Teen Trials

Ranch Life

Hunter had just finished unpacking the truck and gone into the kitchen to see what everyone else was doing.

"Can Kacey and I go riding?" Emma asked as soon as he crossed the threshold.

"Ems. Really?" Amy chided. "I just said no."

Hunter glowered at the girl. "Is that true?"

"Yes Sir, but my knee feels fine! Please Daddy." Emma begged.

"Let her go." Katie said, bouncing Luca and smiling down at the baby.

"She just had knee surgery." Hunter argued.

"She's out of the brace. Let her go, Katie's right." Joe added.

"No. Where are the boys?"

"Outside chasing the goats." Joe said. "Kacey, go get your boots on. Emma, go on with him. Stay out until we call."

"Yes sir." Both teens said, hurrying from the room.

"You guys need to quit babying her. She said her knee is fine, let her try."

"Emma had a habit of pushing her body too hard." Amy said.

"That's how she's going to learn her limits. She's fifteen not five," Joe said.

"Kacey will be with her. If something hurts, then he can help her back." Katie said.

"We said no." Hunter said

"You need to give her space. She's a strong girl." Joe said. "Just let her go riding."

"And if she ruins her knee and can't dance?"

"Unlikely. Tell her the potential consequences and let her make the choice." Katie said.

"You can't be running behind her all the time, trying to keep her from falling." Joe said. "Let her fall."

"We did. And she did fall." Hunter said.

"Off a two-story building I might add." Amy said.

"She did, and that sucks, but she's got a whole life in front of her. Loosen the reins a little." Joe said.

"Or keep a tight hold and see how that serves her in the future." Katie added.

"Emma! Kacey!" Hunter called. The teens were back in front of him quickly. "No full out running. If your knee starts hurting then you need to stop and come inside and ice it."

"Yay! Thank you! Yes Sir!" With that the teens started for the door.

"Stay in the north pasture so you can keep an eye on your brothers!" Joe called.

"Yes Sir!" They both called back.

"You two, leave this baby with us and go have some alone time in your bunk house."

"We just got here..." Amy said.

"We have a full week together. I have Luca, I need my baby cuddles to keep from getting baby fever. Your other two kids are also occupied, go be alone." Katie said.

Amy opened her mouth to object, but Hunter thanked them and pulled them out to their bunkhouse.

"Time to talk. I'm getting tired of this, Amy." Hunter said the second they closed the door.