Zac followed him quietly, not saying goodbye to Cooter, just following Luke.

"So...you wanna go back...wanna go to the farm...or what?" asked Luke not willing to make him do anything he didn't want to do.

Zac just gave a small shrug, not really knowing what he wanted to do. As long as he had Geroge cuddled to him, he felt at least a little bit secure. George was the only one who had been with him through everything.

Luke nodded seemingly understanding the boy's body language. Quietly, he led him back to the truck strapping him in once more, before getting in himself and starting it up, heading off towards the farm.

Zac made sure that George was strapped in too as Luke strapped him in, sinking into his own little world again as they drove along silently.

Luke simply drove on, glancing to Zac every so often. Eventually he opulled up to the farm, scurrying chickens everywhere as he came to a stop. "Here we are."

Zac looked up from his toy monkey and slowly glanced around the place, biting his lip as he saw all the animals scattered around the farm yard, the big barn with a hayloft, the old farmhouse...

Luke got out, pocketing the keys, before going to help Zac out. "Wanna come in the house? Or see the barn?"

Zac just looked at him, not really knowing what to do. He didn't understand why Luke kept asking him what he wanted to do...he didn't ever know and had never really been asked. He'd always just done what he was told to do....except for move away from the window to play with other children or something.

"How bout we go see the animals..." With that, he led Zac out to the barn.

Zac nodded a little and followed him quietly, gazing around as they walked at the new place with its big trees that looked like they would be fun to climb, the chickens that scattered around their feet, the goats that wandered content and freely about the place.

"This is Maudine," introduced Luke. "You wanna feed her?" he asked as he petted the old mule.

Zac looked up wide eyed at the old mule, never having seen one before, backing away just a little bit though he knew she couldn't be dangerous if Luke was standing there petting her and the fact she actually looked a little lazy. Still, she was much bigger than he was and she looked a little intimidating.

Luke smiled at the little boy. "She's big but she wouldn't hurt a fly," said Luke softly. He held out his hand allowing Maudine to eat graIn from it. "Wanna feed her?"

Zac bit his lip a little, edging more forwards towards Luke, nodding just a little bit.

Luke smiled as he handed some hay to Zac. "Now jus' let her take it from ya...nice an' easy like..."

Zac bit his lip, shakily and carefully stretching to hold the hay up to Maudine.

Luke smiled, watching as the old mule craned her head carefully taking the hay from Zac's hand and chewing contentedly. "I think she likes you..."

"She does?" Zac asked quietly, watching the mule eat of his hand interestedly.

"Course she does," said Luke nodding to her as Maudine reached over the stall door and nuzzled Zac's shirt looking for an apple. "Course if ya want her to really love ya you'll give her an apple..." With that he took one from the bag by the barn wall handing it to him.

Zac bit his lip a little as Maudine nudged around him to find the apple, watching as she lifted her head happily when Luke put the treat in his hand. Swallowing gently, he held George with one hand firmly before holding the apple up to her as much as he could.

Maudine reached down taking the apple gently from his hand. "Good job, Zac. You're a natural with animals...guess that's why George likes ya so much," said Luke with a smile.

Looking up at him, Zac bit his lip. "I am?"

"Sure ya are...look at Maudine...."

As if on cue, the mule began to lick the apple residue off of Zac's still outstretched hand. "She loves ya already."

Zac swallowed gently as he watched the mule lick his hand, not moving it. Somebody loved him...well nto somebody, more something but still...it was the first time someone had told him they loved him....