'Well-' Geri exclaimed as she and Maddie finished playing one of the fair games, Maddie having won herself a small plush dog for her try. 'Where do you want to go next?'

'Um…' She sat the plush toy down on her lap as she wheeled her chair away from the stand so other fair-goers could line up, looking around for a moment. 'Could we go inside that large shed and see what they've got in there? Might need to take a break for a little while too, I'm getting pretty tired.'

Geri nodded. 'Want me to push you?'

'If it's not too much trouble, that'd be great. My arms feel like they're about to fall off.'

She chuckled at that as she began to push Maddie through the crowd in the direction of the large shed. 'You've been managing pretty well so far, not a bad effort at all.'

'By the time I'm gonna be able to walk again I'm gonna have arm muscles like the Rock's.'

Geri laughed. 'Oh, that's a good one.'

Maddie smiled, giggling softly as she enjoyed having a moment to rest. 'Hey, I've been meaning to ask you something.'

'Ah… Sure.' She replied with slight hesitation, wondering what Maddie was going to question her about. 'What about?'

'Your shirt.'

'My-my shirt?'

'Yeah. Where'd you get it? I mean, it's hard to find tee-shirts with horses on them.' Maddie questioned. 'I really like that one you're wearing.'

'Oh, I bought it from a shop in one of the malls a couple weeks back.' Geri said, slightly relieved it wasn't a question about her being a Davidson and all that… Now that Maddie wasn't as sick as she had been and things there had started to settle down, everyone was just trying to pick up where they'd left off before, herself included. 'Tell you what, if they've got any left I'll grab you one this week.'

'Really?'

'Sure.'

She smiled up at her. 'Thanks.'

Geri smiled back.

Silence fell between them for a moment as they made their way through the crowd into the large shed where numerous folks from the city had come to sell things at their stalls. Maddie looked around as Geri pushed her in then she motioned for them to go over to a stall just inside the doorway. 'Oh these are nice…' She commented as she looked at the framed black and white photographs taken at rodeo events. There was one in particular that caught her eye, a young girl about her age riding in a barrel racing event… 'Geri-' Geri looked over at her calling her name and she pointed to the photograph. 'Can you pass me that one please?'

'Sure.' She picked up the photo frame and handed it down to her. 'Pretty cool photo hey.'

'Yeah…' Maddie gazed at the photo intently for a time. The photo had been taken mid-stride as the horse went around the barrel, an awesome action shot in it's own right but what she was taking more notice of was the rider and the horse. 'I-I know it may sound silly but I think that looks like my mom.'

'Really?'

She nodded. 'Mama did rodeo a little when she was a teen, her horse was a chestnut with a blaze and three white socks, she called him Whiskey. This horse has the same markings as one in an old photo book of hers.' She paused for a moment, running a finger over the glass thoughtfully. 'Yeah… Yeah, I think… I think this could be of my mom.'

Geri looked around for the owner of the stall, an older gentleman in a stetson that was arranging some other photographs at the end of the table. 'Excuse me.' She started to catch his attention. He looked up from his work and came over, Geri taking the photo frame back from Maddie to show him. 'Could you tell us who took this photo?'

'That'd be me.' He replied. 'Ned Rogers.'

'Geri Broussard.' She introduced herself. 'And this is Maddie.'

Ned looked down at the teen in the wheelchair. 'Hi.'

Maddie smiled at him. 'You've taken all these photos?'

He nodded. 'Yep, I've taken all these here photos. Been traveling the rodeo circuit takin photos ever since I busted my back comin off a bronc back in 79. Became my second passion, after bronc riding of course.' He was handed the photo frame and he smiled as he looked at the photo. 'I sure remember this one.' He remarked, looking back at the woman and the young girl. 'That little gal was quite the rider. Won state that year, back in 99.'

Maddie felt her heart skip a beat at that. 'Do you… Would you remember what her name was?'

'Ah… Let me think.' He pondered it for a moment. 'Macey. Macey Smithers- or… Oh, I can't remember. I know her first name was Macey, that much I do know.'

'Was her last name Stanton?'

'Yeah…' He nodded. 'Yeah, I think it was.' He frowned a little, looking from the photograph to the girl. 'You know, the resemblance between you two…' He shook his head. 'If I didn't know better I'd say you two was related.'

'That's cause we are.' Maddie replied with a slight hint of sadness in her voice. 'That's my mom.'

'Your mom? Well now, I can see the resemblance…' Ned looked back at the girl. 'Your Mama was quite the horsewoman, young lady. I remember watching her last ride before she went on to singing, won her second state championship by half a second.'

'Would you happen to have any more photos of Macey?' Geri questioned after a moment.

'I'd have to go lookin through what I've got at home but yeah, I'd say I've got some more lyin around.' He looked back down at the teenager. 'Country singing lost a star when your Momma passed.'

Maddie smiled sadly. 'The world might have lost a star but heaven gained an angel.'

'Tell you what,'' Ned crouched down in front of Maddie, placing the photo frame onto her lap. 'you can keep that, little lady. No charge.'

'Are you sure?' She questioned, seeing the price tag on the frame.

He nodded. 'Giving you one photo won't send me broke.'

Tears came to her eyes. 'Thank you sir.'

Ned smiled back at her. 'Never let an opportunity to show kindness pass you by, alright? Promise me you'll pass kindness on to someone else one day if you get the chance.'

'I promise.'

He smiled again at her then stood, turning back to Geri. 'If you'd like to leave your contact details with me, I'll get in touch with you when I find more photos.'

'Alright, we'd appreciate it.' Geri agreed and Ned grabbed out a notebook and pen from his pocket for her to write down her phone number. As she handed the notebook back to him, she looked over at Maddie, the teen sniffling as she wiped her eyes. 'Are you sure you don't want payment for that picture?'

He nodded. 'I'm sure.' Another customer came over to buy something and he had to leave to go speak with them. 'Excuse me… I'll be in touch with you in a couple weeks or so.'

Geri smiled at him. 'We'd appreciate that.' Ned left to go to the customer and Geri returned her attention back to Maddie.

'I never knew Mama was a barrel racing champion.' Maddie remarked, looking up at Geri as she came over to her. 'There's so much about Mama I don't know.' Geri placed her hand on her shoulder sympathetically and she took a moment to regain her composure. 'Sure is a great photo.'

'It is.' She agreed. 'Where would you like to go now?'

'Um… Could we just wander around and see what catches our attention?'

'Yeah, we can do that. We might see if we can find a bag to put that photo frame into so it doesn't get ruined.'

Maddie nodded and Geri began pushing her chair through the aisle once more. After a moment she looked up at Geri. 'I-I just want to thank you, for being here for us while I've been so sick. I know… I know it hasn't been easy with everything else going on but thank you.'

She smiled at her, stopping her chair in front of a stall that had some tote bags for sale. 'You're quite welcome Maddie.'

A little while later as Geri and Maddie kept walking around the shed, looking at what the stalls had to offer, Abeline came over to them. 'Hey you two.'

Maddie looked up and smiled as she saw her grandmother, placing down the plush horse she'd been looking at. 'Hey Mawline. Wondered when we'd run into you.'

'Where's Cordell?' She questioned, seeing that her son didn't appear to be with them.

'Oh, he got pulled into some work thing.' Geri replied. 'I guess it's hard to avoid the Rangers at a Ranger event.'

Abeline nodded in understanding. 'So you got stuck with Maddie hey?'

'Stuck?' Maddie pretended to take offense at that. 'Huh.'

'No-' Geri chuckled. 'Not at all. I offered to look after her until we found you guys.'

'I hope you've been good for Geri.'

'She's been very well behaved.' Geri assured her.

'See?' Maddie questioned. 'Aunt Geri can testify I'm a perfect angel.'

'Well, I'm glad to hear that.' Abeline replied then turned back to Geri. 'Geri, how do you feel about us clearing the air?'

'Uh, sure.' She looked back down at Maddie. 'Why don't you go see what they've got for sale over at that stall over there?'

Maddie nodded, getting the gist that they wanted a moment alone to talk. 'Alright.'

Abeline and Geri began walking away a little distance and Maddie looked over at them as they spoke, a soft sigh escaping her. While she had been sick, everything else had been put aside for her sake. Geri had just been dropped a bombshell, that she was Marv Davidson's daughter, but somehow had managed to put that all aside for a time. Now though that things seemed to be getting back to normal, it was time for those things that had been pushed aside to be dealt with.

Pretending to amuse herself by looking at some boots at the stall she glanced back over at them again.

'...Gale was so vicious at the time,' Abeline was saying. 'I-I didn't think she could handle that sort of information.'

'And that was your choice to make?' Geri questioned.

'She attacked my son.'

'I'm sorry. I'm…' She took a deep breath. 'Good, I'm sorry, Abby. Marv should have told Gale. That's not on you. But with everything that's come out… I-I feel defensive somehow. You know?'

'Well, trust me, Gale Davidson doesn't need anyone to protect her. That woman can defend herself just fine.'

'Well, maybe she'd lighten up if anyone else was ever on her side.' Geri paused again for a moment, casting a look over to Maddie for a second. 'I'm gonna get going. You okay with Maddie?'

Abeline nodded.

'I'll see you at the concert later, okay?'

Geri headed for the exit, Maddie looking over at her grandmother. Placing the boots down she wheeled herself over to where Abeline stood, her grandmother looking down at her as she gently took her hand in her own. 'You okay Mawline?'

'I'm alright sweetheart.' She forced a smile onto her face. 'Geri had to go so guess it's you and me now honey. Find anything interesting over there?'

'Not really. They had a nice pair of boots but well… I don't think I really need anymore considering my current condition.' Maddie let out a long sigh as she began rolling her chair towards another stall, Abeline walking alongside her. 'Not like these ones I'm wearing are gonna wear out on me.'

Abeline looked down at her sympathetically. 'I know it's hard honey but you have to believe you will walk again. The doctors said there's no reason why you won't be able to, you just have to be patient and build your strength up.'

'Patient. Huh.' She huffed, stopping the chair in front of a stall that had a variety of toys, the plush horses being what caught her eye. 'Fate has a very funny way of making me learn that lesson.'

'Fate has a way of making us all learn lessons we'd rather not.' Came Abeline's reply as she watched her granddaughter pick up a plush horse to look at. 'But why don't we forget about that for now and just try to enjoy ourselves today?'

Maddie nodded, running her fingers through the palomino's white mane. 'Alright.' She smiled up at her sadly. 'I'll try.'

Abeline smiled back at her. 'Good.' She looked down at the toy Maddie was holding. 'Oh that's cute…'

A short while later Abeline and Maddie finished looking around what was for sale at the stalls and went to catch up with Bonham and Liam. Together the four of them made their way over to the main outside area where the Texas Ranger mounted exhibit that Maddie wanted to watch was to take place. Once that was over, it was nearing lunchtime and so after a quick discussion Bonham and Abeline decided to go find something to eat while Liam took Maddie over to the animal nursery to see what they had there.

The crowd had dispersed a little from the nursery shed when they entered, most of the other fair-goers having had the same idea about getting lunch as Bonham and Abby had. In one pen there were a couple of miniature donkeys which a couple kids were patting and in another, some white ducks. Seeing that there were other people with them they kept going until Maddie spied some baby bunny rabbits in one of the pens.

'Oh, oh my gosh…' She exclaimed as she brought her chair to a stop, Liam chuckling as she fawned over the bunnies. 'Oh they are so utterly adorable. Oh I wish I could have one-'

'No.' Liam interrupted decisively. 'No rabbits.'

'Why?' Maddie looked up at him. 'Why don't you like cute adorable little bunny rabbits?'

'They might look cute but those things there are monsters in disguise. Trust me.'

'Monsters hey?' She lent down closer to the pen, offering her hand towards the baby bunny that had come over to the wire to investigate her. 'You don't look much like a monster to me. You're so cute and fluffy…'

Liam rolled his eyes, crossing his arms in front of himself. 'Done yet?'

'Nope.' She giggled. 'I'm gonna stay right here for a while.' The bunny stuck its nose through the wire and she began to gently tickle its nose. 'What did a cute little bunny ever do to you for you not to like them, Uncle Liam?'

He sighed heavily. 'Lets just say they have sharp teeth.'

She chuckled. 'So because one little bunny bit you, you don't like all rabbits now?'

'Hey, it was traumatic for a four year old me.' Liam protested. 'I've never liked them since.'

'Oh poor Uncle Liam.' Maddie teased as another bunny came over to see her. 'Come face your fears and say hello to this little cutie pie.'

With a sigh and a groan he crouched down beside her and offered his hand to the bunny to sniff. 'Don't you bite me…'

She laughed as Liam began to pat the bunny through the wire, her Uncle beginning to smile and she quickly grabbed her phone from her pocket to snap a couple photos of the moment. 'See?' She questioned after grabbing some photos. 'Are they that bad?'

'Alright, alright…'

'Maddie!'

She turned around and before she could react, Rose had launched herself at her. 'Rosie girl!' She laughed as she hugged the little girl back. 'Hey.'

'Hey.' Rose placed her forehead against Maddie's, their noses touching as she sat on her lap. 'I've missed you.'

'I've missed you too.'

'Oh, there you are-' Jenny exclaimed, hurrying over to them. 'Rose, what have I told you about running off?'

'Sorry Mommy… I just wanted to see Maddie.'

She let out a sigh as her daughter apologized to her. 'What am I going to do with you, hey?'

Rose just grinned at her, content in Maddie's lap.

Jenny turned to Liam. 'Kids…'

He chuckled at her remark. 'Yeah.'

'What's that supposed to mean Uncle Liam?' Maddie questioned with a laugh.

'Nothing. You and Rose can catch up, I need to speak with Jenny anyway.'

She nodded, turning her attention back to Rose as the adults moved away a little to talk. 'How have you been?'

'I've been great.' Rose replied with a smile. 'Mika's been teaching me and Blossom. I rode her bareback for the first time yesterday.'

'Really? Oh that's wonderful.'

'When are you going to come watch me ride?'

'I don't know…' Maddie said with a soft sigh. 'I mean, I'm trying to get over to the center when I can but I can't say when I'll be well enough to organize seeing you there. I don't want to say I'll be there and then not be able to, I don't want to let you down.'

Rose nodded. 'That makes sense.' She paused for a moment then looked up at Maddie. 'I'm glad you're doing better. I was really worried about you.'

She smiled at her. 'I'm glad I'm doing better too sweetheart.' She thought for a moment then reached around her chair for the bag handing off the handle. 'Close your eyes Rose, I've got something for you.'

'What is it?'

'You'll have to close your eyes and you'll find out.'

Rose giggled softly as she scrunched her eyes shut. 'Okay. They're closed.'

'Are you sure they're closed?'

'Mmhmm.'

'Really sure?' Maddie teased her.'

'Yes.' Rose laughed. 'What is it?'

Pulling the little plush dog she'd won at one of the games from the bag she placed it in the girl's hands. 'Here you go.'

Rose opened her eyes and smiled with glee as she saw the little plush husky. 'Oh, it's so cute!'

'I thought you'd like it.' Maddie chuckled.

'I do.' She exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around her, giving her a soft kiss on the cheek. 'I love you.'

Maddie chuckled softly as she kissed her on her forehead. 'I love you too, little one.'

'Can I come over to your house to see you soon? I really want to spend some time with you.'

'Oh, I don't know. We'll have to talk to your mom and my folks about that.'

'Okay.' Rose nodded then finally hopped off Maddie's lap, turning her attention to the cute little rabbits. 'These bunnies are so cute.'

Maddie wheeled her chair back over to the pen as Rose knelt down on the straw, sticking her finger through the wire to pet one of the rabbits. 'They are. You like rabbits?'

'Yep.' She giggled as a black and white rabbit came over to sniff her finger. The rabbit began to nudge her finger and she laughed again.

'I think she likes you.' Maddie remarked with a smile, taking a quick photo of the cute scene.

'I think she does too.'

Jenny and Liam came back over, Jenny kneeling down beside her daughter. 'You like the rabbit Rose?'

Rose nodded. 'She's very cute.'

'Would you like to have her as a pet?'

She looked up at her mom. 'You mean you'd buy her for me?'

'Well, I have been thinking about you getting a pet for home so-'

'Oh please Mommy!' Rose interrupted excitedly. 'I promise I'd look after it!'

'I know you will honey.' Jenny smiled.

'Can Maddie have a rabbit too?' She questioned. 'Maddie likes bunnies too.'

Jenny took note of the look on Liam's face and quickly continued before he could reply. 'Well, how about Maddie chooses which one she likes and she can stay with us to keep your bunny company? She can come over and see it or we could take them both over to her house when we visit.'

Liam let out the breath he'd been holding in at Jenny's solution. 'I think that's a good idea.'

Maddie chuckled. 'Bet you were getting worried, weren't you?'

'Just slightly.'

Rose looked back at Maddie. 'Which one are you going to pick?'

'Um…' She turned her attention to the group of rabbits again, trying to decide which one she liked. 'The little bluish one, it came over to me earlier. I like that one.'

'Alright.' Jenny stood again. 'I'll go speak with the lady over there and see if those two are still available.'

Jenny stepped away and while she was discussing buying two rabbits with the organizer of the nursery, Liam, Maddie and Rose all engaged in conversation. A short time later she returned with the good news that both rabbits were now theirs. Rose was excited at the prospect of having a pet at home and after a short time, Jenny and Rose left to head to a pet store to buy a hutch so they could take the rabbits home at the end of the Fair.

After Jenny and Rose had left, Liam and Maddie wandered around the nursery for a little while longer then headed out to go catch up with Bonham and Abeline for lunch. They saw Geri wandering around but she didn't head back over to them and once lunch was finished they split up again to continue around the fair, Abeline going with Maddie while Bonham went off with Liam.

The afternoon went by as they wandered around, both of them trying their hand at the many carnival games that were on offer. Since Cordell hadn't been able to take her on the Ferris wheel before he'd been drafted into Ranger work with Cassie, Abeline took her on instead. They caught up too with August who'd found a couple acquaintances from school to tag along with and Stella who was with Todd as well for a time.

As Maddie was sitting back waiting at a food truck for Abeline who was grabbing her a snack, someone approached her. Glancing around she saw that it was Colton, much to her surprise. 'Colton….'

'Hi Maddie.' He replied, awkward silence falling for a moment. 'Can uh… Can we talk?'

'Y-yeah.' She agreed. 'I um… I haven't heard from you since well…' She let her voice trail off. Colton knew what she was talking about. The night in the barn when they'd both agreed it was better if they took a step back from things until everything calmed down.

'Yeah.' Colton let out a sigh, taking a seat at the table Maddie was sitting beside in her chair. 'How have you been? I heard… I heard about what you've been going through.'

Maddie looked into his eyes, a little piece of her mask chipped away as she saw the genuine concern in his expression. 'I'm not good if I'm being honest. I mean… It was enough that we lost the ranch without all-' she paused. 'All this too.'

He nodded, silence falling again for a moment. 'Mads… I know-I know it doesn't mean much, but I'm sorry. For my family, what they did, for you going through what you're going through, for us… I'm sorry.'

Taking a deep breath she placed her hand on his. 'Colton… Your sorry, it does mean something. I-I'm sorry too. I wish-I wish things could have turned out differently. I wish there was some way of being able to rewrite what has happened but…' Her voice trailed off again. 'If it helps, I've forgiven you. These past couple of months have taught me life is too short to hold onto grudges and past hurts. Time with the people we love is precious. Too precious to be beneath the shadow of holding onto things out of our control. It-it wasn't easy, to let go… But I had to. For me. For my healing.'

Colton nodded again, silence falling once more.

'I didn't-I didn't know if I should have messaged or called,' Maddie started after a time. 'I didn't know if you wanted to hear from me and frankly, with everything going on…'

'No, no, it's alright.' He assured her as she trailed off again. 'I understand. I do.' He paused for a moment. 'I-I didn't know if you wanted to talk to me either, I didn't know what to say… I mean, when Aunt Geri told me what had happened…' He shook his head. 'I'm sorry. I should have at least sent you a message to let you know I was thinking of you.'

The tiniest hint of a sad smile touched her lips. 'But you-you came to visit me. That was something.'

Colton frowned a little. 'You know about that?'

She nodded. 'I remember hearing you come.' Another pause. 'Colton… What you said to me… While I was in hospital… Did you-did you mean it?'

'I did.' He replied. 'And I still do. I do care about you, I just didn't know if you felt the same way.'

Another smile came at that, this time a wider and genuine one. 'I do. I just-I don't know how this is going to work.'

'Did we ever say this was going to be easy?'

She chuckled at that. 'Nope. Don't think either of us thought it was going to be this hard either.'

'No, no we did not.' He saw that Abeline had moved up in the line waiting for food, deciding it was probably best if he moved on before she returned. 'I um… I-I better go.'

'Alright.'

'We'll keep in touch, okay? I mean, that is, if you want to…'

Maddie nodded. 'Look after yourself.'

'You too.'

Colton left, Maddie watching until she couldn't make him out amongst the crowd anymore. Even after everything that had happened just seeing him made her feel warm and safe inside. Was that what it felt like to be in love? She couldn't be sure but she did care about him and obviously he still cared for her.

How though was this ever going to work?

To her relief, Abeline didn't comment about Colton meeting up with her and the remainder of the afternoon passed by without any more surprises. Maddie was quiet for the most part as they finished looking around the fair, beginning to move in the direction of the auditorium where the concert by Kansas was to take place. She had a lot on her mind, namely Colton.

What was she to do in this situation?

She still cared for him and he for her…

Was there a possibility for peace between their families?

As they made their way into the auditorium, a large crowd was already gathering inside to find their seats. Wheelchair access wasn't the best and so to make it easier Liam picked her up and carried her to where they would be sitting. Stella and August were already there waiting for the rest of their family and as they waited for the concert to begin she spoke to them and Todd who came to sit with Stella.

Abeline left just before the concert was to start to find their father and soon returned, Cordell and Geri coming to join them shortly after. The concert began, the band's opening number being 'Carry On My Wayward Son' and as the crowd clapped and cheered, Maddie grabbed her earmuffs she'd packed and put them on. With them on, the noise was manageable and she joined along with her family in singing along to the song.

A commotion beside her made her glance towards her father, Geri walking out of the concert.

Abeline noticed too for she lent over closer to her son. 'Want me to go?'

'No, no. I got it.'

Cordell left and Maddie wondered for a moment what was going on then turned her attention back to the concert. Even Bonham was singing along and seemed to be enjoying himself which was a surprise considering that he wasn't really into this kind of music.

The concert continued on, Cordell returning alone after a time. Maddie glanced over at him and though he smiled back at her she could tell something had happened. Obviously since Geri hadn't come back with him she guessed it probably had something to do with her…

It was late when the concert finally came to an end, Liam helping Maddie again back to her chair then together the family began heading back to the car park. It had been a good day but also an exhausting one and she was glad that it was finally time for them all to go home.

'You managing okay sis?' Stella questioned, looking down at Maddie. 'Want me to push?'

'That would be great, thanks.' She replied with a grateful sigh. 'Oh, I'm so going to sleep tonight…'

Stella chuckled as she began pushing her. 'I bet. What did you think of your first Ranger fair?'

'Not bad but then again, I really haven't been to anything like this before.' They caught up to their father who was lagging behind and she noticed that he was still carrying their empty drink cups. 'I can toss those for you Dad.'

'Oh, thanks Maddie girl.' He handed them to her, noticing that Stella was pushing her chair. 'You roped Stella into giving you a hand I see.'

'I offered.' Stella replied with a smile then noticed a bin close by. 'There's a bin over there.'

'Great, start pushing me in that direction.'

'Yes, your majesty.' She teased her good naturedly and they went over so Maddie could throw away their rubbish.

'Stella…'

They both turned around at Colton's voice, Maddie looking between Colton and Stella nervously. 'I'll uh… I'll give you both a moment.' She remarked quietly then began wheeling herself a short distance away from them, turning back to watch.

Colton turned his attention back to Stella after Maddie had left. 'Hey, I just… I wanted to give you something. We don't have to talk or anything.' Reaching into his pocket he pulled out a necklace and held it out to her.

Stella took the necklace then finally spoke after looking at it for a long moment. 'This was my mom's… I hadn't even realized I left it.'

'Yeah. I found it in the space between the wall and the floor. Must have gotten lost during the move. You know-' He continued after a pause. 'I thought I should give it to you but I didn't know when or if you'd want to talk to me so… But what you said earlier, it hit me. It really finally hit me. I mean, everything you lost. What you all are going through now with Maddie…' He paused again then motioned towards the necklace. 'Just thought you shouldn't lose anything else. Stel, I… I'm sorry. I know it doesn't mean much but… I am. About everything. You know, when I came to Austin, I was just trying to survive but then I started hanging out with you guys and I mean, it sounds so stupid now but that song that Sucker Punch played at the Side Step, about the good days and my worries disappear? That-that's what it was with Maddie. And I'm sorry. You were right. I let her down. I let all of you down.'

Stella was quiet for a long moment, looking at the necklace then back to him. 'Thank you… for this… and for saying that.'

'I mean it Stella…' He looked back towards Maddie as she waited for her sister to go join her. 'I just want a chance to make it right.'

She nodded, thinking over what he had said. 'Well, it's Maddie's choice but I'm warning you Colton,' She said sternly. 'Don't you go breaking my little sister's heart again. She's going through enough right now. We all are.'

Colton nodded in agreement. 'I understand.'

'I better going, we need to get her home.'

'I'll see you around then.'

Stella nodded again then left, heading over to where Maddie was.

'What did Colton want?' Maddie questioned as they started towards the car park once more.

'He ah… He wanted to give me something he found.' Stella replied.

Maddie looked up at her. 'Stella?'

'We… we had words earlier.' She finally admitted.

'Oh…' Maddie sighed heavily.

'Yeah.'

Silence fell.

'I still care for him.' Maddie remarked as they headed out the gate into the car park. 'I just wish there was some way it could work. I just wish that our families would stop fighting. There's been enough hurt and hate between the Walkers and the Davidson's already.'