Yes, I know! Two chapters in a day! (If you haven't read the previous one, read it before you read this one)

Enjoy!

Chapter 24.1

'Looks like he's settled down.' Jack remarked after they had been on the trail for some time, glancing over at Warrior walking beside Paint. 'He's been pretty well behaved.'

'I know. It doesn't make sense.' She let go of the reins, placing them down over the saddle as she gave him a pat. Her shoulder was aching worse, she couldn't tell if the pain was getting worse or if she was just losing her pain tolerance but even just moving it hurt. Her left arm lay relaxed at her side as she patted him with her good arm. She was just thankful that it wasn't her right shoulder that had been hurt. 'It's like he's trying to make up for yesterday, like he knows he hurt me. He hasn't even asked for a gallop and normally out here he'd be fighting for a run.'

'Yeah. It is strange.' He looked at her, noticing she still wasn't using her left arm. 'How's the shoulder?'

'Sore. It's okay if I don't use it. I imagine it's going to hurt for a couple days though. It was a rather hard fall.'

'If it's not any better by the time we get back tomorrow I'm going to take you in to get it checked.'

'Jack-'

'No Jack's, buts, arguments. Anything. If I don't think it's getting any better your going in to have it looked at. Understood?'

'Message received and acknowledged.' She sighed heavily, picking up the reins in her right hand again. 'So, how'd you enjoy the cattle drive?'

'It was a normal cattle drive.'

'Hmmm.' Jessie's eyes danced mischievously as she looked at him. 'You sure there wasn't anything else that happened besides driving cattle?'

'I have no idea what you're talking about Jess.'

'You do.' She giggled, seeing him blush. 'I saw you and Lisa kiss.'

'Oh-' He shot a look over at her with a hint of amusement touching the corners of his mouth. 'you did, did you?'

'Yep. Just be thankful it was me and not Mallory. I'm not going to tease you like she would.'

'Then what are you doing now?'

'I call it 'selective mentioning' not teasing.'

'Same thing.'

'Probably.' She smiled. 'You guys are so cute though Jack, I couldn't help mentioning it.' Warrior took a couple of faster steps to catch up to Paint again then settled back down to a slow walk. 'Watching you and Lisa, that's the first time I've really seen a good example of a relationship Jack. My father never treated my mother like that, all I remember of them together was yelling and abuse. Even Robert and Lillian didn't show affection for each other. I never saw them kiss or even hug. But seeing you and Lisa with how you act towards each other makes me realize just how lucky I am to be here. Watching you guys makes me feel good inside.'

Thinking about what the girl had said sobered Jack a little as they followed the group across a meadow. He hadn't thought of it like that, hadn't really thought of the fact that Jessie wouldn't have seen what two people should act like towards each other. 'I didn't know that Jess.'

She nodded. 'I know. I'm just happy that I've found a proper home and family now. I can make new memories now. Good memories.'

'I'm happy you came here too.' He smiled at her. 'And trust me honey, I promise you'll start making plenty of good memories.'

'I already have.' The girl's sparkling eyes lit up her whole face. 'The fishing trip with you and Lisa even though I didn't manage to get a fish the entire weekend. You and I writing that song together. The cattle drive. You dancing with me. They're the best memories I have. You and Lisa took me in when no one else would have bothered except for the money they'd have made off me. You've shown me what a real family is like, you've given me more than just a house to live in. I finally have a place to call home. I've never had that. There is no way I can ever thank you enough for what you both, what you all have done for me.'

'You just have honey. Seeing you smile, hearing you laugh, that's more than enough thanks for me.' He replied gently. 'I like seeing you happy.'

'I like being happy.' She chuckled but there was a whole lot of truth in those four words. 'Even in my wildest dreams I never imagined that this life could come true for me. I never thought I'd be happy, I never thought I'd find a place where I truly belonged.' She looked at him. 'I never thought I'd find people who love me like I know you and Lisa do.'

By the time they finally arrived where they would be camping for the night Jessie was almost ready to fall out of the saddle. Wearily she patted Warrior's shoulder as Tim called the group to a halt, so extremely thankful that the ride had come to an end. 'Thank you boy. You've been so good.' Warrior snorted gently, halting a couple lengths behind Paint at her cue. She scratched his shoulder once again, so thankful that he'd been so well behaved the entire ride. He hadn't put a hoof wrong. 'I'm so lucky to have you.'

'Alright, let's dismount and set up camp.'

Tim's announcement brought her back to reality and she groaned as she realized she had to get off. She wanted to get off but she didn't want to move her arm and make her shoulder start throbbing again. She sighed, looking around as the others dismounted and started getting the things off their horses to set up camp with. Even Jack was busy, preoccupied with unloading the pack horse. As much as she hated asking for help, there were times when she knew she needed it and when she acknowledged that she needed help, there was no one to help her. She dropped the reins, hoping that Warrior would follow her cues when she was on his back. 'Bow boy. Bow.'

Warrior flicked his ears back upon hearing her cue and with a sigh, obliged. The girl patted his shoulder as the horse bowed, looking at the ground. Even with him bowing it was still going to be an effort to get off. 'Okay boy, just stay still.' She took her right foot out of the stirrup, biting her lip to stop her crying out in pain as she took hold of the saddle horn and stepped down. Tears sprang to her eyes but she was firmly on the ground once again. 'Alright boy, up.'

'That's so cool.'

She looked around at the voice, seeing Mackenzie with her horse watching her. She faked a smile, patting Warrior. 'Yeah, just something I taught him to do.'

'Can he do it again? I'd love to get a photo.'

'Maybe later I'll show you all a couple tricks he can do, once we've got the camp organized for the night.'

'I'd love that. Can Betty do any tricks?'

'No, I don't think so.' She chuckled. 'You'll have to ask Amy though, she's spent more time with her then I have.'

'Alright, I will.'

Jessie turned back to her stallion as the woman led her horse over to where the others were untacking their mounts, picking up his reins. 'How am I going to get you unsaddled mate?' You really shouldn't have come on the ride in the first place. Her thoughts reminded her as she thought about her predicament. She sighed, looking around. She'd just have to make the best of it.

Warrior stepped forward, following her over to where Jack and Tim had staked the horses while the rest of them began to set up the camp. The horses had their tack off already now but they hadn't been brushed yet, she knew Jack would take care of that later once camp had been made. 'Can I get a hand untacking Warrior please?'

'To tuckered out hey?' Tim teased, stepping over the rope fence they'd put up to pen the horses in. 'Too much riding for one day?'

'Leave her be Tim.' Jack grouched, looking over at Jessie. The poor girl looked fit to drop, her face pale as she stumbled and held herself up using her horse. He quickly left what he was doing, going over to her. 'You need to sit down honey. You don't look so good.'

She nodded, letting him guide her over to a large rock near where the horses were grazing and she sat down without argument. She could see the concern in his eyes as he looked at her, kneeling down in front of her. 'I'm okay Jack, just tired.'

'Your pale Jessie, it's not just tiredness. Are you feeling dizzy?'

'A little but I'll be fine.'

I should never have agreed to this. You should be at home resting. He placed his hand on her knee. 'How's your shoulder?'

'Sore.' Jessie replied, taking a deep breath. 'It was okay for most of the day till I had to get off.'

'You should have waited for me, I'd have helped you get off Warrior.'

'You were busy.'

They sat together in silence for some time, watching the others prepare the camp then Jack turned back to the girl. 'How are you feeling now?' Still lightheaded? Dizzy?'

'I'm okay Jack.' The girl reinstated, trying to reassure him. 'Please, I'm fine. I just need to get to bed early. I'll be okay in the morning.'

Jack knew he wasn't going to get anywhere with her, the girl had a very stubborn streak when she set her mind to it. There wasn't any point arguing with her. 'You just rest okay? I'll look after Warrior for you.'

'Alright.' She agreed, thankful that he hadn't pressed the issue any further. She looked around as the sun began to set, surprised at how quickly they'd gotten the camp up. The tents were already up, a fire was going in the fire pit since it was one of the reserve's camping spots and Lou already had dinner on cooking. The women were sitting around the campfire, and she contemplated joining them for a moment before she got up and made her way over. 'Mind if I join you guys?'

'Not at all.' Amy smiled, patting the log next to her. 'How's your shoulder?'

'Sore.' The girl admitted as she sat down beside her. 'Like, really sore.'

'You shouldn't have come then.' She looked at her, slightly concerned as she saw the way the girl was looking stiff and uncomfortable. 'You should have stayed home and rested.'

'With Mallory? Na-ah. I like her but I couldn't stand being stuck with her for two days. It'd be a nightmare.' She pulled her jacket tighter around her as a slight breeze chilled her. 'I'll be okay.'

'What did you do to your shoulder?' Nicole wondered out loud, overhearing their conversation.

'Came off Warrior during training yesterday morning.'

'Ouch.' Lauren added. 'What happened?'

'He's been a little out of sorts lately.' Amy replied, seeing the girl didn't look like she really wanted to reply. 'We're trying to figure out why though.'

'What are you training for?'

'Barrel racing.' Jessie sighed, wishing the log was closer to the fire. 'I'm hoping to go in a rodeo in a couple months time, that is, if we can figure out what's going on with him.'

'Warrior seems like a quiet horse.' Nicole remarked.

'He normally is, it just depends on his moods I guess. The joys of owning a stallion.'

'Lou, is there some way to turn the fire up or something?' Mackenzie interrupted, checking the kettle again. 'This is taking forever to boil.'

'There's coffee already made.'

'I don't drink coffee.'

'Right. Caffeine.'

'I need this tea for my digestive system.'

'Have some bran buds.' Amy stoked the fire again. 'That oughta do it.'

Jessie noticed the chuckles from the others around the campfire, unable to help make one herself. 'Can I have some coffee Lou?'

'Sure Jessie.' She grabbed the kettle and poured the girl a mug, handing it to her. 'Here.'

'Thanks.' The girl smiled, taking the mug and holding it in her hand. 'How long until dinner Lou?'

'Probably about half an hour.'

'Alright. I'll have this then I'll bring Warrior out for a couple tricks Mackenzie if you still want to take some photos.'

'Sure.' She nodded, getting up from the fire. 'That'd be nice.'

'You sure you're up for that?' Amy asked, looking at her.

'I'm fine. I'll just do a couple things with him on the ground. I'm not going to do something like that time when I jumped him bareback over the corral fence.'

'You jumped him out of the corral?' Nicole questioned in amazement.

'Yeah.' Jessie replied, taking a couple of sips of her coffee. 'Not one of my most enlightened moments, I'll say that.'

'But that fence is massive.'

'So's his jump and my stupidness.' She got up, handing her cup to Amy. 'Can you hold it for a moment?'

'Sure.'

'Thanks.' The girl got up, hiding the pain she was in behind an emotionless face when she moved her shoulder and headed over to the horses. Jack was just finishing them with Tim, brushing Warrior down as she came over. The stallion knickered at her softly, walking to the rope fence to meet her. 'Hey.' She chuckled, the horse nibbling her pockets. 'Just because I go over where the food is doesn't mean I've got any for you.'

Jack handed the brush to Tim so he could groom Champ and joined the stallion at the girl. 'I thought I told you to rest.' He half-teased with a smile, watching the horse and the girl. 'You had something to eat?'

'Not yet and I am resting. Lou said dinner will be ready in half an hour so I thought I'd put Warrior through a few of his tricks. I told Mackenzie I would so she could get some photos.' She saw the look on his face and quickly continued. 'All ground work. I don't have to do a thing. You should come watch Jack, you haven't seen his tricks yet.'

'Oh, I've seen a few.'

She chuckled. 'These are proper ones, not the stunts he likes to pull.' She untied the rope, dropping it to let the stallion out. Warrior walked out, sniffing the ground as she put the fence back up. 'Okay boy.' She patted him. 'No funny business, okay? Best behavior.' She looked over at Jack again. 'You coming?'

'Alright. I'll come watch.'

'Good.' Jessie clicked her fingers with her good hand, the stallion lifting his head and joining her promptly. She smiled, walking with the stallion at her shoulder to the camp then stopped him a little ways away from the fire. 'Head down.' Warrior put his head down and she slipped his halter off over his ears, dropping it to the ground. The women turned to watch, Mackenzie getting her camera out as Jack took a seat next to Amy. 'Now, I don't know how this is going to go but we'll give it a shot. Warri and I haven't done this for some time but we'll just see how it goes.'

She whistled lowly, Warrior snapping instantly to having his full attention on her. She shook her hand, cueing him to walk backwards and he did till she was happy he was far enough away from the women then she cued him to rear. 'Up boy, up.'

Warrior reared up, pawing the air as he balanced perfectly on his hindquarters. She smiled as he came down again, cueing him to rear a second time. 'Up boy. Up!'

He reared again, higher this time till he was almost vertical, his long mane blowing as he came back down and she clicked her fingers, inviting him to come back to her. He snorted as he bucked, trotting forwards to meet her. She patted his shoulder as he gently nuzzled her cheek. 'Good boy.' She praised him for a moment then clicked her fingers and cued him to go out around her. He knickered softly, briskly going around her in a prancing trot. 'Good boy.' She kept him going forward, concentrating her body language towards him, trying to push the ache in her shoulder to the back of her mind. Suddenly she dropped her focus, cuing him to come back in and he whined softly as he pranced to meet her. She smiled, patting him again then tapped his knee gently with her hand. 'Walk boy.'

He extended his near-fore forward, pawing the air as he started to Spanish walk. She smiled, cuing him on as he shook his head, tossing his mane. She couldn't help but have a little chuckle as he continued on. One thing was certain that this guy liked to show off and he certainly was showing off doing these tricks. 'Woah.'

Warrior stopped on a dime, his ears flicking as he waited for his next cue. She walked back to where they'd started then cued him to turn around, waiting till she had his full attention once again. 'Spin boy.' He spun around on his hind quarters once, twice, three times till she clucked with her tongue and he stopped, waiting. She sent him around the other way, copying the move but in the other direction then called him to her. 'Good boy.'

She turned to them, her hand on his withers. 'I'm going to get him to turn around in a moment and I want someone to give me a number, two numbers between one and five by showing me your fingers and we'll see if he can add the two together. Okay boy, turn around.'

Jack chuckled as Warrior turned his bottom to them, guessing where the girl was going with this one. He held his hands up, showing Jessie four on one hand and one on the other. The girl nodded, clicking her fingers for the stallion to turn around again.

'Okay boy. What's one plus five?' She asked, pretending that the horse thought about the question for a moment but in reality she wasn't giving him his cue yet. 'One plus five.'

Warrior snorted, concentrating on her then began to paw the ground once he'd seen her cue. One, two, three, four, five, six. He knickered softly, standing still again as the small crowd began to applause.

'Good boy.' She chuckled, patting his shoulder. 'Okay, anyone else want to give me a number?' Mackenzie nodded, waiting until the girl had turned the horse around again and held up her hands. 'Okay boy.' Jessie turned him again. 'Four plus three.' The stallion waited until she'd given him his cue, pawing the ground to give his answer. 'That's right.' She praised him after he'd pawed seven times. 'Good boy.'

Jessie patted him again, then walked back to his shoulder. 'Sit.' Warrior knickered, sitting down beside her like a dog and she patted his neck. 'Good boy.' She stuck her tongue out at him and he stuck his out back, much to the amusement of those watching. 'Up boy.'

He got up, nudging her with his muzzle as he stood beside her again. 'You'll get a treat in a moment. One more trick. Okay?' He snorted and she chuckled. 'Bow boy, bow.' The stallion bowed, getting up as the small crowd applauded again. 'Well, that's it for now.' She announced, the stallion looking for food in her pockets again. 'This guy wants his dinner and I think you all want to eat as well. Come on boy.'

Warrior followed her back to the small pen, knickering softly as she let him in with the other horses again. She rubbed his face after putting the rope up again, smiling. 'Good boy. You did well.' She headed over to where her saddlebags were, grabbing a sugar cube out she'd hidden away for his treat. Warrior sniffed her hand excitedly as she extended the treat towards him, crushing down on the sugar. 'There you go.'

'That was very good Jessie.'

'Thanks Jack.' She smiled, turning to him. 'Glad you thought it was good.'

'It was.' He patted Warrior as the horse looked for more sugar from the girl. 'And watching him with you makes what happened yesterday seem even more out of character for him.'

'I know.' Jessie sighed, leaving the stallion as they walked back to the campfire to join the others. 'I just hope I can get to the bottom of what's going on, and soon.'

'So, you enjoying yourself?' Jack asked Nicole as they sat at the picnic table after dinner, glancing around to see if he could see Jessie but the girl had disappeared again.

'Yeah, I am.' She replied, with a smile then continued. 'Sort of, I mean. I must have looked pretty stupid on that horse.' They chuckled. 'Did you see me yesterday? I couldn't even get up on one.'

'My wife used to be pretty philosophical about looking stupid. She had to be, married to me. She always said looking stupid was a necessary step to looking smart.'

'How long were you married?'

'A long time.' He put his empty cup down on the table. 'Should have been longer. How about you? You got a boyfriend back there in New York?'

'No, no. Not me. I vowed to never get married.'

'Now why's that?'

'Because I love my job.'

'I don't see why one excludes the other.'

'Well-' She paused, trying to figure out how to put her explanation. 'My parents are very successful. And they expect the same from me too. So I figure the only way I can do that is by staying focused and maintaining control. Control is everything.'

'Well, I don't know. Nothing wrong with stepping on the gas every once in a while. I sure did at your age.'

'Well I can't afford that.'

'I'm sure you can.' He smiled, getting up. 'Now, if you'll excuse me, I should go find out what Jessie's up to. I haven't seen her in awhile.' She nodded and he turned, grabbing his torch from his pocket as he walked away. He headed over to the tent first but she wasn't there then headed to the horses. Looking around to see if the girl was with her horse, he didn't see her. Warrior wasn't there either and he frowned, running his torch over the grazing horses again.

'Something wrong Jack?'

'Warrior's not here.' He exclaimed as Tim joined him at the rope fence. 'And I can't find Jessie either.'

'Yeah.' He looked around the campsite again. 'Come to think of it, I haven't seen her for some time. You check the tent? She might have gone to bed already.'

'First place I checked.'

'Right.' He grabbed his torch out, turning it on. 'I'll help you look for her.'

'You don't want to go back to your conversation at the campfire?'

Tim glanced over that direction, hearing things getting a little heated between the women. 'Somehow I don't think it'd make for pleasant company right now.'

He chuckled. 'Alright, let's go have a look for her then.'

'You don't think she's taken off do you?'

'No.' Jack scoffed as they walked away from the camp, casting their lights over the surrounding landscape. 'She's not going anywhere in a hurry by herself that girl.'

'She was cradling that shoulder of hers a bit through dinner. You didn't get her checked out by the doc?'

'She insisted she was fine, she didn't need checking over.' He kicked himself, knowing that if something was really wrong he'd never forgive himself for not taking her to the hospital. 'Jessie has to be handled with kid gloves, one wrong word, one wrong action and your back at square one again.'

'I never figured you to be the mollycoddling type.' Tim remarked, the glow from the campfire getting fainter the further they walked into the forest. 'The way I remember you was if you didn't like the way I was acting I got told to grow up and get over it.'

'Jessie's different. Way different. She hasn't had the easiest or best childhood.'

'I never thought I'd see the day when Jack Bartlett took in an orphan girl.'

'Life is full of surprises.' They stopped and he looked around through the trees, trying to spot the girl. 'I don't think she'd have come this far.'

'Maybe we circle around?'

'Yeah.' They started on again, still shining their torches amongst the trees. 'Jessie?' He called out, listening for her but he couldn't hear anything. He sighed, glancing around again then followed Tim on down the path.

'So what is her story?' Tim asked as they continued on. 'I've heard bits and pieces but what's the go with her?'

'Lived with her parents till she was five, saw her father murder her mother then she took off. Got picked up by a couple near Pike River and lived with them till a couple years ago then she was on her own since. That's the condensed version.'

'Sounds rough.'

'You have no idea.'

'Jack-' He stopped him, waiting to hear what he'd heard again. 'Listen.'

Jack stopped, listening in the silence. 'I don't hear anything.'

'Just wait a moment.'

'Yeah, I hear it now.' He heard the sound of someone sobbing faintly, shining his light towards the direction it was coming from. Two eyes peered back at him as Warrior snorted softly, the girl sitting on a rock in front of him. He made his way over to her, motioning for Tim to stay back a bit as he carefully approached the girl. 'Jessie honey, what's wrong?'

The girl jumped a little at the voice, blinking in the light from his torch and he quickly turned it down. 'M-my shoulder. I was walking with Warrior and I tripped over and now it really hurts.'

'Let me look at it honey.'

'No.'

'Jessie.'

'I can't let you look Jack.' She half-cried, half-snapped as she hung her head in shame and pain. 'Please, don't look.'

He sighed, kneeling down beside her. Tim was still standing back a little and he motioned for him to head back to camp. Surprisingly, Tim did what he asked without any argument for a change. He turned back to the girl, touching her cheek gently. 'Sweetheart, why won't you let me look at your shoulder? If you're really in pain you need to let me look at it.'

'You'll see-' She replied, her voice a husky whisper. 'Them. I don't want you too.'

'See what Jess?'

'My scars.' Jessie looked down at the ground, feeling Warrior blow gently on her neck. 'I don't want you seeing them.'

'Scars from what your father did to you?'

She nodded, a tear dripping to the ground. Her shoulder was killing her, curse that stupid root. If it hadn't been in her path she wouldn't have fallen over. 'I don't want you being ashamed of me. I'm not pretty. I'm ugly. I'm covered in these scars. I can't let you see them.'

'Honey, I'd never be ashamed of you darling.' He touched her cheek again gently, tracing her jawline. Her skin was cold and clammy, wet from the tears she had cried. 'You are beautiful sweetheart. Scars don't matter to me. It's what's inside a person that counts.' He lifted her chin, looking into her eyes. 'Jessie, I love you the way you are. Scars and all.'

'I know.' She wiped her eyes, looking at Jack kneeling in front of her. She knew her shoulder needed attention, there was no point in making it worse. The pain of showing him her scars was nothing compared to the pain her shoulder was causing her. 'Promise me you won't tell anyone?'

'I promise honey.'

Jessie nodded, her fingers fumbling with her coat buttons for a moment till Jack stopped her feeble efforts and unbuttoned it for her. She winched, trying not to cry out in pain as he helped her out of her coat, shivering in the cold night. Slowly she undid the snap buttons of her shirt, thankful for her singlet on underneath to save her more embarrassment. Jack helped her get her arm out of the sleeve, this time she couldn't help but whimper as her shoulder ached.

'Sorry honey.' He apologized for causing her more pain. He shook his head, looking at the girl's shoulder. It was badly bruised and swollen, a mix of dark blue, purple and black. Even with the bruising though he could make out the scars covering her skin, it was no surprise the girl did everything she could to hide them. Jessie sat with her head bowed, not looking at him. He wondered what thoughts were going through her mind. He felt himself getting angry at looking at what her father had put her through but reminded himself this was probably why the girl had tried so hard to keep them hidden from him. 'No wonder your shoulder is so sore honey. I think you need to get Barbra to check you over.'

'I knew you were going to say that.' Her eyes stung with embarrassed tears knowing Jack was just being too polite to say anything about her scars. 'I'm sorry for being so stubborn Jack, I thought it would go away by itself.'

'It's alright honey, I know how much you don't like going to the doctors.' He regained his composure, picking up the girls coat and laying it gently over her back to try and keep her warm. 'I think Lou's got one of those instant ice pack things in the first aid kit, that might make it feel better, okay?'

'Okay.' She sniffled, still not looking at him. 'Jack, tell me I'm beautiful again.'

'Honey, you are beautiful.' He gently replied, lifting her chin. 'You are beautiful to me and you know why?' The girl shook her head. 'Because I love you darling. Your mine. I chose you, remember?' Jessie nodded. 'Nothing will ever change that. I see you for who you are, beauty is only skin deep. I love you for who you are honey, not for what you look like.'

'Thanks Jack.' Jessie whispered, a wave of emotion flooding over her. She'd been so worried about Jack's reaction, about what he might say when he saw her scars but he'd been so caring and gentle. It reminded her again of why she had wanted to stay at Heartland in the first place. Jack was the best man she knew. 'You'll never know how much hearing you say that means to me.'

'I meant every word of it honey. You are beautiful.' He picked his touch up again from where he'd placed it, getting to his feet. 'Let's get you back now, it's getting cold.'

'No, I need my jacket on properly first. I can't bear showing anyone else.' She turned away again. 'Only you and Lisa know, and Ty. I don't want anyone else seeing them, much less a bunch of strangers.'

'There's no way you're going to be getting that jacket back on sweetheart, your shoulder is way too swollen.' He paused, thinking for a moment then took his own jacket off. He wondered too how Ty knew but pushed that aside, his priority being getting the girl back to camp. 'You can wear my one.'

'But Jack, you'll get cold.'

'Right now I'm more worried about you honey then I am about me. I'll be fine but you need to stay warm.' Slowly and carefully he helped her into his jacket, the girl trying hard not to cry again. 'First thing we are doing when we get back tomorrow is getting your shoulder looked at.'

'Alright.' She sighed, knowing that she wasn't about to win this argument. 'You win.'

'Okay, let's get you back then.' He gave the girl his hand to help her get up, the girl winching as she stood. 'You okay?'

There was no point trying to hide the fact she'd twisted her ankle into the bargain. 'No, I twisted my ankle when I fell.'

'Jessie, Jessie, Jessie.' He shook his head, unable to believe the girls luck. 'What are we going to do with you? I think you need to be wrapped up in bubble wrap.'

'Maybe.'

'Alright, you hold the torch, I'll carry you back.' He passed her his torch, picking the girl up. 'You really need to be more careful.'

'I know. Don't worry, I've had just about enough of being hurt too. Come on boy.' She looked at Warrior who'd almost been forgotten in the moment. 'Follow.'

'I have a feeling Lisa is going to want to have a couple words with you.'

'I can't wait.'

'You know she only cares about you.'

'I could say the same about you Jack, with that saddle.'

'Let's not go there, shall we?'

'Alright, as long as you don't pick on me anymore.' She agreed, lighting the path ahead as they made their way back to camp. Warrior followed close behind, almost stepping on Jack he was trying to be that close to her. 'If only I didn't fall off yesterday none of this would have happened.'

'I couldn't agree with you more honey, you do have a knack for getting into situations my dear.'

'I know. I've never been this accident prone. It's just one thing after another.'

'What happened Grandpa?' Amy ran over, seeing Jack walking back into camp with Jessie in his arms, wrapped in his big coat. 'Are you okay Jess?'

'I'm fine, I tripped over talking Warrior for a walk.' She sighed. 'Can you look after him for me please? Put him back with the other horses.'

'Sure.'

'Thanks Amy.'

'Amy, do you know where Lou packed the first-aid kit?'

'Not sure Grandpa, I think it's in one of the saddlebags she had.'

'Alright, I'll go have a look.' Jack replied, carrying the girl over to the tent she would be sharing with Lou and Amy and took her inside. Gently he placed her down on her bed, turning on the electric lantern so she had light. 'I'll be right back.'

'It's not like I can go anywhere anyway.' She sighed, placing her jacket on her bag as he left. Seriously, how many times in the last four months had she been injured? First she'd been shot, which started everything then she'd went to the foster home and got hurt there and ended back in hospital then that stupid stunt she'd pulled that almost cost her her life in the middle of a blizzard and now this shoulder. She growled. When on earth would she catch a break?