THE WALKER RANCH

Andrew had seen some of the kids have pygmy puffs at school, but they were solid colored. Rainbow ones sounded more interesting, but Katherine acted like it was some sort of flaw for them to be all different colors.

"Steven, are you ready for some coffee?" Khaat asked. She, personally, was ready for a cup. Well, part of a cup. She honestly was trying to cut back. "Anyone else?" She asked.

"I'll just summon it, Dear," Katherine said. "Robert?"

"Oh, why not?" he laughed.

"Steven? You too?" Katherine asked.

Steven nodded " yeah thanks , sounds kinda good bout now" he said sitting back in the chair now feeling he trully needed his caffiene. He watched John slip frm the tqable and dive to the barn pausing at the door to wait for Andrew. chuckling Steven sighed " Dose it ever get easier, you two seem to have it down pat " he said looking at Robert and Katherine "How do ya seem to know exactly what hes thinking?".

"Well, Khaat and Kate are seers. I guess I just read his body language," Robert said. "He's not the first kid I ever saw like that. I guess I just have a sense of what life was like for him before he got to you. Overall, he's doing remarkably well."

"I know you're all adjusting," Khaat said, "but everything he understood about the world, he feels like he has to relearn. Like his father lied to him about everything. So he does guard himself from trying to show his emotions much. The more he adjusts, the less it will take a seer to read him. Give him time. He'll come out of his shell. John seems to be doing rather well with him. He seems to know to just take him as he is. Maybe that's the key for now. "

Steven watched the two " Yeah , seems like I am relearning too " he said looking at both of them as he waited for his coffee to appear. he folded his arms across his chest as he watched both boys dispear into the barn. He chuckled at the thought of what they would ask for next to add to the barn.

Khaat watched her mother summon 4 cups of coffee. They came, floating out and landed where Katherine directed them. "I'm glad they enjoyed it," Katherine said, watching them run off. "You'll have to show them Khaat's old camping spot, Robert. They would enjoy sleeping out under the stars. Khaat and Remus had what they always said was their secret spot where they used to camp out in just about any kind of weather. "

"It was secret," Khaat laughed.

"Sure it was," Robert laughed. "You didn't figure out for a long time that we knew exactly where you were."

"Yeah, but there isn't a prettier place anywhere on the farm," Khaat said, "We'll show you, and when Andrew's shoulder mends, maybe you can take the boys out for a sleepout. They would like it. You could make them a campfire and toast marshmallows or something. You might be surprised at how much Andrew knows about taking care of himself outdoors."

Steven picked up a cup of coffee feeling the effects as it slid down his throat "camp out sounds good but like ya said after andews shoulder heals , shouldn't be long though I know kids heal pretty fast" he said but smiling at the thought of camping under the stars again.

"Humm guess i'll have to fetch the cmping gear , unless you all have some we could use when the time comes" he asked taking another sip of his coffee as he looked at both of them.

"Two days," Robert said. "He'll be fine on the 3rd. I'm pretty sure we still have the gear that Khaat and Remus used. I don't know what kind of shape its in, but you're welcome to it. We actually could do a bonfire tonight if you think the boys won't be too tired. They have been pretty busy today."

"All we really used we sleeping bags," Khaat said. "Well, and we did have a wizard tent for nights when it was cold or rainy. But in good weather, we slept under the stars. So I guess you could all take your choice. It should still be packed away where we left it. "

"It is," Robert said, "Well, I never moved it, that I remember of. It should be there."

"I could go check."

"No. Not a job for you and Abbey. I'll do it tomorrow," Robert said. "When you finish your coffee, Steven, we'll walk out to where they used to go, if you like."

Steven finished his coffee "sure , be nice to see it , and I don't think they will be knowing those two, it would be like an adventure for them " he said chuckling rembering how he use to camp out " guess no bugs around here to bother the boys like back home " he said chuckling. " sorry rembering one time i slept out got bit buy a moskita right on ma...." he blushed and stopped looking at Robert " lets just said it was uncomfortable for a week" he grinned.

They all laughed. Robert got up and went out to the stone firepit he'd built years ago. They still enjoyed it during the summer. He accio'd firewood, a stack building one log at a time. Once he got it where he wanted it, he accio'd several logs into the pit, arranging themselves into a fire. He summoned chairs for everyone around the firepit, and then returned to his seat.

He finished his coffee and looked at Steven. "I think we might have time to take that walk before dark if you want."

steven placed his cup on the tabele and walked over to the pit watching , he looked at Robert as he spoke " sure why not " he said "looks like a clear night tonight" he said looking up at the sky and setting sun. He could hear laugher coming from the barn and chuckled softly " sounds like the having fun in there " he said smiling .