Rosamunde smiled as she watched him tend the fire. His red hair was wet, as was his shirt. She looked down at her own clothes and realized she wasn't in any better condition than him.

He plopped down beside her again and she steadied her drink so it wouldn't spill. "Anything that inspires me, really. I've played around with lots of subjects. My parents, cars, dogs, cats...you name it, I've probably painted it. I'll have to show you some of my paintings one day." She chuckled, hinting that she wanted to see him again.

She glanced at the ceiling and listened, "I think the rain has calmed down a little. Maybe we should call a tow-truck?" Rosamunde took a sip of her hot cocoa.

Jack nodded, and picked the phone up off it's stand. "Who wants to do the honors?" he asked, a mischievous smile tugging at his lips.

Rosamunde held up a hand and grinned, arching her brow slightly. "Well, it sounds like you're volunteering. Go ahead, cowboy."

She chuckled as she set her mug on the coffee table and started to comb her hair with her fingers, watching Jack as he dialed the phone.

"Look, sir, as far as I know, he works for a local mechanic. Not for some international spy ring... Look, we both know he has a bum leg, the FBI would never accept a person with a bum leg!"

---

Kevin smiled, and then replied "Yeah, I think you will" then pulled his hat down over his eyes waited until the plane would land approximately... twenty minutes.

---

Nate had modified his skateboard to allow him to strap his fake metal leg to the board. Of course, this restricted his ability to bail. So he fell several times on the way to airport, skinning his hands and knee badly. But he ignored the pain and kept on going.

David laughed. "Is that so!?" his eyes hardened and he touched his finger to the trigger of his gun. "I think we both know something different. Yesterday he was in the park wielding guns and shooting up trees! Does he just normally do that!?" he shook his head. "No. Now....stop playing dumb. Unless you want me to shoot your wife and get this all over with."

***

Jack smiled, then dialed the number of one of the local Ditto Town towing companies. He talked for a minute with them, giving them the details and where the car could be located. He added. "And, I don't want to see a scratch on that car. It's old but pretty and who knows, it could be someones baby" he hung up and turned back to her with a grin. "They'll get your car"

Rosamunde chuckled as she listened to him talk to the towing company. Once she was satisfied with the state of her hair, she picked up the mug and said, "Okay, good. Daddy'll have to drop by later and get all the details from them."

Standing, she walked toward the wall and looked at some of his other paintings. "There are so amazing, Jack..." She glanced at him with a smile and then pointed at a painting of a grazing palamino horse. "Is this one of your horses?"

He nodded. "Yeah, that's my horse GoldenRod. He's kinda feisty but he's fun" he stood and come toward her. "Do you ride a lot? I've been riding since, sheesh, since I could walk!" he grinned. "You look like your a good horse rider..."

***

"There is already going to be a doctor coming in twice a week." Maralyn said. "We arranged it already..." she sighed. "I'm not sure if I want to look at the wound"

"He's beautiful." Rosamunde said, turning to face the picture again. When Jack spoke again, he was standing right behind her. She turned her head to smile at him as she said, "I don't ride often, but my uncle owns a couple of horses, so when I visit my cousins, I usually get a couple rides in."

She turned to face him completely, leaning against the wall with her shoulders and cradling the mug in her hands. The top of her head was level with his chin, so she had to look up a little to look him in the eye. Those eyes are so green... she thought with a smile before saying, "I wouldn't say I'm good. Decent would be closer to the truth..."

"Listen man, I don't know you are, or what kind of twisted mind you have. But my son is not a agent of the FBI! Now, take your dirty hands off my wife" Greg said, grabbing his pistol and pointing it at David.

David knew he was losing slight control of this situation, but his expression remained calm. "You pull that trigger, your wife dies in a very messy way" he said, teeth gritting. "Either way, pull it or not, you lose"

***

Jack smiled, looking at the cup in her hands. The rain seemed to have grown still, only the slight pattering could be heard on the roof. He hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans and locked eyes with her. "So, what brought you out here past my farm? I've seen your car go by before...but never knew such a lovely girl was inside"

Rosamunde lifted her mug to take a sip and to hide her blushing cheeks, but the ceramic cup didn't do much for the latter. "You know the lake that's a couple miles down the road? Well, it's my parents' favorite spot. Occasionally, I drive up there to join them." She smiled, "Ever been out there before?"

"Yeah, a couple of times. I've ridden up there on one of my horses." Jack walked toward another wall. "As a matter of fact, I painted this picture of that lake. It's not very good, but it was really pretty up there at times, especially when the sun is settin' and it really inspires"

Rosamunde followed him toward the painting and smiled. "Sunset's the best time."

She walked toward the table and set her mug down, wiping her hands on her jean shorts. They were still wet, but she didn't really care. "Oh, hey, before we have to go talk to the tow-truck guy, would you mind giving me a tour of the barn and the horses? I think the rain has pretty much stopped, and if it hasn't, a little drizzle never hurt anyone."

Jack nodded, grinning. "I'd love to give ya a tour." he said, setting his mud down on the table. He went out onto the porch, looking up into the clearing sky. A few droplets still fell from the clouds, but, like Ro had said, a little water never hurt anyone. He hopped off the porch, ensuring she was following, and headed to his barn. When they arrived he shoved both doors open, the sound of them rattling filling the stillness after the storm. The greetings of several of his horses filled their ears, and the assaulting smell of wet horse hair and hay. He stepped in, flipping on a light which came spilling from the ceiling and illuminating the barn.

Two rows of stalls, five in each row, flanked them. At the end of the barn, on one side, was an open space which doubled as a tack and feed room. On the other side was a small fenced in area that opened right onto the pasture. Two damp horses stood in this area, craning their necks to look at them. He walked toward the nearest stall, on the right, to them. "This is GoldenRod." he said, "GoldenRod, Rosamunde. Rosamunda, GoldenRod!"

The Palomino Stallion stuck his golden head out, neighing his happy hello.

Rosamunde followed him out to the barn, avoiding mud puddles.

She grinned at the palomino horse as she reached out to pet his velvety nose. "I've always love palominos." Rosamunde stopped closer, rubbing his neck. "How many horses in all do you have?" she looked at Jack as GoldenRod leaned into her, clearly enjoying the attention.