Caleb smiled back at her the first time she smiled at him. He nodded nonchalantly when she had mouthed tomorrow. He finished his food and took care of his dishes. He walked out without another look at Cass and walked to his room, flopping down on his bed

The next day came. Cass was in the barn grooming Salem. She was talking to him softly.

Caleb got up when he heard the horses nickering. He quickly got dressed in a fresh pair of jeans and a t-shirt. He popped on his boots and walked in the barn. He sighed when he saw it was Cass, grooming her stallion. "Morning." He said, walking past her to feed Splash. Once that was done, he groomed and tacked up the mare, walking over to Cass. "Sorry about the other night." He said, looking down. " I shouldn't have overstepped again." He added, walking out of the barn and mounting up to go for a trail ride

Cass was dressed causally today, a purple shirt that draped over one of her shoulders, exposing it. She wore her favourite pair of jeans. Her fedora nowhere to be seen. She heard footsteps in the aisle of the banr, she turned to see Caleb, her green eyes twinkled. "Good morning" She said with a quiet softness. Salem munching on his hay was louder. She watched him work out of the corner of her eye and then saw him approach with Splash. "I don't need you to apologise. I should have told you sooner" Cass felt her eyes welling up again but she blinked back the tears. "You didn't overstep, you helped comfort me when I needed it - Thank you" She said before he turned to leave. She looked down at the shavings beneath her, the pang of guilt returned in her chest. Once he was gone she hugged Salem. "Am I stupid?" She asks him.

Caleb circled back to the barn. "Would you like to come with?" He offered. "I'm just going for a quick ride."

Cass pushed herself of Salem as she heard Caleb's voice, she turned her eyes bright with a soft grin spreading on her face. "Yes" Cass hurriedly tacked up and brought Salem out of the barn and mounted. She looked at Caleb "Would you like to lead today?" Cass asked him, stroking Salem.

"Sure." He said, flashing a smile at her. He took off at a lope, glancing back to see if Cass had caught up yet. He chuckled and pushed Splash faster, galloping to the nearby open field. He laughed and looked at Cass, truly happy. He pulled up and hopped off

Cass smiled, seeing him squeeze Splash into a lope and then forward into a gallop. She pushed Salem alongside Caleb, laughing and smiling as they went. She pulled Salem up and swung off him before he came to a complete stop.

Caleb looked at Cass, a soft smile on his face. The morning sun with starting to warm him, and it made Cass' face glow. "What task you got today?" He asked, sitting on the grass. "You feel up for a game of cards after dinner?" He offers, remembering that tomorrow was the rodeo. "I mean, you're still okay with coming to the rodeo tomorrow too, right? I didn't know if you changed your mind." He said, looking away