Krista

I'm not sure that Colt does, because their dynamics have shifted, but he's a bit blind to that shift in the form of Boobs and Sierra. Of course there's more to her than that, not to Davin, but yeah. I don't know if Colt realizes that the dynamic has shifted, because 'he' is the shift. Usually the shift-er doesn't see it, until the new wears off that caused it in the first place. Maybe when that happens, he can see it... like I said though, I'm not sure that he does. And the rest is very possible too. 😮

*fingers crossed* A lot of that are still well up in the air. At least now, it isn't all solely on Joel's shoulders... other characters also have decisions to make. and yes, safe to say Joel is distressed with all of it erupting so suddenly around him. He went from his secret being safe in Trace's hands, to the unknown of Colt's promises, and Davin's kiss that might have scared him for an entirely different reason.... and he seems to be of the mind that he messed that whole thing up.

I think both of those are safe theories with Colt and his dynamics with his father, at least in Colt's mind right now anyway. Or, it might just be a dig from the seemingly one-sided argument the two of them had the chapter prior to this one and he's still feeling the slight of all that "listening" he had to endure from Trace that prompted the fast exit from the house. More and more evidence, yeah... they've been telling the boy this for a bit. I think Joel sees it, knows it, has heard it, and is listening. Maybe one day he'll step over that edge and allow himself to fall off that seemingly imaginary cliff. That cliff will have to become imaginary first though... and Lol.

Like the timer going off for the turkey for thanksgiving din-din, I guess. lol. That bird's been cookin awhile. Good for Colt for finally talking... I'm guessing? lol. He finally said more than one sentence at a time, progress was made there. And Davin took initiative, lets hope it doesn't blow up in his face.

Thank you. It doesn't surprise me either, being in the world you've known your whole life, then the 'idea' that you're expected to carry that torch beyond your youth... might be a bit of an undertaking that requires a pure love for what you're doing. If you don't have it, there's a prison sentence there... And did Colt figure out Joel, or did Joel give up the answer?

“Don’t ask about this morning, it will piss me off,” he said as we walked out and he closed the door behind us. “Wasn’t going to,” I offered as I followed him quickly back towards his truck. “Why’d you come back anyway?” “I was gonna change clothes, but fuck it,” he answered turning to glance at me as he dug his phone out of his pocket. At his truck, he opened the door and climbed inside. He had the truck started by the time I got to the passenger side. He pulled it into gear as I

And I don't want to see anyone placing blame on my shoulders for putting you into Shady Pines.

He'd definitely starve one, so it seems.

Aww, sorry for her family's loss. The story is completely written, so as long as we can stick to the weekly posting schedule, we'll get there. We're already halfway there as far as wordcount is concerned. And, I struggled at which 'reaction' to use for this post... because the first sentence threw me and I didn't want to put the "laughing" or "fingers crossed" ones... but the second sentence calls for both. Decisions...

Wise words, that none of us listen to...

It does put me at ease a little.

I wonder how many times this man blinks really fast, shakes his head, takes a deep calming breath... then he smiles and that be the end of it. If he can overcome bratty backtalking and moody teenagers, unruly cows, long toiling days on the ranch... all with a smile, then yeah maybe Saint of Patience. I will never fall into the light of that, mind you. No, @wildone we do not need your two cents confirming this statement. I can feel the words coming as I'm about to post this reply. So, backspace is your best friend my dear.

True. But still, the rate at which some of you people read is something I have a lot of envy. Showing so many authors love is amazing, we're all truly blessed.

Although it would be years too soon, Colt walking along with his little "foals" is so cute for an easy Halloween theme for him to do with his children.

So what you're saying is... no zombies allowed? 😮 I may need to do a lot of emergency editing then. *whistles*

For once, I may be to blame. We stayed up late last night clucking like two hens in the coop. I do not take the blame often Steven so shape up buttercup.

I am always eager and a bit terrified, but mostly eager to give y'all the next chapter.

Oh gosh... Surely the boy has more sense... surely.

I'm sorry if you thought my tone was because I thought you were expressing discontent, tone can get lost in translation. I'm glad you love this story enough to forego your patience and likely better judgement in waiting. I hope that it stays that way, although I know it is an inconvenience, this silly waiting I make you all do. lol. And I am truly sorry that it is just once a week. I forget things that I've written and have to go back, and I wrote the thing. I'm in desperate need of reading the later chapters so I can remember things. There's also a lot of stories here and other authors y'all are engaged with, how any of you remember everything with all that information always being consumed by you is a testament really.

That's a lot of interesting dynamics. Colt has been distant this whole time. The twins have felt it, Celia, Trace, we can assume Lacey has. When Joel was riding his horse, he showed up for all of five minutes. They didn't miss his departure from them. Is it normal teenage avoidance, or is something driving all of this along? Is there resentment building based on something that happened well before Joel walked through the door, and he provided a respite from that, and now we're starting to see it coming back now that the immediate unknown in Joel seems to be easier to overlook as the family settles in around him. One thing I've noticed is that Trace and Celia tend to back one another up. I think there were a few times where Trace overruled Celia when Celia wanted to pressure Colt into being more present with Joel in the beginning. Trace gently telling her to let them finish that fence so they can do what they want, despite both of them knowing exactly what Colt wanted. Other than those times, they've been a rather consistent parenting pair, that's what I like about them... they're centered and grounded together, there's no real push or dominant one. With that said... there's differences in approaches and I think maybe we're starting to see that play out as well. I'm hoping the writing reflects more of their family dynamics, no matter how they play out... it is important that it is all there.

At this point, I'm starting to develop this whole... "Celia's a victim," because she cannot smother Joel with all the freedom of her loving mothering prowess... Shame on you Joel. Rude. 😮 Tsk tsk tsk. Maybe I'm writing a villain protagonist and this is going to be one hell of a plot twist. Authors...

The two sides of Colt. Sounds like a spin-off story in the making. Is he closed off, hiding secrets, wishes, feeling pressure? Is he conflicted about something. Has he done something that he cannot take back. He has measured Joel, he's told Trace and the Twins as much. He seemed impressed by not being a narc about the camping trips, and busting Jonny's face up and defending himself. But, he's still seemingly... distanced and on the fence. Or, is his other side him becoming angry, selfish, stubborn, and self-serving to a fault. Waiting to make life miserable for Joel and seizing this opportunity to do it, because he finally has had enough of sharing his family with him. 😮 I know which Colt I prefer... but I must admit, there's a lot of juice in both Colts that would make him very interesting if any of that comes to light or reading true in the story.