I woke up early, I mean, really early. I could tell it was early even without looking at my alarm clock because it was just barely

light outside. It was banging in the hallway, and next door in the boy's bedroom that did the waking up. I groaned, and covered

my head with my pillow, trying to drown out the noise.

After a few more minutes, though, I gave it up. The noise had tapered off, but I was already awake now and feeling disgruntled.

I pulled jeans and a t-shirt out of my dresser, grumbling to myself. Six-fifteen. Good grief.

When I went out into the hall, closing my door behind me, I made a quick trip to the bathroom, and brushed my teeth, and then

went downstairs. I could hear voices before I reached the living room, coming from the kitchen. First, I went to the front door, and pushed open

the screen door, inviting Fat Clarence inside. He left his comfort blanket and followed me in. Hannah had insisted that it wasn't healthy for

Clarence to be so fat, and that he needed to go on a diet. So, technically he is only supposed to have his dry dog food, twice a day. But, old habits

die hard, and everybody, including me, still slip him snacks and people food.

In the kitchen Adam and Brian were sitting at their regular spots at the table, and Isaac was in his high chair, squeezed between them. Isaac was eating

Cheerios and bits of bacon that Adam was tearing into small pieces. Daniel was at the table, too, eating from a plate of bacon and eggs in front of

him. I could see Crane just outside the back door, looking off into the distance. Sometimes he does that-takes some coffee and goes to sit or stand

outside in the early morning to think or whatever.

Other than all of them, nobody else was present. Clarence and I shuffled into the kitchen and both Adam and Brian looked at me

in somewhat surprise. "Morning," I said, in a general way.

"Hey," Adam said, in greeting, laying more bacon pieces on Isaac's tray.

"Figured you'd be sleepin' for a long time yet," Brian said.

"I would have," I said, going to the cabinet and pulling down a coffee cup. "But, I got woke up."

Daniel immediately looked up and over to me. "Awe, sorry, squirt."

I figured it had been Jill making the noise that woke me. Daniel had already been down here in the kitchen, eating. But, I was super sorry that

I'd uttered a complaint at all, because he didn't need to feel any worse than he did already. Giving him a closer look, he didn't appear to have

slept long or well. He was eating, though, so that was good, I thought.

"It's okay," I told him, acting wide-awake and unbothered. I felt guilty that I'd been bitchy enough that he felt the need to apologize, yet again.

Especially when he wasn't even the guilty one in it. "I've got stuff to do, so it's good that I'm up."

Even with his own worries and problems, Daniel was atuned enough to give me a 'you're kidding' type of look.

He knows how much I enjoy sleep, and take advantage of whenever I'm not rousted out of bed for school or chores. Or church, which I

hoped mightily that we weren't going to this morning. Or if so, I hoped I could beg off.

"Don't kid a kidder, squirt," Daniel told me. "You could sleep till noon, likely."

"That's the truth there," Brian chimed in.

I took the teasing in good nature. It was early and I would rather have still been sleeping. But-at this point, I would have let Daniel

make fun of my wild curls or mostly anything else, if I could just see him smile. It seemed like he hadn't smiled or cut up or been silly

in a really long time.

"Yeah, yeah," I said, pouring coffee from the pot into my cup. I took my first sip, sighing at how good it was.

"Whoever made the coffee, I approve," I said. "It's perfect." I sat down in my spot at the table, holding the cup between my hands

and enjoying the warmth.

"Harlie, coffee's not breakfast," Adam said. I shot him a look, and he gave Isaac another few bits of bacon, and then swung his

gaze to me. "Food's right there, on the stove," he said.

I held back a sigh, and got up to get a plate, and put some scrambled eggs on it, and two slices of bacon from the platter.

While I ate, Brian and Adam talked about ranch stuff. Daniel ate his own breakfast and was mostly quiet. I was, too, mostly, slipping Clarence

some bits of bacon.

Isaac had finished eating, and was banging his bottle on his tray and tossing Cheerios onto the floor. Adam told him to

stop in a firm tone, and ended it with a stern, "That's enough, Isaac."

That admonishment got Isaac's attention. He stared wide-eyed at his dad, and stopped throwing the cereal. Adam unlatched the tray and lifted

Isaac out, sitting him on his knee.

For a moment or more I felt almost sorry for Isaac. It was hard watching him get scolded like that. He's such a sweet little guy, nearly always

sunny-natured. I knew he had to mind and all, but still-it was hard.

Crane came back inside, refilling his coffee cup, and then running his hand over the back of my head.

"Morning, peanut," he said.

"Morning," I answered. Crane sat down next to Daniel then and for a moment gave Daniel's shoulder a squeeze. It was an action of

encouragement. I knew that. I wondered just when Jill was going to make her appearance, and reveal what the heck was going on

with those two buffoons. I eyed Daniel covertly from across the table. He knew what this was all about. I wondered if he'd already shared

it with anybody in the family. I had a strong suspicion that he had probably confided in Crane, at least.

Daniel said, "Good eggs, Brian."

"Thanks."

Daniel pushed his plate back a bit, and went on. "I know it's not what you guys want-but I think it's best."

I stayed quiet, hardly breathing. I had a feeling that Daniel had sort of forgotten I was sitting there, listening, too. Or, if he hadn't forgotten, exactly,

he wasn't thinking about not talking in front of me. So, I was quiet, not wanting to be sent from the table.

"We've already said you don't need to," Adam said, wiping Isaac's small hands with a paper towel.

"I know what you said," Daniel replied evenly. "But it's best. Believe me."

"Let's just wait it out and see," Brian said.

Daniel shook his head, looking stubborn. "Nope."

"It's not gonna hurt to wait," Crane said, squeezing Daniel's shoulder again.

"Man, Crane, come on," Daniel said, almost as if he was pleading. "Not you, too."

"Daniel-" Adam began, and then stopped, his gaze resting on me. "Hey, sugar, you done?"

I was, obviously, finished, since my plate was empty. Adam didn't wait for a response, either, since he could see the empty plate as well

as I could. "Will you take Isaac, maybe out on the porch swing or somethin' for a bit?"

Ah, so now I was banished from earshot of the conversation. But, what could I say? A look at all four of their faces showed they were

waiting, now, for me to take the baby and scoot.

I stood up, putting my plate in the sink, and then went to take Isaac from Adam. Even though he'd just been gotten after by his dad, Isaac

would have preferred to stay with Adam. Adam handed him off, saying, "Go on with Harlie, buddy."

I headed towards the living room, when Brian said, "No glass listenin' at the door, young lady."

Well, that provoked me, it really did. I thought he might be joking, though, so I gave him a look over my shoulder. He looked serious, though, as did

the other three of them, as well. Well, for sure Adam and Crane. Daniel really just looked like he'd prefer to be anywhere else.

"Right," I muttered, peeved. And, then, loud enough to be heard, I spoke to the baby. "Well, Isaac, they're kicking us out-how about that?"

"We'll discuss it later on," Brian called after me.

"Okay," I called back, feeling sassy.

Once I was in the living room, I was already sorry for my backchat. I took Isaac out to the porch swing, and, holding him, I set it in gentle motion.

seven

I wasn't sure how long that Isaac and I had been sitting out there. He was happily babbling and pointing. I heard Evan's truck coming

from the back of the property, and I figured he and Nancy were heading down from their cabin. Ready for the big family powwow, or reveal by

Jill.

They pulled up, and stopped, getting out. Evan came around the front of the truck, taking Nancy's hand, and they headed up the porch steps.

"Heyya, wild child," Nancy said, in greeting.

"Hey."

"How's everything inside? We miss anything?" Nancy asked.

"Big powwow going on in the kitchen right now," I said, my irritation showing.

"Yeah?"

"Yeah. They kicked me and Isaac out."

"Hmm," Nancy said, looking at Evan. "We're too late, it sounds like."

"No," I said. "This isn't the real main powwow. Jill's not even downstairs yet. This is just Daniel and the three dads."

Nancy smiled at my reference to Adam, Brian and Crane as the three dads.

"Hmm," she said, again, looking thoughtful.

"Might as well get started on the chores, then," Evan said, letting go of Nancy's hand.

"Want me to take him for awhile?" Nancy offered, reaching out for Isaac.

"Okay," I said, letting her take the baby.

"You can help me," Evan told me. "Come on."

I suppressed a groan. It had been a hectic morning already, and now Evan was pressing me into helping him start chores. Chores which weren't

even technically my chores. I knew better than to point that out, though.

So, instead of groaning, I sighed, and got to my feet.

"At least Guthrie could be up and helping," I complained.

"He'll probably be out in a few minutes," Evan said, and started walking towards the barn. I followed him, as Nancy took Isaac inside.

"No church today, huh?" Evan asked, as we walked.

Since he and Nancy rarely go when the rest of us do attend, I knew he was just asking about everybody else.

"I don't know. I don't think so. I hope not," I said.

Evan went out to check on the cattle that were in the barn corral. One had gotten her leg cut up somehow, and the other was in there with her mostly for

company. I went ahead and fed the other three dogs, and barn cats, and checked Pepe's food and water supply. By now Evan was calling for me

to bring him some antibiotic creme.

I shut the door to the skunk's cage, and hollared back. "Didn't you take some in there with you?"

"It's almost empty," he yelled back.

I went to retrieve a new tube from one of the shelves, and handed it to him thru the corral fence. He was just on the inside, looking at the cow's leg.

This particular cow is really gentle, and didn't seem to mind Evan being so near.

He put creme on the injury, and then straightened up his back, putting the cap back on the tube.

"Daniel and Jill were arguing last night," I told Evan. "They were being real loud about it, too."

Evan looked at me, but didn't answer.

"Daniel's so sad," I went on. "He's not the same."

"Yeah," Evan said, in apparent agreement.

"What do you think it's all about, Ev?" I asked him.

Evan shook his head, and crawled thru the opening in the fence. "I got no idea."

"None at all?" I asked, surprised.

"None that I'd lay odds on."

He started walking back towards the barn, and once again I followed, where we were greeted by a sleepy-looking Guthrie.

"Mornin'," he greeted us.

Evan said good morning, and I said, "Did you eat breakfast?"

Guthrie gave me a puzzled look. "Yeaaaahh," he drew out his answer. "Why? You concerned about my nutrition?"

"I wondered if they were still talking to Daniel," I said, in explanation.

"They're still sittin' in the kitchen, but they weren't talkin' about anything major," Guthrie said.

"Are Hannah and Clare there?"

"Yeah."

"What about Jill?" I asked.

"She was comin' down as I came outside."

"You're not gonna miss anything," Evan told me, pausing in his walking to look to me. "Stop worrying that you're gonna be left out."

I thought that was uncalled for. I wasn't worried about missing anything. That wasn't it at all.

I was worried, feeling anxious, but I wasn't being nosy. I was not.

"That's not what I meant," I defended myself. "I meant-" I paused, feeling unexpected tears spring to my eyes. They weren't welcome tears, either.

"Good grief, Evan," I mumbled, and then I took off, running towards the barn. But, instead of going into the barn, I ran around the side, and towards

the pastures. I stopped running and walked to where Old Charlie stood, grazing in the knee-high grass.

I hugged Charlie's neck and talked to him, and then, after awhile, I laid down in the grass, folding my hands under my head, and staring up at

the clouds. The ground was starting to get cooler in this weather, but it was still warm enough, with the sun shining, that I felt myself getting

sleepy. I let my eyes close, but I wasn't asleep or anything. I heard my name being called out.

I laid still, not moving to be seen. Evan.

"Hey, Harlie!" he was hollaring.

Then, "Harlie!"

I seriously considered not sitting up to be seen. I was peeved at Evan. And rightly so, I figured. The more I thought, though, I decided he'd hurt

my feelings more than he'd made me mad. Still, if I kept hidden and didn't answer, and he found out, he'd raise Cain.

So, I sat up, so my head was visable.

"I'm right here," I said, startling Evan, when he'd been looking the other way for me.

Evan looked me over, sitting there in the tall grass. I heard him mutter my name, and then he came walking over, standing next to me, as I sat.

"What's the matter?" he asked me. He sounded genuinely puzzled, and a little bit mad, too.

Instead of looking at him, I began plucking tall blades of grass.

"I'm just sitting here," I mumbled. "Good grief."

"I know that. You take off like that-and then hide in the grass like some rabbit or somethin-"

"I'm not hiding," I interrupted him.

Evan heaved a sigh. "Yeah. Okay."

"I'm not bothering you."

"It bothers me when I have to come huntin' for you-" Evan began.

Again, I interrupted him. "You didn't have to come looking for me. Nobody asked you to."

Evan let out a low whistle. "You're sure sour this morning."

"I am not," I denied. I felt like tearing up again, and I grabbed a mass of grass at the same time, yanking it from the dirt. "Good grief-"

"You keep sayin' that-" Evan said, and then, without any warning, he sank to the ground beside me, stretching out his legs.

"What'd I do to make you so upset?" he asked.

Again, he sounded genuinely puzzled. Sincere.

"You hurt my feelings," I said.

"I did?" Surprise in his tone. "How?"

I blew upwards at my bangs. "Never mind," I said.

"Come on," he coaxed. I swept my glance to the right, taking in his puzzled, freckled face.

"When you said that-about me worrying because I might miss something in the house-like I'm just a little kid being nosy or

something," I said.

"That's what I did?" he asked, sounding even more surprised.

"You hurt my feelings," I said, again. "I'm worried about Daniel-and about everything that happened yesterday-and you just dismissed that-thinking

the way you did."

Now it was Evan who muttered, "Good grief."

I was silent and after a couple of moments, Evan said, "I'm sorry I made you feel bad, Har."

I could tell he meant it. And I didn't really want to fuss with Evan. And-he had been nice enough to come and find me, and see if I was okay, and all

that.

"It's okay," I said. "I guess I'm just being sensitive, or something."

"You try to be less sensitive, and I'll try to be more sensitive, how about that?" he said.

"Okay," I said, and gave him a small smile.

7

I know it's been a long time coming, and I promise that some of Jill's mysterious past will be revealed in the next chapter. Long live the

McFaddens!