Shocks and Surprises

The next day Meg ran out the door early after breakfast and headed towards the hill. It was way before all the farmers tended to their flocks so Meg thought she could find Zac and spend some time with him before the day started. She didn't have to look far because there he was in the middle of the field. Meg smiled and let out a whistle.

The border collie turned his head and started running to her. "Hey baby!"

She laughed as he licked her face and it was then that she noticed the blood on his face.

"Zac have you been hunting rabbits again?" Meg teased the dog.

He was always hunting something.

"Would you like to play with your ball today?"

Meg then pulled out a ball and threw it for him and the two played fetch in the field until Zac heard McAdam call him home.

Meg then headed back towards home. She was about half-way there when Maggie came stalking down the hill. Concerned she grabbed Maggie's arm and turned her to face her.

"Maggie, what's wrong?"

"Dad wants to send me away to school!" Maggie said almost in tears.

Meg gasped. "Do you know why?"

Maggie shook her head and bit her lip. "I think it's because mom has been sick a lot lately and he figures he can't take care of me…but I feel like he's trying to get rid of me."

Once again that spooky feeling creeped into Meg's body. She didn't know why she was this nervous about her mom being sick. She didn't want to worry Maggie, but as the older sister, she felt like she needed to talk to her father about it. She was old enough to hear it, but Maggie may not be able to take it.

When they parted ways Meg headed straight for the barn to talk to her dad. She found him working on one of the tractors.

"Dad? Do you think we could talk a walk whenever it's suitable for you?" she asked.

Her father looked up at her. "Sure Meg. We can go for a walk into town say around noon?"

"Sounds good Dad, I'll meet you out front." She then walked inside to read a little.

……………….

At exactly 12:00, Meg and her father met in front of the house and they headed into town.

"So what is it exactly that you wanted to talk to me about?" Keith asked his daughter.

"How sick is mom really?"

Keith stopped in his tracks not really expecting the question. He looked out at the fields in contemplation for a minute.

After a moment of thought, he turned towards his eldest daughter. "Meg your mom doesn't have long left to live, just this morning when the doctor was here she refused chemotherapy, she won't try any options."

A few tears leaked from Meg's eyes as she let the words sink in. Her mom was going to die, never in her life did she imagine this happening.

Keith hugged his daughter. "She's a fighter Meg. She may still get through this, we need to be strong for her."

Meg nodded and sighed. Keith also took this point to talk to his daughter about McAdam. "Now darling, I don't want you to hide your feelings about Adam McAdam from us, we have nothing against it. You're an adult and if you want to start a relationship with the man, that's your own decision.

Meg smiled and hugged her father again. They continued their walk into town silenty until someone callled her father's name. Meg and her father turned around to see Peter Quill and his cronies.

"Good mornin' Keith, we hope you'll sign this petition."

"What is it?" her father asked.

The burliest of the group spoke up. "It's a formal complaint against Zac, to have the animal put down."

Meg bristled as Keith put his arm around his daughter to calm her. "Now how would it look if I signed something like this so close to the trials? McAdam would think I was just trying to get rid of the competition."

He handed the petition back to Peter and lead Meg away.

"Easy now" he whispered in her ear. But Meg was already boiling with anger.

She turned back to look at them. Peter was watching them in thought. Meg ended that look with a glare.

They continued walking and Meg started to calm down.

……………………

Adam McAdam was walking out of the Sheepdog Association building when Meg and her father were walking back home.

"Adam!" Keith called out.

McAdam turned around and saw Meg and her father standing there. An small smile involuntarily flitted across his face when he saw Meg. Keith noticed this and chuckled to him self.

"Did David get home alright?" Keith asked.

Adam just nodded.

"He's a fine boy" her father commented.

Adam's face slightly darkened at that. "He'll be a lot finer if he keeps to his work."

"Well he's welcome over to our house anytime."

"He'll not be coming over to your house anymore, and I thank you to keep your daughter away from him too." Adam said.

As Meg and Zac sat on the steps while the two men were talking she noticed that he only said 'daughter' and not daughters. Keith noticed this too although he didn't say anything.

"Why" Keith asked.

"Why? Because it pleases me" Adam shot back.

"They're only children." Keith said calmly.

"Aye… still."

He then leaned down to get Zac's leash and for a second Meg's eyes locked with his.

He then did something surprising to both Keith and Meg.

He tucked a stray hair behind her ear and whispered "Your different. Meet me for dinner tonight?"

"I'll be there" Meg said.

Adam lay a hand on her cheek for a split second and then walked back home.

Keith just looked between the two in surprise.