"Maudine...she's a real good judge of character...she wouldn't do that 'less she thought you was pretty special..." put in Luke.

Zac looked up at him again, not able to find any words to describe how it felt to be accepted like that...even if it was just by an animal. Biting his lip gently, he reached his hand up a little more and stroked the mule carefully.

Luke smiled watching Zac pet the old mule. Maudine had been his first friend when he came to the farm too. Maudine had silently witnessed the tears Luke had shed for his parents every day. To Maudine alone had he whispered his troubles, her ears flickering as if listening to every word. It had helped Luke to know that someone understood, even if that someone was an old mule. With any luck, Zac would feel the same way.

Eventually, Zac pulled away again, hugging his toy monkey to himself as he gazed round the big barn.

"You wanna see the hay loft?" asked Luke invitingly.

"Okay..." The young boy replied quietly though he didn't look at Luke, looking up to where he assumed the hayloft was, seeing the rope that was hanging from the roof not too far away from it.

Luke nodded showing Zac the ladder. "Go on up...I'll be right behind ya so you won't fall..." reassured Luke knowing that the ladder and heights could be intimidating to some.

"But....what'll I do with George..." Zac asked, looking up at him but clinging to the monkey tighter. He knew he couldn't climb the ladder and hold on to his friend at the same time...but he didnt want to leave him behind.

"I could hold him...that is...if you don't think George'd mind..." he added not sure if Zac would trust him with his precious monkey or not.

Zac looked down at his toy, gripping it a little tighter before turning and carefully holding him out to Luke as if it was a precious jewel.

Luke took the monkey carefully in his hands, as if it were a live animal, holding it firmly. "Now, up you go," said Luke watching him go to the ladder.

Biting his little lip, Zac climbed up the ladder carefully and slowly, crawling up onto the floor of the hayloft and instantly looking back for Luke and George.

Luke followed him up carefully with George, handing the monkey back to the boy as soon as they got up there. "I used to spend a lot of time up here when I was your age."

Zac took the stuffed toy back quickly, holding him close and holding the monkey's hand carefully. He gazed around the loft carefully, moving over to the window and looking out over the back of the farm, his eyes widening at the vast expanse of land that existed there.

Luke smiled gently. "It's a big place ain't it?"

"Yeah..." Zac whispered out softly.

Luke looked softly down at the little boy. "You havin' a good time Zac?"

Zac nodded just a little as he continued to look out over the farm, his monkey once more snuggled against his stomach.

"Yes sir..."

Luke smiled. "You know...you ain't gotta call me sir. We's buddies...you can call me Luke if ya wanna..."

Zack looked back at him again in surprise. He sure was gaining a lot of 'friends' on this one day outside the orphanage and his little mind couldn't understand why. He had never really been anyone's friend before, he'd never really let anyone...and now...Luke was asking him to be his friend...the animals on the farm were seeking out his attention and in their own ways asking him to be their friends too. The only 'friend' he had ever had was George...

"W...why..." He asked softly, his soft green eyes looking into Luke's deep ocean blue ones...hinting that maybe there was something more to that question than was clear.

Luke frowned looking at the little boy. "Why? Why what? Why'm I your buddy?" He had never had anyone ask him that before...Dukes were friends to pretty much all. "Well...cuz I like you...I wanna...be friends with you," he explained gently.

"But....but no one...not...not even my..." The little boy whimpered out, hugging George closer to him as he sniffed.

"Aw Zack...." He drew the little boy close to him. "I know what yer thinkin son...but it ain't true...anyone'd be lucky to have you be their friend..." Gently he ran his hand through the youngster's hair. "I know I am."

Zack hiccuped in surprise as Luke drew him close into a hug, not used to any shows of affection let alone the one being bestowed on him at that moment. Sniffing hard, he allowed himself to cuddle up against Luke just a little, feeling strangly safe and liked in his hold.

Luke smiled as he did, knowing that the little boy was slowly warming up to him. "It's gonna be alright...everything's gonna be ok. I promise."