Says 'I Love You' Too Much

On their way to the church, his daughter complained her mom says 'I love you' too much. This little girl of his was turning ten the next day.
"That's a funny thing to get upset about," remarked Ruthridge.
He put his arm tight around her and squeezed her against him.
When they arrived at the church, Father Shane gave them directions to Roy Ranch. Todd Roy allowed Father Shane to ride his horses around the countryside and after a quick call, Ruthridge and his daughter were on their way to go horseback riding. Neither one of them had ever ridden a horse before so they were giddy and nervous with excitement. Todd Roy met them at the stables. He was dressed in typical ranch clothes: worn, tight jeans, earth-encrusted boots and a dusty-brown cowboy hat that drooped lazily like floppy, puppy ears. He flourished it upon shaking Peggy's hand. She giggled at the dust it created and plugged her nose. Ruthridge informed him of their inexperience horseback riding, and chuckling, Mr. Roy said not to worry.
"These two here are my trail horses."
Mr. Roy patted the saddled backs of two horses happily munching on grass outside their stables. One was white with two brown spots and the other, black and glistening in the sunshine, was slightly smaller and obviously a female from the pink and white ribbons tied in her mane.
"Jason and Julia know their way across this countryside better than the birds or the ants! Just hold their reins and they'll take you around. You just might have to give them a nudge if they try to fill up on grass too much."

She's Worried

Ruthridge stepped between two pines and he was back in the forest. To his right was a sliver of a creek, which he followed deep into the woods. Its gurgling and splashing eased his thoughts and his mind always felt clearer after this daily hike. There were many rabbits in the woods that hopped away when they saw him and lots of other things slipped away before he could see them.
Father Shane was gone for several weeks and Ruthridge fully enjoyed his solitude. The priest was excellent company, but Ruthridge liked being left alone with his thoughts out in nature and at night he sat alone in the church.
He didn't exactly pray. Instead, he thought about everyone and that made him happy enough. He never felt lonely in the least. When Father Shane returned he planned on visiting his mother because he knew she was worried.