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them.
    “Smokey said he’ll be fine.” A fresh wave of shame washed over Haydon, even though he was still agitated with his brother. “It was my fault. I got so angry when I found out what he did that I needed to get as far away from him as possible so I could cool down. I decided to go for a long ride. You know, like Father and I used to do.”
    “I remember.” Sadness shadowed her eyes.
    “Jess came into the barn right when I was getting ready to leave. I never flank Rebel, but I did. Rebel was so startled he reared and knocked Jesse out.”
    Her face paled. “You sure he’s going to be all right?”
    “I’m sure,” he said with more confidence than he felt. “I feel terrible about what happened. But to be honest, Mother, I’m still angry with him. He had no right to do that to me or to Rainee.”
    His mother shook her head. “You’re right, he didn’t. But unfortunately he did, and now we have to figure out what to do with her.”
    “We? Oh-h no. Not we. Jesse can figure that one out on his own.”
    “From what you just told me, Jesse won’t be able to do much of anything on his own for a while.” She stood, and so did he. “I need to go check on him.”
    “I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because Hannah said he needed his rest, and she didn’t care who it was, she wasn’t letting anyone wake him.”
    “Hannah? Our Hannah said that?”
    “Yep. She sure did.” They stood there for a secondstaring at each other before they both shook their heads, chuckling.
    His mother’s face turned grim. “What am I going to tell that poor young woman?”
    “I don’t know.”
     
    Rainee’s eyes fluttered open. She turned her head and started to raise herself, but her body rebelled with each movement. Not one to allow a few aches and weakness of body to stop her, she forced her creaking body into a sitting position, wondering how long she had been asleep.
    A young teenage girl with buttery blond hair and powder-blue eyes came drifting into the room. “Hi, I’m Leah. Mother told me to offer you something to eat and drink when you awakened. Would you like some cookies and tea?”
    “Tea and cookies sound heavenly. Thank you.” Before Rainee had a chance to introduce herself the girl disappeared. Rainee ran her hands over her wrinkled, dirty clothes, but the stubborn creases and dirt would not budge. She was most certainly a mess and not fit to be seen.
    Leah returned and set the tray on the end table next to Rainee. She smiled and two dimples accompanied it. “I hope you like them. I made them myself.” Leah’s look of accomplishment curled Rainee’s lips upward.
    “I am sure I shall. Thank you.” She picked one up, and when she bit into it, a flavorful blend of cinnamon, clove and apple delighted her taste buds.
    Leah sat across from her with an expectant look.
    Rainee dabbed at the corners of her mouth with the cloth napkin provided her. “One of the best cookies Ihave ever eaten. You must teach me how to make them.” To prove her enjoyment, she devoured another cookie.
    “I would love to.”
    “By the way, I am Rainelle. Rainelle Victoria Devonwood. But please, call me Rainee.”
    “Nice to meet you, Rainee.” Leah chewed on the corner of her bottom lip. “I hope you don’t mind me asking, but I saw you with my brother.” She squirmed and glanced toward the kitchen. “Are you and he…? You know?” She spiked her shoulder in a quick upward motion. “How do you know Haydon?”
    “Leah. That is none of your business.” Rainee’s gaze swung toward Katherine’s voice.
    Leah jumped up and lowered her head. “Sorry, Mother.” She glanced over at Rainee. “Sorry, Rainee.”
    “No harm done.” She did her best to send Leah a reassuring smile.
    The young girl gave a quick nod and then looked at her mother as if she were seeking approval.
    “Leah, go see what your sister is up to.”
    “Yes, Mother.” She gave a shy smile Rainee’s direction, then quietly