty. His gaze was noticed, but she didn't mind. As for him being there in town not that often, she understood that too.
He had a ranch to attend to, and so did she. The apartment was just a place to crash during visits. Granted, there were two separate bedrooms in case her twin came by for a visit or needed to crash, too. To Maddox's words about her being there in this place, she lit up with humor. Her head tilted back as laughter just couldn't be contained! Then she looked at him. The expression in the woman would say it all like an open book. She looked like someone had just tickled her funny bone! But in a genuinely good way. "I wouldn't know 'bout that. First visit to this diner, if I'm bein' honest. I popped in 'cause I got to eat somethin 'fore I head to the beach fer some fun." She leaned slightly on one elbow; her body was somewhat turned toward him as she continued to talk to him. She hadn't realized he might have already been to the beach; the wind carried the scent of saltwater to everything and everyone. And she wasn't one to assume anything, either.
"Okay, my turn." She sweetly smirked at him. "You raise some amazin' horses, but how good is yer ridin' skills? Can ya go barebacked?" There was excitement in her eyes as she wasn't shy about asking him questions. Hannah knew she liked what she saw and smelled on him. So, she took a chance to get to know him better. She remembered how hot his hands seemed to be in comparison to a human's. He had to be supernatural. Because a human with that temperature meant they had a fever. And Maddox didn't appear to be feverish at all from what she discerned. That's when the phone started to actually ring this time. "Shoot, can't be good. 'Scuse me a sec'." An apologetic look was given to him as a call meant it was important. She picked it up swiftly and answered. On the other end it was Charlie as he spoke with the same southern charm and accent as Hannah. "He did what?" Her brows furrowed.
"Put the call on vid so I can see 'im, Charlie." She waited a moment then her expression went from serious to... Well, is laughter could only kill! Hannah slowly leaned forward with her eyes tightly closed. The laughter that came out was more like a laughing fit when something hilarious was seen. Tears actually came to the corners of her eyes before she finally settled. "It's not funny sis! He's up there runnin' amok an' he ain't gon listen to me either! I need ya to whistle so he comes back down." She giggled a little but looked at the video and tilted the screen toward Maddox so he could see the chaos one of their miniature rescue horses were up to. "Odin is rakin' up a right ruddy bit o' chaos. See?" She couldn't help the laughter. Charlie, on the video, looked nearly identical to Hannah as he briefly showed up in the video call. He rolled his eyes, but it was clear he struggled very hard not to laugh.
In the background there were hooves over what looked like a loft with a bunch of hay stored up there. A miniature horse seemed to run in and out of the camera's view as it happily pranced around like it owned the place. The little horse nickered and let out the cutest neigh, too. That's when Charlie finally lost it and started laughing. Hannah had to hold her hand over her mouth with the laughing fit when it came over harder. When she was able to regain some degree of her composure, she shook her head. "Okay, okay. Let me git outside first. I'm in a diner." She slid off the stool and briefly placed her hand onto Maddox's shoulder. "I'll be back in a sec'." Her smile was bright as she then turned to step outside briefly. If Maddox chose to follow, that was entirely his choice. But once she was outside, she stepped out of the way of the doors so as not to block it. Two fingers went into her mouth, and she blew. The sound of her whistle, for Odin at least, was sharp and crisp. It came out in a clear pattern of four then repeated one more time after the first round.
Odin paused where he was and happily pranced his way down the ramp. Charlie was quick to move it down so the little troublemaker couldn't climb it all over again. "Thank you!" He said with both relief and mock annoyance. She shook her head. "Gotta remember he loves to climb. Gotta go, lil' brother." He retorted 'only by a few minutes'. Her eyes rolled in amusement before she hung up the call and went back inside to sit back down. But before she did, she looked over to Maddox happily. "Mind if I sit a bit closer?" She'd wait for him to answer. If he was fine with where they were currently, she respected that. But if he didn't mind, she did sit next to him. "Sorry 'bout that. Odin be one o' our rescues. He thinks he's a goat sometimes." She was sure he might know the chaos given he ran a ranch, too.
Hannah had heard and read about Coyote Run and the gorgeous horses he mentioned. From what she had seen from pictures, the horses were indeed well-cared for and incredible! It made her remember her own ranch and the horses that ran in the pastures when they weren't in training. "The horses at Rusty Acres - Rescue and Friends, has mostly American quarter horses and mustangs. But there are other breeds because it's a sanctuary and rescue. Those we rescue are nursed back to health and we're sure they're ready for a new home. All background checks are made 'fore we allow a new owner to take 'em, course. Have to make sure they'll be safe." She was relaxed in her seat but did notice the way his seated position seemed a bit commanding. She liked how he answered though when she asked him what kind of hell he raised. Hannah chuckled and shook her head in amusement.
Though to be honest, she had those same damn problems from time to time. Especially when someone spooked one of the horses and they went into a kicking frenzy! She had to replace their stall doors a fair few times. When he said the names of her horses, she could practically see the dots being connected in his mind as her lips drew into a smile that said yeah that's us. But to his question, "Only to rest a mo' and sleep. I stay busy or try to. 'Sides, runnin' a ranch can keep anyone plenty busy." She liked the lilt in his tone. And when the phone had beeped, she knew who it was but was focused on Maddox at the time to answer. She looked away occasionally when she took a sip of her ice water. It was nearly gone by this point because she was that thirsty. His gaze was noticed, but she didn't mind. As for him being there in town not that often, she understood that too.
He had a ranch to attend to, and so did she. The apartment was just a place to crash during visits. Granted, there were two separate bedrooms in case her twin came by for a visit or needed to crash, too. To Maddox's words about her being there in this place, she lit up with humor. Her head tilted back as laughter just couldn't be contained! Then she looked at him. The expression in the woman would say it all like an open book. She looked like someone had just tickled her funny bone! But in a genuinely good way. "I wouldn't know 'bout that. First visit to this diner, if I'm bein' honest. I popped in 'cause I got to eat somethin 'fore I head to the beach fer some fun." She leaned slightly on one elbow; her body was somewhat turned toward him as she continued to talk to him. She hadn't realized he might have already been to the beach; the wind carried the scent of saltwater to everything and everyone. And she wasn't one to assume anything, either.
"Okay, my turn." She sweetly smirked at him. "You raise some amazin' horses, but how good is yer ridin' skills? Can ya go barebacked?" There was excitement in her eyes as she wasn't shy about asking him questions. Hannah knew she liked what she saw and smelled on him. So, she took a chance to get to know him better. She remembered how hot his hands seemed to be in comparison to a human's. He had to be supernatural. Because a human with that temperature meant they had a fever. And Maddox didn't appear to be feverish at all from what she discerned. That's when the phone started to actually ring this time. "Shoot, can't be good. 'Scuse me a sec'." An apologetic look was given to him as a call meant it was important. She picked it up swiftly and answered. On the other end it was Charlie as he spoke with the same southern charm and accent as Hannah. "He did what?" Her brows furrowed.
"Put the call on vid so I can see 'im, Charlie." She waited a moment then her expression went from serious to... Well, is laughter could only kill! Hannah slowly leaned forward with her eyes tightly closed. The laughter that came out was more like a laughing fit when something hilarious was seen. Tears actually came to the corners of her eyes before she finally settled. "It's not funny sis! He's up there runnin' amok an' he ain't gon listen to me either! I need ya to whistle so he comes back down." She giggled a little but looked at the video and tilted the screen toward Maddox so he could see the chaos one of their miniature rescue horses were up to. "Odin is rakin' up a right ruddy bit o' chaos. See?" She couldn't help the laughter. Charlie, on the video, looked nearly identical to Hannah as he briefly showed up in the video call. He rolled his eyes, but it was clear he struggled very hard not to laugh.
In the background there were hooves over what looked like a loft with a bunch of hay stored up there. A miniature horse seemed to run in and out of the camera's view as it happily pranced around like it owned the place. The little horse nickered and let out the cutest neigh, too. That's when Charlie finally lost it and started laughing. Hannah had to hold her hand over her mouth with the laughing fit when it came over harder. When she was able to regain some degree of her composure, she shook her head. "Okay, okay. Let me git outside first. I'm in a diner." She slid off the stool and briefly placed her hand onto Maddox's shoulder. "I'll be back in a sec'." Her smile was bright as she then turned to step outside briefly. If Maddox chose to follow, that was entirely his choice. But once she was outside, she stepped out of the way of the doors so as not to block it. Two fingers went into her mouth, and she blew. The sound of her whistle, for Odin at least, was sharp and crisp. It came out in a clear pattern of four then repeated one more time after the first round.
Odin paused where he was and happily pranced his way down the ramp. Charlie was quick to move it down so the little troublemaker couldn't climb it all over again. "Thank you!" He said with both relief and mock annoyance. She shook her head. "Gotta remember he loves to climb. Gotta go, lil' brother." He retorted 'only by a few minutes'. Her eyes rolled in amusement before she hung up the call and went back inside to sit back down. But before she did, she looked over to Maddox happily. "Mind if I sit a bit closer?" She'd wait for him to answer. If he was fine with where they were currently, she respected that. But if he didn't mind, she did sit next to him. "Sorry 'bout that. Odin be one o' our rescues. He thinks he's a goat sometimes." She was sure he might know the chaos given he ran a ranch, too.
Maddox had met all kinds of folks over the years. Some were slick as oil, others hard as fence posts, but there was somethin’ about Hannah that sat easy in his chest. Her smile didn’t feel like a performance. And when she laughed? Hell, it lit up the space around her like sunrise over an open field. He found himself leanin’ just a little more into the moment, soaking it in like good whiskey after a long day. When she mentioned Coyote Run, recognition flickered in her eyes, and that made his grin deepen. “Well now,” He drawled, tipping his hat back just a touch, “I reckon it’s good to know word’s gotten out. Means the horses are speakin’ for themselves. And I always say, if your stock ain’t proud to be seen, you ain’t doin’ it right.”
The way she spoke about her own ranch had him noddin’ along, slowly, thoughtfully. He could picture it as she painted the scene: mustangs and quarter horses, open pastures and sanctuary rules. It hit a part of him that didn’t often get hit. Respect, sure, but somethin’ a little deeper too. Maybe kinship. Maybe somethin’ warmer. “Rusty Acres, huh?” He said, voice low and even, like he was tucking the name away where he’d remember it. “Sanctuary work ain’t for the faint of heart. Takes guts. And grit. Sounds like you’ve got both.”
She leaned into her elbow then, body angled toward him, and his gaze lingered on her just a second longer than it should’ve. He was listenin’, but he was lookin’, too. Her tone, her ease, the way she teased a little.....hell, it stirred up a spark he hadn’t felt in a while. When she asked if he could ride bareback, he let out a soft chuckle that rumbled low in his chest, eyes narrowing with amusement. “Darlin’, I was ridin’ bareback ‘fore I ever knew what a saddle was. Broke my first colt at thirteen with nothin’ but a rope and a prayer.” His lips curled into that slow cowboy grin. “Course, these days I prefer not to bust my tailbone if I don’t have to.”
Maddox was used to chaos, hell, he lived in it some days, but the little video she showed him? That had him bark out a laugh, deep and genuine. The sight of a damn miniature horse dancin’ on a hayloft like he owned the place was pure gold. “Odin, huh?” He muttered under his breath with a smirk. “Tiny terror with a name fit for a god.” He’d just been about to lean into that banter, maybe fire off a light jab of his own, when her phone lit up. The way her brow knit told him it wasn’t just some casual call. He respectfully quieted as she stepped out, watching the door swing shut behind her, the bell jingling once like a soft punctuation, turning to his cup of coffee, and smiled a little at the waitress as she semi-shakily poured the coffee into his cup with a smile he wasn’t convinced was real.
When Hannah returned, all sunshine and apology, askin’ if she could sit a bit closer, Maddox shifted in his seat, gesturing to the empty spot beside him with a warm smile. “Be my guest, darlin’” He said lower now, not quite a whisper, but close. “After all that excitement, reckon you’ve earned yourself a good seat.” As she settled in, explaining Odin’s antics with fond exasperation, Maddox turned slightly to face her more fully. “Sounds like you got a full house of personalities back on your land. I get it. Ain’t always the biggest that cause the most trouble. Sometimes it’s the little ones with too much charm and no sense.”
He paused then, eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, everything else, the hum of the diner, the clink of forks, the low murmur of conversations, faded to background noise. “You got a good heart, Hannah. Shows in the way you talk about your animals. The way you dropped everything for that call.” He gave a small shrug, but there was sincerity in the weight of his words. “Not everyone’d do that. Lotta folks talk about doin’ right. Fewer actually do it.” And just like that, he sipped his coffee, easy and unhurried, like he wasn’t feelin’ that little shift in the air. Like he wasn’t wonderin’ what it might look like, someday, to see Rusty Acres with his own eyes.
The way she spoke about her own ranch had him noddin’ along, slowly, thoughtfully. He could picture it as she painted the scene: mustangs and quarter horses, open pastures and sanctuary rules. It hit a part of him that didn’t often get hit. Respect, sure, but somethin’ a little deeper too. Maybe kinship. Maybe somethin’ warmer. “Rusty Acres, huh?” He said, voice low and even, like he was tucking the name away where he’d remember it. “Sanctuary work ain’t for the faint of heart. Takes guts. And grit. Sounds like you’ve got both.”
She leaned into her elbow then, body angled toward him, and his gaze lingered on her just a second longer than it should’ve. He was listenin’, but he was lookin’, too. Her tone, her ease, the way she teased a little.....hell, it stirred up a spark he hadn’t felt in a while. When she asked if he could ride bareback, he let out a soft chuckle that rumbled low in his chest, eyes narrowing with amusement. “Darlin’, I was ridin’ bareback ‘fore I ever knew what a saddle was. Broke my first colt at thirteen with nothin’ but a rope and a prayer.” His lips curled into that slow cowboy grin. “Course, these days I prefer not to bust my tailbone if I don’t have to.”
Maddox was used to chaos, hell, he lived in it some days, but the little video she showed him? That had him bark out a laugh, deep and genuine. The sight of a damn miniature horse dancin’ on a hayloft like he owned the place was pure gold. “Odin, huh?” He muttered under his breath with a smirk. “Tiny terror with a name fit for a god.” He’d just been about to lean into that banter, maybe fire off a light jab of his own, when her phone lit up. The way her brow knit told him it wasn’t just some casual call. He respectfully quieted as she stepped out, watching the door swing shut behind her, the bell jingling once like a soft punctuation, turning to his cup of coffee, and smiled a little at the waitress as she semi-shakily poured the coffee into his cup with a smile he wasn’t convinced was real.
When Hannah returned, all sunshine and apology, askin’ if she could sit a bit closer, Maddox shifted in his seat, gesturing to the empty spot beside him with a warm smile. “Be my guest, darlin’” He said lower now, not quite a whisper, but close. “After all that excitement, reckon you’ve earned yourself a good seat.” As she settled in, explaining Odin’s antics with fond exasperation, Maddox turned slightly to face her more fully. “Sounds like you got a full house of personalities back on your land. I get it. Ain’t always the biggest that cause the most trouble. Sometimes it’s the little ones with too much charm and no sense.”
He paused then, eyes meeting hers, and for a moment, everything else, the hum of the diner, the clink of forks, the low murmur of conversations, faded to background noise. “You got a good heart, Hannah. Shows in the way you talk about your animals. The way you dropped everything for that call.” He gave a small shrug, but there was sincerity in the weight of his words. “Not everyone’d do that. Lotta folks talk about doin’ right. Fewer actually do it.” And just like that, he sipped his coffee, easy and unhurried, like he wasn’t feelin’ that little shift in the air. Like he wasn’t wonderin’ what it might look like, someday, to see Rusty Acres with his own eyes.
Hannah liked the genuine tone of Maddox's voice as he spoke. She understood what he meant when he mentioned about their stock being proud enough to show themselves to the rest of the world. Hell, she had posted many pictures on the website for her own ranch. Random photos of pitties, rotties, horses and even the handful of birds they currently fostered, too. There were even videos of random acts of silliness posted. It made her smile to know the man knew about the quirks of a ranch as she did. Yes, sanctuary work was hard and grueling. But it was rewarding in ways he would likely understand, too. Her smile widened, because she did work very hard, but there was much joy in it.
To his response about bareback riding, she really lit up then. A purr in the back of mind was felt and she knew her beast seemed to agree with the woman. There was something more than met the eye with this man and so far, she liked what she saw. The urge to go riding crept up her spine like a warm challenge to see him in action. To see for herself how he handled himself. Hannah could picture him on the colt he mentioned as it bucked around with him on it. And when she had showed him the video call with Odin in the background as the little terror strutted his little stuff? That laughter from Maddox was infectious. Granted, she was already laughing, but his added to it and just felt right deep down. His laughter hit somewhere deep inside her heart as it warmed like the beginning of spring as winter began to thaw out.
As for Odin the miniature horse, he was her little problem child. She wanted to explain a little more on him, but then her phone rang as Charlie really needed her to whistle to get the tiny terror's attention. Funnily enough, she was the only one the little horse ever seemed to listen to. Even Charlie couldn't manage their antics the way she could. Once outside, she did what she needed to and was back inside shortly after that. When the man agreed and made a comment, her smile lit up like a warm afternoon on the porch. "Thank ya kindly." She tugged her cup over and asked for a refill when she got the waitresses attention. Her smile though was genuine, even if the waitress' didn't seem to be. Once seated, her body was turned a bit toward him so they could continue their conversation. "Oh I'm sure ya know all 'bout personalities. But yer right, my ranch is full o' 'em. Even the birds we foster keep me on my toes. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither." Which was true. As chaotic as it all was, she wouldn't change any of it.
The animals were her family, even if some got adopted out, she treated them as her own. Hannah's eyes met Maddox's then and for a moment she felt like the world faded into nothing more than a murmur. She took a sip of her iced water while he drank from his coffee. But there was a quiet smile that showed. His words rang clearly in her mind and she felt like maybe he'd appreciate an actual look see for himself of the ranch. A chance to see where she called home and the space she chose to live in. But moreover, she was curious about him. "I try my best to do what's right. I know not many can say the same. But I get the impression you're the same as myself in a lot of ways." She leaned back in her seat a little when the waitress came back with their plates. "Thank ya, darlin'." She smiled happily at the girl, even if their smile seemed a bit more like a grimace. Some people either smiled naturally or they didn't.
She leaned forward and took a deep inhale of the food. It smelled good as her stomach gurgled for the need for food. Hannah leaned back again and glanced at Maddox. "If you'd like, I've got plenty o' stories 'bout Rusty Acres. And if ya wanted to visit, I'd love to show ya 'round." Hannah extended the invitation and was curious if he'd take her up on it. While she waited for his answer, she did pick up a fork and tried some of the turnip greens and couldn't help the smile that came. It tasted pretty good! Might need a bit more spices to it, but it was tasty. She heard the purr of her beast in the back of her mind and knew it, too, seemed to like the man. She took another bite happily and chewed before it was swallowed. "I was gonna head to the beach after this. Soak up some sun. Care to join me?" She looked at him with a side glance, a spark of playfulness hinted in her eyes. Whether it was subtle or not, she made it clear he interested her.
To his response about bareback riding, she really lit up then. A purr in the back of mind was felt and she knew her beast seemed to agree with the woman. There was something more than met the eye with this man and so far, she liked what she saw. The urge to go riding crept up her spine like a warm challenge to see him in action. To see for herself how he handled himself. Hannah could picture him on the colt he mentioned as it bucked around with him on it. And when she had showed him the video call with Odin in the background as the little terror strutted his little stuff? That laughter from Maddox was infectious. Granted, she was already laughing, but his added to it and just felt right deep down. His laughter hit somewhere deep inside her heart as it warmed like the beginning of spring as winter began to thaw out.
As for Odin the miniature horse, he was her little problem child. She wanted to explain a little more on him, but then her phone rang as Charlie really needed her to whistle to get the tiny terror's attention. Funnily enough, she was the only one the little horse ever seemed to listen to. Even Charlie couldn't manage their antics the way she could. Once outside, she did what she needed to and was back inside shortly after that. When the man agreed and made a comment, her smile lit up like a warm afternoon on the porch. "Thank ya kindly." She tugged her cup over and asked for a refill when she got the waitresses attention. Her smile though was genuine, even if the waitress' didn't seem to be. Once seated, her body was turned a bit toward him so they could continue their conversation. "Oh I'm sure ya know all 'bout personalities. But yer right, my ranch is full o' 'em. Even the birds we foster keep me on my toes. I wouldn't have it any other way, neither." Which was true. As chaotic as it all was, she wouldn't change any of it.
The animals were her family, even if some got adopted out, she treated them as her own. Hannah's eyes met Maddox's then and for a moment she felt like the world faded into nothing more than a murmur. She took a sip of her iced water while he drank from his coffee. But there was a quiet smile that showed. His words rang clearly in her mind and she felt like maybe he'd appreciate an actual look see for himself of the ranch. A chance to see where she called home and the space she chose to live in. But moreover, she was curious about him. "I try my best to do what's right. I know not many can say the same. But I get the impression you're the same as myself in a lot of ways." She leaned back in her seat a little when the waitress came back with their plates. "Thank ya, darlin'." She smiled happily at the girl, even if their smile seemed a bit more like a grimace. Some people either smiled naturally or they didn't.
She leaned forward and took a deep inhale of the food. It smelled good as her stomach gurgled for the need for food. Hannah leaned back again and glanced at Maddox. "If you'd like, I've got plenty o' stories 'bout Rusty Acres. And if ya wanted to visit, I'd love to show ya 'round." Hannah extended the invitation and was curious if he'd take her up on it. While she waited for his answer, she did pick up a fork and tried some of the turnip greens and couldn't help the smile that came. It tasted pretty good! Might need a bit more spices to it, but it was tasty. She heard the purr of her beast in the back of her mind and knew it, too, seemed to like the man. She took another bite happily and chewed before it was swallowed. "I was gonna head to the beach after this. Soak up some sun. Care to join me?" She looked at him with a side glance, a spark of playfulness hinted in her eyes. Whether it was subtle or not, she made it clear he interested her.
Maddox hadn’t expected to feel it. Not like this, anyway. That soft hum beneath her words, the kind of shared rhythm you only found with someone who knew how to build something from nothing. He listened as she talked about her animals, her ranch, her chaos. And the more she spoke, the more it felt like lookin’ into a mirror of a life he understood right down to the bones.
When she mentioned her little Odin, the miniature hellraiser, he’d laughed, proper laughed. One of those gut-deep, ranch-earned sounds that didn’t show up too often anymore. That call had been chaos, sure, but damn if it wasn’t the good kind. The kind that felt like home, like muddy boots and sunburned shoulders and warm coffee with someone who didn’t mind silence when it came. When she’d stepped outside to handle her tiny menace, he hadn’t minded the pause. That gave him a second to lean back, sip his coffee, and grin to himself. Because Lord, the way she talked about that place, it wasn’t just a job to her. It was blood. It was family. That was something he understood a little too well.
By the time she came back, with her body angled toward him and that smile, real, not the waitress kind, he knew two things for sure: one, she was the kind of woman who worked her ass off and didn’t ask for applause, and two, he liked her. Not just for the smile or the way she looked at him like maybe he was worth something. No, it was deeper than that. She reminded him of early mornings and old dogs that still tried to herd cattle just to feel useful.
When she leaned back and said she figured he was like her in a lotta ways, he didn’t argue. Couldn’t. There was a quiet truth to her voice that didn’t need dressing up. He nodded slowly, eyes on her but softer now, thoughtful. “Yeah. Reckon you might be right 'bout that.” Then came the invitation. Rusty Acres. He could see it just from how she talked about it. Muddy, loud, stubborn animals with more personality than sense, and a woman who loved every inch of it like it was her own skin. He hadn’t set foot on another ranch in a while that wasn’t for business, but the way she said it? Made it feel more like a handshake than a tour. “I’d like that,” He said simply. “Might even bring a few of my own stories to swap, if you ain’t scared of cowboy tall tales.”
His grin crooked a little, teasing, but his voice had that same steady note as before. Honest. Grounded. And then came that spark in her eyes, that quiet little invitation wrapped in sun and mischief. Back to the beach. Maddox tilted his head, something slow curling at the corners of his mouth. He leaned forward on his elbows, fingers laced, a smirk just barely showing itself. “You askin’ me back out to the beach after the ocean already tried to humble me today?” His voice was low, drawling, teasing as hell. “Darlin’, that’s just cruel.” He laughed gently, quietly, but he rolled his shoulders, thinking about it. He let out a long sigh, and looked easily over at her. “Well, let’s get us some food, then we can see if we can figure out how hilarious a cowboy on the beach can really be. But I need a few more minutes in the cool first.” Plus, they were still waiting for the food, and Maddox’s stomach gave a growl.
When she mentioned her little Odin, the miniature hellraiser, he’d laughed, proper laughed. One of those gut-deep, ranch-earned sounds that didn’t show up too often anymore. That call had been chaos, sure, but damn if it wasn’t the good kind. The kind that felt like home, like muddy boots and sunburned shoulders and warm coffee with someone who didn’t mind silence when it came. When she’d stepped outside to handle her tiny menace, he hadn’t minded the pause. That gave him a second to lean back, sip his coffee, and grin to himself. Because Lord, the way she talked about that place, it wasn’t just a job to her. It was blood. It was family. That was something he understood a little too well.
By the time she came back, with her body angled toward him and that smile, real, not the waitress kind, he knew two things for sure: one, she was the kind of woman who worked her ass off and didn’t ask for applause, and two, he liked her. Not just for the smile or the way she looked at him like maybe he was worth something. No, it was deeper than that. She reminded him of early mornings and old dogs that still tried to herd cattle just to feel useful.
When she leaned back and said she figured he was like her in a lotta ways, he didn’t argue. Couldn’t. There was a quiet truth to her voice that didn’t need dressing up. He nodded slowly, eyes on her but softer now, thoughtful. “Yeah. Reckon you might be right 'bout that.” Then came the invitation. Rusty Acres. He could see it just from how she talked about it. Muddy, loud, stubborn animals with more personality than sense, and a woman who loved every inch of it like it was her own skin. He hadn’t set foot on another ranch in a while that wasn’t for business, but the way she said it? Made it feel more like a handshake than a tour. “I’d like that,” He said simply. “Might even bring a few of my own stories to swap, if you ain’t scared of cowboy tall tales.”
His grin crooked a little, teasing, but his voice had that same steady note as before. Honest. Grounded. And then came that spark in her eyes, that quiet little invitation wrapped in sun and mischief. Back to the beach. Maddox tilted his head, something slow curling at the corners of his mouth. He leaned forward on his elbows, fingers laced, a smirk just barely showing itself. “You askin’ me back out to the beach after the ocean already tried to humble me today?” His voice was low, drawling, teasing as hell. “Darlin’, that’s just cruel.” He laughed gently, quietly, but he rolled his shoulders, thinking about it. He let out a long sigh, and looked easily over at her. “Well, let’s get us some food, then we can see if we can figure out how hilarious a cowboy on the beach can really be. But I need a few more minutes in the cool first.” Plus, they were still waiting for the food, and Maddox’s stomach gave a growl.
The thought of swapping stories with him brought a warm smile to the woman. She loved listening to another's story from their point of view. "Very few things scare me anymore. So, by all means, tell away." Hannah looked at him. She pondered what tall tales he might have. Whatever they may be, she wasn't the type to scare easy. Since her plate of food had already came, she'd only taken a few bites from it while they continued to wait for his. In the meantime, she watched as he seemed to slow draw himself up a little with elbows on the table and fingers laced the way they were. His next words and the teasing comment made her realize he'd already been to the beach that day. There was a smile on her lips, but an apology in those honey hues of her eyes.
While he took a moment to think, she took a few sips of her iced water. The coolness of it felt good against the back of her throat. She placed it down with a faint noise as it landed on the damp napkin. When he spoke again, she glanced at him but otherwise understood his desire to stay indoors for a few more moments. Plus, he hadn't gotten his food yet! She totally understood that! With man's stomach as it growled, she cut a good piece of her steak off and offered it to him while they waited for his plate, still. Hannah didn't mind sharing her food as it showed. "Going to the beach can't be anymore hilarious as a cowgirl goin' too, ya know. Besides, I bet I can make it fun. I even have my guitar with me." Her brow wiggled up and down playfully. She was, after all, a country singer in her own right. The woman could sing.
And it might even bring a smile to him, too. "The beach isn't going anywhere and there's plenty of time." She made it clear she wasn't in any hurry, and they could spend more time inside while they chat, ate and just got to know one another at their own paces. "So tell me, Maddox, do you have a favorite activity? One you particularly enjoy most?" She was curious to see if the man did or not. Though she certainly did, personally. She would give him time to answer while she brought the glass of water to her lips to take another few sips from it. She was used to the desert heat; it was arid in comparison to the beach with it's humidity due to the ocean. Though she wasn't uncomfortable from it, either. The cold water simply felt good. So did the air conditioner, though she still wasn't bothered.
While he took a moment to think, she took a few sips of her iced water. The coolness of it felt good against the back of her throat. She placed it down with a faint noise as it landed on the damp napkin. When he spoke again, she glanced at him but otherwise understood his desire to stay indoors for a few more moments. Plus, he hadn't gotten his food yet! She totally understood that! With man's stomach as it growled, she cut a good piece of her steak off and offered it to him while they waited for his plate, still. Hannah didn't mind sharing her food as it showed. "Going to the beach can't be anymore hilarious as a cowgirl goin' too, ya know. Besides, I bet I can make it fun. I even have my guitar with me." Her brow wiggled up and down playfully. She was, after all, a country singer in her own right. The woman could sing.
And it might even bring a smile to him, too. "The beach isn't going anywhere and there's plenty of time." She made it clear she wasn't in any hurry, and they could spend more time inside while they chat, ate and just got to know one another at their own paces. "So tell me, Maddox, do you have a favorite activity? One you particularly enjoy most?" She was curious to see if the man did or not. Though she certainly did, personally. She would give him time to answer while she brought the glass of water to her lips to take another few sips from it. She was used to the desert heat; it was arid in comparison to the beach with it's humidity due to the ocean. Though she wasn't uncomfortable from it, either. The cold water simply felt good. So did the air conditioner, though she still wasn't bothered.
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