“Hey Applejack, what are ya’ll watchin‘?” Jackson had arrived at his house after going out to purchase groceries to find AJ sprawled out on the couch somehow entranced by the images on the screen. She hadn’t noticed him come in or inquire her about the program, so Jackson decided to look for himself. There presented on the Television was a telecast of the PBR (Professional Bull Riding), he didn’t know why she was, but AJ could not bring herself to look away from the screen.

“Kody!” The only thing AJ had said since he came in, when Jackson looked at the screen once again he saw the name ‘Kody Lostroh’ displayed for the viewers.

“Take it ya like ‘im?” This received an excited nod from the filly as her gaze remained glued to the scene playing out in front of her. Jackson sat down on the couch next to her and watched as the cameraman focused on Lostrohs hand. In his hand sat a rather dirty looking rope which he wrapped twice around his palm then closed his fist, he worked his digits in to ensure a tight grip. The program switched cameramen and now the view was from that of the arena floor aimed at the chute gate.

A quick nod was given and the chute was opened, what came next could only be described as chaotic and dangerous. The second the bull exited the gate it was bucking wildly throwing the rider into oddly contorting positions, all of which looked extremely uncomfortable. The timer on the upper left corner showed numbers increasing, displaying how long Lostroh had stayed on the back of the bull.

“NO!” Jackson looked down at AJ who wore a displeased frown on her face, he looked back at the television and noted that the timer had stopped at 7.73 seconds, he needed 8 seconds for a ride which obviously made Applejack very upset.

“You wanted him to ride that bull didn’t ya?” AJ looked up at Jackson and nodded still frowning. She crossed her hooves in front of her chest and pouted, this only made Jackson chuckle as he stood up and went back to unpacking and organizing the food he came back with. As he set about with his task he could hear the occasional cheer and displeasured moan from AJ as she remained seated watching her program. “It’s a good thing she’s starting to talk…”

~

“AJ, I think it’s time we got out of the house. What do you say?”

“Yeah!” Socializing with somebody other than Jackson was obviously a dream of AJ’s since the two spent all their time at home. Jackson figured that if AJ was going to make some friends it’d be now or never.

“Ya ever wanted to see where Ah work?” Applejack nodded her head and looked at Jackson in awe. She knew he had a job, she just didn’t know what that consisted of, but she was about to find out.

She didn’t remember the night all that well, but what she did remember was the soft leather of the seat she now sat in and the way it smelled. There was something about Jacksons truck that AJ absolutely loved, and whenever he would arrive at the house (if she wasn’t caught up in her bull riding) she would sprint to the window just to look at the machine entering the driveway. Now sitting inside it for the second time a sense of nostalgia washed over her and she felt extremely giddy.

“Just so ya know AJ, if’n ya behave today Ah got a present for ya. But only if ya’ll behave, y’hear?”

“Yes daddy.” Jackson stopped for a moment to make sure he heard her right. She hadn’t called him ‘daddy’ before, but now that she did he couldn’t get his mind off of it. AJ was officially his daughter, and he her father, and he would do absolutely anything to protect her. He glanced at AJ and flashed her a toothy grin before ruffling her mane and turning the key rearing the engine to life.

“Alright Jackie, which wanna listen to?” Jackson already knew the answer, but her absolutely loved the way she would say it.

“Kwis Ledoox!” She couldn’t really pronounce her ‘R’s’ yet, which made the sight just a tad bit adorable, as for the latter part of the name, she didn’t know the ‘X’ was silent given it’s a French name.

Jackson grabbed the tape from the center console and popped it into the stereo letting the first track come on. ‘Under This Old Hat’ AJ’s favorite track on the tape, soon she was singing along with the old Cowboy.

The song (If you wanna listen to it).

“I never was the kind to wear my feelings on my sleeve.

But since I've met you girl there's been a world of change in me.” Jackson watched as AJ bounced around in her seat bobbing her head to the beat.

“Well I've got to say I love you hope you like the sound of that.

Cause I can't keep it under this old hat” At the mention of the word ‘hat Jackson smirked knowing exactly what he got for AJ, he pictured the little brown box sitting on her bed as of now, she didn’t know it but when they got home he would wait for her to find it.

“Under this old hat is the head you turned around.

And the heart you stole away the day we met.

Under this old hat's two arms that long to hold you tight.

And boots I'd walk the soles off of to be here by your side.

And every night in my prayers there's just one thing I ask.

That the man you love will always be under this old hat.

You've got me feeling things that I've never felt before.

And it's so good to know when I come a knocking at your door.

That of all the men who'd love to waltz across your welcome mat.

The one you want is under this old hat.

Under this old hat.

That the man you love will always be under this old hat.”

A few songs later the two reached the outskirts of town, this had been the first time AJ had gotten a look at the community since that night she was found by Jackson, but she pushed that to the back of her mind as she gawked at all the different vehicles parked in front of building and driving along the street, one in particular earned a lot of attention from AJ as they pulled behind the town garage, for there next to the truck was the most beautiful piece of machinery she had ever seen. A canary yellow 1970 Plymouth Hemi Cuda, recently washed and waxed, glistening in the morning sun.

“Hey Daddy?”

“Yes AJ?” Jackson looked at AJ and then to the car she was looking at.

“Whats that?” He leaned in and spoke softly in her ear.

“That, is the Plymouth… Hemi… Cuda… My bosses car. Purty ain’t it?” AJ giggled then looked at him nodding the affirmative. “Well lets go inside, ya’ll might as well get acquainted, who knows he may just give you a tour of it.” With that Jackson gave her a playful wink and nudged her before opening his door. He stepped out and held the door open for the filly, she hopped out of the truck and hit the asphalt with a light ‘clop’ sound, she giggled and stamped her hooves on the ground recreating the noise. As she was ushered inside she looked around the garage bewildered at the tools and posters lining the walls until Jackson shouted.

“Hey Bubba! Come on out here, I got somebody ya’ll should meet.” With that a muffled response was heard from what appeared to be the ‘office’, so Jackson led AJ inside and poked his head around the corner. “Get yer fat ass up, I got somebody you should meet.” Jackson ducked as an empty can of Copenhagen was hurled at his head. AJ sat patiently on the office couch with Jackson, a few seconds later Applejack was forced to suppress a chortle as a rather large baby faced and bearded man rounded the corner.

“The hell do you wa… Jackson, what the hell is that thing on the couch?” Applejack was obviously hurt by the comment as her jaw dropped and her eyes began to tear up.

“That Bubba, is my kin, Applejack.” As Jackson said this he wrapped an arm around AJ adding a venomous tone to the name ‘Bubba’. “Now ya’ll wanna try that again? Ya made her upset.” Bubba looked at AJ and saw the tears rolling down her cheek, he had no idea why but the sight broke his heart.

“Ah’m sorry lil’ miss Applejack, Ah didn’t mean nothing’ by it.” Once again, he didn’t know why he was asking forgiveness from an adorable orange filly, but he couldn’t bring himself to be any more cruel to the pony. “Is there anything Ah can do for ya? Help ya forgive me?”

“Ya’ll can start by given’ her a hug, she loves hugs. Don’cha AJ?” She looked up at Jackson and nodded solemnly. That was until she was hoisted into the air and nearly crushed by the burly ‘Bubba’. “And you can show her the Cuda.” Bubba stopped, he and AJ both looked at Jackson with an odd look before they looked back at each other.

“Ya wanna see the purty girl there Applejack?” He couldn’t help but smile as the filly nodded ecstatically. So now besides Jackson, AJ had another friend, a friend that like Jackson, would grow very fond of her throughout the next few days.