Wanted Signs. Of course.

[Alice ;; ♥]

Jack Thornfeld stood back to admire his work. Sure, it was only a poster, but it looked good, and Jack hoped it would attract some of the new life the village had seen recently. Yes, the Stable had been getting quiet, and Jack was finally admitting he was in need of a hand. He owned seven horses himself, and the stable he owned was full of boarders. He couldn't manage himself, and he wasn't getting any younger.

Not that he'd ever admit that.

So, he had begun to advertise. Firstly for a few stable hands, and now for a riding instructor. While he was out training and caring for the horses, he really needed someone to run a few lessons.

So, now that a signing, advertising the open positions was up in his office window, there was no turning back. Jack scratched his head slightly, before placing his old cowboy hat on it, and smiling, proud.

He then turned around, looking back to all the horses that lined the rows of stalls. His seven were made up of four mustangs and three thoroughbreds,a nd they were all incredible. Jack could still, even at this age, take part in some rodeo. And he could just as easily ride his highly strung ex race horses.

But right now, Jack needed a hand with the other horses, and he needed it soon. He tried to run lessons as often as possible, but it wasn't his real passion. He was a rider, but more importantly, he liked to listen and talk to the horses, soothing them, calming them with old recipes and herbs. Yes, Jack was quite the horse whisperer, and known for it around the Valley.

There had been a time when all this stable had needed had been the Thornfelds. But Jack had no children, and with only him and the odd Saturday Job or Part time Stable hand, the stable was showing signs of aging. And Jack could't bear to see it fall into disrepair...

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Resa’s truck moved slowly over the drive way as she glanced out her window every now and then. Her windows were rolled down and her hair was pulled into a long braid and a black cowboy hat rested on her head. She wore a button up blouse, jeans, and paddock boots. She glanced back to her two animals as they pulled up to the barn. An instructor was needed, and here one was. She’d never had somewhere permanent, but maybe this would turn out okay. A trailer was hitched to her truck, as she was hoping to have her horses board there, too.

Resa’s piercing eyes searched the landscape, noticing a body disappearing into the barn. She shifted her truck into park and removed her keys from the ignition and hopped down, bypassing the runners beneath the cab. She turned and waited as her two large canine companions followed her out, hitting the ground with bouncing motions and then waiting patiently for her to close the door. She did so and turned to move toward the barn, hoping the dogs were welcome.

Resa looked around the side of the barn door, seeing the man she was looking for and striding forward, Eros and Riot following. Eros’ tale was swishing through the air in a wagging motion, happy to have a new friend, but Riot watched the man cautiously. He seemed decent enough, but you could never be sure; or at least, Riot couldn’t. Eros began to sniff the air around him as Resa held out her hand to the older man.

Jack Thornfield? I’m Resa Mitchum. I saw the ad, and I was wanting to apply for a position as an instructor.

[Alice ;; ♥]

At the sound of a car, four dogs ran towards the open area where Jack stood. They were braking loudly, jumping up at their loving owner. One was a sheepdog, two were Boxers and the last was a Jack Russell.

Once the visitors stepped out of the car, the dogs completely ignored Resa, heading straight for Riot and Eros. They loved meeting new dogs, and the whole bunch were equally lively and out going, and all became excited very quickly and easily.

The Sheepdog, who was the oldest, and had been with Jack the longest, soon returned to his side, barking once or twice to try and get the others to pay attention. It was useless, the dogs barks drowned out Jacks apologies and sighs.

Finally, the noise lowered, and the two boxers, who's name tags read 'Max' and 'Charlie', scampered off together. Then the Jack Russell, Ruby followed a time after, seemingly uninterested. Only the Sheepdog, Ben, remained. He was always faithful, and was keeping an eye on the visitors.

Or intruders, depending on the move each of the three made next. The woman remained composed, holding out her hand and speaking. Ben looked up, to see his master's reaction.

Jack smiled widely, a hint of embarrassment, almost not ready to admit he needed help. But soon, he nodded, his smile growing wider, then he spoke.

Hy. Its nice to meet you. Maybe you'd like to come inside, we can discuss qualifications and salary.

Jack chuckled slightly, as if it wasn't even he speaking, but another version of himself, some strange and different businessman, with power and talk of...salaries. The whole thing was so odd.

But he extended his arm, shaking her lady's hand, nodding, stroking Ben lovingly, and gesturing to the messy office.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Resa watched the dogs approach and then disappear. Riot stood beside Resa, watching them all cautiously as Eros bounded forward to greet each one, finally returning when Resa gave a whistle to him. Riot inspected the sheepdog across from her. Perhaps a kindred spirit?

Resa nodded as the man in front of her spoke. Her hand dropped back to her side as he gestured, and she began to move forward to the office. Riot moved out of her sitting position to take a step forward and tentatively sniff Ben before noticing her owner was moving.

Resa glanced around the office for a moment and then took a seat in one of the chairs. Her boots tapped out a quiet rythym on the floor. Riot trotted in quietly and took her seat by the woman’s leg while Eros moved in and began sniffing around the walls. Resa waited for a moment before she began speaking. She hated interviews; interviews, small talk. She actually hated many things. Interviews just so happened to be at the top. She tended to talk a bit quickly, wanting to get it over with.

As far as qualifications go, I think I’ve got it covered. I’ve volunteered to teach at stables, I’ve trained tons of horses, and I was an instructor at my uncle’s farm where I taught group lessons and private lessons.

[Alice ;; ♥]

Jack smiled, seemingly very nervous. He took a seat opposite the young woman, before rearranging a pile of papers, a bag of alfalfa and a broken lead rein, to reveal an oak desk. He took a stubby pencil from a creaky drawer, and jotted down a few details, such as the female's name and said qualifications.

I've never really done this before.

Jack admitted, sighing and looking down, seeing Ben by his side, happily barking to Eros and Riot. Finally, Jack managed to keep him quiet, and the dog seemed to nod, before lying down on the wooden floor.

It was incredible, the relationship this man had with Ben. It was a real bond of trust and friendship, and it was easily noticeable. But right now, there was business to do, and Jack rubbed his forehead, exhaling heavily.

I guess you're hired. I'm not sure what I'm meant to say.

He laughed, gesturing to a dusty form, and a cracked Biro. He then nodded, looking up, meeting the girls gaze, looking her in the eye. Yes, he did need help, and now he was going to get it. This would be good. Jack lent forward slightly, to stroke Ben as he spoke.

Well, you seem like a lovely young lady, and fully qualified. So...how much do you think would be reasonable?

Yes, this wasn't exactly by-the-book hiring, most employers didn't let those who worked for them choose their own salary. But Jack had no idea how much money he should be offering. maybe these were the kind of things he should have thought about. Ah well, all was said an done, and now, he waited for Resa's response.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Resa’s expression broke into something between a smirk and smile as he spoke. She nodded, glancing down as Ben quit barking. Eros trotted over to him and plopped down beside him while Riot regarded Eros with slight disdain.

Resa shot Eros a look and he whined in response but silently agreed, then turned back to Riot, jumping up and nipping her lightly and moving back and forth between the two, obviously wanting someone to join him in his excitement. Her eyes flashed back to him as he told he told her she was hired.

Resa’s smile grew a little bit as she heard him laugh. Riot gave in to Eros’ nipping and stepped forward to greet Ben. Eros ran a circle around her before stopping to wait.

As Eros moved to nip at Riot again, she turned and snapped lightly at his forelegs. The younger animal quieted as she had clearly told him to, and plopped down for a second time beside Ben. Riot made a small noise and began to sniff the strange dog.

Resa tilted her head to the side as Jack asked her about her salary. Great. One more thing for her to feel weird about answering. She shrugged and shook her head briefly, her eyes staying on Jack’s.

Reasonable? Oh, I wouldn’t know. I’ve never been good with naming numbers.That’s up to you.

[Alice ;; ♥]

Jack laughed at the dog's antics, and smiled nervously. Ben, however, leapt up, sniffing around, to greet both dogs. He yapped happily, his bouncy mood returning, and Jack chuckled once more. Then he thought for a moment. Finally, he came to a conclusion, having been told to decide on the price himself.

Okay

He murmured, getting out a grubby calculator, and turning it on and off until the screen lit up. He then tapped in a few numbers, and nodded happily.

We have ten lessons every five days. You'd be teaching all of them. Weekends off, one lesson at eleven, one at five. So, you can choose what to do between. They last an hour each. We take five kids in each. They each pay fifteen dollars. Thats...

He paused, working it out on the calculator and jotting it down onto his piece of paper, scratching his head thoughtfully, taking off his cowboy hat.

Seventy five dollars. So, if your making us seven hundred and fifty dollars a week...then I guess we pay you three hundred dollars a week?

He smiled, as if happy with that sum. Then he remembered the one inf front of him, and gazed at her anxiously. He really was not sure at all.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Resa waited patiently as he got out a calculator, and made a note in her mind of what he had said. Ten lessons every five days, teaching two a day. That wasn’t bad at all. Her thoughts flashed back to the present as he started speaking again, and she nodded when he finally named an amount.

I think that sounds perfectly reasonable.

Resa looked around, feeling a bit awkward for a moment, until she realized she had something else that needed attending. Now that they had the job worked out, boarding shouldn’t be too hard.

I was also wondering if you had room for two horses. I need to board mine somewhere, and here makes the most sense if you have room.

Resa moved to get up and Riot immediately trotted over to her side. If they could be boarded here, Resa wanted to get them out of the trailer as soon as possible. They had been in there for at least two hours and were no doubt getting bored and restless.

[Alice ;; ♥]

Jack smiled as the female agreed. At last, he had sorted this in a semi-professional manner. He put his hat back on his head, and rose to shake the woman's hand. However, before he could do so, she spoke again. He listened, then nodded slowly. Finally, he realized a response was necessary, and smiled warmly, gesturing to the rows of boxes outside the office.

Thats fine. What breeds, may I ask?

He wondered out loud. He was always interested in how the type of animals a person was around seemed to suit their personality. So far, Resa seemed to really suit her intelligent, young dogs. As well as Jack suited Ben, a old, loving, loyal gentlemen, with too many stories to tell. Jack then pushed back his chair, stepping over Ben and laughing quietly, before whistling, and watching as the dog rose to follow his master. Jack then headed out back, to greet his seven horse, and look from Resa to the horse box, and back, waiting.

[S.E.C.R.E.T]

Resa began to move out of the office as Jack spoke. Riot and Eros quickly followed her out to the trailer as she replied over her shoulder.

One’s an Irish Warmblood and the other’s a Thoroughbred and Paint cross. Pandora’s the Warmblood and Rebel the cross.

Resa pulled the pins out of the trailer ramp and slowly lowered it. The dogs stood quietly to the side, waiting for their owner to finish her job. She moved into the trailer, grabbing the two lead ropes that were hung at the entrance and putting them over her shoulder. She moved beside Pandora, clipping the lead rope to her halter before unclipping the cross-ties. The mare consented to being backed out and went quietly, waiting patiently and bending her neck to greet the dogs as Resa tied her to the hitch on the side of the trailer. She went back in to retrieve Rebel in the same manner, and she came prancing down the ramp.

Resa gave both of the mares a pat before untying Pandora and putting the loose end over her neck so it didn’t drag the ground. She moved forward to the barn, Rebel’s lead in one hand and Pandora walking quietly beside the pair without the direction of Resa. Eros and Riot moved in front, waiting in farther back in the barn aisle so that they weren’t accidentally stepped on. Resa led Rebel into one of the empty stall that Jack had motioned to and removed her halter and hung it up. Pandora remained standing in the aisle, her muzzle outstretched so that she could investigate Jack and Ben. Resa closed the door to Rebel’s stall and gave a sharp whistle. Pandora’s ears perked and she turned and entered the second stall as Resa opened the door. The woman removed the second mare’s halter, as well, hanging it on its hook. She finally turned to Jack with s smile as she closed the door behind her and Eros and Riot approached her again.

I guess that’s everything, then?

[Alice ;; ♥]

Jack watched as the young lady led her horses about. He smiled warmly, enjoying the way she moved with them. She was calm, yet very encouraging, and it was obvious the horses trusted her fully. She didn't jump, or worry, and it appeared the loving bond between horse and rider was certainly mutual. Jack stepped out of the office, wincing slightly as brightly heated sun rays fell onto his face and back. He loved this American Weather, it was perfect for rodeo. The man nodded when he heard about the breeds of the woman's horses, making a mental note and smiling. He then began to get out food, including two hay nets, two bags of alfalfa and two packs of mixed dry food. Then, he turned to Resa, and spoke.

How does free food and boarding sound, seeing as you're doing me such a favor?

He asked politely, gesturing to the various bags and nets, with a generous twinkle in his deep brown eyes. He coughed quietly, as he stooped to tie the two hay nets, and rubbed his back as he rose to hear her answer, be it acceptance or denial. He quickly took a few steps forwards, hoping she hadn't seen the signs of aging he was displaying, full well knowing how obvious they had become. But admitting weakness was hard for Jack, and he may as well just get on with life as usual, he supposed...