Conor could see his wife’s mind already spinning with plans for their picnic and he felt truly happy to have suggested it. She needed a break and relaxation from the every day and it would do them good. He always enjoyed the horse ride down and therefore he was very excited of the prospect himself. Especially since he would get a chance to teach Thomas some new things while they were out there. There was always something new to teach his son. Conor didn’t like the prospect of his wife going into town alone, but had to remind himself she wouldn’t be alone she would be with her father. He refrained from commenting but barely. He didn’t want her to think his concern was his trying to control her, so he didn’t state his feelings in the mater even though she would know that he did not like town.<br/><br/>“Rose you know you are always welcomed to join us,” Conor said to her, but as David spoke he figured that she would choose to go to town with her husband. Something that didn’t bother Conor in the least. His offer was there, but he’d never been one to force anyone to join. He was simply happy to be with his wife and son as he was to be with everyone. These were the people Conor loved and cherished and so long as every one of them was happy so was he.<br/><br/>Conor leaned down and whispered to his son, “the secret is to have some apple slices, that will make all the difference to how well behaved the horses are,” he said as if imparting a great secret to his child. He gave a bright smile that lighted his face before he straightened back up and watched as his son began to prepare breakfast toast for everyone. He truly loved his child and would do anything for him. He took such great joy in all his simple actions that it made Conor feel as though all he knew here was joy with his family.<br/><br/>Dismissing these thoughts with ones of a much happier nature involving the picnic and the day ahead of them Conor walked over to Alistair and set his and down on his brother’s shoulder, he’d always liked Alistair thinking him a younger brother to be mentored, but then again for Conor that was pretty much few words and a lot more work then anything else. He had no doubt he probably annoyed the kid with how much tasked him with around the farm. Yet he always tried to make sure that Alistair had all the free time a young man needed to do things with his friends. Every young man should work, but they should also have free time to enjoy life while they were young. It was something that had always been lacking in Conor’s life before the farm. The steady rhythms of work and play mixed together in a perfect balance and it was something he hoped to give to his own son. He gave Alistair’s shoulder a pat before going through the kitchen doorway and back down the hall. Pulling on his boots on the porch and tracking out the barn. He had no doubt that Alistair would grab the box of empty milk bottles on his way  out. He’d trained him well after all, Conor thought with a light smile.<br/><br/>The track down to the barn and gathering a few jugs of milk wouldn’t take them long, but they would be done just as breakfast was finished cooking. Conor had timed this in his mind before. He might not be good at math, reading, writing or any of them intellectual pursuit but he was not a stupid man either. Conor looked over at Alistair and asked, “what of you Alistair will you be joining us for the picnic or shall you be going to town with Rose and David? Perhaps meeting up with friends?” He was trying to make small conversations with him as he walked, something that hard for Conor, but that he always tried to do.