Hey all, another chapter. Thanks to my three loyal fans. And shame on you lurkers who don't take the time to review, lol. Happy reading.

There was silence as the car traveled slowly up the road, the vehicle skidding to a stop as the light turned red. Rain pounded on the windshield while the swish of the wipers reverberated through the car. The two occupants sat stiffly, their bodies tight with tension.

"I'm surprised it's not snowing." The passenger spoke up, her voice catching on the last word. Clutching her hands tighter together she swallowed hard against any further loss of control.

"The roads are slick, they'll be pure ice before the night's out." The driver responded, his only show of emotion the white knuckled grip he had on the steering wheel.

"I appreciate you coming to pick me up. I know it was a little out of your way." She murmured, wanting to reach out to him for comfort. Unsure of how he would react and not wanting to break down herself, she angled her body away.

He shrugged. "To tell you the truth I really didn't want to be alone." He avoided making eye contact with her as he spoke, knowing how expressive his eyes could be.

They drove in silence once again, the only car on the dark roads. Steam fogged the side windows as their rapid breathing belied their agitation. Feet tapping against the floor boards matched the sound of of the pouring rain.

Randy glanced over at his sister as he pulled the car over to the curb at the entrance to the posh neighborhood. "We need to come up with a game plan." He spoke up as he peeled his fingers from the steering wheel.

"For what? It's not like we can make him not be sick." Journey frowned as she moved restlessly in her seat. She stared at him in confusion.

"If we could do that we wouldn't be sitting here having this discussion." He bit out, frowning as he rubbed a hand over his eyes. She remained silent on her side of the car, huddled into a ball. "I'm sorry, I just hate this."

She let out her pent up breath. "This is hard on all of us."

"Especially Dave. He is the one that's sick. God knows how sick." He shifted so that he was facing her fully. "We have to be united on this. Go in there and be relaxed and supportive. Take some of the burden off him and just be there for him. Like he's always there for us."

She gave a strained laugh as she looked at him in disbelief. "Do you really think we can go in there and not break down?"

"I think we have to."

San Antonio Texas

"So why did we have to come down here today?" Ari asked in a bored voice.

"Because when the big man says we have to come, we come." John replied as he navigated the rental car over the rough country roads outside San Antonio. He spared a look for his daughter. "This is a big deal tonight so I want you to be on your best behavior okay?"

She shrugged. "What's so important about it?"

"Apparently Mark has a new girlfriend and she's having dinner with us." He shook his head, a baffled expression on his face. Mark with a girlfriend was not something he wanted to think about.

"Grandpa Mark has a girlfriend? Isn't he too old?" She asked causing her father to laugh.

"You be sure to tell him you think so."

"So why didn't Journey come with us if this dinner is so important?" Ari asked, kicking her feet against the dashboard.

John resisted the urge to reach out and stop her. "She wasn't feeling well and Dave wanted her to go to his house for dinner."

"She's always sick lately." She complained. "She never eats anything anymore and she 's throwing up all the time."

John remained silent as he pulled into the Deadman's driveway. His worry over his girlfriend rose another notch.

"Oh wow, look at the horse!." Ari cried as she climbed out of the car.

"He's loco and very dangerous." Mark said as he walked up to them. He tapped Ari on the top of the head. "I don't want you anywhere near the pen." He waited until she nodded before he moved over to talk to John.

Ari kept watch and as soon as they were engrossed in conversation she took off for the paddock where the stallion was racing back and forth. Coming to the fence she peeked between the boards. "Here Horsey, here boy." She called in a soft voice.

The horse responded by letting out a high pitched whinny and charging the fence. Strong arms grabbed her seconds before the large horse crashed in to the boards, causing the top rail to splinter.

Grabbing the back of Ari's shirt Mark lifter her up until she was eye level. "What the hell were you thinking?" He yelled conscious of the people pouring out of the house.

Feet dangling Ari stared back with wide frightened eyes.

"I ought to..." He continued to threaten.

John tore his eyes away from the soft spoken woman, who was currently preforming miracles with the wild horse, to reach for his daughter. "Mark stop. Let her down."

"I'm not stopping until she learns a lesson." Mark yelled as he relinquished his hold on the girl. "She could have gotten killed."

"So we should be comforting her instead of yelling loud enough to make her deaf." John stated. Mark stared at him in disbelief before stalking off.

"I have never seen him that mad." Laney breathed from her position near the house. She jumped when the screen door slammed.

"Dude he was so mad he couldn't even talk." The teenage boy next to her said, laughing.

"Wade." His mother admonished. "Why don't you and Laney go make sure dinner doesn't burn." She turned to find John staring at her speculatively, his daughter's hand firmly in his. "I would say you're really in the dog house."

He shrugged as he gave her a charming grin. "It's nothing new, I pretty much stay there. The big man didn't stay around to introduce us. I'm John and this is my daughter Ari."

"Sammie." She introduced herself before bending down until she was eye level with the little girl. "Do you like horses?"

Ari nodded. "Laney lets me ride Storm all the time." She bragged.

"Well this big guy here, he's been hurt really bad and you gave him a pretty bad scare. He thought you were here to hurt him."

Ari rolled her eyes at the baby talk. "Who would want to hurt him?" she asked pretending not to be interested.

"A very very bad man." She answered sadly.

"You're really good with him." John indicated the now peaceful horse. "Do you own him?"

"Sort of." She winced as she looked towards the house. "It's kind of a sore subject between us."

John laughed. "Just between you and me," He leaned in conspiratorially. "Anything he can't control is a sore subject with him.

Sammie turned her back to the house as she laughed, knowing Mark was probably watching them out the window.

"Hey mom, dinner's done." Wade yelled out the door.

"Do you think it's safe yet?" John asked in a stage whisper as he walked her toward the house. He made sure Ari was trailing along behind.

"Probably not. But you can hide behind me if you want."

Mark looked up as the laughing group entered the kitchen. "I see you two met."

The younger man slung his arm around Sammie. "We bonded over being on your shit list."

"Watch your mouth, there are children present." She playfully scolded as the room broke out in relieved laughter.

"Well if you too are done playing around, I'm hungry." Mark growled as he hid his smile. John winked at Sammie as he took his seat.

He waited until they were all eating before he started again. "So Sammie, how long have you know the big guy?"

"A little over a week, I guess." She answered smothering a laugh. She narrowed her eyes as he made a covert motion to his daughter.

"Grandpa Mark, aren't you too old to date?"

Laney began laughing so hard she choked. "Do I look that old?" Mark asked dryly as his daughter ran out of the room.

"Sometimes older men can be really sexy." Sammie joked, smiling suggestively across the table..

Her son groaned as he covered his ears. "I think I'm going to be sick." He moaned.

"You'll have to be a little patient with this old man, he's a little rusty in the romance department." John condifed in a conspiratorial whisper.

Mark had to resist the urge to throw something at the younger man. "And I thought this dinner was going to be a good thing." He muttered.

"I think he's been doing just fine." Sammie defended him.

"Don't listen to a word he says." Mark informed her. "He's not been scoring any points in the romance department himself."

'What's that mean?" John asked sitting up straight.

"Nothing much." Mark shrugged. "Just that I talked to Journey the other day and she didn't sound too happy." He shook his head. "When was the last time you took her out? Go to dinner, do something fun?" He taunted.

"We go out." Ari piped up. "We went to Mcdonald's the other day and then to the mall to get me some shoes."

Mark raised his eyebrows, his point made.

John frowned. "Do you think that's what's wrong? Why she's been so mad?" He sat back in his chair, not happy with the way the conversation was going.

"Honey, every girl likes to be made to feel special and not just a work horse at home." Sammie pointed out softly.

"When Laney's mom was alive we had a day set by, every two weeks, where we did something just for us with no kids." Mark added.

John continued to frown. "But the…" he stopped looking at his daughter. "Other parts are still good."

Mark shook his head in disgust as Sammie laughed. "Unlike men, women need more than other parts." She told him.

"Daddy, I'm done." Ari spoke up, interrupting the conversation between the adults.

"You didn't eat anything." Mark pointed out, indicating her full plate.

She shrugged. "I want to go play." She pushed back her chair, unconcerned by the disapproval radiating from the adults around her.

Mark looked at John, shaking his head in disgust when the other man did nothing to stop her.

"Why do I have to clean my plate when she doesn't." Laney asked looking affronted. She held up a forkful of green beans for her father to see.

"Because you were raised to be polite and well mannered and would never be that rude when you are visiting someone in there house." He looked pointedly at John.

"I'm done too." Wade raised his eyebrows at his mother.

"Don't even think about it." Sammie warned. She glanced apprehensively at Mark, feeling the tension rise in the room.

"Why did you let her do that?" He asked the younger man, his voice tightly controlled.

John had the grace to look embarrassed. He shrugged. "She wasn't going to eat it. Why make her sit there and suffer?"

"That's how you teach kids right and wrong. She's old enough to know better than to be rude like that." Mark pointed out.

"She didn't even take her plate to the sink. I'm not her housekeeper." Laney insisted on putting her two cents in. She too stared accusingly at John.

"Why don't you just keep you mouth shut. You're just making the situation worse." John warned. kicking at her under the table. "My parenting is none of your business."

"Or lack of it." Mark muttered. He watched as his daughter sat back from the verbal slap her older brother had given her. "Hey." He said giving her a little nudge. "Why don't you and Wade go finish your dinner in front of the TV."

John waited until the two teenagers had gratefully hurried out of the room. "Excuse me for trying to cut her a little slack. She's not had the best of childhoods and I'm trying to make up for it."

"There's such a thing as cutting her too much slack. She's going to hang you with it." Sammie inserted gently.

"What do you know about either one of us." John retorted. His jaw was clenched in anger.

Mark growled in anger "Watch who you're talking to." he warned causing Sammie to smile warmly at him.

"I'm not a bad father." John defended himself. "And I don't appreciate you telling me that I am."

Mark sighed at the little boy look that was being directed his way. "That's not what I'm trying to tell you. You're inexperienced and not taking our advice.

John sat in the chair with his arms folded not looking at either adult. " I don't hear advice. Instead you're jumping on me for one incident."

"One incident?" Mark roared. "She was almost killed earlier today and you brushed it off. How much more serious do you need to get?"

The younger man responded by jumping out of his chair stomping out of the house. Mark rolled his eyes when the door slammed. "Sorry about that He's kind of sensitive about the subject."

Sammie smiled gently. "I think it's kind of cute, the way he looks up to you." She moved down the table until she was standing next to him. "It's obvious that your opinion means a lot to him."

He tried not to show how much her words meant to him. "It should. I've tried to beat it into him enough."

She gave a slight laugh. "Go on out and talk to him. I'll start cleaning up."

He took a moment to grip her hand. "Thanks."

Dave's house

"They're here." Jayden announced from her position at the window. She turned to her boyfriend. "Smile, you don't want to scare them before you even tell them."

Dave shrugged, worry lines cutting deep into his forehead. "It's not like they don't know somethings up."

She shook her head at him as she went to answer the door. "It's about time you two got here." She called out into the darkness as they hurried through the rain.

"What the hell? You yell when I drive too fast, now you're yelling because I was bing careful." He teased, reaching over to give her a hug.

"You better get your hands off my woman." Dave warned as he made his way slowly into the entrance hall.

Randy tightened his arms at the sight of his mentor. Feeling his indrawn breath Jayden patted his arm reassuringly. Forcing himself to relax he gave the older man his patented smirk. "What can I say, women love me." He replied pulling her closer.

Journey laughed as she toed off her shoes. "If his head gets any bigger he won't fit in the door." She danced behind Dave when Randy moved to grab her.

"Whoa." The older man held up his hand. "Don't move any further until you get your shoes off. They're soaking wet." He instructed, hiding his confusing at their reactions.

"You know, we should probably let him leave them on. His feet stink." Journey taunted.

"What has gotten into you two tonight?" Jayden demanded, laughing as she stepped between them. "You're both fixing to be sent to time out." She threatened playfully.

"I thought we were here to eat. I'm starving." Randy decided, picking her up by her elbows and carrying her down the hall. "Are you coming old man?"

Dave turned to see Journey watching him with laughing eyes. "Are you going to let him get away with that?"

"For a minute. Right now I want to know what you and your buddy in there are up too." He demanded, getting suspicious.

She turned her puppy dog eyes to him. "Dave I'm your sweet, innocent little girl. Randy's the one you need to be talking to."

"Ha." Dave slung his arm around her as they followed the other two. "How come I don't believe you?"

"Believe what?" Randy asked from where he was lounging at the table.

"That you would actually be getting off your ass and helping Jayden bring in the food." Dave kicked at the younger man when he continued to sit there grinning. "Go."

"Why doesn't she have to help?" Randy asked pretending to be disgruntled.

She gave him a wide grin. "Because I'm his favorite."

Randy snorted as he got up and walked into the kitchen. Once through the door his shoulders slumped and he ran his hands over his face. "I don't think I can pull this off."

Jayden smiled sadly at him as she handed him a plate of food. "I think it's very sweet, what you two are doing." She placed a soft kiss on his cheek.

He took a moment to lean his forehead against hers before he reentered the dining room, a smirk on his face. Setting the dish down he caught the grimace Journey quickly tried to hide. "Doesn't that smell good?" He teased, pushing the dish closer to her.

Jumping up with her hand to her mouth she raced for the bathroom leaving Randy standing there with his mouth open. "I did not expect that." He breathed, his eyes darting to Dave guiltily.

The older man shook his head as he got up to follow the younger girl. "Journey baby, are you okay?" He called through the bathroom door. He could hear the sound of running water.

Pale and shaky she stepped out. "I'm fine Dave." She assured him. "Certain smells upset my stomach."

Dave shot his arm across the hallway to stop her from walking away. "You seem to do this alot, puke your guts up when you get upset." He stared at her sternly. "You've lost weight." He accused.

She smiled warmly as she reached up to pat his cheek. "Don't worry, I have a legitimate medical reason for feeling like this."

"Yeah it's called an ulcer." Randy called from the dining room entrance where he was keeping watch.

"You hush." She called back, her eyes promising retribution.

"Journey." Dave tapped the end of her nose to get her back on track. "What's going on?"

"I'm pregnant." She announced almost hesitantly. She watched Dave worriedly.

"Does that mean you and John actually..." Randy trailed off, a frown on his face.

Ignoring him Dave looked at her critically. "Are you feeling okay?"

She nodded. "Now that I know what was making me so sick, and as long as Randy stays away from me, I feel fine." She assured him.

He suddenly pulled away from her, leaving both kids staring at him in confusion. "You shouldn't be this close to me, it's not good for the baby."

"What? Why?" She asked perplexed. She fought valiantly for a smile. "I think I would prefer for you to rub off on the kid than Randy."

Dave sighed. "Why don't we go back to the table and I'll explain everything."