Thalia in Arizona-Picnic Part II

[not_his_pa]

When they pass through the two trees, the landscape changes from green to brown with other colors as they move into Arizona.

The door isn't right on the ranch, which William's grateful for as he wouldn't want to do any explaining to his family about Thalia and instead just show her his home, "What do you think?"

Comments

[chameno_koritsi]

Thalia blinks in the changing light but looks around before answering. It's harsh and spare but honest in a way.

"I like it," she answers. "It's bright though."

[not_his_pa]

"I didn't think to grab a hat for you, sorry. You can have mine,"

As it's better for her to be able to see what's around them and he can manage without.

[chameno_koritsi]

"You sure?" she asks hesitating as she doesn't want to seem weak or needy. Then again this is William and this is his land; he's got to be used to the glare.

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, I'm sure,"

He takes his hat and quickly pats it down to get the worst of the dust and other things off it, "Here."

[chameno_koritsi]

"Thanks," she says reaching over to grab the hat. She looks around again once she's put it on. "Much better."

[not_his_pa]

"I thought it would be. Come on, we're goin' this way,"

It's up into the scraggly hills and away from the road as there's less chance of them being seen. He's squinting but he'll manage.

[chameno_koritsi]

"After you," she says to William as she turns Rachat to follow. She's definitely more easy in the saddle than their first ride. "Is there likely to be any thing or any one we should keep our eyes out for?"

[not_his_pa]

"We might see a cow or two as we're ridin' through our land but hopefully nothin' else,"

He'd rather they didn't.

[chameno_koritsi]

As much as Thalia enjoys a good fight, she'd rather have a quiet afternoon as well.

"Do you guys get snakes around here?"

[not_his_pa]

They start off at a walk as he wants her to be comfortable,

"Yeah, we do, but they usually stay out of the horses way."

[chameno_koritsi]

"Cool. I'd rather not test my riding skills too much today," she says with a smile.

[not_his_pa]

"I just want today to be nice and hopefully you won't have to,"

There's some mooing up on a hill where there's a cluster of cows.

[chameno_koritsi]

"Sounds good to me," Thalia says and takes a deep breath of the sage scented air and sighs in appreciation. "Those your cows?"

[OOC: Okay the new icon makes these two even a cuter couple.]

[not_his_pa]

"Yeah, the herd's spread out since there's not much good grazin' land. Though we do have the water rights now but it's been gettin' better,"

It's just a dry piece of land that's never going to get growing easily.

[chameno_koritsi]

She looks out and about and loves the feel of the place. It's hard, like a lot of central California, but beautiful in its way.

"How long do you get the water rights for?"

[not_his_pa]

"They're ours now, it was part of the price my Pa got sorted for transportin' Wade,"

He looks out towards the road, it all started not far form here.

[chameno_koritsi]

Thalia follows his gaze but doesn't see anything. She can guess what he might be seeing though.

"What exactly did happen? You never got the chance to tell me." Course it hasn't really come up, what with the kissing and all.

[not_his_pa]

"The road's just over that rise and Wade rode some of our herd out to stop the stage with the railroad payroll. We got there too late and found a marshal hurt and got him into town. Mark and I went back home but Pa found Wade at the hotel in Bisbee and agreed to help the Pink, marshal and some railroad guards to transport him to Contention to get on the prison train to Yuma. We needed the money,"

Telling this story never really gets easier.

[chameno_koritsi]

Thalia almost laughs at the idea of someone being named 'The Pink' but bites her lip and swallows it instead when she catches how hard this is for William. She reaches over and squeezes his arm.

"Is Yuma far from here?"

[not_his_pa]

He manages an almost smile for her and her glance, "Oh um, Pink is short for Pinkerton, they're fancy detectives from back East. Yuma's a ways, have to ride to Contention to catch the nearest train. Its a few days ride to Contention, Wade stayed the night at our place to trick his men though it didn't quite work. I wasn't meant to go along but I knew I'd be able to help. I'm a better short than most of the men who were goin'."

[chameno_koritsi]

"Wait, Wade was going willingly?" Thalia asks confused.

[not_his_pa]

"No, he didn't, that's why it took so many men to keep watch over him. Also we knew his gang would be followin' and tryin' to get him free. Though it got sort of complicated in Contention,"

Wade acted in ways that didn't make a lot of sense and still don't to William.

[chameno_koritsi]

"Your mom must not have been too happy to have him spending the night," Thalia can't help saying. She knows she should just let William talk but home and its sanctity is important to her.

[not_his_pa]

"He didn't actually, just part of it. They rode out while it was still pretty dark and I followed 'em,"

Which he wasn't supposed to do but in the end, it was best he was there.

[chameno_koritsi]

"And you followed to help?" She asks hoping to lead him back to the story. Following along makes perfect sense in her world.