ADAM FOUND both Guthrie and Ford at the kitchen table, their books spread out between them. Crane and Daniel stood at the sink washing dishes.

"How's it going?" He asked.

"Eh!" Ford groaned. "I hate midterms!"

"She's on the porch." Guthrie said without looking up.

Adam laughed at this. "I figured."

"You mean he wasn't genuinely concerned about my academic development?" Ford teased. "I'm hurt, big brother, deeply hurt."

"You'll get over it." Adam said, pausing to muss Ford's hair before stepping out into the cold night air.

She stood near the front steps looking out at the hills beyond. She wore his jean jacket. She didn't turn around as he approached, and he wrapped his arms around her as she settled back against his chest.

"Tired?" He asked.

"Uh, huh. You?"

"Beat."

"Brian back yet?"

"He has a date." Adam told her.

"We'll see him tomorrow then." She laughed at this.

The sound of her laughter always seem to fill him with contentment. She was happy and his world was at peace.

"Not a bad day." He said turning her in his arms so she faced him.

"No." She agreed and they began to sway, dancing together on the broad porch.

"Ford!" He called out. "Hey, come on! Ford!"

"I'm trying to study!" His brother answered from inside.

"Take a break." Adam demanded.

Soon the sound of Ford's fiddle surrounded them and she laughed again.

"You are such a tyrannt!" She told him as they danced to his brother's music. "Some people turn on a radio."

"Radio? Nah! My girl gets a live band - every time." The sound of Daniel's guitar joined Ford's fiddle.

She said nothing, resting her head against his shoulder as they danced.

"You alright?" He asked her, worry etched across his face.

"It doesn't change the past but it was a good day." She answered softly. "It was nice."

"Alright then." He spun her around, enjoying the sound of her laughter as he dipped her low, pausing just long enough to kiss her before bringing her up and continuing the dance.

"But Adam," Her voice was hesitant. "Don't get your hopes up. Sooner or later he'll. . ."

He stopped dancing and looked directly into her eyes which were clouded with a look of sadness. "Don't worry about me, girl." He reached out with gentle fingers lifting her chin.

"You can't fool me Adam Jackson, you think this is gonna have a happily ever after."

The intensity of her gaze shattered him. He could see it - could see the way she guarded this piece of herself. She was too deeply wounded not to protect herself. It filled him with a sudden, deep sorrow. She was beautiful, sweet and loving, and this man had marred that; left a permanent mark on her, leaving her an inheritance of brokenness. He ran his fingers over the soft skin of her face before pausing to kiss her first on her forehead, then on each side of her face, before pausing to rest his forehead against hers.

"We're the happily ever after, sweetheart. Whatever happens with him doesn't change that."

She said nothing to this; her only reaction to burrow tighter into his embrace.

"Can I go back to my homework now?" Ford called from inside, the music pausing. "You aren't dancing. You don't need music to kiss."

"Ah, shaddap!" Adam said dramatically attempting to tease a smile out of his wife. She laughed gently at this, and pushed herself away from him, meeting his dark eyes, her own bright with tears that she stubbornly refused to shed.

"Go finish studying." She called out, stretching up on her toes to kiss Adam. The music continued as they kissed under a blanket of bright and hopeful stars.

***7***

He came again four days later. He strode up in the early morning light, his hands in his pockets. He ought to have brought the plate with him, but he hadn't. He figured he'd bring it next time. Next time. The words reverberated in his chest.

It was a Wednesday, so the younger boys were at school. It was a slow rainy morning, and he found Brian in the barn, repairing some tools.

"Jim!" He said, smiling genuinely at the sight of the older man. He held out an outstretched hand. "Good to see you."

He shook the offered hand, surprised with Brian's smile and welcoming attitude.

"Need a hand?" He asked, trying to put off the inevitable.

"Nope. Hannah probably does. She's battling Mt. Laundry." He nodded his head toward the house. "Adam and Crane went into town."

"Maybe I should wait and check in with Adam." He hesitated.

"You're just being chicken." Brian teased. "And Hannah would hand you your backside if she heard you suggest you had to get permission from her husband to talk to her. Go on."

He crossed the yard, and went up the broad steps of the porch, his heart hammering in his chest, he lifted his hand to knock, but she was already swinging open the door.

"I thought I saw you out there." She smiled at him. "Come in." She led him inside. "You look like you could use a cup of coffee. They passed the living room which was filled with piles of folded laundry.

"Excuse the mess. I'm battling the laundry monster today." She said smiling as she reached out and poured a cup of coffee. She set it down on the table, turning back to pour another cup. She set it at the seat beside him, and went to the refrigerator. "I don't know. Do you take cream?" She poured a little cream into her cup.

"Uh, no thank you." He said sitting down in the chair. "I drink it black."

"Mom did too." She said quietly, putting the cream back in the fridge before sitting down beside him. She wrapped her fingers around the cup, and to calm his nerves he took a sip. The hot coffee burned his throat, but he swallowed it down.

"It's kind of a slow day today. Too much rain for any real work." She said.

"That's what Brian said." He nodded his head toward the barn.

"Must've been a cold walk here. You could call if you wanted a ride." She told him. "Do you have the number?"

"Yeah," He cleared his throat. "Listen, Hannah, I, uh, there's something I should tell you."

She didn't look up at him, but kept her eyes on her coffee cup.

"You are leaving?" The question was soft - he barely heard it. It surprised him. It was clear she was worried about it. He tried to wrap his brain around it, but it was too much. She was afraid he was going to leave her? She didn't want him to go?

"No, uh, but I wasn't a hundred percent honest about some things." She looked up at him.

"You never met Mom in Colorado." Her tone and statement surprised him. How did she know that? She met his eyes. "Mom never would have sent you away. Never. The only thing she ever, ever wanted was you to come back."

"Oh." He was surprised by this. He had always figured that over time, Liz's devotion would have turned to hate. "No." He admitted. "I never did. I knew you were in Denver, but I was too scared."

"Okay." She said.

"But that's not all. I was," He sighed wishing that he hadn't decided to do this - wishing Brian had never said anything to him. For the last four days it was all he could think about. He hadn't even really been able to sleep. "Listen, I was in prison." He finally blurted it out. "I just got out before I came here."

She didn't seem surprised, and only said, "What for?"

"I did five years for a robbery. I had some other minor warrants so when I got caught the judge, well, it all caught up to me I guess." He looked down unable to meet her eyes; feeling ashamed. "It wasn't for anything violent." He added quickly. "I wouldn't . . ." He stopped himself. He was going to say he would never hurt anyone, but then remembered suddenly leveling her mother with a punch.

"No, you aren't violent when you are sober."

He looked up at her, surprised by this. He studied her face closely trying to read behind her dark, and angry eyes.

"I'm really sorry, Hannah. I'm sorry for lying, and . . ." He felt at a loss for words. How on earth could you apologize for destroying a child's faith and trust? "I never should've . . ." He pushed himself back from the table. "I treated you badly. I treated your mother badly." He confessed.

"Yeah." She agreed. "You did." The words were surprisingly calm and without any anger.

"I. . ." He was unsure. He rose quickly, knocking over the cup of coffee. She sprang up, grabbing a towel, and mopping up the mess.

"I'm sorry."

"Oh, that's okay. I live with six men. There's always a mess." She smiled up at him. "You can make it up to me by helping with that laundry, Dad."

Dad.

The last word was delivered self-consciously, and sent him reeling. Dad. She hadn't called him that in years and hadn't uttered it once since his surprise arrival. Not once. The whole time he'd been here she hadn't called him anything at all. Her brothers called him Mr. Moss or sometimes, Jim. But not Dad. His eyes grew watery and he feared he would burst into tears right in front of her. Instead, he cleared his throat several times, before finally responding.

"Sure. I would love to help."

***7***

"He came back?" Adam asked.

"Yep." Brian said. The stood together in the dark barn. A heavy rain falling all around them.

"You think he's telling her?" Crane asked.

"Well, he looked like a man marching to the gallows." Brian offered.

"How long has he been here?" Adam asked, concerned etched across his face.

"Couple hours. I didn't want to go in and bug them, but I gotta confess, I'm pretty worried."

"He was sober?" Adam asked.

"Seemed to be." Brian answered. "I would never have sent him into her drunk, Adam."

"I know." Adam said. "But it's hard to tell. I got a feeling he leans on vodka."

"Yeah, no smell. The alcoholic's drink of choice." Crane added, raising his eyebrows. "Maybe he's decided to quit?"

"Deciding to quit and doing it are two different things." Brian said.

"That's for damn sure." Adam agreed. "Okay, well, thanks Brian." He turned, and handed the box he'd been holding in his hands to Crane. "I appreciate you keeping an eye on her."

"No problem. We'll hold up out here."

"Thanks."

He left them in the cold, dark barn, and took the front steps two at a time, pushing open the door.

"Hey, darlin'! I'm back!" He said as he stepped in the door. He was met with sound of her laughter.

"So, you flipped the table over? With everything on it?" Jim Moss was saying.

"I'm afraid so." She said laughing still, but looking up said, "Adam!"

"Hi!" He said. The two of them were folding towels. She set the one she'd been working on aside and came to him, kissing his cheek and holding onto his arm.

"Hello." His father-in-law said rising, and holding out a hand to him. "I thought I could lend a hand today, but Brian sent me in here. I guess after last time, you fellas decided ranch work might not be a fit for me." He chuckled at this.

He felt Hannah's hand tight on his arm, and glanced at her before finally responding. "Oh, nothing of the sort. Not too much going on today. And laundry is something we save only for the bravest hearts." He kissed Hannah's cheek and she released his arm with a squeeze, going back to her work.

"We nearly have it finished." She said cheerfully. "Its a miracle. Done before lunch."

"You staying to eat with us?" Adam asked.

"If that's alright."

He glanced at Hannah who nodded her head. "Sure." Adam offered.

"Listen, I uh, was talking with Hannah." Jim Moss began nervously. "You should know, I uh, wasn't exactly truthful about everything."

"Yeah, I'm aware." Adam's voice was flat, cold and unwelcoming.

"But I thought I should come clean and well, I just spent five years in prison. That's where I was before." He hung his head down.

"Robbery, failure to appear - three counts I think, and larceny." Adam sat down on the arm of the couch beside him. "You also did two years back in 70s - also larceny."

"Yeah." He admitted. "But how . . ."

"Crane's got some friends in Davis. He called and asked them to check you out." He glanced over at Hannah who stood with a bundle of towels in her arms watching them. "She's pretty important and you didn't think, I'd let you just waltz in here and . . ."

"No, I guess you wouldn't."

Adam sighed and rose slowly, crossing to him, "I know a lot of things, Jim. But the most important thing I know is that she," He paused to point a finger at Hannah, "is the best person I know, and I'm not kidding when I tell you this - you lie to her and shatter her heart and I will hunt you down and kill you."

Adam's eyes conveyed just how serious he was.

"Yeah, I got that. Loud and clear." He said. "And when you're through with me the rest of them would come after me."

"That's right." Adam nodded his head.

"I guess I better mind my p's and q's then."

"Damn straight." He reached out and clapped the older man on his shoulder, squeezing a little harder than necessary, enjoying it when he winced. "Better help her with those towels." He said winking at Hannah.

"Yes, sir." He nodded his head and followed Hannah up the stairs a stack of towels in his arms.

***7***

Guthrie stumbled into the kitchen near two in the morning, sure he'd heard a noise. He rubbed his eyes trying to wake himself, and smiled seeing her sitting at the table, her fingers curled around a mug.

"Trouble sleeping?" He asked, sitting across from her.

"Your brother snores."

"All my brothers snore." Guthrie grinned, and rising went to the fridge and poured himself a glass of milk before settling back at the table. "It's bugging me, Hannah. I just can't read you. I can't tell anymore if you are really alright, or just pretending." He continued. "First, I wanted to kick Brian's ass for bringing him here for dinner, but you seemed happy today. Is it good he's here?"

"I don't know." She answered truthfully. "You have to be careful around him, Guth. Don't trust what he says even if it seems really, really sincere."

"Why?"

"Sooner or later it all falls apart." She shrugged. "At least that's how I remember it."

"Well, I'm not opposed to extra help around here." Guthrie said thoughtfully. "But not if it causes you pain? Does it? I can't read you."

"Sure you can." She laughed. "You read me better than Adam, sometimes."

"Not on this. It's like you go blank. I don't like it. I want whatever you want, Hannah, but inside I wish he'd just leave. I don't want you hurt."

"You don't need to worry about that." She waved a hand at him. "What about the dance?"

"Don't change the subject. I mean it. I don't care what anyone else says. You tell me to make him leave and I will. I'll do it." His hazel eyes burned with intensity.

Sighing softly, she said gently, "Oh, Guth. You are the sweetest boy, I've ever known. You worry about asking Marley to that dance, and I'll worry about all the rest."

He paused, studying her thoughtfully. It frustrated him that he was unable to really tell if she was alright or not. He'd asked Adam about it just that afternoon. His older brother had said nothing in response, but had pulled him into a fierce bear hug, kissing the top of his head as though he were still a small child. He could tell by the set of her chin that it would be useless to push her on this topic, instead he offered her a distraction.

"She likes Brett." He said to her. "Not me."

"No, she doesn't!"

"How do you know?" He asked, laughing at her confidence. "You been reading her diary?"

"I've been reading her eyes! She lights up everytime she sees you! She's got a crush you and wants you to ask her! She'll say yes."

"I don't know." He rubbed his chin.

"I do." She threw up her hands in frustration. "Why do none of you ever listen to me on this! I'm the only woman in this house! Anyone else here an expert on girls? I was fourteen once just like Marley and I'm telling you that girl likes you!"

Guthrie tried to picture Hannah fourteen, but found it impossible. He couldn't picture a small, shy fourteen year old version of Hannah. She always seemed so self-assured and confident.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" She asked.

"I can't imagine you fourteen." He explained.

"Oh, that's nice! You making some crack about me being old?"

"No, Jesus! I swear, you girls make things complicated on purpose." He shrugged his shoulders. "No, I mean I can't see you young and unsure."

"That's a pretty accurate description of me! Throw in shy and insecure and you got it!" She said laughing.

"No way. Not possible. One thing is sure about you, you know who you are."

"I didn't always." She confessed. "We moved so much and I was always new, and was embarrassed that someone would find out I didn't have a dad." She bit at the corner of her lip, a sadness settling back over her.

"He left when you were ten, and came back just now?" Guthrie asked.

"Yeah."

"He didn't call, didn't write - not once?" His eyes grew wide just thinking about it.

"Yeah."

"Adam would never, ever. I mean, I complain sometimes, but one thing is for sure - Adam loves me." His face paled as he realized what he had just implied. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean that . . .I'm sorry, Hannah."

"It's okay, Guthrie. I know what you meant. It's alright." She sighed. "Adam isn't like other men, Guthrie. Neither is Brian. What they did - that's extraordinary - not just because they did it, but the way they did it. They were good at it - taking care of you boys - taking care of each other. I know it was rocky at first, but they are extraordinary men. You understand that, don't you? Not everyone just sets everything they want aside for their family. Not everyone is like that."

"McFaddens are." Guthrie said. "It's what we do, and I don't know Hannah, maybe you are wrong. Lots of folks do just that - everyday. You do." He smiled at her.

"Oh, now." She said blushing, and trying to dismiss it. "We aren't talking about me! And I thought we were talking about the dance and Marley."

"We are." Guthrie said thoughtfully. "We were talking about love." He blushed even as he said it, feeling suddenly shy. "And I'm going to bed before you get me reciting poetry." He rose, and stood with his hands on the back of the chair looking down at her.

"Good night, Guth." She said smiling up at him.

"Come on, I'll walk you to the stairs. You should go to bed too." He grinned at her.

"Don't over do it." She said rising and shaking her head at him. "I can only manage so much maturity in one night."

He laughed at this saying, "Oh, well give me five minutes, I can slip back to immaturity pretty quickly." He walked her through the dark front room, pausing at the bottom of the steps as she continued up to where his older brother slept. He waited until she had reached the landing to call out to her in the darkness. "Night Hannah."

"Night Guthrie. Thanks for sitting up with me."

"You're welcome."

He waited until she'd slipped back inside her room, and then crawled back onto the lumpy pull out bed. He lay awake a long time wishing that he had said all the things he'd been thinking. He wished he'd told her that he would do just about anything to travel backwards in time, and find a way to make sure that shy, insecure fourteen year old girl, had every damn thing she ever wanted, and vowed for the ten thousandth time, that whatever James Moss brought their way, he would be just as extraordinary as his older brothers - a man she could lean on when the darkest of days rolled her way.