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words as he returned to work.
    “They’re right,” Colin said, following Quinn. “We should do as much as we can before Ma calls us for dinner.”
    “Wait, Colin.” He turned back around at the question in Blaine’s voice. “Did you see Brodie?”
    “Aye. Let’s finish, then I’ll tell you lads all about our visit.”

    “He arrested a woman ?” Blaine almost choked on the words.
    “It doesn’t sound like he had much choice.” A slow smile crossed Quinn’s face. “Is she pretty?”
    “Does it matter?” Colin asked, shaking his head.
    “Well, is she?”
    Colin sighed. “Yes, quite pretty. But don’t go telling Sarah I said that.”
    “Ach…you know I won’t. Her being beautiful is going to muddle Brodie’s mind. A female in jail for killing a man who kidnapped and who knows did what else to her.”
    “ Possibly killing a man, Quinn. We found him in a shallow grave with his face bashed in. She swears she hit him once on the back of the head, then ran. Brodie had to weigh her story against what we found. From what I saw, he had no choice, lads.” Colin picked up a handful of dirt, letting it sift through his fingers. “It’s a mess is all I’m saying.”
    They sat on the ground with their backs against the barn wall, each with a cooling cup of coffee in hand. Dinner had gone much as Colin expected after they made the announcement about Sarah being pregnant. His ma, Kyla, yelped with surprise, as did the rest of those at the table. When dinner ended, and over Sarah’s and Colin’s protests, she declared supper would be a special affair with the entire family invited—and she expected the cousins to spread the word.
    Colin had smiled at his mother’s enthusiasm. As tired as Sarah was, he knew she wouldn’t spoil Kyla’s plans. If her mother-in-law wanted a celebration for the coming baby, so be it.
    From where the men sat by the barn, Colin could see their upstairs bedroom window, knowing Sarah would be sound asleep. Before nodding off, she’d left firm instructions for him to wake her at least two hours before supper. It was certain he’d hear of it when she woke to find her directive had been ignored.Quinn shifted on the hard ground, bending his knees to rest his arms on them. “I should ride into town. It’s been too long since I spent time with Brodie.”
    “Although he said nothing, I believe he’s missing the family. I’m certain he’d welcome company, even a lad as tiresome as you.” Colin laughed when Quinn reached over to thwack him on the back of his head.
    “I need to make a trip into town for supplies. You can ride along, Quinn.” Blaine stood, dusting off his backside. “It’s time I got back to work. You reprobates can stay and talk if you’ve a mind.”
    Quinn stared after Blaine, cocking a brow at Colin. “Reprobate?”
    Colin chuckled. “Seems my younger brother has gotten to the letter R in the dictionary.”
    “I wish he’d finish it,” Quinn muttered. “I’m tired of him calling me something and me having no idea what it means.”
     

Chapter Four
    “Ach. Where is that girl?” Quinn’s mother, Audrey, stood with hands on her hips, staring out at the open pasture. “Your sister is trying my patience.”
    “She tries everyone’s patience, Ma. I’ll ride out, see if I can find her.” Quinn glanced at the other men who’d come in from their work to get ready for the lavish supper Kyla had prepared.
    “Nae. You’ll not go.” Audrey crossed her arms, her eyes flaring in frustration. “If she gets lost or hurt, it will be the lass’s fault. As much as she’s been warned, Heather is determined to go her own way.”
    “Alone.” Caleb Stewart wiped his wet hands on his pants, as frustrated as Audrey when it came to Heather.
    He’d been part of the original wagon train the MacLarens took when they left Pennsylvania. The MacLarens had split off to finish their journey to Northern California, while Caleb’s family ended up in Oregon. They’d