Mila did her best to be on her best behavior. It was different to not have to do things on her own, but she was falling in love with Buck and was putting all of the effort in.

She picked up a new hobby with some random supplies she found around the ranch. She was enjoying the warm spring air on the porch while she attempted to piece together her creation.

"What's going on here?" Buck chuckled, unable to make out the shape. He sat on the step below her, pulling off his hat.

"It's a birdhouse," she said. "or it's supposed to be." She gave a little pout and he leaned to give her a kiss.

"I doubt craft glue will hold that wood together, Darlin'. Let me get something better."

He stood, disappearing in the barn before returning with a hammer and some nails. He helped her set them, allowing her to use the tool.

"That was so much easier. Thank you," she said, admiring her work.

"You're welcome. It's a good use for all that scrap wood. Although, it would be easier to cut out the hole first next time," he told her.

She gave a twinkling smile. "You're the best, more than I could have ever asked for."

He smiled, "beyond my wildest dream."

She leaned up, feeling the same fluttery butterflies in her belly that she always got around Buck. She cupped his cheeks in her hand, thankful he was below her so she didnt have to stretch very far to find his lips.

"You're scruffier today," she noted.

He smiled into the kiss, "Thought I might let it grow out."

She bumped his nose with hers, giving a hum as a response. When she released him, he reached up to lift her into his lap. He tangled his fingers in her hair, kissing her harder. Her lips were so damn soft and sweet.

He released her. She made a cute noise, before slouching down to wrap her arms around his back, tucking her face into his neck. She kissed the skin there and he shivered.

She smiled, happier and warmer than she had ever been. She was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Buck's cell phone began to ring, breaking their peaceful moment.

He sighed before answering it.

"Thinking one of our cows might be lame. Can you meet me up here?" Jackson asked. "I'll be finished after that."

"Yeah, give me a second to saddle up. But I'll be there in fifteen."

"You have to go?" Mila asked and he nodded.

"Want to come with?"

She paused, "I don't know. I've only been riding in the pen, and-"

"I wouldn't let anything happen to you, but you don't have to."

She would like to see the cows. She had yet to, so she agreed.

She put on her boots and found Buck in the barn. Dusty was all ready to go. She struggled to get the saddle on by herself, but she was happy that she was remembering a lot of what he was teaching her.

"Great job, darlin. Just watch this strap isn't too tight on her belly," he said, spotting her as she got up. "You've become a real natural."

She was nervous as she followed Dusty and Buck out of the barn. She followed him up through a pretty well worn path through some of the more wooded areas of his property, until finally they reached green pasture.

"Looking like a true cowgirl," Jackson complimented. "Do you see that one in the middle there?"

Buck immediately found the one he was looking at.

"Yes. He's definitely keeping the weight off his front left. I'll call the vet at the house so they can be here first thing."

Jackson nodded.

"What will happen?" Mila asked curiously. The cows were cute and fluffy. She wanted to pet one.

"Most likely foot rot and he'll need some meds," Jackson answered. "We should get in there and lead him back to the paddock."

Mila watched as Jackson and Buck seperated the cow from the herd, getting a rope around his neck with expertise, and then beginning the trek to the barn.

Once the cow was in his new place for the night, Buck handed Dusty off to Jackson.

"I want to leave a voicemail for the vet right away. Now that I've got him up close, I can see his leg is swollen and hot. Can you help Mila get down please?"

Buck disappeared into the house to retrieve his phone. Mila had no problems getting down, but she was thankful Jackson was there to spot her.

"Does Audrey like to ride?" she asked.

"She used to. She took a bad fall as a teenager and broke her leg, so she mostly keeps her distance."

"Oh," she mumbled, standing up on her toes to pull the saddle off.

"She loves to be outside, especially hiking and camping."

"I've never done either," she admitted.

"We should go, the four of us. It would be fun."

"What would?" Buck asked, stepping into the barn. He immediately took the heavy saddle from Mila and put it away for her. She smiled as a thank you before retrieving her brush.

"Camping," Jackson said. "I hope we caught the cow in time that it won't spread to the others."

"Yeah, we'll have to keep a close eye on the herd. Hopefully the vet can come in Monday."