THE WALKER RANCH

'Watch this," she got a mischievious look on her face, "I'll get them home for dinner" She apparated out and reappeared in complete silence behind the two boys. She slipped silently up almost immediately behind them.

"BOO!" she said quickly, purposely to startle them.

steven watched as John jumped and fell on his butt when Khaat aperated and said boo , steven could not help laugh though he knew he shouldn't and the look on Johns face told him not to he could not help himself. Walking over he helpe John to his feet " its ok dad I can do it" he said brushing the leaves from his trousers. Steven smiled this was the first time he ahd not wanted his help and he was happy to let him be.

"You must be Andrew," Khaat said to the other boy, who had jumped but not like John had. "I'm Khaat. Nice to meet you."

Andrew shook hands with her. He thought she was pretty. And she was obviously pregnant. "Boy or girl?" he asked, looking at her stomach.

"Girl," Khaat said. "Don't go far now, boys. Dinner will be ready in a minute. In fact, I think you could go wash up. Go ask my mom, Katherine, where the bathroom is, unless you remember, John. And by then I think we'll be ready. I hope you're both hungry."

John smiled "yeah I rember Khaat " he said and ran to the house pausing as he waited for Andrew " COME ON ! ! " " He shouted steven sturned to face John with a sturn look but then shook his head smiling "hes getting more indipendant these days , I think Andrew is helping" he said to Khaat holding out his hand to help her back onto the solid ground on the other side of the bushes his beer bottle in hand , finishing it he walked back droping it into a recycling box .

Khaat watched her mom sending dishes out to the table. They looked delicious. Her mother was quite the cook. She had made a big platter of baked potatoes and a whole variety of toppings--so that everyone could top their own potato, just like topping their own sundaes. She had made baked beans, a huge vegetable salad, and a number of other dishes. A stack of plates flew out and set themselves, along with silverware, and glasses. Then came a huge pitcher of homemade lemonade. She wondered what her mother was making for dessert. Katherine always kept that for a surprise.

Steven watched the table lay its self and smiled leaning against the house wall, John ran out " tada, done" he said ginning , his eyes widening as he saw the food on the table "wow nice" he said and sat down but waited for Steven to pour him a glass of lemonade "don't drink it all save some for your food" he said filling a glass then sitting down himself

Khaat watched Andrew come out and take his place beside John. Khaat wave her hand and had the lemonade pour a glass for Andrew and set itself in front of him. He looked at her, a bit amazed. "You'll learn how to do all this and more," she smiled, "Take your time. You're smart. You'll learn fast. Now, what would you boys like? Steak? or Barbequed chicken? Help yourself. You can have both if you like."

She watched the boys dig in to the chicken and Andrew also took a small piece of steak. She liked his curiosity. He wanted to try a bit of everything. Andrew seemed to be a natural adventurer. He liked trying new things. She watched him take a drink of the lemonade. He made a small face, trying not to look at anyone. Khaat could hear his thoughts clearly, as could Robert and Katherine, she was sure. He'd had lemonade only once, and it had been made in a drink called Tennesee Lemonade that was lemonade and firewhiskey mixed together. He wasn't sure of the taste without the firewhiskey. "You'll get used to it," Robert said gently. "Try it again. It's actually a lot sweeter without the firewhiskey."

Andrew tried the lemonade again, and he looked at Robert. He had been right. It was better after the first sip He decided he didn't like firewhiskey much. The lemonade was better without it. He diverted his eyes from Robert. Robert seemed to have something odd about him that Andrew wasn't sure about. Robert seemed to have the ability to look right through him and see everything. So far, in his young life, Robert was the most powerful wizard he'd ever met. It made him just a little uneasy.

"He doesn't bite, Dear," Katherine said, sitting next to Andrew on the other side. "He might look tough, but he truly doesn't bite."

Steven watched how Andrew interacted with Robert and the others envying how easy they got him to open up also how they knew things he could not buut the boy but he also knew he'd been doing this kind of thing longer and so watched taking in the expertize he saw at work in front of him.

Taking some stake he started to eat as he took mental notes from Andrews expreshions and Roberts replys then he heard Katherine talk and he glanced at her, watching andrews expreshions "no he dosen't he actually quite kind, he brought John back" he said softly as he ored more lemonade for Andrew and John then a glass for himself.

Khaat watched Andrew and John digging into the food and truly enjoying it. They evidently had played hard, and they were hungry. She was glad to see them eating and enjoying it. They ate until Khaat saw distinct signs of them getting a little over full. "Boys, save room for dessert, " Robert laughed, "We might have to let them go play a bit and get some room before they have dessert, Kate."

"That's fine by me," Katherine said, laughing.

"John, when you're done eating, why don't you take Andrew to the barn to see those pygmy puffs, and the unicorns and the hyppogriff?" Khaat suggested.

John looked at his dad then at Khaat nodding as his mouth was still full of chicken. Once swallowed he smiled "I almost for got, I can show Andrew, fred" he said grinning " I named the one I'd like to take home " Steven looked at John in abit of a suprise " first I hurd of this " for a moment he looked sturn then grinned " sure we have a large barn why not " he looked at Andrew " you could choose one if ya wanted" he said "erm Just make sure its not female" he chuckled.