Split Reflections

Giving thanks

Thanksgiving at Grandpa's ranch was lively, but awkward at times. We had the open fire and the usual dishes but the tension in the room was thicker than the eggnog that Silas decided to serve. I still can't believe Natalie's standing by Jared. All that mumbo jumbo she gave Nash about how she trusts Jared and knows a side of him that no one else knows ... I guess love can be blind, or in Nat's case, infatuation. Has she forgotten already all the dirty tricks he pulled on me and the rest of the family?! I guess if he couldn't worm his way in through me or Sarah, he'd turn to Natalie. I'm going to show Natalie what a con artist he is, you wait and see.

Just another day at the Buchanan Ranch

As if Grandpa's will didn't leave us with enough surprises, apparently there was an awful lot of kissing (and then some) done last night at the ranch--Natalie and Jared, not to mention Dad and Nora. Then Dad found Dorian and David in bed and aimed a shotgun at him! Talk about drama! I've seen Dad angry before, but not like this. And don't get me started on Natalie...I've seen her in love and married and I've seen her infatuated, but this thing with Jared is different. She is practically purring--and glowy.  I know he's playing her for the fool, but  she refuses to see it, which that part at least is typical Nat--stubborn to the core. She's been hurt so much in the last couple of years. If Jared breaks her heart, I'll have to break his neck. As Dad proved earlier, nobody messes with the Buchanan's and gets away with it.

What Asa left behind

Grandpa's will has left us all speechless to say the least.  I don't care about the B.E. shares; being on the board isn't exactly my thing, but I can handle it. I love the horseshoe Grandpa left me ... I showed it to Bree, who immediately ran her fingers all over the nooks and crannies.  When I told her Grandpa gave it to me for good luck, I didn't expect her to say, "Grandpa" or repeat the word, "luck." I almost started to bawl, but kept my tears in check. It pains me that Grandpa won't get to see Bree grow up and that Bree won't remember him, but she'll have my memories of him at least. 

All of this has been distracting me from the one question everyone has been buzzing about: who is Asa's long lost son? I know Dad's totally bothered; I can't even begin to imagine the thoughts running through his head right now ... And to add to this drama, Natalie is sitting alone with Jared right this very minute. I don't know what's going on, but I hope she knows what she's doing.

What is with Natalie and Jared?!

I hate to say this, but Natalie is obsessed with Jared. Well, not totally, but really, really close. So I left her a picture of Chuck Wilson the Third in all his hot manly glory, roping a steer or doing something equally cowboy-ish on her bed, in the hopes that she'll start dreaming of him instead of Jared. The thing is, Natalie proclaims to everyone who can hear her how much she hates Jared, but I know my twin. He's under her skin, which makes me hate him all the more because I know what a conniving, manipulative, opportunist rat he is. Natalie knows that, too, but there's something else that appeals to her ... ugh, why is she always going for the guys who are no good for her? 

Nash thinks I need to butt out of Natalie's business, so he made me take him on a walk around the ranch tonight with Bree, right before we put her to bed. I hope he can see how special this place is to my family, and how he and Bree belong here now, too, because they are also my family.

Home on the range

There's no place like Buchanan Ranch. Every inch of this place bears Grandpa's unmistakable signature, his brass and grit, his loves and passions ... I have this ache in my heart, but it's a good one as I remember all the fun times we had here. The look on Renee's face echoes the one in my heart. It's times like this that I wish Natalie had grown up with us.  She misses Grandpa, too, but she's never been here, so it's like a double loss for her. Hopefully Chuck Wilson the Third can cheer her up. *wink wink*

Leaving on a jet plane

We're taking off today for Grandpa's ranch in Texas.  Nash is a little nervous about how Bree is going to like flying, but I keep telling him that she was such an angel when we flew to London. She loves to travel and I hope she continues to love it as she gets older. With our family on board, this flight should be a piece of cake; everyone, especially Renee, wants to play with Bree, so I don't have to do anything but hand her off and sit back and relax.  It's going to be so weird to be at Buchanan Ranch without Grandpa, but at the same time, I know I'll feel his spirit there. I still can't believe Sarah invited Jared ... what the hell was she thinking?!

Moving on up

Well, Jared certainly traded up, conning his way into Renee's affections and into Grandpa's mansion. What a worm! How can he take advantage of a grieving widow? And he doesn't even have a good excuse like DID. Okay, that wasn't funny, but what he's doing is really low. To make matters worse, Sarah, out of spite towards Natalie, invited Jared to Grandpa's will reading in Texas. When it comes to the family, Sarah really doesn't give a crap. I know Natalie was mad, but she sort of pushed Sarah to do it, too. Augh. The last place Jared needs to be is anywhere near the Buchanan's!