Israel had learned long ago, that when his parents were worried or upset, they didn't pay close attention to the things he did or ate. He felt guilty about taking advantage of his mother's sorrow, but he also loved sneaking cookies. They hadn't even noticed that all of the cookies were gone. They hadn't noticed when he'd skipped his lessons and gone fishing and they hadn't noticed when he'd followed his father to Mr. Bradley's barn.

He loved his grandfather. He told the most exciting stories. He could sit and listen for hours and hours. But his grandfather brought him worry too. You never knew if he would decide to leave. He might say he'd take you to meet a river fairy in the morning only to have disappeared in the night. He understood that this caused his mother sadness. Last time, he'd been so sad to discover his grandfather had left without saying goodbye - he'd cried himself to sleep. But maybe, maybe this time he could convince him to stay.

He had to wait until there was no one else around. He'd heard his father taking but hadn't been close enough to understand the words. The tone, however, had been infinitely clear. Israel could recognize the sound of anger in his father's voice.

He snuck in the barn and turning to corner almost ran smack into his grandfather.

"Israel! Oh, lad you've grown some!" He hugged the boy to him.

"Grandpa!" Israel laughed. "Why are you here? You should stay with us!"

"Your Pa doesn't quite feel the same as you." He smiled at the boy. "Beside, why would I stay anywhere else? This is a lovely spot."

"Grandpa!" Israel laughed. "Come on! I'll take you fishin'!"

"I don't think I'm allowed to leave."

"Allowed? They got you locked up in here?" Israel's blue eyes grew wide.

"Well, your Pa's mad at me."

"What'd ya do?"

"Nothing and I suppose that's the problem."

"That ain't right!"

"We'll, Israel, maybe you can help your Grandpa get back in your Pa's good graces." He smiled at his grandson. "You up for an adventure?"

***DB***

It was against his best judgment, but he had learned long, long ago that Rebecca was stubborn and not to be deterred when her mind had been made up. She was determined to see her father and he recognized that there was no possible way to stop her, so the least he could do was go with her and be there for whatever fallout came their way.

He pushed open the door to the barn and peered into the darkness, but saw quickly that there was no one there. He shook his head, and moved inside to be sure that Patrick wasn't crouched in some corner, but a quick look around confirmed his worst fears. Patrick was gone.

Muttering a curse that he hoped Rebecca didn't hear, he turned to her and said, "I'm sorry, darlin'. This is probably my fault. I sent him off."

"Don't apologize, Dan. I understand what you were trying to do and besides he's a Bryan. Have you ever known a Bryan to do something just because they were told to?" She sighed. "It would've been nice to . . ." She shook herself. "I'm fine, ah grah. Don't start fussing. Come on, it is getting late and we best get Israel tucked into bed. He'll run wild if we let him."

He held tightly to her hand all the way back to the cabin, and kept stealing glances to see if she were upset, but she seemed fine. She paused just at the edge of their land and stopping, faced him.

"I see you worrying like a hen, Daniel. I am fine. I had no expectation of seeing him. He is what he is - I know that. I don't set my heart on him any more." She kissed him.

"Good." He sighed. "I thought I was being helpful to you when he came that first time. I thought it would help you if you made peace with him, but then he left so quickly I wasn't sure. It seemed that I talked you into letting him break your heart again."

"It was good. All that anger wasn't doing me any good. Sometimes it is important to face the past so we can be free of it. You were right to do that for me. And I think I am free of it. I feel the sting of the hurt still, but I set my heart on you - not him."

"Well, that's a lot to lay on a man's shoulders." He said with a nervous grin. "I aim to do right by you Becky. I do."

"And you do." She smiled at him, and taking him by the hand led him up the steps to their cabin.

"Is Israel with you?" Jemima asked almost immediately. "I couldn't find him anywhere! He was no help at all! I had to milk the cow. She was lowing something awful."

"What do you mean you couldn't find him?" Becky asked her brows wrinkled in concern.

"He disappeared ages ago."

"Dan," Becky began, a fear settling over her. "He didn't know, did he?"

"No. The only ones who knew were Matt, Grace, and Mingo. He couldn't have . . ." He turned and reached for Tick Licker. "Listen, darlin', I'll just take a look around. He's probably out and about. You know how that boy loves to explore. Don't fret, ah grah. I'll have him home in a snap."

"Dan, if he . . ."

"Don't borrow worries, love. You get too fretful go on and visit with Grace. 'Mima you keep an eye on your Ma now."

"Yes, sir." Mima said softly.

"I'll be back right quick, Becky. Eat some supper. You're skinny enough to disappear altogether, but save some for Israel. You know how that boy likes to eat." He grinned at her and with a quick kiss he disappeared out the cabin door.

"Ma?" Mima asked from where she stood, but Becky didn't respond. "Ma?"

But her mother stood rooted where she was, watching Daniel turn into a small dot in the far distance as she prayed for her last remaining son to return safely to her.