52

Rebecca was working in the kitchen on dinner when she heard a commotion from down the hall. The shuffling of feet made her turn in the direction of the noise, finding her mother coming into focus.

As per usual, the older blonde woman was in a nightgown with only a robe around her and her appearance was dishevelled. Her hair was out of place and her eyes were darting around the room in a confused look.

"What time is it?" her mother asked.

"It's almost dinner time, Mother," Rebecca replied as she walked over to her. "Are you hungry?"

The woman shook her head. "No, I just wanted you to read to me again. You know how a story is the only thing that makes me feel calm."

Rebecca held back the sigh she wanted to release. Her mother had been sick from the time she could remember with an incurable unknown ailment which caused mental fragility. The family did the best they could to keep her content, but the lack of her faculties was felt by the entire Caldwell clan.

"Why don't I take you back into your room and have Lydia read to you?" Rebecca offered as she put her arm around her mother's shoulder. "I need to finish up dinner. I'll send a plate in when it's ready."

The older woman pulled away and said in a shrill, accusing voice, "But you know you reading to me makes me the happiest."

"Mother, I want to read to you, but I have to get this meal finished for the family. How about I read the Bible to you before bed?"

Reluctantly, the older woman nodded and allowed Rebecca to guide her back to her room.

A few minutes later, Rebecca was putting the finishing touches on dinner when she heard Georgie yell from the family room, "There's a man outside."

She made her way from the kitchen at the back of the house towards where all the commotion was happening.

Her brother was looking through the front window.

"Get away from there, Georgie," their father ordered as he walked over to the door and opened it.

On the other side stood a tall man in a wet great coat, boots and hat, the latter which he promptly removed. He also had a saddle and bag slung over his shoulder.

The stranger looked up and made eye contact with her father, stating, "Good evening, sir. My name's Jack Harkness. I'm from the next township and need somewhere to doss for the night, might I use your secure barn?"

"What brings you out to these parts, Mister?"

"I was making my way home to Woody after moving some stock to the Grimes brothers when my horse was injured." He paused for a moment before continuing. "She barely made it here. I saw the sign for the livery and needed to find out how bad the damage is to her leg."

"I'm sorry to hear that, Harkness." He glanced past him out the door. "Let's go take a look at your horse's leg and see what can be done."

Several minutes later, the two men entered the house with sullen looks on their faces.

Rebecca sucked in her breath and held it. The man was not only tall, but carried himself with confidence. He was incredibly striking with shaggy black hair and piercing blue eyes. The stranger caught her staring at him, causing her to quickly avert her eyes as a blush crept across her body.

Rebecca's father gestured for the Harkness to sit down in the family living room. "As I said outside, your horse is going to need to stay off that leg for at least two weeks in order for the wound and pulled muscle to heal; and even then, she may not be rideable afterward. I'm assuming you'll be needing a horse in the meantime."

"Since Janet will need to remain here at your livery while she recovers, I will indeed need another horse for the time being. Are there any for sale?" the Harkness asked.

Mr. Caldwell shook his head. "I'm sorry, Harkness, but we had a settlement party clean us out of all our horses a week ago. They're due to bring a couple back on Monday though."

"Damn, my family will be waiting for me, I was supposed to be home today. Do you have any way of contacting your local constabulary? They can contact my local Sherriff, he's a friend who can go let my mate know."

Mate.

Rebecca sighed as she saw that he was spoken for, the banging on the ceiling making her frown as she looked up and then reluctantly went up to read to her mother.

Jack rubbed his face as he learnt with relief that the rancher had a shortwave and Ianto would soon know the score.

Poor Janet.