The bus pulled away from the drive and she smirked as she pulled her flannel tighter around her. Mary looked at her from across the porch and she nodded. Moving into the barn, she turned on the office light and pulled out the tax papers. Sitting down, she read over the financials from the previous year and let out a content sigh. The land was doing better than ever and yet she knew what that would demand of her.

With the both of the boys back in school, she knew her time would no longer be relaxing, but spent from early morning to late afternoon working the land. Pulling out the ordering list, she ran over the supplies and double-checked to make sure all the products were still up-to-date. Getting to her feet, she left the office and headed to the livestock room. Opening the door, she heard the cattle talking and the horses moving around. Leaning on the railing, she took in the sight of the beasts and smirked as they grew anxious for their day outside.

"Katie? What do you think you're doing?"

Hearing Mary's voice, she rolled her eyes and opened the doors into the pasture. Moving along the aisle, she unlocked each stall and let the beasts run out into the pasture. Mary stepped into the room and frowned.

"You are recovering from a concussion! Get off your feet."

Katie looked at her briefly and said, "I have a farm to run."

The last cow disappeared into the pasture and she slipped off her flannel. Hanging it on a nail along the wall, she pulled on a worn out sweatshirt and pulled her hair back from her face. Mary sighed in disagreement and left the room as she picked up a pitchfork.

______________________________________________

Running his eyes over the document, he leaned back in his chair and took a drink of coffee. Trent cleared his throat and he looked up slowly.

"What?"

"Phone call for you."

Putting the document down, he picked up his phone and pressed the line one button.

"Hello?"

"Hello, is this Nick Boller?"

"Mary..."

He heard the sigh of relief and leaned back in his seat. The woman was keeping a constant eye on her friend and informed him periodically when she pulled a stunt that was disputable.

"What has Katie done this time?"

"She thinks she has to start preparing for breeding season."

He smirked at the image of Katie throwing straw and fighting cattle around.

"Does she have any help?"

Mary sighed and said, "Of course not! That wouldn't be Katie. She feels she has to be the one running this farm. I'm worried about her."

He closed his eyes and asked, "Does she have a dog?"

"A dog?"

"Yes, a dog."

"No...."

He frowned and said, "Keep an eye on her for me today and I will get that fixed."

"But I don't understand how a dog will make things better?"

He smirked and said, "You'll see."

Hanging up, he rubbed the base of his neck and flipped open the newspaper. Searching the classifieds, he ran across the shop he needed and picked up his phone once more.

______________________________________________

Closing the last stall, she wiped the sweat from her face and stretched her arms. Rolling her shoulders, she let out a sigh and looked around.

"I still think this is suicide."

She smirked and said, "That is why you're not helping me this year."

Mary's eyes widened and she said, "I will not watch you kill yourself all by yourself this year, Katie. David'll come back from the dead just to punish me if I do."

Katie laughed and said, "He'll just have to live with it, won't he?"

Mary frowned and Katie turned to the doors to the pasture. Looking outside, she watched the cattle graze and the horses rest under the trees in the snow. Hearing someone pull in, Katie pushed the sleeves up on her sweatshirt and climbed the steps to the main floor. Mary walked with her to the entrance of the barn and waited at the entrance.

"Nick?"

He looked over at her and said, "Just had to drop something off."

Her eyes narrowed and she crossed her arms as she approached the truck. She watched him climb into the bed and open a cage.

"What is it?"

He jumped to the ground and picked whatever it was and put it on the ground. Walking around the truck, she saw the border collie and stopped in her tracks.

"Nick..."

He met her gaze and said, "He's from a farm on the other side of town. The folks breed 'em and sell them for farmers."

Her eyes moved to Mary and she watched the woman blush.

"I see."

He handed her the leash and said, "Go ahead. He's all yours."

Katie met his gaze and said, "I can't take him. I appreciate this but I can't."

Nick frowned and said, "Too late. He's all yours."

She looked down at the border collie and watched the animal stare up at her. Kneeling in front of him, she ran her hand over his face and studied his eyes. He followed her gaze steadily and sat down. Holding out her hand, she watched him place his paw in it and she smirked. Putting his paw down, she stood up and looked back at the doctor.

"All right. You win."

She caught a glimpse of his smile, a smile that caught her breath in her throat. He knelt down to the dog and ruffled his ears.

"You make sure she doesn't over work herself."

The dog nodded and she shook her head. Nick got to his feet and opened the door to his truck. Katie glanced at Mary and found her coaching her on.

Taking a deep breath, she asked, "When do you get off?"

He froze at her question and looked back at her. Her head pounded with nerves as she held his gaze and the dog moved over to her.

"I'll be off in two hours."

Feeling some relief, she took another deep breath and asked, "Care to join us for dinner?"

He caught her gaze and asked, "What time?"

She smiled at his acceptance and said, "Dinner will be on the table at six."

Nick held her gaze for a few minutes and said, "I'll be here."

His hand brushed the loose hair from her face and she felt her nerves jump at his touch.

He leaned into her and whispered, "Is that all?"

She felt her heart racing and forced a smile as she nodded. He stepped back and nodded back as he slipped into his truck. Watching him pull away, she felt her legs ready to give out and she took a seat on the porch steps. The collie sat at her feet and Mary soon joined them.

"He sure is a beauty."

Katie met her gaze and heard, "Both of them."

She looked down at the collie and said, "You really know how to pick 'em for me."

The woman laughed and said, "That I do."

The collie looked up at them and Katie rubbed his ear. The boys were going to be excited when they saw him. They'd fight over a name for him if he didn't have one. Looking at the collar, she found a tag and read the name, "Brutus."

Laughing she said, "I don't see you as a Brutus."

The collie met her gaze and rested his head on her leg. She ran her hand long his head and smirked.

"How about something that actually fits you?"

His ears perked up and she glanced at Mary. The woman nodded with a smile and she turned back to the collie.

Smirking, she got to her feet and said, "That will be up to the boys when they get home. I have to get the animals in for the night and start dinner."

Mary shook her head and said, "I thought you had a date?"

Katie laughed and said, "I don't date. I'm a mother."

PGS