Chapter Fourteen

"Frank! Stop being the hind parts of a stubborn mule and listen to reason!"

Zee's blue eyes flashed dangerously at the man before her.

"Me? A stubborn mule? I don't think so! I'm doing what's right for Kat. I'm her guardian, not you Zerelda!" Frank was just as angry.

After the train had pulled from view, the group that was left returned home. Immediately after Kat had gone to the barn, Zee had jumped on Frank about his decision.

"You're doing what's best for Kat?" Zee asked incredulously. "Did you even think about asking Kat what she feels is right for her?"

"She's just a child! She doesn't know what's best for her future!"

"Oh, and you do? Did you see her face today when she said good bye to the only friends she's ever had and the boy she has ever loved? Her heart is on that train heading back to New York City. Soon, her will is going to follow. When that happens, we won't have Kat here, we'll only have a broken, empty shell."

"She's sixteen, Frank. She's not a child anymore. If nothing else, she proved that this summer. Her heart is in that city not here on the ranch. It never has been. You force her to leave all she knows and you'll never have back what you lost.

"She's an adult now. Time for her to make her mark on the world. Time for you to do her own thing and make her own mistakes. You can't always be there to catch her when she stumbles and falls. She's gotta learn how to pick herself up and carry on by herself.

"She's going to be surrounded by people who love her and won't let anything happen to her. Let her go, Frank. Let her spread her wings and fly."

Zee finished pleading for her young friend and sat down in the nearest chair. The kitchen was silent though the sound of rain could be heard outside.

Jesse watched the struggle going on inside Frank. He knew how hard it was to let go of their most treasured possession. But, Zee was right. They couldn't protect Kat all the time. That responsibility was past on to someone else who loved her. It was time to give Kat her head.

A sigh of defeat escaped Frank's tense lips.

"Zee, go pack Kat's saddle bags. She'll want to leave right away."