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hand, respect clear in how he looked at the man. “Liberty, this is Michael Greyfeather. He’s one of my dad’s dearest friends and knows this ranch—hell, he knows this entire area better than any of us.”
    “It is an honor to meet you.” The old man nodded.
    “And this is Tyler Jacobs,” Rein said. “He owns the heating and plumbing store in town.” The man, probably close to Rein’s age, nodded as he reached across and took Liberty’s hand.
    “Ma’am.”
    The odd mix of people impressed on Liberty how, despite their diversity, these people had come together as family. It gave her a glimmer of hope that she, too, might make a connection here.
    “It’s nice to meet you all, but please. Go on with your conversation. I’m anxious to hear more about these cabins.”
    Dalton dug into his breakfast, while Wyatt and Aimee seemed preoccupied in a quiet conversation. Mr. Greyfeather spoke up, “It is Rein who’s best suited to explain his uncle’s vision. It’s a journey we all walk, but he is leading us.”
    Remembering what Aimee said the night before, she wanted to learn more. “I’d very much like to hear about your uncle’s dream.” Liberty started in on her breakfast, beginning to feel a connection to those around her.
    “Jed believed in hard work, thought it made a person stronger. God knows, that’s how he raised the three of us. He had a giving way about him, always doing for others and very involved in the community. He decided one day, he’d like to make the ranch a place where folks without direction could, through work and nature, find purpose and perhaps a sense of direction in their lives.”
    Liberty listened, heat flushing her face as she realized that he could have been talking about her. She glanced up and caught his steady gaze, realizing that to him, she was a test run…a guinea pig in need of reformation. She averted her eyes from his by pushing around the food on her plate. “It sounds like a noble undertaking. Maybe I can be of some help?”
    Rein drained the last of his coffee and cleared his throat. “I’ve got Dalton, thanks.” He dismissed her offer and turned to Aimee. “What time did you say Sally’d be by?”
    Aimee’s gaze turned to Rein, and then scanned the faces around the table. Her mouth turned down. Her expression wavered between panic and confusion as she slapped her hand to her mouth and darted from the table. From the bathroom nearby, came sounds that had the rugged men at the table pushing back their plates. Their faces silently questioning if the others understood what had just happened.
    Liberty looked from one to the other. “When is the wedding?”
    “This Sunday afternoon.” Dalton answered. Wyatt fidgeted with his fork, uncertain whether to go to Aimee’s aid or not. There was no way of escaping the horrid sounds echoing from the bathroom.
    Liberty picked up her coffee cup and glanced at Wyatt. “It’s a good thing, because that lady’s got a great deal more going on.” The dark circles, the emotions, and the smell of fried food…it became as clear as a wide Montana sky.
    Wyatt’s gaze turned to her. “Like what?” Rein and Dalton asked in unison with their older brother.
    “Like a baby.” She stared at their blank collective gaze. “Really? You didn’t notice the symptoms?”
    The shock registered on Wyatt’s face was answer enough.
     
    ***
     
    With all the chaos going on with preparation for the wedding, now the bride-to-be puked up her guts on a regular basis. Rein watched Liberty step in without being asked, to take care of things like preparing meals and cleaning the kitchen. He and Dalton on the other hand, tried to stay away from the main house as much as possible. Rein woke at dawn, determined to finish the cabin before the weekend
    The insistent ring of his cell phone prompted him to search for the device hidden beneath the sheets of blueprints. He grabbed the phone and punched to answer the familiar number. “What’s