Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in uploading this, I just haven't had a chance to upload to here. If you are really into this story and wish to read more before I post here, over on Wattpad, under the same title but author name itsjessiegirl1, 37 chapters have currently been uploaded! (Also 13 chapters have been uploaded on archive of our own too, under same username and title)These days I'm more active over on Wattpad as it's easier to upload from my phone to. I'd really appreciate any feedback and support, either on here or over on Wattpad. The Walker fanfic writing fandom is currently very small and without many readers so any encouragement at all is greatly appreciated!

Enjoy and don't forget to drop a review!

It was early the next morning when Colton rode into the ranch yard on his bicycle, Maddie looking up from tending the horse as he came to a stop. 'Good morning.'

'Morning.' He replied, leaning his bike up against the fence before climbing through. 'How's he going?'

'He's doing alright, I haven't checked his leg yet, I only just got here but he's drunk a good amount of water and eaten most of his feed.' She gave the gelding a scratch on the cheek then motioned for him to pass her the halter and leadrope hanging on the gate. 'Stella will be here shortly, I can give you both a hand for a little bit but then I need to get on with my chores.'

'That's fine.' He handed her the halter and lead, the gelding accepting being haltered easily. 'Did you find out where he came from?'

Maddie shook her head. 'Bonham rang up all the neighboring ranches, no one's missing a horse fitting his description.'

'So what then?'

'I guess we keep trying.' She started forward, leading the gelding back into the stall and tied him up while they waited for Stella to join them. 'I put together some posters,' She pulled her phone from her pocket and got up the poster she had created then handed it to him. 'if we put them around, maybe someone might know something and contact us.'

'Hopefully…' He didn't sound convinced as he handed her back her phone. 'What about his brand search? Did you find anything?'

'His last registered owner was from nineteen ninety-four and the address was Arizona so most likely way out dated. His name is RockabilityRoundWagon and he won quite a bit back in the day when he was racing.'

'And if we don't find his owner?'

She shrugged. 'I don't know. I guess we'll have to find him a home or surrender him.'

'Morning Colton.' Stella said as she walked up to the stables. 'How's he going Maddie?'

'He's alright.' She replied, rubbing his neck. 'You know, he's going to need a name. We can't just keep calling him 'he'.'

'Yeah, you're right.' She gave the gelding a pat. 'Any ideas?'

Maddie shook her head. 'What about you Colton?'

He thought for a moment. 'How about Rocky?'

The gelding whined and the three of them laughed. 'I guess it gets his approval.' Stella remarked with a grin. 'Rocky it is then.'

'Well then, Rocky,' Colton turned back to the gelding. 'how about letting us check that leg of yours?'

'Here-' Maddie handed him the leadrope. 'I'll do his leg if you can hold him. Stells, can you pass me the scissors please?' Stella handed her the scissors and carefully she cut through the bandages. Once the bandages and dressings had been removed from his leg, she took a careful look at his wound. 'Looks like the swelling is starting to go down.' She remarked, pressing the skin softly between the cuts. 'It's actually not looking too bad. I think in a week or two he should be healed up.'

'That's good news.' Colton rubbed the gelding's forehead.

'Did you get to talk to your dad about keeping him? If we can't find his owner?' Stella questioned as Maddie started to re-dress Rocky's leg. 'How'd that go?'

'Ah, he said, I work in real estate, not zoology. Then some kind of grumble grumble, sorry. So then I asked my grandma, and she said no, too. What about you?'

'Um, well, with Rocky's age, his teeth needing to be fixed and other expenses, my family thinks it's better if we give him up.' Stella replied.

'Well, didn't you say you sprung an alpaca on them, no problem?'

'That didn't really help my case.' She chuckled nervously. 'There also may have been some concern about us, given the whole feud thing.'

'So, this horse has to pay because of your stupid family, okay.' Colton mumbled beneath his breath.

'I'm sorry, what?'

'Nothing…'

'Grandpa says he can stay here for a few days or so while we try to find his owner.'

'Can you hand me that bandage over there please?' Maddie questioned in a pause in their conversation. Stella handed it over, helping hold the cotton roll dressing in place as she bandaged the leg up.

'Well,' Colton held the gelding still as he started to move, calming him down quickly. 'and then what? I've seen enough derbies to know what happens to injured horses. Come on, we-we have to figure something out for him.'

'He's not going to end up as dog meat-' Maddie exclaimed as she stood, giving the gelding a pat. 'I'll make sure of that. If we don't find his owner then I'll help with his expenses until we can find him a home. He's quiet and gentle enough, he'd be great as a companion horse for some yearlings or something. The first step though is trying every avenue possible to find his owner.'

'Have you shown Colton the poster?' Stella asked.

'I did.'

She turned to him. 'What do you think? Any other ideas?'

'What about an ad in the newspaper?' He suggested after a moment. 'And isn't there a time for lost and found ad's on the radio? We could ask for them to include his description in Monday's broadcast.'

Maddie nodded. 'Brilliant idea, I didn't even think of the radio. I'll um… I'll take care of that after I do my chores if you two can look after this guy.' She motioned over her shoulder at the manure in the stall. 'Shovel is by the door.'

'Ah, the unpleasant part of horse caretaking.' Colton remarked, getting her gist.

Stella chuckled. 'When you live on a horse ranch, you get used to shoveling manure. Lots and lots of shoveling.'

Maddie gave Rocky a pat on the shoulder then started to the gate. 'I'll leave you both to it then.'

With Stella and Colton tending to the injured horse, she carried on with the rest of her morning chores. After doing some work with Chester once her chores had been completed she headed into the house. The smell of something strong met her as she walked in, reminding her that it was the day of the Harvest Festival and the chili cook off.

She'd promised Abeline she'd help her but with the arrival of Rocky, it had completely slipped her mind.

'I am so sorry I'm late,' Maddie started as she walked into the kitchen. 'had a little accident.'

Liam looked up from his chopping. Maddie was covered in dirt up one side. 'What happened to you?'

'Chester and I parted ways.'

'Ouch.' August remarked.

'You okay honey?' Abeline questioned with concern. 'You're not hurt?'

'Apart from getting my clothes dirty, I'm fine. I'll um… I'll go get cleaned up then I'll come lend a hand.' She replied, lingering for a moment then headed in the direction of her bedroom.

A quick shower and change of clothes later and she was ready to help in the kitchen. Tying on her apron, she set to work helping chop up the vegetables they needed to make the chilli.

'Hey, don't we have enough?' August questioned, still peeling more onions. 'My arm is getting tired.'

'Uh-oh.' Liam remarked. 'Here we go.'

Maddie chuckled.

'I'll let you know when there's enough.' Abeline replied, getting another pot from the cupboard. 'Less talking, more chopping.'

'Come on Mawline, we do this chili contest like, every year.'

'Yeah, mom-' Liam added. 'You've never been this tense.'

'Okay, well, this year is different.' She replied. 'The winner gets their chili on the menu so it's a whole different ball game.'

'How's this?' Maddie questioned, having finished chopping up some of the peppers.

Abeline glanced over. 'Perfect. Add it to the pot on the left.'

She nodded, heading over to the stove.

'This is the first time we're using Gran's original recipe, right?' Liam questioned.

'Uh-huh.'

'You know-' August interjected. 'I heard there was a uh, a ten thousand dollar prize. Maybe we can split it four ways since Maddie and I are helping you out here.'

Abeline laughed. 'Nice try, but if we win…'

'Uh, when, when you win.' Cordell corrected as he joined them in the kitchen, sneaking a pepper from the bowl. 'Thank you.'

'Okay, well, when we win.' She tried again. 'it'll just be a thrill to see Mama's recipe on the menu.'

'Oh, we can just put it on there.' August exclaimed, glancing up from his chopping. 'We own it right?'

'Oh it is much more savory if it's earned kiddo.'

'Alright,' Maddie placed the lid back onto the pot, not noticing she had knocked the towel on the other lid onto the gas element when she turned around. 'what next?'

'You can start on these onions if you like.' August offered.

She chuckled. 'You can keep the onions all to yourself thanks.'

'You can start on these.' Abeline pushed a bowl over closer to her. 'Where's the brisket?'

'Uh, Trey's grabbing the brisket.' Cordell replied.

'Good, cause I can't really do anything else without it.'

'Yeah, I know. I know-' He looked over at the stove in time to see the hand towel on the element catch fire. Quickly he picked it up, throwing it into the sink where it burnt out. 'Who was the idiot who left that there?'

'I think that was me…' Maddie started meekly after a moment, looking at the ground. 'I'm so sorry.'

'What's wrong with you?' He yelled. 'You trying to burn the damn house down?'

She drew back from him, fully expecting to be hit when he raised his hand. 'I didn't mean it, it was an accident…' She replied, not looking at him. 'I must have knocked it onto it when I turned around…'

'You've got to be more careful.'

'Cordell-' Abeline stepped between them, shielding a trembling Maddie. 'It's fine.'

Without another word, he left the kitchen, heading outside.

Maddie was almost on the verge of tears. 'I didn't mean to knock it onto the stove…'

'Maddie, Maddie, it's fine.' Abeline assured her. 'It was my fault for leaving it on the lid in the first place.'

'I didn't mean it…'

'Come here.' She invited her into her arms, Maddie hugging her back. 'I know. It was just an accident.'

Bonham had witnessed the whole exchange, as had Liam and August. 'I'll go talk to him. Cordell didn't mean it Maddie, he's got a lot on his mind but that doesn't excuse him reacting like that.'

'Don't. You'll only make it worse…'

'Come on, let's go sit down for a moment.' Abeline suggested and Maddie nodded. A look passed between her and Bonham as she guided the teen out of the kitchen and into the living room, both of them realizing Maddie had withdrawn back into her memories. She sat her down on the couch, the girl so frightened she was literally shaking. 'Maddie, it's okay. Just take a few deep breaths, alright?' Maddie did as she suggested, slowly calming down as she rubbed her back. 'You okay now honey?'

'Yeah… I'm okay…' She replied after a pause. 'I'm so sorry-'

Abilene shook her head. 'It's not your fault sweetheart, alright? It was mine. I shouldn't have left the towel on the lid. It wasn't your fault.'

Maddie still wasn't convinced but nodded her head. 'It-It's silly… I know… Me, getting scared… I should be over it by now.'

'It's going to take time to get past that sweetheart, you know we don't judge you for it.'

'I know…' She sighed softly. 'It's so damn embarrassing though…' Her voice trailed off, silence falling for a little while then she looked back to Abeline. 'I'm okay now, you better go keep an eye on your cooking. Wouldn't want you to burn the house down on my account.'

'You sure you're alright?'

Maddie nodded. 'I'll be fine. I think I'll go spend some time out in the barn if that's okay. I wanted to help you cook but I think I need a minute.'

'That's alright, you go take all the time you need.'

She smiled sadly at her as she stood, taking her apron off to hand to her. 'Thanks.'

Abeline smiled back at her. 'Come back when you're ready.'

She nodded again then headed out through the back door, heading to the barn. Climbing up into the loft she settled down in her little hiding place, pulling her journal out from inside the roof. She sat staring at the blank page, her pen in hand but not really present as such. Memories had come back to her mind that had been triggered by what had happened. Unpleasant memories.

The sound of someone climbing into the loft a little while later brought her back to reality, Maddie closing her journal as Cordell made his way over to her. 'C-can we talk?' He questioned and after a moment, she nodded.

Cordell took a seat on a haybale across from her, taking a deep breath before starting. 'Maddie, I… I owe you an apology. I-I'm sorry, for what happened, in the kitchen. I-I shouldn't have gone off like that, at you. I know there's no excuse for why I reacted… that way. I'm sorry.'

'It's alright.' She replied after a moment. 'I should have been more careful anyway.'

'We-we're good then?'

Maddie nodded.

'Good… Ah…' He stood, Maddie's sober body language telling him she wanted some space. 'I'll let you get back to what you were doing then.'

He left and she was alone with her thoughts once more.

'Wow, this Harvest Festival thing is big…' Maddie remarked, taking a look around the Side Step as she walked in with Abeline, everyone getting ready for the crowds to arrive within the hour. 'I didn't realize there'd be so many people here…'

'It gets bigger every year.' Abeline replied as they went over to their assigned table. 'But you'll have fun.'

'Crowds really aren't my thing…' She said with a touch of nervousness in her voice.

'If it gets too much and you need a break, let me know. Okay?'

Maddie nodded then turned her attention to helping Abeline set the table up. Bonham and Liam brought the pots of chili in from the truck and before long they were ready just as the first of the people started to arrive. As the evening continued, Maddie slowly started to calm down and enjoy herself though she stayed close to Abeline's side. There were lots of people there, quite a lot that came to speak with the Walker's and when she was spoken to, she made polite conversation. Cordell joined them for a time to help serve out the chili a little later and it didn't escape his notice that Maddie kept her distance from him.

'You okay Maddie?' He asked softly, Abilene and Bonham distracted by a conversation with an old family friend.

'Yeah, I'm alright… Just… Crowds.' She replied, not looking at him. 'I'm fine.'

'You sure?'

'I'm sure. Just leave it, Walker. Please.'

Walker. Cordell cringed inwardly. So we're back to that… What did he expect though?

Geri's voice came over the loudspeaker a moment later. 'Okay, the next two teams being eliminated are the Dripping Springs Fire Department chili and The 'Hole' Thing Chili Cheese Donuts. Let's give everybody a round of applause. We are getting down to the wire, folks. There are only a few teams left in this competition. Let's go!'

Cheers and applause came from the crowd, Maddie taking a deep breath as the noise started to give her a headache. It was quite loud, with the music over the loudspeakers and the laughter and conversations of the folks inside.

Abeline glanced down at Maddie, noticing the teen rubbing her temples. 'You okay Maddie?'

'The noise is getting a bit much…' She replied after a moment. 'I'll be alright though.'

'You want to go sit outside?'

'No, no. I'm okay-' She was going to add something when commotion broke out, both her and Abeline looking over to see what had happened. Liam and Dan had walked right into each other, Liam having spilled the pot of chili he had been bringing over to the table all over himself.

'I'm so sorry, William.' Dan apologized. 'I must've tripped. I'm sorry.'

'You know what, I would accept that if it was actually an accident.' Liam replied.

'Excuse me? Are you suggesting that I did that on purpose?'

'Oh, I'm suggesting, Daniel, that you watch where you're walking. Or else did you forget what happened last time?'

'Oh no, I remember your cheap shot and I'm happy to go outside and I finish what you started.'

'Hey, hey!' Bonham interrupted. 'Why don't you take a run at me, Jethro, see how that works out for you.'

'Dad-' Cordell quickly came over in an attempt to defuse the situation before it escalated. 'Daddy, Dad-'

'No, don't 'Dad' me, damn it. They started it and I ain't having it.'

'Okay boys, settle down.' Gale said as she came over. 'This is supposed to be a friendly event.'

'Until you entered.' Abeline spoke up.

Maddie kept silent, her and August exchanging worried glances with each other.

'Okay, how about this? Uh, in order to resolve this squabble, lets-let's spice it up by upping the ante.' Gale suggested.

'Good.' Abeline agreed. 'You can start by paying for Liam's dry cleaning.'

'Mama-'

Cordell was cut off by Gale. 'Look, clearly we are the front-runners, so what would you say to, I don't know, five thousand more dollars? I mean, you Walkers have more then enough.'

Maddie shook her head. Adults acting like preschoolers…

'Okay Gale-' Abeline agreed. 'you're on.'

'Hey, Stella, Colton-' Maddie started, seeing the two of them come into the Side Step a little later. 'Wait up.' They stopped and she quickly left the Walker table to join them. 'How did you guys go with the posters and flyers for Rocky?'

'Pretty good,' Stella answered. 'we hung them up on most of the public notice boards downtown and we got to the newspaper office before they closed. They'll run it in Tuesday's edition.'

'Hopefully Rocky's owner will see them.' Colton added. 'Guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.'

'All right folks-' The crowd fell silent as Geri's voice came over the loudspeaker once more. 'Listen up. We are down to just two chilis. We've got Abby Walker's-'

Maddie cheered loudly with the rest of the crowd as they applauded, the three of them moving closer to the table where Cordell was to taste the last two chilis.

'And Gale Davidson's.' The crowd again gave a round of applause. 'So, this is gonna be a blind tasting, winner takes all.'

Maddie crossed both her fingers behind her back as Cordell tasted both the dishes, hoping that Abeline would win. Her heart sank though when he held up the bowl with Gale's chili though she gave applause along with the rest of the crowd.

'And the winner is Gale Davidson and her chili, the Barn Burner.' Geri handed the microphone to Gale.

'Thank you, ya'll-'

Maddie rolled her eyes as Gale went up onto the stage to speak. Rub it in… Rub it in. She took a glance over where Abeline stood with Bonham, Liam and August. Even though Abeline had a smile on her face, Maddie knew her well enough to know she was disappointed.

'Ah, I would like to thank my opponent for making this such a stiff competition.' Gale started. 'I would also like to thank the Walker family as a whole. Truth is, you are the reason I stand before you tonight. You know, when my late husband Marvin was taken from us and um, we had to leave town, I uh… I never thought I'd see Austin again. My life stopped for a minute there, but here we are. A grand return if I do say so myself.' Cheers and applause came from the crowd. 'Thank you. And so, um… In the spirit of giving, our family has decided to reinvest our winnings back into the community by building a horse rescue for any beautiful stallion or strong mare in need of a home.' There was a second round of applause. 'Thank you. You know, my grandson has single-handedly been caring for a wounded horse.'

Maddie and Stella both looked at Colton. 'I-I have no idea what she is talking about.' He replied, just as confused as they were.

'I guess at least the horse found a home.' Stella replied.

'If we don't have the owner show up.' Maddie added.

'Right-' He nodded. 'it's what we wanted.'

'Where others have turned this animal away-' Gale continued. 'We will see that it is delivered to the rescue and sheltered for the rest of its days-'

'I'm going to go outside to sit down.' Maddie whispered to Stella as Gale kept speaking. 'If Abeline asks where I am, just let her know that.'

Stella nodded. 'Sure.'

'Thanks.'

The cold air hit her face as she stepped out of the bar, closing the door behind herself once more. As she walked over to the table and chairs under the porch, more applause could be heard from inside. Wearily she sat down, rubbing her temples with her fingers as she closed her eyes. The noise sure hadn't helped her head at all…

'Stella said you had to come sit down.' She opened her eyes as Bonham came out, bringing her coat with him. 'You might need this.'

'Thanks.' Maddie smiled as she put it on. 'It is a bit chilly out here.'

'Bout as chilly inside there as it is out here.' He remarked, sitting down beside her.

'Yeah, what is the go between you Walkers and the Davidsons?'

'A lot of ancient history…'

'Doesn't seem to be so ancient.' She pointed out bluntly.

'It's nothing for you to be worried about, little one.' Bonham frowned slightly as he watched Maddie rubbing her head again. 'You okay?'

'Just a bit too noisy, it's given me a slight headache. I've never been great with being around loud noises for an extended period of time.'

'You want me to start the truck up and you can sit inside with the heater on?'

'No, I'll be alright. Thanks though.'

'Alright, well, I better go help them clean up.' He stood again, starting to head inside before he stopped and turned back to her. 'Don't get too cold you hear?'

She chuckled at his concern for her. 'Yes sir.'

Bonham disappeared back inside and Maddie breathed in deep of the cold air, her head feeling a bit better now that she was outside. The evening sure had been full of surprises, especially with Gale Davidson being named the winner. She had tasted Gale's chili, it didn't have anything on Abeline's at all but Cordell was the judge… It was almost like he had given her the win. She sighed, shaking her head. Adults sure were a strange lot.

As she lay in bed that night, Maddie tried to get to sleep but sleep wouldn't come. With everything that had happened that day playing over in her head she just couldn't get to sleep. When she closed her eyes all she saw was Cordell getting angry with her but it wasn't the Cordell that she knew. It was her father she saw instead.

Though Bruce had been dead for months now the effects of what she had gone through while living with him were still very much present. Even after he was gone he still haunted her. That morning, when Cordell had been angry with her, all she had seen was her father standing there. It was like she had been transported in time back to when she lived with him and while she knew that Cordell wouldn't hurt her, in that moment, the fear of him beating her had been very real and frightening.

She rolled over again with a groan, envious of her kitten who was very much fast asleep at the end of her bed.

She hated how her memories would just turn up out of the blue, hated the way she reacted to them and hated the way how they made her feel. It only took a harsh word or a raised voice to trigger them and then she would be a quivering mess like she had been that morning. It wasn't the first time she had frozen like that and even though the Walkers were patient with her when those episodes occurred, she still felt extremely embarrassed. She should be over this by now, the guy that had abused her had been dead for months yet it was like it was getting worse again…

Maddie sat up and put on her dressing gown before slipping quietly from her room, intending to go to the kitchen and grab a drink. As she made her way down the hallway, she heard Abeline and Cordell's voices in the living room and stopped.

'So, Gale won, huh?' Abeline questioned as she turned off one of the lamps beside the couch.

'Yeah.'

'I know you handed her the win. I just want to know why.'

Cordell sighed. 'It was the- It was the right thing to do. I mean, the Davidsons, they uh… They lost everything because of that night. You know, Gale lost her husband. Uh, Denise… lost her father.'

'Cordell-' She sat down on the couch beside him.

'The-the loss, the pain… it cuts you so deep. It makes you sick. It's something you can't really understand if uh… if you haven't experienced it. But their losses didn't stop that night. You know, their financial troubles. Or-or their legal problems. And everyone took our side Mama. Everyone. So even if you can put aside the-the public humiliation a-and shame, they lost Marv. And they lost their friends, they lost their home, their land. And here we come, swooping up their real estate for pennies on the dollar. So then, they have to leave town with a dark cloud of shame and grief hanging over their heads. I'm starting to think that maybe, uh… Maybe we are the bad guys.'

'It was complicated back then.' Abeline said softly.

'I know. I get it. It was. But it's not now. It's really not. These uh… These nightmares I've been having, they're more then that. They're memories. I remember… taking a lantern into the barn… and leaving it there. I know I did. I know I did. So, the fire, the barn, Marv's death. It's my fault.'

She shook her head. 'No, baby.'

That's why he got so angry with me… Maddie realized as Cordell began to cry, Abeline taking him in his arms. All thoughts of getting a drink had long vanished, the teen quietly making her way back to her room before either of them saw her and thought she was spying on them. She hadn't meant to listen in on their conversation but hearing that made it make sense why Cordell got so upset with her. He blamed himself for a fire someone had died in.

Closing the door to her room behind herself, she took a deep breath, resting back against the door. She knew herself what carrying guilt like that did to a person. She had believed for a long time that her father's death had been her fault until she had learnt that Stan had ordered for her father to be killed. It wouldn't have mattered if she was there or not, her father had been doomed from the get go.

It hadn't been her fault.

Just like it wasn't Cordell's.

Bubbles came over to her as she slipped beneath the covers once more, the kitten purring loudly as she snuggled up beside her. Her kitten wasn't much of a kitten anymore for she was almost full grown now. Bubbles kneaded the blankets with her soft paws, Maddie watching her in the dim light from her night light. A faint smile touched her lips as the kitten settled down to sleep and as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through her kitten's fur, she slowly started to drift off to sleep.