Chapter 28

One Month Later

'Well, look who's up early.'

'I could say the same about you.' Maddie replied with a chuckle as Cordell came into the kitchen. 'You leaving early?'

He nodded as he walked to the fridge to get a bite to eat for breakfast. 'Got a-a meeting with Stan this morning before the debate at Sacred Heart.'

'Oh...' She added some more cereal into her bowl. 'Sounds ominous. You in trouble again?'

'No, no, nothing like that. Just some routine stuff to go over-' He found himself an apple then closed the fridge again. 'Nothing out of the ordinary. What about you though? Why are you up so early?'

'Couldn't sleep.'

'Nightmares?'

Maddie nodded. 'I woke your mom and Liam at two, I didn't want to go back to sleep and wake them again...' She sighed softly. 'But hey, I haven't cut at least, it'll be a month next Tuesday.'

Cordell smiled. 'I'm proud of you Maddie... You know that, right?'

'I know.' She smiled sadly at him then looked back down at her bowl. 'You know, all my life, I wanted to hear my Dad say those words to me. Tried to do everything I could just so he could say he was proud of me...' Her voice trailed off and she began to play with the rest of her breakfast with her spoon.

He took a seat on a stool beside her at the island bench. 'Your Dad... He had problems. Lots of problems; but how you were treated isn't a reflection of you. It's on him, all on him. It wasn't your fault.'

'I think-' She started after a moment, turning back to him. 'I think I'm starting to come to that conclusion. Slowly. It's hard, you know... But, it's getting easier. I just keep thinking, wondering, how things might have turned out if he did have a chance to change. Knowing what I know now though-' She sighed again softly. 'Knowing what he was involved in... I don't think the outcome would have been any different. Enough about my problems though, you'll be late for work if you don't get going.'

'I take it, that's my cue to leave?'

She chuckled. 'Don't want you to be late to talk to your boss.'

'We can finish this later, if you want.'

'Okay.' Maddie smiled as he stood, placing a kiss on her head before heading to the door. 'Have a good day.'

'You too.' He grabbed his hat then turned back to her. 'You be good for Mom and Dad you hear?'

She giggled. 'I'm always good Cordell, you know that.'

'Yeah yeah. No mischief, I know that look.'

The teen put her hands up in surrender. 'Okay. No mischief. Promise.'

'Bye.'

'Bye.' She replied as the door closed after him and her smile faded as she turned back to her breakfast. Her cornflakes were a mushy, yucky mess now, definitely not worth eating and she pushed the plate away from her in disgust. 'Oh well... I wasn't too hungry anyhow...' She murmured softly, lingering at the bench. It was just almost sun-up, the rest of the family would be up shortly and getting ready to go about their day. The thought of going for an early ride was briefly entertained in her mind but she decided against it. She was tired. Much too tired.

The nightmares still kept her up at night, despite the fact her father had been gone almost two months already. It was embarrassing, she hated waking up Abeline and Liam but there wasn't much she could do about it. Even with speaking to her counselor and trying to find ways of dealing with them, it hadn't helped much. It seemed like they were getting worse...

The past week though a few of her nightmares had involved Stan. She couldn't figure it out, couldn't think of a reason why he was in her dreams. If she was being honest, he did give her the creeps but that wasn't enough of a reason to be part of her nightmares, was it?

'Oh Maddie, you're up...'

'I didn't wake you again, did I?' She questioned, seeing Abeline appeared to be still half asleep.

'No, no honey. I've just got to get the lunches done-'

'Hey, I'll do them.' Maddie interrupted as she hopped down from the stool. 'I'll get breakfast on for everyone too, you go back to bed for an extra half hour.'

Abeline smiled at the girl, brushing her cheek gently with her hand. 'Maddie, you are an angel honey, but I'm already up now. I'll do it. Why don't you go have your morning ride?'

'Thought I'd skip that, too tired. Besides, I'll probably be riding later depending on what Bonham wants us to do today.'

'Don't forget you've got to finish the rest of those tests off-'

'Ugh... Don't remind me.'

She chuckled as she went to the fridge and gathered what she needed for the kids lunches. 'You could be going to school come the Fall.'

'Ah ah. No way. I'll get those tests finished. Promise. I'm just glad Cordell and the case worker decided to let me do correspondence rather then having to attend school.'

'You never know, you might enjoy school if you went.'

'Yeah, somehow, I don't think so.' She emptied her leftover breakfast into the bin then washed her hands and started to help with the lunches. 'You trying to get rid of me now Abeline?'

'Never.' She chuckled. 'But it might be nice for you to make some friends your own age.'

'Um, before meeting you guys, I've never had friends my own age. I don't think that's going to change. Besides, I've got family now-' Maddie started to butter the bread, looking up at her. 'That's all I need.'

Abeline smiled back at her them glanced up as the back door opened. 'Morning Hon.'

'Morning.' He gave her a kiss on the cheek then looked at Maddie. 'Morning Maddie girl.'

'Good morning sir.' She replied back. 'What's on the agenda for today?'

'This one eager to work this morning or something?' He remarked with a chuckle, Abeline laughing softly. 'I haven't even had my coffee yet.'

'And I've already put the jug on to boil.' She added.

'Already being little Miss Helpful I see.'

'I try.' She replied with a chuckle. 'Gotta earn my keep somehow.'

'With what you've been doing around here lately, you've been doing the work of two people.' Abeline said. 'You've got to learn to relax too.'

'Says she who has a to-do list as long as next week.' Bonham pointed out.

Maddie chuckled at his remark. 'He's got you there Abby.'

She playfully elbowed her. 'That's enough out of you.'

Still giggling, the teen headed back to the fridge to get some more cold meat for the sandwiches.

'It's the last week of school.' Stella started, August closing the door behind themselves. 'Don't you think you need to tell Ruby how you feel before summer?'

'Stella, it's not that easy to just...'

'Come on, Augie. Show some spirit.'

'Yeah. 'Cause it's, it's Spirit Week, yay.'

Spirit Week? Maddie raised an eyebrow.

'Is it Spirit Week already?' Liam asked as he joined them in the kitchen, Bret pulling up a seat at the island bench.

'All right, I got some work to do.' Bonham finished making his coffee, stopping by August on his way through. 'It's best not to keep things bottled up, trust me. Maddie-'

'Yes sir?'

'When your finished in here, come find me and we'll go over what we're doing today. I'll be in my office.'

She nodded. 'Will do.'

'So, what's Spirit Week?' Bret questioned.

'Oh. Liam's never told you about Spirit Week?' Abeline replied.

'No, no-' Liam poured himself his green juice for his breakfast. 'Bret is here to help with the campaign, not to talk about Spirit Week.'

'Okay, seriously, can we stop saying "Spirit Week"?' August requested. 'It's kind of getting annoying.'

'Spirit Week!' Stella started to chant, Maddie and Liam joining in much to his annoyance. 'Spirit Week! Spirit Week!'

'I have not heard of the week whose name we shall not speak.' Brett added.

'It's what we call the week before summer break-' Stella explained, grabbing some granola bars from the cupboard. 'When everyone's taking care of unfinished business they put off all year, like, I don't know, finally confessing their crushes.'

'And, yeah, and making up for being a terrible friend.'

'Or in Uncle Liam's case, both.'

'Ooh...'

'Half the school apologized for how I was treated when I came out, and the other half wanted to hook up before going off to college.' Liam explained, glancing up from his phone.

'Hey, no phones at breakfast time, love.' Abeline interjected.

'No, I got talking points and the debate-' He saw the look on her face and knowing better then to argue with her, put it away. 'Okay.'

'Okay, so let me get this straight. Uh, everyone announces how they're gonna change, but the question is, is it all just talk, or do they actually act on it?' Brett asked.

'Are you talking about Spirit Week or the debates?'

'Are you making this all about you now?' He questioned and the others laughed.

'What about you, Mawline?' Stella asked as Abeline handed her her lunch. 'You need some talking points for those vows?'

'Excuse me, I have done this before, and things do get better with age.'

Maddie giggled. 'Yeah, like a fine wine.'

Abeline looked down at her with a chuckle. 'What has gotten into you this morning?'

'The effects of Spirit Week must be catching.' Bret remarked as Stella and August headed out again. 'Have you got any unfinished business to take care of Maddie?'

'Only with the piano, I have a song that I want to get finished off.' She replied while beginning to clean up from making the sandwiches.

'Liam mentioned the other day you're pretty good with the piano, I'd love to hear you play some time.'

'I'm not that good.'

'Hey, don't let her sell herself short.' Abeline glanced over at her. 'I know talent when I see it and you defiantly inherited it from your Mama.'

'Alright-' Liam returned to the room with his briefcase, turning to Bret. 'Ready to go?'

'Yeah, ready when you are.'

'Bye Ma.'

'Good luck.' She replied, giving him a hug. 'I'm sure you'll do well.'

'Thanks.'

Not feeling comfortable with hugging Liam just yet, Maddie gave him a smile instead. 'If I could vote, I'd be voting for you. You've got this.'

'Hey, maybe I should have made you my campaign manager. You give better pep talks then Bret.'

She giggled at the fake look of horror on Bret's face as they headed for the door. 'Bye.'

The house was quiet again after they had left, Abeline and Maddie cleaning up the kitchen. Looking over at Abeline, she could tell there was something on her mind and after a moment, she went over to her and slipped her arm around her waist. Abeline smiled, hugging her back and placed a kiss on her head.

'How do you always know when I need a hug?'

'Mama said I had a sixth sense about people.' She replied with a smile. 'And I guess, being through what I've been through means I can see when other people are hurting. I'm really sorry about last night, I didn't mean to wake you. Again. For the fifth time this week.'

'Oh, it's alright honey. I know it's not your fault.' She glanced over at the clock, making a mental note to ring the doctor's office once they were open. 'Go on now, you better find out what Bon's plans are for the day.'


'Bonham-'

He looked up from tacking Ace as Maddie hurried from Skylar's stall. 'What's the matter Maddie?'

'It's Skylar, she's hurt her leg.' She replied and he left his horse to come look. 'She was fine last night when I checked on her.'

Kneeling beside the mare he gently ran his hand down her near side foreleg, the mare flinching when he touched the swollen area. 'My guess is she's got a bowed tendon.'

'Is that bad?'

'It ain't good.' He stood, giving Skylar a pat then turned to Maddie. 'Skylar's twenty-one, she's getting close to needing to be retired from riding.'

'You won't put her down though, will you?'

'No, of course not. Not for something like this.'

Maddie breathed a sigh of relief. 'So she'll be alright?'

'We'll get the vet out to come take a look, I'll go give them a call now and see if they've got time today to check her over. While I do that, you can go get those cold packs and bandages from the first aid kit and wrap her leg up like I've shown you before.'

'Alright. And she stays in the stall?'

He nodded as he got his phone out from his pocket. 'Complete stall rest until the vet can check her over.'

Maddie sighed after he left, running a hand down her neck. 'Sorry old girl, I must have been working you too hard...' Skylar knickered softly, nudging her with her muzzle and she smiled sadly. 'You want some sugar cubes? I'll get you one after we've bandaged up that leg of yours, okay?'


'How's Skylar doing?' Abeline questioned as Bonham returned from the barn from checking on the mare and he joined her on the porch.

'She's alright, vet will be out tomorrow. Must have happened yesterday when Maddie was jumping her.'

'You didn't tell her that, did you?'

He shook his head as he lent against the post. 'Skylar's an old horse, I'm surprised she's done this well considering how much she's been ridden since Maddie started with her. Guess we'll need to find Maddie another horse now, regardless. She won't be able to hold up to long days being ridden anymore anyway.'

Abeline sighed, picking up her knitting again. 'Maddie won't be pleased, they've gotten a strong bond those two.'

'I know, I saw them yesterday.' He turned to her. 'When did you teach her how to ride without tack?'

'Here and there, it's something on that bucket list of hers.'

He nodded, silence falling.

'We need to tell them it's cancer.' Abeline changed the subject after a moment. 'Liam already knows and it's not fair to keep it from the rest of the family.'

'After everything that's happened, you think they need more drama?' He questioned. 'Besides, Maddie already lost her mom from cancer. How do you think she'll react if we told her? She's only just starting to find her footing again.' He paused for a moment, looking over as two vehicles pulled up in the drive. 'Let's just wait until after the election to decide anything.'

'Hey-' Liam called out. 'I invited Stan.'

'I see that.' Abeline replied.

'Brought barbecue.' He held up a couple paper bags.

'And some beer.' Brett added.

'Well come on in.' She placed her knitting back in its bag as she stood. 'Just no politics.'

Liam laughed, the five of them heading inside. 'We'll try our best.'

'Where's the new chess champion of the Walker family got to?' Stan questioned, hanging his coat up on the rack. 'Thought Maddie might want to have a rematch.'

'Ah, she's out in the barn. Her horse blew a tendon, she's a bit upset about it.'

'Skylar?' Liam questioned.

Bonham nodded. 'She was needing to be retired soon anyway, this injury just made it happen sooner.'

'You know-' Stan interjected. 'An old buddy of mine has a few horses for sale at the moment, he might have something suitable for her. I can give him a call later if you like.'

'Appreciate it. I don't think it's going to be easy finding her one though, she hasn't shown an interest in any of the other horses we have here except for that mare.'

'Well, I'll have a chat with her and see what she'd be wanting.'


'Queen to F4-' Maddie said with a smile, moving her piece into position. 'And that's checkmate.'

Stan looked at the board in amazement, chuckles coming from both Liam and Bret as they watched their little chess match. 'Damn Maddie, you have gotten good.'

Her grin widened. 'Mmmhmm. I've been practicing.'

'I can see that.'

'You know, every night she makes one of us play a game with her just so she could beat you.' Liam remarked, glancing up from his laptop for a moment as they reset their pieces to play again. 'Last week she won four in a row, Mom, Dad, Cordell and Stella.'

'Really? Well done.'

'I haven't played against Bret yet.' She moved her Queen back beside her King. 'Do you play chess Bret?'

Bret shook his head. 'Checkers is more my kind of thing.'

'You don't know what you're missing out on.' Stan said while waiting for Maddie to make her first move. 'I was talking to Bonham earlier, he said you're needing a new horse Maddie.'

She nodded, moving one of her pawns forward a space. 'It would seem so.'

'I might know of someone with some horses for sale, what would you be looking for?'

Maddie shrugged as he took his turn. 'I haven't thought about it to be honest, I only found out this morning that Skylar needed to be retired.'

'Well, when you've thought about it, let me know. This guy I know breeds some pretty good Paint horses, a couple of his stallions are world champions-'

A knock sounded at the front door and Bret got up to go see who it was. Maddie glanced up from her game as Micki walked into the room and smiled. 'Hey Micki.'

'Afternoon Maddie.' She noted Stan and her playing a game of chess. 'Walker told me about your chess skills, how many games have you won against our D.A. contenders?'

'Mr. Morrison has lost two so far, I haven't played with Liam yet. He says he's too busy.'

'Well, maybe we can have a game sometime.'

'Sure, that'll be fun.' Maddie took another turn, capturing one of Stan's pawns with her Knight.

'Anyway-' The Ranger returned to the order of business that she had come to visit for. 'The security threat has been lifted.'

'What'd you find out about the suspect?' Liam questioned.

'He was troubled. Likely harmless in the long run but he was taken in. Just wanted to be heard.'

'You should have brought him out here, Ranger.' Stan said as he carefully pondered his next move. 'Liam could have set up a plan for the man's rehabilitation and reform.'

'They're still in debate mode.' Brett added. 'It's been, uh, spirited.'

'It's Spirit Week.' Liam replied.

'I can see that.' She said with a chuckle.

'Didn't Abeline tell you both earlier there was to be no politics?' Maddie questioned, waiting for Stan to take his turn then she turned to Micki. 'You should have been here for lunch, these two were going for it.'

The Ranger woman laughed. 'I can imagine.'

She turned back to Stan. 'It's still your move.'

'I know, I know. I'm thinking, alright?' He pondered moving a Rook and was about to take his turn when a message came through on his phone. 'Sorry Maddie, I better check this.'

'That's okay. Gives me more time to come up with a winning strategy.'

'Haha. Very funny. Damn it... Why did I grant one last interview to Byron Santos?'

'Maybe because after he trashed me, you figured he'd be in your corner.' Liam said, glancing up from his laptop.

Stan laughed. 'You know your opponent. All right, I think he's pulling up. I better get out there. We'll finish this off later then Maddie?'

Maddie nodded as he stood. 'Sure. I need to go check on my mare anyway.'

'You know, come to think of it-' He pushed Liam's laptop screen down as he walked past. 'He's probably gonna want a hero shot of you out front. You know, where the man became the legend.'

Liam sighed, shaking his head as the door closed after him. 'It's been all day.'

'You look like you need a cup of coffee.' The teen said, Bubbles climbing off her lap as she stretched. 'I can go make you one if you want.'

'Didn't you say you needed to go check Skylar?'

'Yeah, yeah... I probably should. I'll put the jug on though on my way through.'

'Much appreciated.'

True to her word, she put the jug on to boil on her way and headed out to the barn. Skylar was still eating from her hay net as she walked in, the mare pausing for a moment to greet her then returned to her meal. Unwrapping the bandages, Maddie checked the cold packs and decided they needed to be replaced.

When the packs were reapplied and the mare's leg rebandaged, the teen lingered with the mare for a moment then headed back out to go find Bonham and give him an update. The sound of shouting from across the garden however caught her attention and as she stopped, she frowned. It sounded like Stan was in an argument with someone...

'Why don't you go bug McLawson or Campbell?'

'I was at the county clerk's office this morning.' Byron replied. 'Found out there are a number of other cases McLawson dismissed that also had ties to Northside Nation.'

Northside Nation? She frowned, carefully moving closer to listen in to the conversation and crouched down near a bush. She hadn't forgotten the photograph she had found, the one with her father, that blonde haired woman and Stan. Dad was part of that...

'Well, what's that got to do with me?'

'Like you said, you're the DPS chair. You signed off on all the cases that were dismissed.'

As she continued to watch, it looked like Stan was starting to get quite annoyed and flustered with the questions from the journalist. Their voices became louder as their argument intensified, Byron trying to duck away from Stan but before he could, Stan grabbed hold of his shirt and threw him backwards.

Maddie gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

Byron didn't move.

She watched as Stan knelt down beside the man, Byron having hit his head on a rock when he'd been thrown back. He stood again suddenly, holding out his hands and Maddie knew what had happened. She'd just seen him kill the journalist. Her heart pounding, she turned to run.

'Hey, hey-'

Maddie ran faster, hearing Stan shouting behind her but she wasn't fast enough to get away from him. He grabbed her, the girl fighting to get out of his grip. 'Let me go!'

'Maddie, Maddie, it was an accident-'

'Let me go!'

Stan looked around, if anyone heard her shouting- He wrapped an arm around her throat, tightening the grip he had on her as she fought harder. 'I'm sorry Maddie...' He murmured while he mentally counted to ten, the struggle she put up began to abate until finally she went limp in his hold. Knowing he didn't have much time left before she woke, he frantically tried to come up with a plan.