The Ranch

Brian, Nick, and Kevin had finally arrived at Brian's new house. They stopped when they got to the front steps of the house. "Wow!" Brian exclaimed. "This place is even more breathtaking than I remember."

Nick was looking around. "Where's this lake you were telling me about? And the horses?"

"The lake is behind the ranch a little to the left. You have to walk through the woods over there. I haven't bought the horses yet. I thought you and I could do that together later this week."

Nick smiled excitedly. "Cool!"

Brian turned to Kevin. "Are you sure that you don't wanna stay here? There's plenty of room."

Kevin shook his head. "Thanks, but I want to stay in Lexington and spend time with my mom."

"Ok, but if you change your mind, mi casa es su casa."

Kevin smiled gratefully at his cousin. "Thank you. Now why don't you show Nick and I the rest of this place."

Brian took them around back where they could see acres and acres of land. There was a barn, sties, and a beautiful pond with fish in it, and behind the house were the Sterling Mountains. Brian was saying, "You know, if you walk through the woods about fifteen feet, you will come to the lake. Lake Sterling's really beautiful. Too bad we couldn't get your boat here, Nick."

"Yea, but I can go ridin' down to the lake when we get the horses," Nick said. He sighed and his eyes became dark and desperate the way they had been for months now. Brian and Kevin looked at one another. They knew that Nick needed this break. His health had taken a downward spiral in the last few months. He was always dizzy, tired, sleeping way too much, or staying awake all night, and collapsing at the most unexpected times. The media had been hounding him about drugs. Anyone who knew Nick knew that he'd never touch drugs. It was pure exhaustion and depression.

Brian put his arm around his best friend. "Don't worry, Nicky, we'll get horses, chickens, a few cows, a dog, etc. You won't be bored and you can relax."

Nick smiled gratefully. "Don't forget that I wanna go fishing, too." His glance caught a light in the not too far distance. "Hey, what's over there? Is that another ranch?"

Brian followed his gaze and smiled. "Yep! That's my Aunt Sally's house. It's not really a ranch -- just a small farmhouse, but they've been living there ever since I can remember. Come on inside so we can get settled in. Kevin, you gonna call your mom to come get you?"

"She's probably at Sally's. When I told her what time we would get here, she told me that she would meet me there."

"Alright. Let's go to Sally's then."

They made their way to Sally's, walking through the woods. As they got to the end of the woods, Nick stopped and looked back. "This is really nice. Good place to come and think," he commented.

Brian turned around and a shiver suddenly ran through him. "What is it, Brian?" Kevin asked.

Brian stood there, staring. "N..nothing. I just got this weird feeling. Never mind. Let's go."

**************************

Sally opened the door. She didn't say anything. She just stared at Brian with an odd look on her face. He kissed her on both cheeks. "Aunt Sally, how are you doing?"

Sally's head twitched nervously. She looked past Brian at Nick. "Who is he?" she demanded rudely.

"This is Nick Carter. He's one of the Backstreet Boys also and a good friend of mine."

Nick put his hand out. "Nice to meet you Mrs. Littrell."

She ignored his hand and snapped, "That's Ms. Littrell!" Nick turned red and looked at Brian. "S...sorry," he stammered.

Brian sighed. Sally hadn't changed. She was still as strange as she had always been.

"Can we come in?" The voice was Kevin's. He stepped forward. "How are you, Sally?"

Sally smiled for the first time. "Hello Kevin. I'm fine. Your mother is here."

Kevin walked into the house and saw his mom. He grabbed her in a big bear hug. "I'm so glad that you're home son. I've missed you!"

Kevin wiped his tears away. "I'm glad to be here. I missed you, too!"

Sally was watching them through narrowed eyes. "I guess you better be going, Ann. It's a long drive back to Lexington."

Ann glanced at Kevin and sighed. "I guess we better." She hugged Brian and Nick. "Come and see us in Lexington. I'll make you a nice home-cooked meal. Brian, you look like you could use some meat on those bones. Does your mama know that you're so skinny?"

Brian grinned. "She knows. She wants me in Lex, too. Don't worry Auntie, Nick will kept me fed and watered."

Nick just looked at Brian and said, "Uh, 'scuse me? I'm not cooking for you. I can't cook. I thought YOU would be doing all that house stuff."

"And what will you be doing?"

"Nothing." Nick laughed.

Ann laughed, too. "So I'll expect you two next weekend when you're both starving. Bye everyone. Sally."

Sally nodded, but didn't say anything. Brian and Nick sat down at the kitchen table. "Where is that little cousin of mine?" Brian asked.

"She should be here any minute," Sally said.

"How are you doing, Aunt Sally? Anything new?"

"I'm fine!" she snapped. "Why didn't you come by last year when you came here to sign the papers for that house?"

"I did, but no one was home."

"Hmph." She didn't look like she believed him. "And why did you choose that particular house? There are dozens of farmhouses in Booneville. Why THAT one?"

Brian wondered why the hell she was questioning him like this. "First of all I chose that house because I love the way it looks inside, second the land is amazing, third the scenery, and last, but not least, my father owns it. Aren't you happy to have me close by?"

She ignored his question, and instead said, "Just stay out of the woods."

Nick looked at her and started saying, "But, we wa... " but Brian cut him off. "Why?" he asked.

"Because bad things happen in those woods."

Before Brian could ask her what she meant, the front door slammed and a voice said, "Mama?"

"In the kitchen," Sally called back.

Kellie walked into the kitchen. Brian stood up and when Kellie saw him she squealed in surprise and threw herself into his arms. "Brian! I'm SO GLAD that you're here! I missed you so much!!"

Brian smiled and looked at her. "My God, Kellie, what happened to you?"

"Whatever do you mean?" She batted her eyelashes and grinned.

"You know what I mean, you brat. You're not the kid I remember."

"I grew up Brian. I'm 18 now. Not that pimpled face geek you knew back then."

"I can see that." She was nothing like Brian remembered. Her brown hair had been highlighted with some blonde and hung almost to her waist. She no longer wore glasses and he could see her brown eyes twinkling merrily. She had lost all her baby fat, too. Kellie was happy that Brian noticed the difference. She had worked hard to make herself into a person that she liked to see in the mirror.

"There's one thing that hasn't changed," Brian said. "You're still a midget." He put his hand on her head and laughed.

"As if you have room to talk, shorty," Kellie shot back and snickered.

Nick had been watching this exchange and listening to Kellie and Brian talk. This girl was very pretty and she had grit. She obviously hadn't noticed him yet. Time to change that, he decided and stood up. "Ahem," he cleared his throat.

"Oh God!" Brian grabbed his head. "Where are my manners?" He stepped back and Nick stood up. Kellie noticed Nick for the first time and thought she was going to faint. THE Nick Carter was standing in her kitchen. "Kellie, this is Nick, but I'm sure you know that." He looked at her face and laughed. "Nick, my cousin Kellie Mae Littrell."

"BRIAN! I hate my middle name!" She looked horrified. She looked at Nick nervously and smiled. "Just Kellie will do."

"Hi Kellie. Nice to finally meet the cousin Brian's told me so much about." He kissed her hand. Kellie was now close to fainting. She sat down.

"Kellie is a BIG fan of ours, Nick."

"Really?" Nick said. "That's great." He smiled and Kellie melted as she stared at him. She never thought she would get to see that smile in person.

"Let me rephrase that," Brian said. "Kellie is a big fan of yours."

Nick's eyebrows rose and he looked at Kellie. She went a deep red and looked away. "Really?" Nick said again.

"Yes, I am. I think you're dayam fine!" Her aggression took her by surprise and Nick stared at her, a sexy smile spreading across his face.

Sally was watching this exchange in dismay. "Kellie Mae, you have homework to do. I think you need to go do it now."

Kellie looked at her mother in embarrassment. "Mama, I haven't see Brian in so long. My homework can wait."

Sally favored her with a stern look. "Five more minutes." She left the room abruptly.

Nick sat down across from Kellie. "Where do you go to school?"

"Booneville High. Senior year. Four more months and I am FREE!" She grinned happily. "My best friend Melissa told me that there is a welcome home party for Brian this Saturday and she invited me to go."

"That's great!" enthused Nick. He liked this girl and wanted to get to know her better.

Brian was talking about the party. "Yep, my best friend from childhood, Rob, is throwing the party. How does Melissa know about it?"

"Her older sister Sarah is friends with Rob and Rob invited Sarah."

Brian looked thoughtful. "Sarah who? I don't remember a Sarah."

"Sarah Butler. You probably wouldn't know her. I don't think her family was around when you lived here."

"I'm looking forward to that party," Brian said.

"So am I!" Nick and Kellie said in unison then looked at one another shyly.

Man, am I ever glad that I decided to come here with Brian, Nick thought to himself.