EXT. FOREST - DAY
Shafts of high-noon sunlight through the ponderosa pines. WOODPECKER KNOCKING before the CUH-LIP CUH-LOP OF HORSE HOOVES LANDING before they and their riders enter, ride through and out of frame, Sess first and Tom last, fanned out as if a search party. WOODPECKER KNOCKING.
EXT. MANUFACTURED HOME IN THE WOODS - DAY
SESS and CLAIRE, 40ish, cowgirls from boots to belt buckle and hats, sit on a log bench on the front deck of the home facing the two-lane road that leads to the hardpack dirt driveway to the carport covering A Dodge Ram 3500 dually pickup truck with New Mexico plates and a mid-80s Jeep with Oklahoma plates. Behind the house a four-horse trailer next to a barn near a corral and SIX SADDLED HORSES tied to a hitching post. Forest surrounds the clearing.
CLAIRE: How did they meet?
SESS: Flight from Denver to A-B-Q.
CLAIRE: What does Hunter do?
SESS: Writer.
CLAIRE: Writer of what?
SESS: The book your dad is reading and two others.
Claire shoots Sess a look then turns her attention to the SOUND OF THE ROVER as it comes into view. They stand, wave at Jackie who waves out the window, walk the steps down and to where Hunter parks at the port. Hunter, Jackie, Chloe and Tom walk to meet them.
CLAIRE: Do you know how the cowboy's related?
SESS: I do not.
Tom removes hat, Jackie opens her arms as she nears Claire.
JACKIE: What a wonderful surprise.
Jackie and Claire embrace.
CLAIRE: Hey sweetheart.
JACKIE: When did you get in?
CLAIRE: An hour ago.
Jackie and Sess embrace.
SESS: You made it.
JACKIE: And saw horses a half-mile this side of the ranger station.
CLAIRE: I did too.
SESS: Good start to the day.
JACKIE: So, introductions. Hunter, Chloe and Tom, it's my pleasure to introduce you to Claire and my cousin Cecilia.
Handshakes, hellos, variations of nice to meet you.
SESS: And Sess is fine, thank you. Tom, I'm guessing this is not your first rodeo.
TOM: I been to a couple.
JACKIE: Sess was a champion barrel racer back in the day.
TOM: What's the fastest barrel y'ever raced?
Tom winks, Sess smiles.
SESS: There was one in Fort Worth that could giddyup. Ever do any rodeo?
TOM: Juniors. Did a little tie-down ropin'.
SESS: Alright. Up for some riding?
TOM: I sure am. And i wanna thank y'all for lettin' me tag along.
SESS: The more the merrier. Let's saddle up.
They walk to the horses, Tom puts on his hat.
INT. ROVER - DAY
Hunter drives a two-lane road through piney woods.
TOM (to Chloe): When's the last time you were on a horse?
CHLOE: If the Grand Canyon mule ride counts, then two years ago.
TOM: I'd say it counts.
HUNTER: My last time as well.
TOM: Before that?
HUNTER: Once at a friend's uncle's house when I was a kid.
TOM: You.
CHLOE: Once also, pony ride when I was six.
HUNTER: There's a picture.
TOM: What did ya think of the Grand Canyon?
CHLOE: It was cool. Have you been?
TOM: When I was ten. Me and Ruth and mom and dad drove to Flagstaff for a cousin's wedding. .
HUNTER: Drove from Bandera?
TOM: We did.
HUNTER: In what?
TOM: Dad's brand new Impala three forty-eight.
HUNTER: Transmission?
TOM: Four-speed manual.
CHLOE: What color?
TOM: White, red and white interior. Convertible.
HUNTER: What became of it?
TOM: Totaled when dad hit a whitetail buck that jumped outta the woods outside Vanderpool. Got some ponies loose off to starboard.
All turn their attention the four horses cantering in the woods.
JACKIE: They're wild.
TOM: That so?
The horses leave view.
CHLOE (SINGS LIGHTLY): Wild, wild horses.
TOM (SINGS LIGHTLY..) We'll ride them someday.
Chloe smiles, Tom winks.
