SHE SHOULD have known that something was up when she hadn't seen Ford all day. It was unusual for her not to see the boys at some point in the day - she should have at least bumped into Ford at breakfast, but the stress of her father had kept her awake all night long, and thrown her off her daily routine. She'd stayed upstairs late in the morning, and had missed breakfast with the boys.

Now the sky was growing dark, and she had just stepped out onto the porch to find Guthrie for an explanation of Ford's absence, when she saw a familiar figure riding in the distance. She shook her head struggling with equal measures of irritation and relief.

She rushed down the steps and across the yard to the barn. "Guthrie James!"

"What?" He asked stepping out into the yard. The look of concern on his face almost caused her to soften. He was clearly worried.

"Explain this!" She said pointing over his shoulder. He turned to where she pointed and saw Adam riding toward them.

"Oh, shit." He said softly before turning around. "Listen, Hannah. . ." He began.

"Am I just some sort of helpless victim?"

Part of recognized that her anger was simply an attempt to avoid her inner turmoil, but she couldn't stop herself. It was so much easier to be angry at Guthrie than to deal with anything else.

Guthrie, wise beyond his years, ignored her, and instead turned to run out to meet his older brother.

"Adam! Hey, Adam!" He called. They met at the edge of the field, and seeing Guthrie, Adam dismounted and hugged his younger brother. Hannah watched as the two brothers walked toward her. She fought a powerful desire to run to Adam, and collapse in his arms - the stress of the last two days just at the surface, but ever stubborn she continued to lean heavily on anger.

"Do you even listen to me when I talk, Guthrie?" She continued her tirade as they approached.

"Hannah," Guthrie began, but Adam shook his head at his younger brother, and handed him the reins to his horse.

"Go on, Guth. I'll let her yell at me, instead." Guthrie laughed and led the horse away into the darkness of the barn.

"Well, hello darling." Adam stood in front of her.

"You didn't have to come home. The boys completely over-reacted." Even as she continued, she found her resolve crumbling. He was just a step away from her now.

"Oh, I'm sure they did. I mean, it is no big deal, right? Your dad shows up every," He paused, pretending to be deep in thought, "I don't know, twenty years, right? I can't understand it either. I mean, Ford rode up to me looking completely panicked! I can't imagine why he would think that seeing your dad would be something to freak out about."

"I didn't freak out." She said softly, stubbornly.

"No, I meant Ford." He smiled sadly at her. "Hannah," his voice was gentle now.

"I didn't." She repeated.

Adam said nothing, just let out a long sigh. She bit at her lip, trying not to think about how much she had missed him; he looked tired and needed a shave, and no doubt a bath, but he stood with the setting sun behind him, a white hat tilted on his head, looking every bit the hero.

"Aren't you gonna at least hug me?" He asked at last. "I missed you, darlin'."

Even as she nodded her head, she could feel herself crumble. She could fool her brothers, and sometimes even herself, but she found it impossible to be anything but honest with Adam.

"I don't know why he's here. Why would he come here?" She whispered as she sank into his strong embrace.

"I don't know, baby." The familiar rumble of Adam's voice comforted her deeply.

"I don't understand it. I don't know what I'm supposed to do? Why? Why did he come here? Why can't he leave me alone?" She asked him, sobbing.

"I don't know darlin'. I don't, but I swear he won't . . ." Adam swallowed hard finding it suddenly difficult to talk. "I won't let him hurt you. I promise it, baby."

***7***

The living room was dark except for one small lamp. Guthrie sat under the small circle of light, a chemistry book in his hand.

"Kind of late to be studying." Adam said, stepping into the room.

"Trying to get caught up." Guthrie explained, as Adam lowered himself into the couch across from him. He closed his book. "She okay?"

Adam sat back with a sigh, "Well, she's sleeping, but I dunno." He shook his head. "What did he say?"

"Nothing. I mean, he didn't explain anything - at least not when I was around."

"When you were around? What do you mean? You left her alone with him?" Adam's face darkened with anger.

"She sent me out."

"So you left her?"

"Jesus, Adam! You ever try to change her mind? She said to go, so I did, and when I asked her about it, she wouldn't say anything! What do you want? We came and got you as soon as we could!"

"You're right, Guth. I'm sorry. I'm just really frustrated I wasn't here." He rose and paced.

"I don't like him, Adam. He's . . . I don't trust him."

"That's what Ford said."

"I don't understand. He left her? Why would he do that?"

"He was a drunk. He drank all the time, and fought with her mother." Adam turned back and faced Guthrie. "He didn't say why he was here?"

"No. I don't know. I was focused on her, you know. He came, and helped us fix the fence line. We put him in the barn for the night, and then the next day I drove him into town. I don't know Adam. He said he wanted to make things right, but I just didn't really trust him, you know?"

"You drove him into town?" Adam sat back down in the chair, leaning forward toward Guthrie.

"Adam," Guthrie moaned. "Seriously, everything going on and that's what you are gonna nit pick?"

"You are fifteen." Adam pointed out.

"Everyone drives! I've been driving around the ranch since I was ten!" Guthrie complained. "It's no big deal."

"Around the ranch is one thing - a highway is another!" He shook his head settling back in his chair. "You think he left?"

"I don't know." Guthrie shrugged. "I don't think so, Adam. I mean, it isn't like they patched things up."

"They aren't gonna patch things up." Adam said suddenly angry. "He was a jackass,Guthrie! He . . ."

"Hey, I know that! I was here. I saw the look on her face when he was talking to her! I'm not on his side!"

"No, no." Adam ran a hand over his face. "I'm sorry, Guth. I just . . .thanks for everything you did."

"If he comes around again . . ." Guthrie said aggressively. "I mean it, Adam. If you had seen her face."

"Yeah." Adam agreed. He glanced over at the clock. "You should get some sleep, Guthrie. It's late. I can cover morning chores, too."

"No, man. You gotta be beat. I got it." Guthrie said rising. "I'll see you in the morning."

"Night, Guthrie. Thanks for everything you did."

Guthrie headed out of the room and toward the stairs but paused to look back at Adam. "I don't understand it. Why would he be mean to her? He's her dad, right?"

"He isn't like Daddy, Guthrie. He's a drunk, and he . . ." Adam paused before continuing, "Don't worry. I'm home now."

"Okay."

Adam watched his brother disappear upstairs, but remained where he was. He was exhausted but sleep seemed unlikely. Hannah hadn't cried for long, but somehow that made it worse. He knew she was confused and torn, and all of her inner turmoil was caused by one man. If he left, she'd spend weeks struggling with it; whether or not she could've done something to make him stay, or make him change. If he stayed, she'd spend her days in turmoil too, trying to navigate her way on an unfamiliar path.

He felt such a rage. He had often wished for the chance to face him down - to mete out justice. He understood that if he were here to make peace, it would be better for her, but still the rage was overpowering. He couldn't bear that she was hurt; that he had hurt her. He reached out, clicking out the lamp beside him. He sat a moment longer in the dark before going up to where she slept. Tonight he would sit up watching her sleep, making sure that she wasn't disturbed by dark dreams, but tomorrow he would find Jim Moss, and settle things once and for all.