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still in a lot of pain. “Are you all right?”
    Frank lifted his head to find the girl he remembered coming toward him. He was glad to see her again. Her pretty face gave him something to focus on.
    “I think so,” he managed.
    She reached out and put her hand to his cheek.
    For a moment, he was surprised by her gentle touch, but her next words explained everything.
    “You don’t have a fever and that’s good, but even so, it’s going to take you a while to recover, so don’t try to do too much right away. You’re still weak.”
    “I just found that out,” he agreed.
    “I’m cooking breakfast. Are you up to eating something?”
    “Yes, please.”
    “Good.” Sarah knew it was a positive sign that he was hungry. “Sit back on the bed. I’ll bring it in to you.”
    He did as he’d been ordered, and as the delicious aroma from the kitchen made its way through the house, he knew he was in for a treat.
    “Here you are,” Sarah said, returning to the bedroom several minutes later carrying a plate piled high with food. A young man followed behind herwith a cup of coffee for him. She handed him the plate.
    “This is my brother Andy,” she explained, nodding at the young man.
    “Glad to meet you.” After shaking Andy’s hand, Frank stared down at the home-cooked food. It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed a meal like this one. There were fried eggs, bacon, fried potatoes and biscuits.
    As Andy put the coffee on the small bedside table, he saw the look on the Ranger’s face and hurried to reassure him, “My sis is a good cook.”
    “I wasn’t worried about that,” Frank said, managing a half smile. “I was just wondering if there was more where this came from.”
    “Ranger, if you want more, just say the word,” Sarah told him. “It’s good that you’ve got an appetite.”
    “With cooking like this, who wouldn’t?” He started to eat, then turned to Andy. “You were with your sister when she rescued me, right?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    “Well, thank you for all your help.”
    Andy smiled at him. “I’m just glad you’re better.”
    “So am I.”
    Andy and Sarah went back to the kitchen to eat their own breakfasts.
    “What are we going to do about him?” Andy asked, looking up at his sister with all the concern he felt showing in his eyes.
    “Until he’s stronger, he needs to stay here with us so he’ll be safe.”
    “I know,” Andy agreed. “I’m worried about him, not knowing who he is and all. That’s got to be hard for him.”
    “I know. We’ll talk to Papa about it when he gets up.”
    They both knew it would be hard convincing their father to help the man. Their father wasn’t known for his kindness or generosity with strangers, but still, since this man was a Texas Ranger, they hoped that would make a difference.
    Andy had just come back in the kitchen after getting the Ranger’s dishes when their father appeared in the doorway. They were surprised that he was up so early. Usually after a night in town, he slept well into the afternoon, but not today.
    “Is he awake?” Nat demanded of them.
    “Yes, Papa,” Andy answered quickly. “And he managed to eat his breakfast, too.”
    “Then I think I need to have a talk with him.” Nat turned and headed toward the bedroom.
    Sarah and Andy quickly followed.
    “Young man, I think we need to talk,” Nat said gruffly as he walked right into the bedroom without announcing himself. He found the stranger sitting up in bed. Nat took note of his bandaged chest and head, and he knew Sarah hadn’t been exaggerating when she’d told him how close the Ranger had come to being killed.
    Frank tensed as he looked over at the man, but said nothing for the time being.
    “I’m Nat Miller. This here is my ranch—the Circle M.”
    Frank nodded slightly. “I appreciate your family helping me this way. There’s no telling what might have happened to me if Sarah and Andy hadn’t brought me back here.”
    Nat stood looking down at him.