The Cowboy Way

Chapter 3-Settling In and A Tour

-Tris POV-

After Four leaves, I close the door and decide to take a shower. Afterwards I dress in comfortable jeans, a t-shirt, and my boots. I walk outside to take in the morning. Sipping my coffee, I look around. I see Four working around the corrals. My eyes seemed drawn to him. As if he could feel my eyes on him, he glances up and looks at me. When he sees me, he gives a quick wave and goes back to work. I know I should look away. It is rude to stare, but I enjoy watching him. Finally I shake it off and go back into the apartment. After a quick breakfast, I wander over to the house. Might as well figure out how I can help my grandparents.

I walk into the house and see my grandma puttering in the kitchen. I go up to her and say, "Good morning," as I give her a hug.

"Good morning, sweetheart. Can I get you something to eat?"

I shake my head no and tell her, "I already ate. You completely stocked that apartment with food. I'll be hard pressed to eat it before it spoils. Anyway, I'm unloaded and settled in. How can I help you? That is the reason that I am here."

My grandma grins and says, "I hope you are also here to spend time with us. We don't see you enough."

"Of course, Grandma. But, really, what should I plan on doing around here to help you out?"

My grandma grabs her coffee mug and indicates that I should get a cup too, then walks to the kitchen table. After we are both sitting down, she begins, "Well, with your grandfather laid up, it just takes more time to do things. I don't want to ignore him all day, so I make a point of chatting with him or just being close as much as possible. This means that I have been neglecting the yard and garden. I'll probably let you take charge of them over the summer. I'll also let you make some of the trips into town. When I leave the house, it would be great if you can plan on being in the house so that if your grandfather needs anything you're here to help."

"I can do all that. Can you show me around the yard and garden so I know what you want me to take care of?"

"Of course. I'll go tell Jack we're heading outside."

"No, Grandma. I'll tell him. That way I can tell him good morning too."

I take a couple of minutes to go tell my grandpa good morning and chat with him for a bit. My grandma and I then head outside. We walk around the yard. She points out different plantings and areas of concern. We then head into the garden. My grandma is usually an avid vegetable gardener. It seems weird to not see her raised beds overflowing with plants. We talk about what is planted and what can yet be planted this summer. Overall we take a couple of hours to just talk and discuss all of the things around the house. By the time we're done it's lunchtime. We both head into the house and decide on grilled cheese sandwiches and soup. After lunch she shows me where all of her seeds are stored and I tell her that I am going to start working in the garden.

I spend the afternoon in the garden. I get old plants pulled out and new seeds put in. As I'm starting to clean up my tools, I hear a noise behind me. I turn around and see Four leaning against the garden fence. "So are you getting everything ship shape again?"

"Yeah. I know it weighs on my grandma not to have her fresh veggies from the garden."

Four looks around as I gather everything up and haul it over to the little shed over to the side of the garden. "If you're done, I can give you a tour of the barns and stuff."

I look at him and say, "Sure. That works. Just let me go in the house and wash up first."

I walk into the house, wash my hands, and grab two bottles of water. I walk back outside. Four is waiting just outside the door and I hand him one of the bottles of water. "Thanks," he says as he opens the bottle, drinking about half of it at one time.