Katie hesitated near the gates of the fort. She knew she needed to get her Pa, but also wanted to make sure that Mr. and Mrs. Bradley knew too. Rose looked up at her with wide frightened eyes.

"Rose, go to the Bradley's and tell them about Anna Lee." Rose nodded. "Don't worry. I'll get Pa!" She called after her.

She turned and ran towards the cabin overwhelmed with worry for Israel. She burst through the cabin door skidding to a stop as her Ma dropped a plate of bread.

"Kathleen-Grace Boone!" She said and knelt down to pick up the mess.

"Where's Pa?" Katie said, and her mother looked up at her.

"In the barn, last I knew." She looked at Katie's face. "What is it?"

But before she could finish the sentence, Katie had grabbed her hand and dragged her along as she ran to the barn.

"Pa! Pa!" Katie yelled.

He nearly collided with them as he came out of the barn. Looking at their faces, he asked, "What's happened? Becky?"

"It's Israel." Katie said. "He fought with Master Jacobs. They put him in the jail cell. I don't know if he's hurt. Master Jacobs is. Cinncinatus is with him now."

Daniel had already turned to run, her mother two steps behind him.

"Rebecca! You stay here." He yelled over his shoulder.

"Katie, where's Rose? Find her and stay with her." Her mother yelled to her not waiting for an answer.

"Becky," Her father began, but her Ma didn't stop to listen and was already past him and running towards the fort.

"Do what your Ma said!" He yelled.

He easily caught up to her, and then reaching for her hand continued inside the fort. He led her over to the small jail cell at the edge of the settlement. It was dark inside.

"Israel?" He called. "Israel?"

A voice from inside asked, "Is Ma with ya?"

"Israel, are you alright?" She asked trying to peer into the darkness.

"Ma, you better wait with Cincinnatus. I don't want you seeing me here, like this."

She hesitated. "It's alright, son. I need to see if you are alright."

He stepped towards the door and peered out from behind the iron bars. His face was bloody and purple with bruises. His mother drew in a breath but bravely said nothing.

"Son, what happened?" His father asked.

"Did they find Anna Lee?" Israel asked. "Is she alright?"

"Israel, what are you talking about? What happened? Katie said you fought with Master Jacobs. She said you hurt him? What is this all about?"

Israel looked up into the green eyes of his father, and Rebecca stepped back in surprise. He looked, not like the little boy she'd always known, but a man, determined to protect his own.

***DB***

Matthew Bradley paced angrily. "He said what?"

"He said that he was sending her out because he only taught whites. He said that no Bradley would be welcome." Katie felt her face redden with anger even as she spoke it. "He said other things, too, but I don't say those words." She glanced down at Rose.

"That's alright, sweetheart." Grace Bradley said wrapping her arms around Katie. "He said it in front of you girls and Israel?"

"Yes. He said other things too, about Ma and Pa, and you and Mr. Bradley." She looked at her parents. "and Israel hit him. Israel hit him hard and they fought. Anna Lee had already run. She didn't see them fight."

Cincinnatus came out of the tavern and walked over to them.

"Well, some busted ribs, bruises and a broken hand. He'll mend. He's mighty riled and wants Israel punished. I'll go see to Israel now. Let's go, Becky."

The two of them left carrying medicines, bandages and water.

"Do you know where she went?" Matthew asked.

Katie shook her head. "The river, maybe or the meadow? Israel might know better than me."

"We'll check the river first." Daniel said. "Don't worry, Grace. Matthew and I will find her. She's a smart girl." He squeezed Grace's shoulder and turned to Katie, "You girls go on home." He turned to go but seeing their worried faces, he paused and wrapped his arms around the both of them. "Now girls, Israel will be fine, don't worry. We'll find Anna Lee. Your Ma and I will be home soon enough." Kissing them he turned toward Matthew and said, "I'll just check on Becky and Israel. I'll meet you outside the gate" He nodded towards Grace, knowing that Matthew would want to speak to her alone before they left.

***DB***

"You can finish cleaning up those cuts, Becky. I'll go brew some of that tea to help with the pain." He looked at Israel, "You are lucky it isn't worse, Israel. He's twice your size."

"Thank you, Cincinnatus." Rebecca said and he left.

"I'm sorry, Ma." Israel said quietly. "I know a man should be able to manage his temper, but I couldn't allow him to speak of Anna that way."

Rebecca sat back and studied her son thoughtfully. "Oh, Israel, it seems you grew up awfully fast." She returned to cleaning the cuts on his face. "But she is too young to marry just yet. Let her turn sixteen first, and that's still too young!"

Israel laughed. "Ma!" His face reddened and then glancing at her with a grin, he asked, "Weren't you sixteen?"

"Sixteen was different then." She said. "It might take us 'til then to clear up this mess. You put your Pa in an awkward spot, him being the constable and all. But I'm proud of you son."

Israel blushed. "How long did you know Pa before," He hesitated unsure, "Well, before you knew it was him?" He asked shyly.

She smiled remembering. "An hour maybe. He had an unfair advantage over me, though. He rode up on that horse with the sun setting behind him." She laughed. "Oh, I guess I knew I loved him as soon as I looked into those green eyes of his."

"And you, Pa?" Israel asked his father who had been standing behind his wife. She turned surprised .

"I was sure the instant I saw her, but, well, now, your Ma is the most beautiful woman I've ever seen and I was sure I would never stand a chance, so I pretended not to notice her. Which was near impossible; like trying to ignore the sun or stars or the air I breathe, and was a mite foolish. I was right lucky no one else snatched her up." He smiled at her. "But I agree with your Ma, Israel. You are much too young, just yet. But I suppose you aren't too young to court her. You better talk to her Pa when this is over." He winked at Israel. "'Course, Matthew might not cotton to a criminal courtin' his beloved daughter."

"Have they found her, yet?" Israel asked. "Look down by the river. There's that cave a mile or so downstream. She likes to go there for a bit of quiet now and then."

"We'll find her, son." He reached over and put one arm around his wife. "Matthew and I are going after Anna Lee. Don't fret, love. We'll work all this out. Promise you'll stay away from Master Jacobs. I can't have two family members in jail."

"I'll do my best." She said.

"Uh, uh. Rebecca promise it." He said meeting her blue eyes.

"I promise." She said quietly.

"Promise what?" He asked. He had become wise over time.

"I promise to stay away from Master Jacobs." She sighed heavily.

"That's my girl." He kissed her cheek, and left.