Mine

Chapter Eight "Missing You"

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my made up characters!

Friday, December 2nd

I walked down the street, loving the warm weather here in Southern California. Mac, Nate, and Kit were going down to the barn to check the horses while I got us a table at the diner. I think Kit wanted to introduce his grandfather to a few of his friends. He was so excited that Mac was here. Jason and Lynn were supposed to meet us here for breakfast too.

I pushed open the door and was greeted by a waitress who told me to sit wherever I wanted. I turned with a smile and that's when I saw him.

"Dad." The word escaped my mouth before I knew it. He was sitting there. At the counter with a few other guys from the circuit, a smile on his face as he laughed at something that was said. A woman sat beside him and her hand was on his arm.

His head turned to look at me and I saw shock, anger, and guilt flash across his face in the few seconds he saw me. He stood up and walked towards me. "Molly."

I didn't know what to do. Did he see me as his little girl still? Was he mad? Did he see the difference in me that I felt?

"How are you?" He put his hands on my shoulders. "I see you're entered in the barrel racing competition tomorrow."

I nodded. "I'm good. The internship is going well. I'm showing one of my boss' horse this weekend too."

"Molly! I haven't seen you in a while girl, where have you been?!" Hank, an old friend of my father's, hugged me. I hugged him back.

"I've been in Nevada, doing an internship for my degree." I answered as he squeezed me and let go.

"That's great! Hey I see you're in a competition with an Ely kid—any relation to Kit Ely?" I saw Dad's stiffen at the mention of Kit's name and I assumed he didn't know if Kit and I were still together.

"Yeah, one of his brothers. Kit's family lives near where I work and I've been hanging out with his brother. Turns out we're both good at roping and Nate wanted to compete with me." I was nervous because the expression on my dad's face was not a good one.

"I didn't know you two were still together." Dad said tightly. I took a deep breath before answering.

"Yeah, we're still together. I came out to visit him." What did he expect me to say? No Dad, I broke up with him? Oh I realized you were right Dad? Well he was wrong.

"I didn't know you were with Kit Ely." Hank muttered, surprised. I was also sure he could feel the tension between us.

"Yep. It's been great."

"You deserve better than Kit Ely." My dad nearly snarled. "You're nothing more than a fling to him."

Anger rushed through me. Kit was a great man and he didn't deserve Dad's hate. Let's see how he liked his words thrown back at him. "Well I guess I'm so much like my mother, I can't stay away from rodeo men."

Everyone was quiet. I turned around and standing there was a shocked Kit, along with Mac, Nate, Jason, and Lynn. With tears blurring my vision, I shoved past Kit and them to go out the door.

The warmth hit me and I remembered I was in Southern California, not Nevada. I headed towards the rodeo grounds and I heard the little bell on the diner door jingled as someone walked out behind me.

"Molly! Wait up!" Hands grabbed my shoulders and I turned around to see Kit. Concern filled his eyes and it was clearly written all over his face. "Are you okay?"

I shrugged and felt the tears burning my eyes. "I'm fine."

Another pair of hands touched me and I saw Jason beside me. "There's a Denny's down the street that I think we could have breakfast at. The diner's overrated anyways." I leaned into two of the supportive people in my life and realized how lucky I was to have them.

…..….

Saturday, December 3rd

"So let's talk." Kit said as we sat down on a blanket on the beach. The sun had set and it was dark now but there was still so much activity. Bonfires, you could hear the screams, laughter from the pier rides, and games, and the ocean roared as the waves crashed.

"About what?" I asked distractedly as I stared out into the dark ocean. I had placed first in barrels and roping. Nate was extremely happy since it was his rodeo "debut" and we had won. I was happy too I guess, just the scene from yesterday with my father was playing over in my head. He had placed well in roping and left immediately I was told, for the next rodeo.

"About yesterday." Kit gently pulled my face towards him so I would focus. "Do you want to talk about what happened before I walked into the diner?"

Anger simmered inside me just thinking about it. "He told me that I deserve better than you."

Kit had a bittersweet smile on his face. "He's probably right."

I turned towards him angrily. "How could you say that? You're a great person and you care about me. You treat me wonderfully and do everything in your power to make me happy and you're a good man. You love your family so much and you live by a code of honor and respect, as you were taught. You don't get mad when you don't win, you congratulate the person who does, and if anyone of the guys you ride with asked you for a favor, you'd do it in an instant. I couldn't imagine anyone better that I could be with."

Kit kissed me and I responded eagerly, with my heart aching. Everything I said was true, it just made me miss him so much more. We hadn't had much time as a couple to see each other and we were just lucky it hadn't hurt us so far. Maybe it was because I lived the life before and understood.

"Mol, you just don't get how amazing you are. Your father wants the best for you, you're his little girl, and I can't blame him for that. But the one thing I will not accept is that he thinks you're nothing to me. You mean more to me than anyone else ever has, I wouldn't use you or ever hurt you."

I kissed him again and my heart felt like it would burst at his words. Did he feel the happy; can't get enough feeling that I did when we were together? The feeling of absolute perfectness?

"You should let me stay with you. Ask Grandfather to stay with Nate or Nate to stay with him." I rolled my eyes and let out a short laugh.

"No Kit." I told him firmly.

"Why not? Do you think that I'm going to take advantage of you?" Kit leaned back, seeming insulted. I shook my head quickly.

"No! It's not that….it's just I…I want to wait for marriage and I guess I see it against my morals when we sleep in bed together." I blushed and looked down. "I know it's stupid but I've always had this idea that I'd save myself for my husband. That only he could have this special piece of me."

I felt Kit's warm, calloused hand against my cheek. "That's not stupid at all, Mol. It's perfect and I understand."

"You do?" I looked at him from underneath my curtain of hair. Kit nodded.

"I just hope I get to have that special piece of you." Kit whispered and I knew that he was feeling what I was.

….…..

Sunday, December 4th

"I feel so out of place." Kit muttered as I tacked Bailey up. Fancy Thoroughbreds, Warmbloods, Hanoverians, all types of beautiful horses walked around us. I smiled at his thoroughly cowboy outfit. He wore his jeans, boots, hat, and a button down shirt.

"You're just imagining it." I laughed at him. "Nate and Jason seem fine."

"Yeah, well I can tell you they're as uncomfortable as I am." Kit handed me Bailey's bridle. "Everyone is dressed so nicely here."

"They are but there's plenty of people in jeans and t-shirts. Even shorts. It's a low-key show." I glanced down at my own white breeches, navy blue jacket, and shiny riding boots. "I may look dressed up but I'm really not."

Kit was about to say something but then he froze. "What's he doing here?"

"Who?" I asked and turned around. Walking towards us was Joe.

He smiled as he walked towards us and then he was in front of us. "Molly, hey, I'm glad I got here before you went on."

"Hi Joe." I said back, in shock. "What are you doing here?"

"Well I just thought you could use some support at your first English show. It can be a little daunting."

I smiled. "Well thank you. That's great of you." And it was. A bit weird, but it was nice to have someone who rode and had competed here. "I actually have a few questions before I go on if you don't mind."

"No! Of course not. Ask away."

"I'll get out of your way. Good luck Mol." Kit leaned and gave me a kiss.

"So I'm not too sure about this one jump….."

….….

"Second place is great for his first show." Joe complimented us as we came out of the ring after accepting our second place ribbon.

"It is and this guy has got so much talent, he'll be even better in his next show." I patted Bailey's warm neck. I dismounted and when we got back to the trailer, my little group was waiting for us.

"That was beautiful Molly, beautiful!" Lynn gushed. "The way he took those jumps and the power behind his jumping…it was beautiful."

"Ely, get your girlfriend. She better not go converting my fiancée." Jason teased Kit. Kit smiled and threw his arm around my shoulders.

"Well my girlfriend got converted so your fiancée might as well be converted…" Kit teased back. I rolled my eyes at their banter.

"Molly, you had a good round out there from what I could see. I am not much into jumping but you two looked like a team out there." Mac smiled softly at me and patted my back.

"Thanks Mac." His praise seemed more lifting than the others praise's somehow. I don't know why but it was.

"We should celebrate." Joe said suddenly. "My treat. Molly's choice."

"Oh you don't have to…" I said bashfully. Joe shook his head.

"Nope. We're celebrating. Let's get Bailey untacked."

…

Saturday, December 24th Christmas Eve

"I'm so exhausted." I said as I climbed out of Kit's truck. I pulled my sweater around me more tightly as the snow came down. It was about midnight and we had just got home from Jason and Lynn's reception. Their wedding had been beautiful and full of love. I had shamelessly cried when they read their personal vows off to each other and it was a night full of emotion.

"It's been a long day." Kit agreed as he put his arm around my shoulders. I was dropping him off at Three Ponies since he had drank some at the wedding and his parents had left earlier. I would take his truck back to Katie's since I would be coming back in the morning to join them for Christmas festivities.

I kissed his cheek. "Try to get some sleep. I'll be over in the morning." Kit's arms didn't loosen. I half-smiled at his unwillingness to let me go.

"Stay with me." He whispered as he held me close. "It's Christmas technically."

I shook my head. "Kit, you know how I feel."

"I know but please Mol. It's been such a wonderful night and I don't want it to end. Nothing will happen. I promise you. I just want to spend our first Christmas Eve and Christmas together."

Internally I fought with myself about whether I should do it or not then sighed. "Fine, just for tonight."

We quietly entered the house and walked down the hallway in the glow of the Christmas lights and you could hear Christmas music softly playing from the living room. I had been at the Ely's a lot during the last few weeks helping Maxine prepare for Christmas. Wrapping presents, decorating the tree with the boys, baking cookies.

They all really made me feel that I truly belonged here. That I was a part of their family. I had been visiting Mac too at the reservation and I loved his little house. It was full of Native American art, pictures, family pictures, and it was just cozy.

Kit opened the bedroom door and a minute later handed me a pair of sweats and a t-shirt that was definitely his. He turned around and I changed quickly, putting my bridesmaid dress over the dresser. I slipped into bed as he stripped down to his boxers. I averted my eyes as he slipped into bed and tried not to notice how good he looked shirtless.

Kit pulled me close to him and I met his eyes. We stared at each other for a good moment before our lips met gently. "Get some sleep Molly." Kit whispered as he pulled back and I laid my head on his chest.

…

Kit POV

I stared at Molly's closed eyes and listened to her soft breathing. Tonight had been a great night, I loved watching her have fun at Jason and Lynn's wedding. I knew I shouldn't have pushed her into staying with me but we spent so much time apart from each other that I wanted her with me every other moment. I especially shouldn't have done it because of what she told me a few weeks ago at the rodeo.

She felt it was against her morals. She wanted to wait for marriage, give her husband that special piece of her. Her father had raised her well, raised her to have standards, morals. The man had just screwed up later in age.

I remembered her face after their confrontation. It was devastated. I think she hoped that after a few months of not seeing her, her father would be ready to make up or apologize. She didn't think he would still be so angry that we were together.

I hated that he made her choose and felt even worse—but good somehow—that she decided to choose us, choose our relationship. She was committed to giving us a chance and not giving in to her father.

But I also had the feeling that she was trying to replace her father with Grandfather. They had gotten close since before Thanksgiving and now, she usually went to his house at least once a week, and if she wasn't there, they were on the phone with each other. Grandfather loved it, you could definitely tell. Mom told me that it probably made him feel needed since we were all grown up and doing our own thing, and since Grandma was gone.

He had someone to give direction to and talk to that wanted his advice, his experience. Not that my brothers and I didn't but she had been so sheltered from everything that almost every experience was new.

I sighed and look back down at Molly. I was falling for her and it was scary. I hadn't felt this way for anyone before and it made me nervous. Sure, I had been "in love" with my high school girlfriend but Molly and my relationship was different, more serious, real I guess I'd say.

The kind of feelings and thoughts she gave me, made me think about when I was going to settle down, what I going to do after I stopped going on the rodeo circuit. I was only twenty-five and there were men still riding in the circuit in their late thirties, early forties.

I knew Molly wasn't going to wait that long for me to decide to stop. She was heavy on family and wanted one. I mean she had only turned twenty but in a few years she might want a child or marriage and she didn't want to be with anyone who wasn't willing to settle down. She wanted her children to have stability and a hometown. The opposite of what she had.

I kissed her forehead and laid down. These were too many heavy thoughts to be thinking about while I was slightly intoxicated and on Christmas Eve. I needed some sleep.

….…

Maxine POV

"Merry Christmas, Ma." Kit leaned over to kiss my cheek as he handed me a gift. I smiled at him and gently tore the wrapping off. It was a Pandora bracelet with seven initial charms with birthstones on the back. K, S, N, A, B, Q, and J. Seven charms for my seven sons and a little book representing my job.

"I love it!" Molly helped me get it on and we both smiled at it. "Did you pick this all out by yourself honey?"

Kit smiled sheepishly. "Not all by myself."

"Well thank you Kit and Molly." I laughed, knowing exactly who helped him.

"You're more than welcome. We wanted to give you something nice." Molly gabbed Kit's hand and leaned into him.

"I love it. I won't take it off."

"And she means that. I'll get smacked in the face with that thing while she's sleeping." Luke grumbled from where he sat beside me and I gently smacked his arm.

"Oh you hush." I gave my husband a gentle shove and he smiled.

.…..

Molly POV

It was so weird to have this big Christmas celebration. I was used to a small, low-key Christmas with just my father in our RV. Here it was like Christmas decorations everywhere, a heap of gifts, all the boys, Luke, Maxine, and Mac. Even their dog, Gal, was in the living room with us.

I was glad Maxine liked the Pandora bracelet Kit and I had chosen to get her. Kit had wanted to get her a generic perfume or something like that but I insisted he should get her something special, something meaningful. Especially after winning big the last few events he participated in.

We had finally decided on the Pandora bracelet. Kit thought of the book charm and I suggested getting the charms with the boy's initials and birthstones on them. I had let him pick out Luke's since I feel like I still didn't know him that well since he was so quiet but I had picked out a special one for Mac.

"One more." I told them with a smile after everyone else had opened their presents. Maxine and Luke had gotten me some thermal clothes for the winter and a gift card to the tack shop in town. Nate and the boys had gotten me some movies and a cute sweatshirt that said "I know I ride like a girl, try to keep up!"

I pulled the wrapped canvas into the room and stood in front of Mac. "Katie and I were shopping in Reno a week or so ago and when I saw this, I knew it belonged in your house."

Mac took ahold of the wrapped canvas and gently unwrapped. His eyes widened when he saw the painting and his eyes took it all in. I saw Maxine give me a thumbs up with a smile as she watched Mac admire it. It was a beautiful piece of Native art from one of Mac's favorite artists that was here in Nevada. Katie had went with me to pick it up, in a store a few hours away.

Mac reached over and pulled me in for a hug. "It is beautiful, Molly. I will hang it as soon as I get home."

"I'm glad you like it." Our eyes met for a moment and in it, I felt the connection between us. It wasn't anything like Kit and I had, it was more like a grandfather, granddaughter type connection I guess. That's how I saw Mac, as my "adopted" grandfather.

Quinn broke up the moment by stating he was hungry. As we walked out to the kitchen, I saw Mac staring at the painting and then he looked out the window. It looked like his lips were moving but I couldn't tell.

…

Hal Parker POV

I tapped the small glass on the bar, indicating to the bartender I wanted another refill. Christmas music played over the bar's speakers and the bar was almost empty. It was Christmas of course so there weren't many people out. I was surprised this bar was even open.

I thought of how I usually spent my Christmas. With Molly and I having gingerbread pancakes then opening presents we had gotten each other. Maybe we would go out in the barn and tack up the horses for a little ride if we were in a place that had surrounding land.

Now here I was, in a bar drinking my loneliness away. I had never thought Molly would leave me but the loneliness of the last few months confirmed that. Kit Ely. She left me for some stupid bronc rider.

The argument we had a few weeks ago weighed heavily on my mind and I realized I should have just kept my mouth shut. Molly obviously liked him—or she was just doing this because I vehemently opposed it. Who knew with young girls?

My friend Hank told me to apologize and let it go—was it really worth losing her? Couldn't I just pretend to like the kid?

I didn't think I could. Molly would come to her senses eventually.

….

Molly POV

Monday, December 26th

"Wait for us girls!" I shouted ahead to my group of five. Piper, Nicole, Hope, Brianna, and Destiny. We were taking a trail ride together as my "Christmas present" to them. Katie and Drew were out of town visiting family, which left me in charge and I had decided to give the girls a ride. Mac rode along with me since Kit was helping Luke and his brothers.

I was on Bailey, Mac was on Honor since all Katie's horses were English, and Mac rode Western. The girls rode the horses they usually did and were doing great. Snow covered the ground but it was easy to ride in.

I watched as Honor tossed her head giving Mac some trouble. I frowned. "Honor, what has gotten into you?"

Mac chuckled. "Oh she's just got some spunk today. Nothing I can't handle." He assured me.

"Well let me know—" I was interrupted by a round of barking. "Girls! Get back here!"

The horses pranced and I saw some eyes rolling. I didn't know where the barking was coming from but I needed to make sure the girl's horses stayed under control. "Tighten your reins just a bit and don't tense up. The horses are used to dogs." I listened for a moment. "It sounds like they're closer to Mac and I, so just keep them facing us so if we encounter any dogs, they'll be facing them, not having the dogs behind them."

The barking got closer and I took my own advice, turning Bailey towards the sounds. Honor was acting up and I knew she didn't have the greatest past with dogs. She had been attacked by a ranch dog when she was a two year old.

"Mac, you want me to take her?" I didn't want anything to happen to him. I'd rather something happen to me.

He shook his head. "I'm okay Molly. I've handled worse horses."

Two dogs broke through the brush and rushed towards us. They had collars on so they weren't wild but they didn't seem to be under control. I backed Bailey up slowly towards the girls. Their horses seemed to be okay seeing the dogs but I wanted to be close if I was needed.

Mac let out a shout at the dogs and they stopped temporarily. The first one stayed but the second one strayed close. Honor wanted to back up but Mac wouldn't let her. Her front feet danced, threatening to rear as the dog growled.

"Mac." I said his name quietly.

"Molly, I've got this, move the girls along down the trail, towards Three Ponies. Do it now." He sounded urgent as the other dog came forward too. Their hair was standing up on their backs and the closest one growled.

"Girls, let's head on down the trail okay? Slowly turn your horses and don't go faster than I walk." I tried to sound calm and cheery, not scared like I was. I couldn't frighten them. They were doing as I said and everything was going okay.

Until one of the dogs lunged. All hell seemed to break loose. Honor let out a panicked neigh and rose up on her hind legs. Bailey spooked sideways, threatening to go up too. I saw the girls managing to hold their horses and I got Bailey to stand still.

Mac got Honor down but the dogs, both of them, lunged at her feet. She wasn't having it and she went up again, this time higher than the last.

"Honor! Mac!" I shouted, starting to dismount.

"Stay on that horse!" Mac shouted back. "Don't get off!" He struggled to get Honor to stay down and stay put but he was doing it.

I pushed Bailey forward to try to grab Honor's bridle but she went up again.

And this time, she couldn't hold up being up so high. I watched in horror along with the girls as Honor flipped over on Mac. The dogs moved forward and I jumped out of the saddle, running towards them.

"Get out of here! Get on!" I shouted rushing them and they fell back. I grabbed a half broken branch and threw it at them, hitting the one, who yelped. As they ran the other way, Bailey had decided he had enough and yanked the reins out of my hand, and backing up quickly. I barely noticed as I grabbed Honor's bridle, pulling at it, trying to get her to get up. Mac was still half pinned underneath her and I could see his eyes were closed.

"Molly!" One of the girls shouted my name and I could hear the terror in their voice. As Honor stood up, I briefly looked at them. Grabbing the phone out of my pocket, I motioned for one of them to come forward.

Hope dismounted and threw her reins to Nicole, rushing forward to me. I handed her the phone. "Call nine-one-one! Then I need you to find Maxine Ely's number in there and tell her what happened. We need help, do you understand me Hope?"

She nodded, pale, but started dialing. I turned back to Mac, dropping Honor's reins. I got on my knees beside him and felt for a pulse. It was there and I almost cried in relief. "Mac? Can you hear me? Mac please, open your eyes."

"I'm still here Molly." He whispered. His hand reached out for me. "I'm not dead."

I grabbed his hand tightly. "Are you hurt anywhere? Did she fall completely on you? Oh God Mac, I'm so sorry. So so sorry."

"Not your fault." Mac's lips tightened. I could hear Hope frantically talking in the background. It sounded like she was on the phone with help. "She fell completely on me but I'm okay."

I racked my brain for the small bit of medical knowledge I had from volunteering and my first aid classes. I knew I couldn't move him, he could have neck or back damage and me moving him could hurt him farther. Honor wasn't a big horse but she still weighed at least a thousand pounds, he could have internal bleeding—Okay I had to stop panicking. I was the responsible one here. I had to keep it together.

Hope kneeled beside me. "Help is on the way. Mrs. Ely is too." She looked down at Mac. "Is Mr. Ely going to be okay?" Her eyes showed the panic and worry of a thirteen year old and I knew I had to be the calm one. I couldn't break down.

"I'm going to be just fine Hope. I've had worse than this." Mac patted her hand. I looked at my girls and thought of how this ride had gone so wrong.

"Hope, I want you to get back on your horse until help arrives, okay? If those dogs come back, you can't be on the ground." She shook her head. "Hope, please just listen to me. I need you to get back on your horse."

She glanced once more at Mac then went back to her horse as I asked. I leaned down. "Mac, I need you to be honest with me. How are you feeling?"

"A little dizzy. My breath feels short. Kind of cold." He admitted, coughing and he winced. "May have a few broken ribs."

I took off my jacket and placed it over him. I wished I could put something under him but I couldn't move him. "What about your legs? Any broken bones? Ankle?"

He considered the sky then his eyes went back at me. "Molly, I can't feel anything."

"Oh so then no broken—"

"No Molly, you don't understand. I can't feel my legs."

My breath caught and my eyes dropped down to his legs. Thoughts raced through the head and one particularly stood out. The fall had paralyzed Mac.

…

I watched as my students went home with their parents. A few of them crying. I had explained what had happened on our ride and the parents assured me they'd talk to them about what had happened. A few even hugged me, one standing out was Tia Geller, Hope's mom. She had seemed so concerned for me too. I told her I was okay.

The truth was that I was anything but okay. I had barely gotten Honor and Bailey back here once the ambulance took Mac, along with Maxine who showed up on horseback. Honor was standing in the round pen still tacked up and shaking. Bailey was back in his warm stall, munching hay.

I walked back into the barn and slid down to the barn floor. Tears that I had been holding in fell down my cheeks and the panic, the fear, everything I had been holding back rushed me. A sob wracked through me and it was as if a dam let loose.

My chest constricted and my breath shortened. I leaned over on my hands and knees in the barn aisle and cried. Soon enough it felt like I couldn't breathe.

He couldn't feel his legs. Honor had flipped on him. My students were probably traumatized. I was responsible for this. I had set up the ride. I clutched my chest and sobbed.

"Molly?" A warm body kneeled beside me and warmth surrounded me. "Molly, it's Joe. What's going on?"

I tried to talk, tried to tell him but no words came out. Sobs continued and his arms tightened around me. I bowed my face into his shoulder and kept on crying. I could hear my breath coming in quick gasps and he was rubbing my back.

"Breathe, Molly. You need to breathe." Joe pushed me back and made me look at him. "Molly, what happened?"

"Mac." I got out. "Honor—sob—flipped—sob—on him."

Joe's face grew concerned. "Where is he?" Everyone here knew Mac now that he came around me.

"The hospital." I wailed. "He can't feel his legs!"

Joe rocked me and eventually I stopped crying. I felt exhausted and I was freezing. Breathing came easier now and I smelled Joe's cologne.

His hands ran over my hair gently and it felt so nice. "We should probably get off this cold ground, don't you think?"

I nodded once and he helped me up. "Now where's Honor? Is she okay?"

The tears almost came back and I shook my head. "I don't know. She's still tacked up in the pen. She wouldn't let me do anything."

"You go ahead and call Dr. Scott to have him come check her out. I'll go see if I can get her saddle off okay?"

….…..

"She seems to be okay. If you want I can do x-rays but if she had broken or injured anything, you'd notice." Dr. Scott zipped up his veterinarian bag.

"She got up just fine when I pulled her up and she gave me trouble the whole way home. I don't think she's injured but I wanted to make sure." I was calmer now with Joe beside me and Dr. Scott telling me Honor was okay.

"You say the dogs came out of nowhere?" He asked as we walked out of the pen, leaving Honor with her hay. I would move her to the barn in a little while.

"Yeah, we were just riding on the trail up there," I pointed to the wooded area behind Katie's pastures. "And they just came running out of the bushes, barking and growling. Honor doesn't like dogs too much to begin with but they were acting aggressively too. They had collars on so they're someone's dogs."

Dr. Scott stopped and looked back. "I'll try to see if I can find out who lives back that way and if I can find records in my office for any dogs matching their descriptions. The owners should be paid a visit by animal control or the sheriff if their dogs are attacking horses." He put his hand on my shoulder. "This wasn't your fault. Mac will be okay."

I was silent and Joe thanked him as he left. "I need to get to the hospital and check on Mac." I said, breaking the silence.

"Of course. Do you want a ride? I don't think you should be driving right now." Joe grabbed my arm gently. "I'll get the car warmed up."

Joe's Jeep was warm when I got in and we headed out quickly. "Are you okay?" Joe asked as we drove down the long road to Darton. I didn't even know how to answer.

"I'm worried about Mac." I said half-numb, my mind thinking of all the worst scenarios. What if he was permanently paralyzed?

"I'm worried about you." Joe stated, casting a worried glance at me. "You had a panic attack back there in the barn and your hands are hurt."

I looked down at my hands, shocked to see he was right. It looked almost like a burn. Probably from Bailey ripping the reins out of my hands. Weird how I didn't notice that.

I shrugged. "I'm fine." I kept my eyes ahead. "All there is to worry about is Mac."

….

I could see Kit's truck was here and knew that meant all the Elys were. I stopped at the hospital entrance, afraid to go in. Would they want to see me? It was my fault Mac was here.

Joe placed his hand on my back and lightly pushed me forward. He walked us up to the information desk. "We're here about Mac Ely. He came by ambulance."

The nurse typed the name in. "Mr. Ely is currently being assessed by the doctors but there's a waiting room to the right if you'd like to wait for the doctor."

"Thank you." Joe told her and pushed me along. In the waiting room, I saw everyone sitting there, tense and worried looks on their faces. Maxine glanced up as we walked towards them and she jumped up.

"Oh sweetheart." Joe took his hand off me as Maxine wrapped her arms around me. Fresh tears threatened to fall as she hugged me and I had to really try to keep them at bay. "Look at you. Are you okay? You should probably be checked out by the doctor."

Kit was beside her looking me over. "You're a mess Molly. Are you okay?" Kit's hands checked me over.

I nodded, seeing for the first time all the mud that covered my jeans, shirt, hands, arms, and probably my face. "I'm fine. How's Mac?"

"The doctors are checking him out now. The paramedics said there might be a broken rib or two." Maxine didn't say what I know Mac had to have told her. That he couldn't feel his legs. "What happened out there?"

She pulled me into a chair and Kit sat beside me and put his coat over me. I hadn't even realized that I wasn't wearing one. I had put mine over Mac. My mind briefly wondered where it was before deciding it didn't matter.

"We, well you know this, we were taking the older girls on a trail ride. It was my gift to them." I tried to keep myself under control as I told them everything. "I kept asking if he wanted me to take her. He said no. I wish he had just given her to me. I should have rode her."

"It's not your fault. Mac already said that a dozen times on the ride here. He wanted me to make sure that I told you it wasn't your fault." Maxine rubbed my arm. A doctor stepped into the room then and Maxine and Luke followed him into the hallway to talk.

I sat there with Kit and his brothers in silence. Joe sat a few chairs down quietly. We were all waiting to hear what the doctor said. A few minutes later, Maxine and Luke reappeared. Maxine was pale and wiping away tears.

"What did they say?" Nate asked his parents. Luke looked down at Maxine before speaking.

"He has three broken ribs, a sprained wrist, a busted lip, a few bruises….and…." Luke took a deep breath. "It seems he's paralyzed from the waist down. The doctors aren't sure if it's temporary or not."

Everyone was silent in the room and I felt like my breath was leaving me again.

My worst fears were confirmed. Mac had been paralyzed in the fall.

….….

AN: Hey readers. Not the update I said I would have but an update! Again, sorry it's taking so long. School is crazy. Midterms and all that. I'm also doing NaNoWriMo if anyone has heard of it, it's an event in November where you write 50,000+ words. It's like a competition sort of for writers. I'm doing it for fun for one of my original stories but I am also going to try harder to update here! But it's so wonderful to be able to create this story of your own that is completely yours and to fall in love with your characters. It's great.

After December 11th , I have a whole MONTH of no school and I don't go back until January 30th so I will get a lot of updates in then. I also will have 2 less classes in my next semester so less of a workload hopefully!

I am so so so so so sorry again that I've taken so long. I'm not abandoning any stories, all I ask is for patience. I hope the length of this chapter (a big 6,000+ words! Longest is awhile!) makes up for some of the time

To my reviewers:

Jessica: I did put up an answer to your review in the last chapter but I figured you didn't see it so…Yes I see Joe being a bit of trouble too. There's always one isn't there? I loved Mac in the books and wished he had a bigger role in the series. I thought he could be a good figure in Molly's life with everything with her dad. The reason I had her stay with Mac is because with her morals, she feels it's wrong to stay with Kit. It's more comfortable for her to stay in a room with Mac, with two separate beds of course, than Kit. As you see she can/does give it a bit but She's trying not to. Hope that explains it a bit!

SoccerGirl58: well it's good you've been busy with soccer because my updates have been slow! Sorry for the long update and I hope you enjoyed the chapter!

P.S. I tweeted a pic at Terri quoting book #10 on "Columbus Day" quoting Mac's bumper stick "Columbus didn't find America; It was never lost." And she tweeted me back! Made my day…If any of you have Twitter and haven't already, follow Terri! She's great and I believe she's in the processing of writing another book (other than her new release, Wild At Heart).

Thanks again for reading! –Quinnandseth'sgirl15