Chapter 1

Buck sat on Teaspoon's porch as he glanced out over the prairie. The changing of the landscape in the distance was a sight to see but even though the beauty of the land stretched out before him, Buck's mind was occupied with the previous week. He had his doubts about telling Jimmy about Hunter. Had at one time even thought that it best to let sleeping dogs lie, but it would not have been right to hold the knowledge from him. That was his son. His missing son. He had a right to know. Buck knew there would be a reaction of some sort. Just this one, was not the one he expected. He turned, seeing a horse coming in the distance. He smiled as Noah rode up.

"Well, I'll be. I thought I heard in town that someone had popped up! How the hell you been?" Noah said pulling Buck into a hug.

"Noah, it's good to see you. I was a little surprised when I didn't see you at the wedding."

"I hate that we couldn't make it back in time but with Cassie's mother passing, we had a lot of ends to tie up."

"I was sorry to hear about her. Cassie ok?"

"She is doing better than expected. She knew it was coming, still don't make it any easier."

Buck nodded and sat on the steps. Noah joined him. They both looked out in the distance.

"So, where is he?"

"The loft."

"He still ain't said anything?"

"Nope. He eats, goes in the house to sleep, then right back up in the barn loft during the day. He doesn't care about the ranch, chores, or anything. Maybe I should have kept it to myself."

"He needed to know. It took him a while to break out of it when Hunter first rode off. He didn't leave on the best of terms with Jimmy. Harsh words were spoken."

"I mean, I expected something to happen with what I told him. I expected him to blow up, ride off after him. Anything but this."

"He's just thinking."

"We honestly don't know what he's doing up there. He's in such a foul mood, I think everyone has decided to stay away. Lou's worried. Hell, we all are."

Noah stood and looked at the barn.

"I'm going up."

"Good luck."

Noah walked over to the barn. He glanced up but didn't see Jimmy. He slowly climbed up the ladder. He didn't see him at first. He made his way on up when he finally saw him sitting in the corner. Noah thought he was asleep at first.

"Jimmy?"

Jimmy raised his head to look at him before looking back down.

"Heard everyone has tried to talk to ya, guess it's my turn now."

Jimmy just shuffled around before getting still again.

"I know Hunter left. I know how he felt when he left. Still, it don't give you the right to stop living. I know what Buck heard, but how can you be so sure that it's true? How can you let yourself sink into this state of depression when you don't know the truth?"

"What did you say?"

Noah was shocked to hear him answer him.

"You can't let yourself sink like this."

"Not that."

Noah thought about what he had said.

"Jimmy?"

"You're right. I need to see it with my own eyes. Lou and Teaspoon tell me to go talk to him. Get him to come home."

"You should try to talk to him. He doesn't hate you, Jimmy. He is just torn up inside. He is your son. He will get past this."

Noah watched as Jimmy stood.

"Where are you going?"

"To the house."

Noah watched as Jimmy left the loft and headed toward home.