The house was abuzz with activity Monday morning, the family gathered around in the kitchen and dining room as Abeline prepared breakfast for them all. Maddie, stuck on toast duty, hummed a little song as she buttered up the toast August handed her as it came out of the toaster.

'So, any big plans for you today?' August questioned, placing the last two pieces of bread from the loaf into the toaster.

'I'll probably hit the stables later, I don't know.' Maddie replied as she stifled a yawn. 'Don't know if I'm gonna be feeling up to it. Rose wanted me to give her a lesson this afternoon but I don't know...' This time she couldn't stop herself from yawning, covering her mouth with the back of her hand. 'Excuse me.'

Abeline glanced over at her. 'Didn't get much sleep last night?'

She shook her head. 'Nope. Stella-' She looked over at her sister as she joined them in the kitchen. 'Was sleep talking again.'

'I was not.'

'Was too.'

'Was-'

'Okay, okay, enough you two.' Abeline chuckled. 'Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be back in separate rooms again soon.'

'That'd be great, I'm definitely over bunking with Dad and Uncle Liam.' August said as he waited for the toast. 'Gramps had some luck then finding somewhere else?'

'Maybe. We'll see.'

'Any place that has more than three bedrooms would feel like a castle about now.' Maddie interjected. 'As long as I get a room far, far away from Stells I'll be happy.'

'Well-' Stella started as she looked around for something she could help with. 'Just think, in a few months I'll be gone to college and you won't have to put up with my sleep talking anymore.'

'Hallelujah.'

'Yeah, what she said.' August agreed.

Stella shook her head with amusement at her younger siblings. 'You two are impossible. Want me to start setting the table Mawline?'

'Ah yeah. You can start with the glasses if you'd like. August, if you're done helping Maddie with the toast, can you get started with taking these down to the table?'

'Sure.' Taking the last of the toast from the toaster he handed it to Maddie then began taking the food over to the table.

It was upon this scene that Cordell walked in on, buttoning up his shirt cuffs as he entered the room. 'Oh, Mama, that smells good.'

Abeline smiled at her son's compliment. 'Thank you.'

'Amazing.' Grabbing himself a mug to get himself some coffee he looked over at Stella, winking at her as she took down a couple more glasses from the cupboard. 'Morning.'

'Morning Dad.' Stella chuckled.

'Maddie, Augie.'

Maddie smiled as Cordell gave her a kiss on the cheek. 'Good morning.'

'Oh look-' Cordell commented as August walked past carrying a plate of blueberry pancakes to the table. 'Blueberry pancakes. What's the occasion?'

'As if you don't know.' Stella teased him, taking the glasses to the table.

'You ready for the toast to go down?' August questioned Maddie as he returned to the island bench.

'Ah, yeah, sure.' Maddie handed the plate to him. 'Have at it.'

Bonham joined them in the kitchen, taking a spot next to Abeline at the stove as he looked at the store bought eggs on the bench. 'Oh, man. I never knew how attached I was to our own damn chickens.'

'Okay, these are fine.' Abeline replied as she served up the bacon onto another plate.

'Can I get some bacon?' August questioned as he came back into the kitchen, trying to take some from the plate.

'Okay, all right.' She declared, trying to shew them out of the kitchen. 'You know what, everyone? Just, um, stop hovering and sit and eat.'

'Yes, okay.' Cordell exclaimed. 'Let's go. Mama's spoken.' He saw the look she gave him as he finished making up his coffee. 'Yeah, yeah, I'm going too.'

Maddie chuckled as she waited for them all to move so she could get through then took up her spot at the end of the table, helping herself to one of the bigger blueberry pancakes.

'Daddy, here you go.' Cordell remarked, placing a mug of coffee in front of his father before he took his seat.

'Thank you, son.'

'Stella Blue... Stella Blue.'

'Okay, can we please all stop staring?' Stella questioned, feeling uncomfortable with everyone at the table looking at her. 'Just because I'm graduating does not mean that I'm... I don't know, that I'm somebody else.'

'You are though.' Abeline pointed out.

'It's true, it's just... It's hard to believe.' Cordell continued.

August knew exactly what he was about to say. 'Here comes a 'seems' like yesterday.'

'Seems like yesterday.'

Laughter rang out around the table as the two of them spoke together, saying exactly the same thing. 'Hey, right on cue.' August teased.

'Well, it does seem like yesterday, Augie.' Cordell replied, throwing a rolled up paper napkin at his son. 'It seems like yesterday that your mama told me she was pregnant with you, and seems like yesterday we brought you home to the ranch. Uh, and then, we were chasing fireflies around the yard.'

With the attention on Stella, Maddie quietly began eating her breakfast. 'These pancakes are great Mawline.' She said softly to her as Cordell kept going on to Stella about when she was younger. 'Could we make a few more for me later?'

'Sure, we can do that honey.' Abeline replied with a smile. 'Glad to see you've got your appetite back.'

'Might as well enjoy eating before my chemo starts.'

Hearing that, Abeline placed her hand reassuringly on the teens arm. 'Everything will be just fine. You'll get through this.'

Maddie managed a small smile to her grandmother's reassurance. 'Thanks Mawline.

'So...' Liam commented as he came in to join them, the remainder of his breakfast smoothie in hand. 'Where are we gonna have your last bash as a high-schooler?'

'You don't think we can sneak onto the ranch and do what we always planned?' Stella asked hopefully.

'I mean, we could just go to Stan's house. Right?' August questioned. Silence fell, his family all giving him very un-amused looks, especially Maddie at the mention of the man. 'Too soon?'

'Not funny.' Abeline replied.

'It-it doesn't matter to me as long as we're all together.' Stella pointed out. 'That's the main thing, right?'

'Right.' Liam agreed as he took a look at the table. 'Uh, juice?'

'Oh, yeah.' Cordell replied as he stood. 'On it.'

Liam followed his brother back into the kitchen, Cordell opening the fridge to find the juice.

'So, um...' He started quietly as conversation at the table continued. 'Any idea who made the safe house a little less safe the other night?'

He shook his head. 'No, Uh, not yet. But Miles and his family are safe and secure. Uh, Cassie and James are on to it. We did identify the bodies left behind. Long rap sheets, just guns for hire.' He replied, pouring the juice into a serving pitcher.

'You think it was Serano's people that were out for revenge?' Liam questioned.

'I don't know. I don't see how that would tie to Miles.' Cordell returned the last of the juice to the fridge. 'Feels like it's a new crew.'

'One things for sure, we know who cheated us out of our ranch.'

'If-if we take Dan at his word that Denise cut the saddle and poisoned the horses.' Cordell pointed out.

'I'm the last person that wants to believe him, but he's come a long way.' Liam insisted. 'I'm not sure why he'd lie about this.'

'Either way, hard to prove unless Denise owns up to it. Which doesn't seem like the Davidson's strong suit, you know?' His phone pinged with a notification and he pulled it from his pocket to see who the message was from.

It was from Geri.

We should meet.

Cordell frowned.

Liam saw the look on his brother's face. 'What?'

'I think there might be another route to get to the bottom of what that family's been hiding. I'm headed out.'

'Okay, yeah.'

'All right, guys.' Cordell started as he returned to the dining room. 'I can't stay for breakfast. Work calls. But I will see you soon.' Walking over to Stella he placed his hand on her shoulder for a moment as he walked by. 'I'm proud of you, okay?'

'Mmhmm.'

He stopped, going back to give Stella a hug before he left. 'I'm proud of you.'

Stella chuckled. 'Okay. I love you. '

'Yeah, love you too.' Cordell replied. 'Ah, Maddie, hope you have a good day.'

Maddie smiled. 'Thanks. Love you.'

'Love you too. See all y'all later.'

Cordell left, silence falling as the family settled down to eat breakfast and when Stella and August had finished and taken their plates to the sink, they headed out to leave for school.

'Well, that was delicious Mama.' Liam remarked as he finished, wiping his mouth on a napkin he tossed back onto his empty plate. 'Maddie, what time do you want to get to the stables?'

Maddie shrugged, trying to force herself to eat one more little bite of her meal. 'Maybe around lunch time, I'm thinking I'm gonna have to take a nap before I go.'

'Alright. Just let me know.' He replied as he stood to begin clearing the table.

She nodded, Abeline and Bonham leaving the table shortly after Liam and she pushed the last of her pancakes around on her plate. Not only was this the last week of school for Stella, it was also the last few days before Maddie began stage two of her treatments. Though she had the prom to look forward to Thursday night she wasn't looking forward to Friday morning at all.

Just one day at a time. She reminded herself as she chewed on another mouthful of her breakfast. Take things one day at a time.

'I always knew we'd be together again.' Geri said, both her and Cordell seated together at the bar in the Side Step a short time later.

Cordell thought over what Geri had said for a moment then frowned. ''There's no chance Gale didn't mean something more by that.'

'No, not after we talked to Nate.' She agreed.

'No.'

'I mean, you heard him, how careful he was about protecting Frank, me.'

'Yeah.'

'Gale is the only person that Marv could've told that I was out there.' Geri continued. 'We both know she's hiding something. And then Denise cutting the saddle, feeding that moldy grain to the horses...' She took a deep breath, shaking her head.

'Okay, uh, Geri, first of all,' Cordell paused for a moment. 'I-I'm so sorry about everything but I've tried to get Denise to talk, Liam has tried. Uh, we-we even tried with-with Dan. We tried with the whole family at the dinner and we both know how that turned out-'

'Okay, Cordi. We can't give up.' Geri interrupted. 'We both know that...'

'They're not going to talk to me, to a Walker.' He pointed out then paused, thinking things over as he looked at Geri. 'But... you, you're a-a Davidson. You're family.'

After a moment it sank in what Cordell was getting at, Geri nodding her agreement with him.

If they were going to get to the bottom of all this, of everything, it needed to be her to figure things out.

After breakfast, Maddie curled up on the couch with her cat and one of her books, attempting to get her mind off things. Though the book was opened in front of her she mindlessly flipped through the pages, reading a paragraph here and there then after a time, put the book aside with a sigh.

'There room on that couch for one more?' Bonham questioned, coming into the living room with the daily newspaper in hand.

With a small smile Maddie moved aside to let him sit down then curled up next to him, her grandfather placing his arm around her.

'What's on your mind, little one?'

'Nothing.'

'You've been quiet all morning and it ain't like you. What's bothering you? Friday?'

After a moment, Maddie nodded. 'I just... I'm just worried is all. I mean, I know you all are saying it's gonna be alright and it's kind of everyone but it's not helping.' She paused for a moment then sighed softly. 'I mean, I kinda know what to expect but on the other hand, I don't, if you get what I mean. I mean, the doctors and that, they've spoken to me about it but I'm still scared. It's silly, I know...'

'No honey, it's not.' Bonham replied, beginning to gently run his fingers through her hair. Silence fell and after a time he felt the teen start to relax and calm down, her breathing becoming deeper and steadier.

'Thank you, Grampa.' She commented softly after a time. 'For being here for me.'

He smiled a little. 'Always, little one.'

Silence fell again, Maddie closing her eyes to take a brief nap in the safety her grandfather's arms provided her, Bonham picking up his newspaper to read after a time.

A short time later, Abeline and Liam both joined them in the living room, Abeline smiling as she saw Maddie asleep beside Bonham.

'So, how does it feel, having a granddaughter you helped raise about to fly away?' Liam questioned, glancing up from his laptop as his mother took a seat at the end of the couch.

'Uh, well, I've had the same feeling about, I don't know... Fifteen years ago?'

'Yeah, and look what happened.'

'Honey, so what's next for you?' She questioned after a moment.

'Hmm?'

'You know, you can still practice law.'

Liam sighed. 'I don't know what I want to do anymore.'

'This is a real upbeat bunch.' Bonham commented, tossing his newspaper back onto the coffee table as Maddie stirred, the teen blinking as she sat up again. 'Sorry Mads.'

'It's okay.' She yawned softly. 'Gotta get going soon anyway.'

'You know,' Liam continued, looking at his father as Maddie got herself comfortable again, her head resting on Bonham's shoulder. 'I envy you.'

'Now I think I'm hearing things.' Bonham commented, glancing at Abeline.

They all had a chuckle for a moment at that.

'No, I'm serious.' Liam replied. 'You working this land, I mean, you knew who you were. Your whole life. You were even humble enough to help Dan with the ranch. You know, you put aside everything to get the job done. Because you have purpose.'

'Well, it don't matter now, because we got no ranch to work and no land to call our own.'

'Yep.' Abeline remarked, looking over her coffee mug at him. 'Real upbeat bunch.'

Maddie chuckled softly then took a look at the time on her watch. 'Uncle Liam, could we think about heading to the stables now?'

'Ah, yeah, sure.' He took a look at the time on his phone. 'You got anything ready for Maddie's lunch Mama?'

'It's already packed. Purple cooler on the bench. I put in some blueberry pancakes too, Maddie.'

'Thanks Mawline.'

'What about you Liam, will you be home for lunch?'

'Yeah, I'll just be dropping Maddie then coming back.' Closing up his laptop he placed it down on the coffee table as Maddie moved back into her chair. 'I'll grab your lunch.'

Maddie nodded, turning back to Bonham as Liam left the room. 'Thanks for earlier, Grampa.'

He smiled at her. 'Have fun with the girls, darlin.'

'I'll try.'

'Ready to go?' Liam questioned as Maddie wheeled herself through the kitchen, her lunch bag in hand.

'Yep, all set. Let's go.'

Geri and Gale sat inside on the couch later that afternoon, Gale serving them both up some tea. After Geri had spoken with Cordell about what Gale had said to her then what they'd found out from Nate, they had come up with a sort of plan to attempt getting to the bottom of everything. The Walkers, they had tried to get the Davidson's to talk and well, that had went down about as well as anyone could have expected. Geri though, Geri was a Davidson after all. If anyone was going to be able to find out the truth, it was Geri.

And so, after staging an argument between her and Cordell which Gale had overheard most of, she now found herself sitting with Gale about to have afternoon tea in the house that rightfully belonged to the Walkers.

'Geri-' Gale looked over at her daughter after taking a sip of her tea. 'I can't help but think you got more on your mind then just asking about your dad.'

'You know, I think it's just what you said the other night, about knowing that we'd see each other again.' Geri replied. 'Why did you know that?'

Gale sighed softly before she began to explain. 'You know, I always wanted to have lots of kids. And then, when you were born, Marv told me you didn't make it. Um... I never got to see you after. Because he wouldn't let me. I should have known, 'cause I could feel it in my bones that you were out there, so...' Gale sighed again. 'I mean, you want to know why I don't want to talk about your father? It's 'cause he lied to me.'

'I guess I'm trying to understand, you hate the Walkers, you blame them. But if it was my father who lied...'

'Okay, wait a minute.' Gale returned her cup to the coffee table, looking back at Geri. 'Abeline Walker knew you were out there. Cordell started the fire, Liam tried to frame Dan, and all of a sudden, you're taking their side of it?'

'No, it's not about sides. It's about knowing what happened when you found out that I was alive.'

'They stole you from me, okay? And all of a sudden-' Gale stood. 'Okay, I'm sorry...'

'You don't have...' Geri started as Gale made a hasty exit from the room.

'Excuse me.'

Gale disappeared into the hallway, Geri looking after her for a moment then placed her cup down on the coffee table and pulled her phone from her pocket to ring Cordell.

'Geri. Hey.' Cordell started as he answered, stopping in the hallway of the ranger headquarters to take her call. 'Uh, what you got?'

'She's still hiding something.'

'Has she said anything new? Anything we didn't already know?'

'It's the same old story, but I see it in grief group all the time. It's a coping mechanism for something deeper. Something she's guilty of.'

'You know what? Take her to the barn.'

'What?' Geri questioned, not understanding what Cordell was getting at.

'Stan Morrison, I took him back to the desert, where Emily- where, um, where it-it happened. Uh... And-and being there, he couldn't hide anymore. So Gale, if she feels any remorse, any guilt whatsoever, it'll be there. At the barn.'

'Right...' Hearing a door opening again she realized that Gale was returning. 'She's coming back, got to go.'

'Geri-' Cordell started before she ended the call. 'be careful.'

Without replying she quickly hung her phone up and returned it to her pocket just before Gale stepped back into the room, picking up her tea and taking a sip as she came in again.

'I'm sorry.' Gale apologized as she returned.

'It's okay.'

'I-I shouldn't have rushed off. You... you have the right to ask.'

'Look, I-I understand. I know that it's hard to relive these moments. The past. But for me, for my journey...' She paused for a moment. 'I need to see where my father died.'

Maddie smiled as she took a deep breath, soaking in the serenity and peacefulness of the sunset landscape about her. Nothing compared to a trail ride beside the lake when the sun was going down, the golden and orange colors dancing atop the softly rippling water. The rhythmic sounds of hoof beats and creaking tack with the occasional bird singing off in the distance were the only sounds mixing in with the gentle lapping of the water on the bank.

'We should start thinking about heading back.' Mika spoke up, leading the way on Picasso. 'It's beginning to get late.'

Maddie sighed heavily, looking out across the lake. 'Yeah, I guess we should.'

'What time are your folks coming to pick you up?' Elizabeth questioned, bringing up the rear on Diablo.

'Not for a couple hours, Dad's working late tonight so he's gonna come pick me up when he finishes.' She replied. 'You have to head home after this?'

She shook her head. 'The less time I spend at home, the better.'

'Family problems again?' Mika asked upon hearing that.

'Yeah. I'm honestly thinking about moving out. I just can't put up with it all much longer.' Elizabeth sighed softly. 'My Mom and Dad and my brothers are all at each other's throats and I'm just sick of the fighting.'

'If you move out though, where would you go?' Maddie wondered out loud.

'I've already got a room at Nana's here that I stay in overnight when I'm heading to a show. I'm thinking of asking if I can move in on a permanent basis.' She shrugged. 'I don't know, I just know home right now isn't a great place. My brothers have been getting into 'things' lately and yeah...' She shook her head. 'My parents can't do anything with them.'

'Sounds rough.'

'You have no idea. Be thankful your brother isn't an ass.'

Maddie chuckled at that. 'Yeah, I can't complain from the sounds of it. Augie is pretty great. Except when he's burping at the table that is.'

Mika made a face at that. 'Boys are so gross.'

Elizabeth laughed. 'Amen sister.' She said as she glanced down at her watch. 'We should start home, we're gonna be riding back in the dark if we don't get a move on.'

'Agreed.' Mika replied. 'Maddie, you want to lead?'

'No thanks. I'm happy just plodding along here.' She said in reply as they turned their horses around. 'Well, if you don't have to hurry home Elizabeth, and neither do I... Movie night?'

Mika and Elizabeth both grinned at that suggestion. 'You bet.'

'Great idea.' Mika added. 'Who wants popcorn?'

Maddie laughed. It was well known amongst the three of them that whenever they had a movie night, Maddie always hogged the popcorn bowl. 'You should know by now that popcorn and movies go hand in hand...'

Night had fallen by the time Geri and Gale came to the barn, leaving the headlights on

'You know, when I was little,' Geri started as she and Gale walked over to the barn, Gale carrying a lantern with her since night had fallen. 'when I first came to Austin, Walker Ranch was, like, this playground. But we never came over here.' She said, looking at the half built barn in the light of the car's headlights. 'And that was long after y'all had left.'

'When we were driven out.' Gale corrected firmly.

Geri looked back at her mother. 'Why don't we go inside?' She questioned.

Without waiting for Gale to reply she turned back to the barn, sliding the big double doors open.

Gale stood back, watching, as Geri took a step inside the barn.

Being here, standing here, it brought that night flooding back to her...

'Seriously Maddie-' Mika groaned as she found the popcorn bowl empty for a third time. 'How much popcorn can one person eat?'

Maddie grinned as she paused The Man From Snowy River again then rubbed her stomach, Mika and Elizabeth rolling their eyes. 'I think the tank is finally full now.'

'I'm not going back to make more.' Elizabeth pointed out. 'Maddie, you can go make some more popcorn for us since you ate the rest.'

'Alright, alright.' Bringing her chair back over closer to the couch she moved herself back into her wheelchair and placed the empty bowl onto her lap. 'I'll be back in a moment. You can keep playing the movie, I don't mind.'

As Maddie wheeled herself back into the kitchen the movie was turned back on, Nina looking up from her laptop at her spot at the kitchen table.

'Back for more popcorn are you?'

Maddie chuckled. 'Mika and Elizabeth would like some more. I kinda ate most of the last three bowls.'

'Alright, let me get the popcorn maker started up again.' Nina replied as she stood, coming back into the kitchen. 'Can you hand me the bowl?' Maddie handed it over. 'Thanks.'

She smiled then as her phone vibrated in her pocket, pulled it out to see who had messaged.

It was from her father.

Just finishing up at work now, be coming by to pick you up in twenty.

Alright. See you then. She texted back, returning her phone to her pocket as Nina made up another batch of popcorn in the popcorn maker.

'Would you like some more too Maddie?'

'No thank you ma'am, my Dad is coming to pick me up shortly anyway. Just make enough for Mika and Ellie.' Nina nodded and poured in half a cup of popcorn, placing the rest of the bag aside. Once the popcorn maker had worked its magic and a generous sprinkling of salt had been added on top, the popcorn was ready. 'Thank you.' She smiled as Nina handed her the bowl. 'And thank you again for dinner, it was a lovely meal.'

'You are most welcome Maddie. We're happy to have you over anytime.'

Making her way back into the living room she saw that the movie was almost up to her favorite part, the brumby chase and Jim's ride down the mountain. 'Oh this part is awesome.' She remarked as she came back to the couch, handing Elizabeth the bowl of popcorn. 'Spoiler alert-'

'Maddie!' Mika interrupted with a laugh. 'Please! Just watch the movie with us instead of giving us spoilers.'

'Alright, alright. I'll be quiet now.' She promised with a grin, sneaking a couple more pieces of popcorn from the bowl under Elizabeth's raised eyebrow. 'Just a couple more...'

'No.' Mika took the bowl from Elizabeth, holding it out of Maddie's reach. 'No more for you.'

'Please?...'

'We don't allow Rusty and Rufus to beg at the table.' Elizabeth replied with a chuckle, motioning the two King Charles Spaniels asleep on their bed over near the fireplace. 'You aren't gonna start either.'

'Fair, fair.'

'Oh please, can we be quiet and just watch the movie?' Mika questioned with exasperation.

'Alright, alright. Shutting up now.'

'Hallelujah.'

Maddie chuckled and sat back in her chair to watch the remainder of the movie with her friends. Just as the credits began to roll the doorbell sounded and she took a glance at her watch. 'That'll be Dad.' She said as Elizabeth got up to answer the door and she followed after her, Mika coming over with them.

'Good evening girls.' Cordell greeted as Elizabeth opened the front door.

'Evening Mr. Walker.' Elizabeth smiled. 'Would you like to come in?'

'Ah, thank you, but Maddie and I need to get home. Some other time perhaps.'

'Alright. Lovely having you over Maddie.'

Maddie chuckled as Elizabeth gave her a hug. 'Even though I ate all the popcorn?'

'Hmmm.'

'Remind me that movie night with you is usually a bad option next time.' Mika teased, also giving Maddie a hug. 'I've never known someone who talks so much through a movie!'

Cordell laughed at that. 'Yeah, Maddie's special.'

'Gee, thanks Dad.' She wheeled herself out the door. 'Come on, before you say anything else.'

'Coming, coming. Night girls.'

'Night Mr. Walker.'

'Good night.' Mika added. 'See you tomorrow Maddie.'

'Bright and early.' Maddie replied back over her shoulder, her Dad catching up with her as Elizabeth closed the door again.

'Good day?' Cordell questioned as they headed down the sidewalk to the parking lot.

'Yeah.' Maddie smiled, remembering the nice trail ride the three of them had had. 'It was a great day.'

Geri stepped back out of the barn over to Gale, watching her mother's expression closely. 'You know, last year, um, after Hoyt, I left town for a little bit. Being around the Walkers was so hard. They just reminded me of everything that I'd lost.'

'Then why'd you come back?' She asked.

'My dad- Um, Frank... he-he used to read me this book. It's about a bear hunt. And there were all of these obstacles, you know, but the family couldn't go over it or under it...'

'They had to go through it.' Gale finished off with a nod of understanding.

Geri nodded. 'So I came back. I was so angry at Hoyt.' She continued as she turned and walked back into the barn, Gale following her after a moment's hesitation. The smell of paint and lacquer was thick in the air as they walked in, tools lying around on workbenches where they had been placed after their last use. A thin light from the cars' headlights came through between the cracks of the timber, the only other light in the barn being that of the lantern Gale carried. 'I couldn't figure out why at first.' Geri continued as she stopped in the middle of the barn, turning back to Gale. 'For dying?' She shrugged. 'For loving me and leaving me? For being such a damn idiot in the first place? I don't know, it was all of it, I guess. Which started... it started to make it okay.'

'Well, I was angry with Marv, too.' Gale started after a moment, walking over to one of the workbenches to place the lantern down on. 'For how long, I couldn't, I couldn't say, but... Oh, we fought. About money, the ranch, Abby.' She turned back to Geri. 'And he talked to Abby about all of it.'

'But to go behind your back? Tell her the truth about your baby? That's...' Her voice trailed off.

'That wasn't her secret to tell.' Gale replied softly.

'Ah, that's funny. She said the same thing to me. You know, she never knew...' Geri stepped closer to Gale, her mother standing in front of one of the half built stalls. 'if he told you.'

Gale turned back to Geri. 'Of course he did. Abby told him to tell me, didn't she?'

'When you found out, what-what did you do?'

'He said he had something to tell me, and uh, when he said it, it was like when someone just pulls you right out of your body. And then he remembered Denise.'

'What about her?' Geri prompted gently.

'The, uh-the-the comet. He knew she and Cordell wanted to watch it together, and we thought they should keep their distance. But, like, of all times, this is what he's thinking about.' She scoffed.

'So, so you... You came into the barn and they were-and there were there?'

'Well-well, they-they must have heard us arguing and um, probably snuck out the back. He was so worried, you know? Like he was father of the-the damn year.'

Geri watched Gale closely as her mother paused again, again offering another prompt to keep her talking. 'So, when he told you...'

'What... when he remembered to tell me you were still alive?' She questioned angrily. 'It was like an afterthought. It was like, 'oh by the way.'' I remember, I was just staring at him, and I was just wondering... I mean how that couldn't mean everything.'

'That's because he didn't tell you everything, did he?' Geri questioned gently. 'Not just that I was alive. But that he had known.'

'He knew the whole time.' Gale replied.

'Twelve years.' Geri breathed out.

'He was just looking at me, he was...' She paused, pointing over to a spot just behind Geri. 'he was standing right there and he said to my face, 'But she's had a good life.' And he was, like, proud.' Gale paused again, struggling to control her emotions. 'Like he fixed things for us. And something inside me just snapped. And so I hit him. Hit him with the lantern.'

'So, y-you hit him and then wh- and then, what and then you just... did you just walk away?'

'Okay, look-look you don't understand how angry I was. I mean, that-that he took that choice, from me, from you.'

'Why didn't you tell someone?' Geri questioned. 'D-did you ask Frank?'

'I didn't-I didn't know about Frank-'

'You just-'

'I didn't know about Frank.' She interrupted Geri, her daughter covering her mouth in surprise. 'how-how would that look? There was my husband, dead. And-and Abby just pushed him to tell me.'

'You lied about Cordi.' Geri exclaimed with a gasp as it sank in that it had been Gale to start the fire that night, not Cordell.

'He brought the lantern.' Gale replied firmly. 'And-and I blamed him for that. But everything just got... Just muddled in my head. All those years, I kept telling myself, trying to pull myself out of it. But I don't know, I guess I had to go through it. I don't-'

'No. No! No, no, no. Stop!' Geri had been backing away as Gale walked closer towards her, not realizing that the table with the lantern was right behind her. Her arm knocked the lantern and a couple containers of lacquer onto the ground, the lid off the container breaking and the contents igniting instantly the moment the open flame touched it. A moment later there was an explosion as the fire reached some aerosol cans, both Geri and Gale being knocked over by the force of it.

Fire began spreading rapidly through the barn, fueled by the flammable paints, fuels and lacquers that had been stored inside.

Shaking her head to clear it Geri got to her knees then finally back to her feet, looking frantically through the growing flames and smoke for her mother. 'Gale!' She screamed, coughing loudly as smoke began to fill her lungs. 'Gale!'

Maddie sat back in her seat, resting her head back against the headrest as they started down the drive. 'Gosh...' She exclaimed softly as she saw the time on the truck's center screen, Cordell pressing play on it to begin a music playlist. 'Didn't realize it was so late.'

As Alan Jackson's It's Five O'clock Somewhere began playing, Cordell glanced over at his daughter. 'You tired baby girl?'

'Just a little. Big day.'

'How did you and Mama go shopping yesterday? Found something you like?'

'Maybe.' She replied with a little grin. 'But you don't get to see me in it till prom. I want it to be a surprise.'

'How'd Augie like being dragged around with you girls?'

'He survived. We went to a couple music stores once we brought my dress. Augie even had a girl give him her 'social handles' and the offer of teaching him guitar.'

'R-really?'

'Yeah, she's pretty cute too. Dunno if he's gonna get in touch with her, I mean, if he wants to learn guitar I could teach him.' She shrugged. 'But it might be nice for Augie to make some new friends.'

Cordell nodded in response to that. 'Y-yeah. Yeah. Augie's always found it hard to make friends.'

'Maybe because he's been so close to Stella all these years.' She pointed out. 'I mean, his friends are Stella's friends.' She shrugged again. 'I don't know, that's just what I've noticed.' As Cordell brought the truck to a stop at a set of lights she frowned when she realized he was indicating to turn right. 'Where are we going? Thought we were headed home.'

'I-I just gotta head out to the ranch first.' He replied, driving on again when the light turned green. 'Geri-Geri went out to speak with Gale and I haven't been able to reach her.'

'Oh... Fair enough. Want me to try calling her again?'

'Sure. Thanks.'

Maddie nodded as she took the phone he handed her and unlocked it, scrolling through his contacts to find Geri's number. Placing the call she put it onto loudspeaker, placing the phone back up on the holder on the dash then turned the music down.

'Come on Geri...' Cordell said softly as the phone rang, finally ringing out.

Hey, you've reached Geri. Leave a message, I'll get back to you when I can.

'Geri, it's me.' Cordell spoke after the message bank tone had sounded. 'Ring me back.'

Maddie ended the call, looking up at her father. 'Has something happened?'

'I don't know.' He replied, gripping the steering wheel tighter as he sped the truck up again on the deserted road to the ranch. Please be okay Geri...

The rest of the trip was made in silence, Maddie seeing clearly on her father's face his concern for Geri. Twice again they called her phone and both times it again went to her message bank. Please be okay Aunt Geri... She begged in her mind, saying her silent prayer over and over again.

They came through the front gate of the ranch, Cordell bringing the truck to a hard stop out the front of the house. Hearing someone pulling up, Dan came out of the house just as Cordell stepped from the truck.

'Walker. What brings you here?'

'G-Geri. She ah, she came over to see Gale and I haven't been able to get in touch with her.' Cordell replied. 'Do you-do you know where she is?'

Dan frowned. 'She and Gale headed over to the barn awhile ago.'

'The-the Davidson barn?' He questioned to confirm.

'Yeah. Want me to come with you?'

'No, no, it's fine Dan, thank you.'

'No problem...' Dan said as Cordell turned and jogged back to the truck.

'Dad?'

'Geri's over at the barn.' He replied to Maddie's question as he climbed in, closing the door behind himself before quickly reversing and turning the truck around.

Maddie looked around as they headed back out to the road and down to the Davidson's' ranch entrance, a shiver running up her spine as she caught the smell of smoke coming through the opened window. A closed gate loomed up ahead, Cordell bringing the truck to a stop again and quickly opening it to drive through, Maddie sniffing the air again. 'Can you smell that Dad?'

'Yeah, yeah-' He replied as he realized he could smell something too. 'Smells like-smells like something's burning.'

As they continued on down the track past the house to the barn, Maddie could see an orange glow through the trees on the horizon. When they came around the corner and she could see what was causing it, she let out a gasp.

The new barn was on fire.

'Oh my god...'

Cordell brought the truck to a hard stop a good distance away from the barn. 'Stay here Maddie-' He told her firmly as he opened the door to get out. 'ring for the fire brigade and-and an ambulance!'

Maddie nodded as she grabbed her phone from her pocket and quickly dialed 911, her heart in her mouth as she watched her father running towards the burning building.

'911, what's your emergency?...'

Cordell ran towards the barn as fast as he could, his heart pounding as he took stock of the situation. The barn was almost completely engulfed in flames, the fire lighting up the entire paddock. Gale's car was nearby but he couldn't see either she or Geri as he ran to the open door.

'Cordi!'

'Geri! Geri!' Cordell exclaimed as she stumbled out of the burning barn and ran towards him. As she reached him she wrapped her arms around him, Cordell holding her tight. 'Geri.'

'I'm okay, I'm okay, I'm okay!' She told him as she pulled back. 'Gale! She's inside.'

'What?'

'She's inside,' A roof timber gave way with a crash behind them, sending sparks and embers into the air. 'I couldn't get her.'

'Back up, back up.' Cordell moved Geri back a safe distance away from the fire then hurried towards the barn. 'Stay back, stay back!'

Geri watched as Cordell ran to the doorway, her hand over her mouth as she struggled to catch her breath, still coughing from the smoke in her lungs. Another timber fell down, Cordell having just barely missed it as he hurried inside the barn.

The heat stopped Cordell for a moment, covering his face with his arm as he dodged the falling timber, trying to find a safe route into the fire while searching for Gale. Through the smoke and the flames he could just make out her form lying un-moving on the ground. He hurried over to her, jumping over burning timbers and dodging more falling debris until he finally reached her.

'Where-where's Dad?' Maddie questioned as she wheeled herself over to Geri, the woman doubled over as she struggled to breath.

'Inside. He-he went inside. Gale-Gale, she's in there.'

Oh my God. 'He-he went in?' Maddie looked at the burning barn, her hand covering her mouth as she took in the awful sight, another timber falling to the ground with a crash. 'Dad! Dad!'

'He-he's gonna be okay.' Geri told her, holding the girl back from getting any closer to the fire. 'Just-just stay-stay here. He's gonna be okay.'

Cordell knelt down next to Gale, sliding his arms beneath her body to pick her up then stood again, the woman lying limp in his hold. The smoke and the flames were making it hard to see where the way out was, the smoke stinging his eyes as he tried to find the door. Ahead there seemed to be a break in the flames and that was where he headed for, carrying Gale bridal style in his arms.

He made it to the door just in time, the roof of the barn giving way with a crash as he carried the woman out into the night. Seeing Cordell, both Geri and Maddie hurried over to meet him as he brought Gale out. 'Oh my god.' Geri exclaimed as Cordell laid Gale down on the ground, both her and him kneeling on either side of her.

Maddie wheeled herself over quickly to them, looking down at Gale with concern. 'Is she-is she okay?'

Neither of them answered her question, both of them too worried with trying to rouse Gale to notice her presence. Finally, with a gasp, Gale woke and began coughing loudly as she struggled to get air into her lungs.

Cordell placed his hand on Gale's shoulder, attempting to calm her before she began to panic. 'Hey, it's okay. It's okay.'

Maddie looked on quietly, sending a silent prayer of thanks heavenward after seeing that Gale seemed to be alright. Thank God... She thought as Cordell and Geri looked at each other as what had just happened began to sink in, both of them looking back over at the burning barn as the sparks rose and flew into the night.

This time, the barn had been cheated out of claiming another victim.

'M-Maddie.' Cordell turned to his daughter as he caught his breath. 'Did-did you get through?'

She nodded. 'They're on their way, they'll be here soon.'

'Good. Good.' He turned back to Gale, his hand still on her shoulder as the barn continued to burn. 'It's all right. Help is coming...'