"Yeah, sounds like a plan." She noted with a faint smile before turning towards her own horses' stables.

Astra and Frost were tucked up warm in their stables, their thick coats, and stable rugs enough to keep them both as warm as can be. She pulled out both of their pessoas, and one at a time they were walked out to the round pen and lunged, walk, jog, and lope for about half an hour each.

Frost was getting better in both her ridden work and groundwork, yet, of course, she still had a few mishaps, however, she was coming good.

After she had tucked both horses back away and mucked out their stables, she went to sit on her small porch, waiting for Sam to reappear from his little hut.

Sam quickly had a shower, emerging from it smelling like vanilla rather than horse muck. He quickly towel dried his hair and chucked some clothes on, grabing a winter hat and Ella's lead on his way out. He saw Ellie sitting on her porch, and walked over. "ready to go?" he said, and they both trudged along the icy path towards the Garage. Ella was asleep in the haybarn, as per usual. But she ran out as soon as she heard her friends. "you fancy going on the bike?" he said, patting his old Harley Davidson.

Ellie gave Ella an excited pat as she came bounding out the barn, bouncing around as though she were still a young puppy. "Hmm... I'm sure the bike won't hurt - And it'll be quicker than walking in the cold." She noted with a small smirk, "Plus, I know you like the bike, so give me a helmet." She added, going back to playing with Ella.

(Sorry, bit short aha)

Sam smiled at the sight of Ellie and the puppy playing together. Reaching up to a shelf, he grabbed a helmet and chucked it at her. "Catch!" he said, laughing. Once the bike was ready to go and Ella was in her bike basket that he had secured to the Harley Davidson, he climbed onto its leather seat and backoned Ellie to sit behind him. "hold on tight!" he said, driving down the driveway.

Ellie nodded with a grin, wraping her arms tight around Sams waist with a small chuckle. The truth was she did rather like the bike - As much as she loved her horses, it was a nice change. Though she was a little worried about how slippy the roads would be, she trusted Sam to get to the cafe and back safely.

Sam drove the bike a t a steady pace down the roads, making sure he and Ellie would be safe with all the ice around. Ella the puppy made little yapping noises as the wind swept through her thick fur.

After 10 more minutes, they arrived in town, and Sam pulled into a parking spot. Hopping off, he secured and locked the bike, removing ella and clipping her lead on.

Once he was sure everything was in place, he turned to Ellie, who was beside him.

"shall we go then?" he asked, rubbing his hands together to attempt at fighting the bitter cold.

Ellie nodded and walked across the street and carefully opened the cafe door, instantly being overwhelmed by the warm scent of cinnamon rolls and hot drinks. She turned her head and grinned back at Sam before holding the door open for him, "Ladies first." She joked, following in behind Sam and Ella.

She took a glance around the cafe before turning back towards Sam, "Where'd you wanna sit?" She asked with a slightly tilted head.

Sam looked around as he came through the door, his eyes resting on a cosy nook with some sofas and a little table. "how bout here?" he said, walking over to the place and sitting down in the soft, squishy seating. Ella hopped up onto him lap and fell asleep, lulled by the heat of the closeby fire. He smiled, grabbing the small menu that was resting on the table. Opening it up, he read the list of tasty sounding items, deciding on getting a hot chocolate and a slice of carrot cake. "you decided yet?" he asked Ellie, as a friendly looking waitress walked over. "what can i get for you lovebirds?" she asked, smiling. Sam instantly blushed "no- were not- but-"

Ellie couldn't help but chuckle at the waitress's question, her cheeks starting to flush pink, "Oh- Uhm...We're not together. But can I get a cheesecake with hot chocolate with spray cream?" She asked with a sheepy smile. Ellie glanced back towards Sam, smirking a little at his previous stutter. "What are you wanting?" She asked lightly.

Sam made a frowny face at Ellie mocking him, grinning as he told the waitress "could i please get a slice of carrot cake and hot chocolate with cream and extra marshmallows? thanks." he said, and the woman nodded and walked off.

Sam stared at Ellie, who was looking in to the fire, as if mesmerised, for a few seconds. The he snapped out of it and began to play tug of war with Ella with an old newspaper somebody had left on the table in front of them. Ella won.

Sam didnt really know what to say after what had just happened. It was a little thing but somehow it sparked something in Sam. What was this thing between them? He was so confused by everything about their relationship.

he sat back in the chair and shut his eyes, the heat of the cafe making him feel tired