"And now we know he's earned that reputation." Kaladin got all the mud off his feet before he pulled his shoes on again. His pants were a lost cause, but it was warm outside, so he doubted he'd stay wet for too long.

Hazel shrugged slightly, a distinctly unladylike habit she'd picked up somewhere.

"His ranch was highly recommended," she replied.

Kaladin chuckled. "Well, if we ever need more we know we can go back to him." Although he doubted they would. In a few years he was sure they'd have little selkies running around, after all. Or flopping around. Whatever.

"If we need to," Hazel agreed. "It helps that I'm acquainted with his daughter, as well."

Kaladin nodded and just watched the selkies settling down for a little while. Brit had slipped away, leaving the two of them together, and he sidled a little closer to her.

Hazel blushed slightly when she noticed, but she didn't stop him. She liked spending time with him.

"You know, I was thinking," Kaladin said quietly, glancing over at her. "I could ask Seamus to cover for me if, maybe, you wanted to go get lunch?"

Hazel blinked, surprised. She hadn't been expecting that.

"I'd like that," she said softly, blushing a bit and smiling at him a little.

Kaladin smiled back, pleased. "Whenever you'd like to leave, then," he said quietly. The selkies were all settled in, and everything was running smoothly. No one would notice if they were gone for two hours.

"I'm... not exactly dressed to go out in public," Hazel said, a bit embarassed at that fact. She would be much more comfortable going out to lunch somewhere if she was in one of her dresses rather than her ranch clothes.

Kaladin shrugged. "Alright. I don't mind waiting. It's a bit early yet." And if she was going to go change he could get a little more work done. Or go back to her house with her. Whichever she preferred.

Hazel smiled at him.

"Then I'll go and put on something proper and then be back," she said. She hesitated for a moment, and then put a small kiss on his cheek. Blushing, she turned and hurried toward the main building to alert her driver to take her home again.

Kaladin looked floored for a few moments before he smiled slowly. Oh yes, this he could work with. Still grinning, he went to go get some more work done.

Seamus noticed his brother's expression when Kaladin drifted over near him.

"What's got you all floaty?" he asked, raising an eyebrow a bit. Yeah, floaty was the right word, he decided. Kaladin looked like he wanted to just float away.

"I'm winning," Kaladin said simply. Because he was. Not that he was in it for the contest against all those lordlings, but he was winning anyway. And now that he knew that he could take the appropriate action.

"Winning?" Seamus repeated. "Do you have any idea how little sense you're making right now?"

"Don't care." Kaladin grinned even wider. "I'm going out to lunch with Hazel in a bit. Just so you know."

Seamus raised an eyebrow.

"Be careful you don't cause a scandal, brother," he teased.

Kaladin rolled his eyes. "Oh shut up, you," he muttered. Honestly. Little brothers. "You and Brit will be fine taking care of everything here?"

"Yeah, sure," Seamus replied, waving a hand. "We've got everything under control. You go have fun creating scandals with your lady."

Kaladin just grinned briefly and nodded, heading back towards the house so he could get into clean clothes, rather than ranch-smelling clothes.

It didn't take Hazel too long to get back, and she headed back to the main house dressed in one of her more flattering day dresses and her hair done fresh.

Kaladin was waiting for her, though he hadn't been waiting long, and he'd been somewhat productive. He'd found and updated the list of creatures on the ranch so Hazel didn't have to.

Hazel smiled at him when she saw him, and blushed only slightly when she noticed how good he looked.

"I'm ready when you are," she said.

Kaladin nodded and headed back outside to the carriage, letting her get in first before following her in.

"I'll let you pick where we eat, since I picked last time." Hey, he figured that was fair enough.