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guardian.  Please, come with me.  Ma won’t mind.”
    In truth, Julia wanted nothing more than to get away from Reuben’s control.  Any sense of safety and trust she once had in him fled the moment he choked her.  But she was also terrified of what he would do to the Larson’s if he found her there.  Or what he would do to her.
    She shook her head.  “I can’t go.  Thank you for your help, but I’m sure your folks are worried about what is keeping you so long.”
    She stood and moved toward the door.
    Gently touching her arm, Adam said, “If you change your mind anytime, day or night, you hop on a horse and get on over to our place—anytime, Julia.”  His voice was firm and sincere.
    Then he turned and untied both the horse she borrowed and the one he rode over.  Taking both sets of reins he mounted the first horse and led the other one home.
    Julia went inside and grabbed a cup of water, avoiding Mary’s gaze.  When she finished choking down the liquid, she sought the solace of her room.  Kneeling before her bed she rested the side of her face without the swollen lump on the quilt her mother made for her.  Papa, why did you leave me to Reuben’s care?  He wants nothing for my good and only wants to use me.   Touching her fingers to the mark on her face, she winced at how much it hurt.  What good had this morning’s drama done if it ended like this?  Was it better to suffer Reuben’s wrath than a lifetime of marriage to that despicable Hiram Norton?
     
    “I’m going over to the Colter’s after dinner,” Caroline stated as she passed the potatoes to Missy.
    Adam stiffened at the determined set of his sister’s chin.  She would go—he had no doubt—even if it might put herself in danger.
    “She wasn’t at church today,” Caroline added as a frown darkened her green eyes.  “That is not like her.  Something is wrong.”
    Guilt gnawed at Adam’s gut.  He knew exactly what was wrong.  She probably still had a horrible bruise on her face from last week’s encounter with Reuben’s fury.  He told no one what he witnessed—not even Pa or Ma.  Not Caroline.  Several times during the week, as he prepared for his trip west, he considered riding to the Star C and bringing her back.  Ma would take care of her and Pa would not let Reuben near the place after seeing her battered face.
    “That’d be fine,” Pa conceded, not knowing his daughter could get mixed up in Reuben’s awful behavior.
    Adam couldn’t let her go by herself.  But, he didn’t feel he could tell her or his parents why.  “I’ll go with you,” he offered, hoping no explanation would be needed.
    Caroline frowned at him.  He glanced away to keep her from reading him like she always did.
    “Good,” she said when he refused to look back at her.  “I wouldn’t mind the company.  Now hurry up and eat,” she said.
    Once he finished, he went out to the stables and saddled two horses.
    They rode in silence to the Star C, contrary to Caroline’s earlier comment.   Adam wondered what kind of reception they might receive.  Would Reuben throw him out on sight because of what he witnessed last week?  Should he insist on seeing Julia anyway?
    As they stopped in front of the house, Reuben came outside.  “What do you want?” he asked glaring at Adam.
    “I came to see my friend,” Caroline said.  “When she missed church this morning, I was worried she was still overcome with grief from her broken engagement.  I thought she could use a good cry.”
    At first, Adam thought Reuben was going to send them both packing.  But, as Reuben stepped aside, he let out a silent sigh of relief. 
    As soon as Caroline saw Julia, her eyes went wide and a gasp fell from her lips.  Adam followed his sister’s gaze.  The deep purple bruise on Julia’s face would not have been easily hidden.  Was that the same one from last week?
    Before Adam could stop his sister, she cried out, “What happened to your face?”
    Reuben