When I woke up, I was alone in the bed. Hannah was gone. It was still mostly dark outside, though lightening. I looked at

the clock on the nightstand. Five forty-five a.m. Isaac was still asleep in his crib, laying on his back now, with his hands stretched

above his little head. I got up, and went quietly into the bathroom, and then headed downstairs, closing the door softly

behind me.

It was early, but it was still unusual to not hear any noise up and down the hall, or of anybody starting their day. I went down the

back stairs, thinking about a cup of coffee. I wondered why Hannah hadn't woken me, like she'd said that she would, when Daniel

got home and Adam came up to bed. Maybe Adam had just crashed on the couch downstairs, or something.

When I came down the last couple of steps to the kitchen, I was surprised to find only Clare, sitting at the table, and Brian,

standing at the stove.

Clare had a blanket wrapped around her shoulders, and was sipping at a cup of something. Brian was flipping scrambled

eggs. He had his back turned, so didn't see me right off, but Clare did, and her face looked pale and ashen. Just in that instant-I thought

she must be having an attack of morning sickness, for her to be looking like she was.

"Morning-" she said, really softly, and Brian turned, to see me standing there.

"You're up early," he greeted me. "I thought you might sleep awhile longer."

"I decided to go ahead and get up," I answered him.

"Alright. Well, I've got some eggs about ready. Sit down," Brian told me.

I went to pull down a coffee cup and filled it with the pungent smelling coffee.

"Where is everybody?" I asked. "Still sleeping?" Without waiting for an answer, I took a sip of the hot coffee and

said, "What time did Daniel finally get home last night, do you know?"

Brian and Clare exchanged a quick glance. Very quick, but I still noticed.

Brian picked up the skillet, and came over to the table, nodding to the cabinet. "Get down some plates, peach."

I set my cup down on the cabinet, and turned to obey, pulling down a handful of plates, and bringing them over to

the table.

Brian scraped some of the eggs onto the top plate. "Sit down and eat," he told me.

"Yes, toots, come and sit beside me," Clare said, pulling out the chair beside her and patting the seat.

I gave them both a puzzled look, wrinkling my forehead. "What's going on?" I asked. "You're both acting weird."

Brian went to set the skillet back on the stove.

"Sit down," he said, again. His voice sounded really funny. Strange.

I slid into the chair next to Clare, looking up at Brian.

"Want some toast?" Clare was asking me, taking a slice from the plate of already-buttered bread, and I shook my head.

"Bri, you're scaring me," I said.

Brian pulled out the chair on the other side of me, and sat down. He studied me, looking contemplative, and then

said, quietly, "Daniel had an accident last night. He's at the hospital. He's going to be alright."

"What?" I said, feeling my chest tighten. I clinched my hands together.

"He's got a broken arm, and collarbone, and some cracked ribs-cuts-but he's gonna mend," Brian said.

Clare reached out and laid her hand on my arm in comfort.

"Can we go see him?" I asked, immediately.

"Yeah. We'll go. Not right this minute, but we'll go," Brian said.

"Where's Adam? And Hannah? At the hospital?" I asked.

At Brian's nod, I said, "And Crane?"

"Yeah. Crane, too."

"What happened?" I asked. "Was there another car involved?"

"No. He fell asleep. Ran off the road into the ditch," Brian said.

I sat for a moment, trying to take it all in, and Clare scooted my plate over in front of me.

"Eat something," she said.

I shook my head in refusal. "I don't feel like it."

"You have to, though," Clare pointed out. "It's going to be a long day, probably, and you need to keep

your level stable."

"When are you going to the hospital?" I asked Brian, not answering Clare.

"We'll do the chores, and then when Adam and Hannah come home for a rest, I'll likely go in then."

"I want to go with you," I said.

"Then eat," Brian said, simply, with authority.

As he stood up, I said, "Where's Jill?"

"She went to the hospital last night, and then Ford brought her home," Clare said. "She's probably sleeping now."

"Why didn't somebody wake me up last night?" I demanded, feeling irritation on top of my worry.

"There was no need," Brian said.

"I'm going to get dressed," Clare said, patting me and standing up. "Isaac will be waking up soon, too."

"Okay, darlin'," Brian said, and Clare patted his waist as she walked past.

When she was gone, I gave Brian an accusatory look. "You guys should have woken me up," I told him. "I would have

gone to the hospital, too-"

"Harlie, it was late," Brian said. "Things were a mess, and everybody was all shook up. There were enough McFaddens

at the hospital as it was. There's nothing you could have done last night. It was decided that I'd stay home, and to let you and Guthrie sleep."

He fixed me with a dark look. "That's the way that it went, and I don't want any attitude about it. Got it?"

Between being scared about Daniel, and then having Brian get onto me in that gruff way-well, tears welled up in my

eyes.

"Okay, Bri," I managed, and picked up my fork, taking a bite of eggs. I swiped at my cheek, and I heard Brian sigh, and

come back over to stand beside my chair. He laid a hand on the back of my head.

"I'm bein' surly," he said. "Sorry, peach."

"It's okay," I said, looking up at him. I knew he had to be worried sick about Daniel.

We exchanged a long drawn-out look-and it was a look that said, 'we've got a long day or more ahead-level heads

prevail-'. Brian gave a slight nod, and I nodded back in understanding.

I pitched in and did the breakfast dishes, after everybody was finished. Evan had come in, long enough to sit down and

eat a second breakfast, and talk over the day's ranch needs with Brian. Guthrie and Ford came in, as well, and the four of them

sat down together. Guthrie was mostly silent. He ate his eggs, but then scraped his chair back from the table, and said he was

going back outside to fill the water tanks.

"Hey, Guth," Brian said, as Guthrie reached the back door, his hand poised to push the screen open.

"Yeah," Guthrie said, turning to look at Brian.

"We'll go into the hospital-around ten, to visit Daniel. Ok?"

"I'll stay here," Guthrie said. At Brian's look of surprise, he added, "To help Evan."

"You can go along," Evan spoke up. "I'll be alright until you all get back."

"Yeah. And Adam and Crane will probably be home by then, too," Brian said. "You can go, Guthrie."

"I'll see Daniel when he gets home," Guthrie said.

I had turned to look at Guthrie, and listen, wondering why Guthrie was acting that way.

But Brian said only, "Alright," sort of quietly, and Guthrie nodded, and went out.

I watched him go, knowing with a certainty that Guthrie was really bothered by something. Probably, I thought, he

was scared and worried like all of us were. I dried my hands on a dishtowel, as Clare came down the stairs, carrying

Isaac.

Ford stood, and took Isaac from her. "He's heavy," Clare said. "Thanks, Ford."

Brian stood, too, and went to put an arm around Clare's waist. "Not feelin' any better?" he asked her.

"I'm alright," Clare said. "When Isaac goes down for a nap, I'll lay down, too."

The telephone began ringing, and Ford got up to answer the kitchen phone, still holding Isaac.

It was obvious after a couple of moments that he was talking to one of the family, calling from the hospital. We all

stopped moving, just to listen.

"When are they doin' that?" Ford was asking. He turned to add to the rest of us. "It's Adam."

"You want to talk to Brian?" Ford asked, and then handed off the receiver to Brian.

"What'd he say?" Evan asked Ford.

"They're doing some tests on Daniel, so he may not be comin' home for a couple of days," Ford reported, looking

worried.

"What tests?" Evan demanded.

"An MRI, or somethin'," Ford said.

Evan asked what for, or something, but I felt panic overtaking me. My heart was pounding, as Brian finished talking,

and hung up the phone.

"What's goin' on?" Evan asked.

"Daniel had a rough night, Adam says. They've found a couple of things that they're wanting to check out a little more," Brian

said. His tone was calm, but I could tell he was upset, but likely putting on the steady calm front for Evan and Ford and me.

"What things?" I asked, from my spot beside the sink.

"An MRI, to look at some possible torn cartilage in his back," Brian said.

I was horrified, and I guess my facial expression showed that. Brian stepped over to me, putting his arm around

my shoulders.

"They're bein' cautious," Brian said, still calmly. "That's a good thing. It doesn't mean that they'll find anything wrong."

I knew very well that it wasn't likely a doctor would order an MRI unless they thought there to be a good reason. But, I didn't

say that.

They all went outside after that, to tend to the ranch chores. Clare said she would work on what to have for the

evening meal. "Lunch can be sandwiches," she said. "Since everybody's going to be coming and going."

"Okay," I said. "I'll go do some laundry."

Clare gave me a side hug. "I know you're scared, Harlie, but try not to panic. Daniel's in good hands. He'll get good

care."

I went upstairs to gather up some laundry, mostly Isaac's, from Hannah's bedroom, and a couple pairs of Adam's jeans,

adding them to the basket I was carrying. As I passed by the boy's room, I could hear Jill moving around, the sounds of drawers

closing, and the closet door squeaking. So, she was up.

I stopped beside the closed door, the basket balanced on my hip. I rapped on the door. Just once.

"Who is it?" she asked.

"Harlie."

"I'm not feeling well, Harlie."

I leaned closer to the door. "I thought you might want to know about what the hospital said. About Daniel," I added

pointedly.

The door opened, and Jill stood there, dressed in a sundress, and looking as well put together as she always did.

"The hospital called?" she asked.

"Adam called. Daniel has to have an MRI. They think his back might be messed up." My tone was short. And clipped.

For a long moment Jill stared at me, as if trying to absorb what I was saying, then she weaved a little bit, and

I swear, her face turned pale right in front of me.

"He was supposed to come home today, though," she said.

"Well, now he has to have this test," I said.

"Do you think one of the guys can give me a ride?" she asked, going over to pick up her long shoulder bag that

had been hooked over the back of a chair.

"We're going around ten to the hospital," I told her. "They're outside working right now."

"Can you give me a ride, Harlie?" she asked, then.

I was so shocked by her request that I just stared at her. I mean, seriously?

"We're going at ten," I repeated.

Jill opened her mouth, and then closed it again, as we heard the telephone begin to ring downstairs.

"If you were so worried, why didn't you stay at the hospital?" I asked her.

Jill met my eyes, and said, "In case you forgot, I'm pregnant. I couldn't sleep there. I need my rest-"

"It would be kind of difficult to forget that you're pregnant," I said, without thinking.

"Sometimes, Harlie, you're not very kind," Jill said, her eyes pinning me. And, then, she said, "Will you come and get me when

everybody is ready to leave, please?"

I turned to go, and I guess she thought I was agreeing to tell her when we left, because she closed the door again, right away.

I went downstairs and started the laundry, my chest thumping in agitation. Both the dryers were filled with dried clothes that

needed folding, so I started doing that, spread out on the long folding table.

I wasn't quite finished with the folding and stacking into neat piles, when the door above the stairs opened, and

Brian called down to me.

"Peach? You down there?"

I called back up to him, and he said, "We're goin' in a few minutes to the hospital."

"Okay," I called back.

I left my unfinished chore of folding clothes and went upstairs. Hannah was in the kitchen, holding Isaac and leaning

against the counter, talking to Clare, who was sitting at the table.

"You're home," I said, gladly, and went to hug her.

"Yes, just a few minutes ago."

"How is he?" I asked, searching her face for signs of strain.

"He was sleeping when I left-he didn't get much sleep last night. He was pretty uncomfortable. He's going to

have an MRI later this afternoon."

"Yes, Adam called," I said. "So his back might be hurt?" I asked, worriedly.

"They're going to check that out," Hannah said.

"Where's Adam?" I asked.

"He brought me home, but I think he's going back in a couple of hours, so he'll be there while they're doing the

MRI,"

"Did Crane stay?" I asked.

"Yes, he stayed."

Brian came thru from the living room. "Grab a jacket," he told me. "It looks like it might rain."

"Guthrie's not going?" Hannah asked, looking at Brian questioningly.

"No."

"Alright," Hannah said, and she tried to smile at me, but it didn't quite come off.

Brian paused beside her. "Why don't you grab a nap," he told her.

"I think I might," Hannah agreed.

I went to the living room to take a jacket from the hook by the door, and caught a glimpse of Adam outside, talking

to Evan beside the barn.

I went out, pulling on my jacket as I went. I walked over and stood beside them while they talked, discussing a couple of

the cows, and an order of feed that needed to be picked up, things like that. When it seemed as though they were finished, Adam

turned to me, and Evan walked on into the barn.

"Hey," Adam greeted me. His face was lined with weariness, etched in his forehead, and in his eyes, too.

"Hey," I said. "How's Daniel?"

"He was resting when I left," Adam said.

"Brian and I are going in now," I said.

Adam nodded, and tried a smile. "He'll be glad to see you."

"He shouldn't have been working so much, and then he wouldn't have fallen asleep," I said. "Right?"

Adam reached out and ran his thumb down my cheek. "You can't think that way."

"Do they know when he can come home?" I asked.

"That hasn't been decided yet. They might know more after the test this afternoon," he said.

I sighed, feeling anxious. The front screen door flapped shut, and Brian headed our way.

"Ready?" I asked Brian.

"As soon as Jill gets out here," Brian answered.

I resisted a sigh and an eye roll, as Jill came out and down the front steps.

"We're goin' in Ford's truck," Brian told me.

"Okay," I said.

"I'll be back in there in a couple hours," Adam told Brian.

"You've been up all night," Brian said. "You need to keep your butt home and catch a nap. I'll stay there while they

do the MRI. Crane's there. You stay home."

Adam made a 'humph' sort of sound, which I couldn't tell if was in agreement or disagreement with Brian's comment.

Jill came out the front door and down the steps.

Adam walked with us over towards Ford's truck, and I started to climb in, my foot on the running board.

"Hannah was kind enough to come up and tell me you all were leaving," Jill said, pointedly. She was standing right behind me,

ready to slide in after me. I stopped, and turned to look at her.

Her implication was clear. To me, at least. She'd asked me to come and get her, and I hadn't. If Hannah hadn't told her

we were leaving, she would have been left at the house. That's what she was pointing out to me.

"Well you're here, so it's all fine, isn't it?" I said, in my own veiled comment.

"If you say so," Jill answered.

The two of us faced off for a long few moments. I guess there was enough of a current of irritation between us that

it was obvious to Adam and Brian. They were both watching us, and so I shook it off, and resisted the urge to say something

snappy to her, and slid into the center of the truck seat.

7

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