Author: Afollower

Declaimer: I own Stephan, Mrs. Harper, and Wes' friends. Everyone else belongs to Dandi Daley Mackall

Warnings: There is mention of past abuse, and reactions to it. And in the future there will be some violence, but it is not explicit.

This is set about a year after the last Starlight Animal Rescue books. Hank is 19, Dakoda is 17 almost 18, Wes is 15, and Kat is 13. Stephan will be 16.

There will be a appearance of some characters from Winnie The Horse Gentler books, so that's why I put it under that category, because there is no category for the Starlight books.

I already have the full story written, so you won't have to wait for a long time for me to write a new chapter.

Hope you enjoy. Read and tell me what you think.

The Coolidges had just sat down for supper, when the phone rang. Everyone jumped a bit at the sound, then Mr. Coolidge sighed and stood up, walking to the phone "Hello, Coolidge residence...Yes ma'am, we were just talking about it the other day...Can we call you back?...Yes, Yes tomorrows fine...Alright, by." he put down the phone and took a deep breath staring at the wall, before he turned to face his family.

Hank frowned "What's wrong Dad?"

Mr. Coolidge shook his head and sat, "Nothings wrong. That was a social worker. She has someone who needs a home."

Thirteen year old Kat looked exited "Who is she? How old? Whats her name?"

Mr. Coolidge laughed and held up a hand "Whoa, slow down? Now who were you talking about? The social worker or the kid?"

"The kid of course."

"Well then in that case, the kid is a boy. Mrs. Harper, the social worker said he's about sixteen, and his name's Stephan." He turned to Mrs. Coolidge "My Annie, she said she'd come by tomorrow with his file. She says she's flying in from Billings, Montana."

Mrs. Coolidge raised her eyebrows "It must be important. I'll call in and take the day off."

The next day Kat ran to the door and opened it as a car pulled into the yard "Mon, Dad, she's here." She watched as a middle age woman, wearing comfortable work cloths stepped out of the car. The woman walked up to the porch and held out her hand "Hello, my name's Mrs. Harper. And you are?"

"Kat. My Mom and Dad are inside." she led Mrs. Harper to the dinning room, where Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge were waiting. Hank, Wes, and Dakoda followed them into the room, and Mrs. Harper hesitated

"May be it would be better if they-"

Mrs. Coolidge interrupted her "No. It's fine, they have a right to know what we do."

Mrs. Harper shrugged "I guess..." they sat at the table and she slid a file towards Mr. Coolidge "This is Stephan's file. Before you begin reading it-" Mr. Coolidge let the cover fall closed "There are some...harsh things in it. Stephan's been in several homes were he was taken away from because they were...unsuitable."

Mr. Coolidge frowned "How do you mean?"

Mrs. Harper hesitated looking at the kids "I- I mean-"

Wes jumped in "You mean abused, right?"

She nodded "Well, yes. But-"

"I have a frien-"

"Wes! Stop interrupting please." Mr. Coolidge's voice was firm

Wes lowered his head, his face growing red "Sorry Ma'am." He looked towards his foster father waiting to be able to continue. When Mr. Coolidge nodded, Wes turned to Mrs. Harper "I was just saying that I have a friend at school, who was taken from foster homes because they weren't suitable, and he's said that they were neglectful, or abusive."

Mrs. Coolidge sighed "The foster homes are meant to be a safe place for kids, not a place of nightmares."

Mr. Coolidge spoke up "Ma'am, are there any concerns or warnings that we should know about?"

"He startles easy, and won't touch, or let any one else touch him. He won't speak until he fully trusts the person. He also...if a younger kid does something, even as simple as disturbing someone, he will come and protect that person. He wont let any adults near. That's the only time he'll talk if he doesn't trust the people. That's how he got his name among us. Protector."

Mr. and Mrs. Coolidge looked at each other, then Mr. Coolidge nodded "We'll do it."

Just before she left Mrs. Harper turned back "One thing I forgot to mention, he's in the hospital right now, he'll be released in a month."

A month later the whole family, except for Dakoda, their oldest foster girl, came out of the house to meet the car that was pulling into the yard. The driver's door opened, and Mrs. Harper stepped out. She nodded to the Coolidge's before moving to the passenger door. She pulled it open, and a tall boy stepped out. He had dark hair and eyes, and his skin was slightly darker. And his arm was in a sling. Mrs. Harper led him over, but when they got within arms distance he froze and stepped back. Stephan stared at them, then let his gaze move towards the house and barn, but it snapped back as Mrs. Harper moved to hand the documents over. Mrs. Coolidge smiled "Why don't you get your stuff? Then Wes and Kat can shew you your room."

Stephan froze and looked at Mrs. Harper, she smiled at him then turned back to the Coolidge's "He doesn't have any bags."

Mrs. Coolidge's eyes widened, then she turned to Wes "You two can still shew him his room. For now, until we can shop he can use Hank's clothes."

Wes nodded then let the silent Stephan towards the house.

Let me know what you thought of it.