Well, I've reached the penultimate chapter. Amazing. What a journey. The beauty about writing is getting to talk to readers. I've really met some truly wonderful people through this and so I'm very grateful for that.

Also glad with all the guest reviews, sometimes it's frustrating, because you'd like to say something in person. To thank them, or expand on their ideas or suggestions. An author's note is just not the right medium for that. It's especially frustrating when people send criticism. I can make adjustments in earlier chapters, and have done so when people point out tiny mistakes, but the big things I'd like to talk about. Still, it's heartwarming to see other reviewers voice my words in reply. Thank you all so much!

Anyway….on to the story. Hope you'll enjoy even if it's a somewhat shorter chapter.

Chapter 27

He hit the steering wheel in frustration. It shouldn't be this hard to pick up a nice, pretty young woman for a date. Except that it wasn't a date. This was nothing but an opportunity for her to apologize. He'd accept. He had to. She was right: chances were they'd run into each other from time to time and with her being a teacher the school all of his brothers would go to, there was a big chance she'd teach more than one of them. So he had to make sure those meetings wouldn't be awkward.

He gave a bitter laugh. Daniel hadn't gone about it the right way, but he had to admit the boy had had a point: it really wasn't sensible to date one of their teachers. It could lead to all sorts of difficult situations. What if she'd hold it against his brothers that he didn't want to date her anymore? Not professional, of course, but it was possible. He'd only dated her a few times. How well did he knew her?

A knock on his window pulled him out of his reveries. When he looked up, he looked into the face of sheriff MacKay. Slowly he rolled down the window.

"Can I help you, son?"

Although a part of Adam wanted to snap at the man that he wasn't his son. That he wasn't anyone's son anymore. Hadn't been for six long years. But he bit his tongue. It wouldn't do to antagonize an officer of the law, no matter how much he disliked the man. "I'm fine, sir. Is there a problem?"

"You've been sitting here for 15 minutes."

Adam forced himself to reply calmly, "Is that against the law, sir?"

"No need to take offence, son," the sheriff leaned against the truck. "Just doing my job."

"Well, I'm perfectly fine."

"Just enjoying the scenery?"

"Maybe."

"Well, I suggest you run along, son, people might need this parking spot."

Adam pointedly looked at the many empty parking spots along the street, "So I'm not allowed to park here?"

"Of course you are. But you're not parked."

"Engine's off….car's just sitting here…sounds like parked to me."

"Look, no need to get an attitude with me, young man," The sheriff straightened up, putting on an authoritarian look.

What was it he would tell his brothers to do in situations like this? Bite your tongue, swallow your pride and say yes sir. It was advice easier given than followed, as with most pieces of advice. It took a lot, but he did bite his tongue. He couldn't quite manage a 'yes sir', but he started the engine. The sheriff stood back. "Have a nice day," he rolled his window back up and drove off. The man didn't even give him a nod at his good wishes.

He found the minor confrontation with the sheriff had distracted him enough to get over his anxiety and within minutes he pulled up in front of the school, right next to Emily who was waiting on the sidewalk. "Am I late?"

"No, I was early." She smiled cautiously as he got out and opened the door for her.

"I'm glad. My mother would have yelled at me if I'd kept a girl waiting."

"Yes, that's supposed to be our prerogative," She got into the passenger seat and he closed the door before walking around and getting in himself.

"Well, I suppose it is. Not that my mother ever kept my dad waiting…" he thought for a moment, "that I know of."

"He was probably too much of a gentleman to point it out."

"Oh he could be direct and he could tease her mercilessly, but always with respect."

"He sounds like a great man."

"He was. They were both great."

"Big shoes to fill."

"Yeah…." Adam sighed. She sure got that one right. Not a day went by that he didn't feel inadequate. He could never be the kind of person his parents were. He shook his head as if trying to clear it. This was not the moment to start down that line of thought. "Have you decided on pie yet?"

"Oh no," She accepted the change of subject with ease, knowing Adam couldn't talk about this, not now and not with her. She wished he would, but knew she'd made that impossible. "I can't do it that way. I have to see the options and then I know. One of them will call my name."

Adam laughed, "I should have known."

He pulled up in front of Marie's diner and opened the door for her again, taking her hand to help her out of the truck. Touching her was still a shock. The mere touch of her hand felt like a bolt of fire went through him. He didn't want to let go, but forced himself. He completely missed her flushed cheeks and how her breathing became heavier at the same time. That might have told him his touch had the same effect on her.

"Adam! Emily!" Marie approached them with open arms and she hugged Adam, "You haven't come in for ages!" She playfully slapped his arm causing Emily to giggle. Immediately she turned to the young woman, "Have you been keeping him away from here?"

"Oh no…no, I wouldn't dare," Emily held up her hands in defense.

"Too bad," Marie winked, "This boy could use a nice girl in his life."

"Don't you start, Marie," Adam looked at Emily, "This woman has been trying to find me a match for as long as I can remember. I swear, I was 5 and she tried to get me to play with this little girl with pigtails."

"She was all alone, new in town, she could use a friend."

Adam shook his head, "She's mad I tell you, this girl was 3 years old and I was forced to play hide and seek with her."

"Sounds cute."

"It was torture. She kept peeking out saying 'I'm here'."

"Don't let him fool you, hon," Marie leaned over to Emily, "he loved every minute of it. He was always very good with the little ones. Even at that age."

"Well…right now, I'd like an adult conversation…"

"ooohhh I get it, you don't want to talk to your old friend anymore. That's fine." Marie wasn't insulted one little bit. "I'll get you two a table. Lunch rush is long over."

"Oh we just want some coffee and pie."

"Nonsense, Adam, you have to eat."

"I had lunch before I came to town, Marie, don't worry."

"And I had lunch at school. I'd never make it through the school day without lunch. Promise."

A deep sigh escaped the woman, "Very well, coffee and pie."

As they passed the counter with all the different pies Emily could feel the water running in her mouth, "Oh those look good…."

"Any of them call your name yet?" Adam couldn't help a bit of teasing, more like his father than he realized.

"All of them."

"Well, I guess all of them it is. Marie…"

"Adam!" Before she knew what she was doing, Emily slapped his arm, "stop teasing me like that. I can't eat a piece of each. I'd burst out of my dress."

"You could use some meat on those bones of yours," Marie judged. "You live pretty much next door and you seldom stop in for a piece."

"I don't often eat sweets."

"No sweets…" the face Marie pulled was comical and both youngsters laughed.

"I'll have a piece of apple pie with ice cream, Marie."

"No surprise there, you always have the same thing, Adam," Marie laughed, "Why don't you try to live dangerously for once and have lemon meringue?"

"Nah, I'll stick with the apple pie."

"Same here, please," Emily sat down in the seat Adam pulled out for her and watched him sit down too while Marie finally made herself scarce.

"She's quite the character," Adam's voice was full of care though, for the woman and Emily loved him for that. She kicked herself for loving him. She needed to work things out in order to avoid awkward situations in the future. She knew she couldn't have him.

"She's wonderful," She agreed.

"You realize she'll be back right?"

"Oh I wouldn't be surprised if she pulled up a chair herself."

It made him laugh, "I promise I won't let her."

"Good, because we need to talk."

"Yes, you're right, we do."

They waited until they had their pie and coffee at which time another customer came in calling Marie's attention, much to their relief. After the lightness in their teasing and banter an awkward silence fell over the table. Adam didn't think it was his place to start, gentleman or not. And Emily didn't know where to start, despite having rehearsed this over and over since the previous evening, or rather: since her talk with Brian. So she kept her head down and stirred her coffee.

"If you stir that any longer, the porcelain might break from…erosion," He tried to wink at her.

He wasn't disappointed when her head snapped up sharply. "Erosion hardly has…" She blushed, but couldn't help chuckling softly as she realized what he was doing, "You're bad, you know that, don't you?"

"Does that mean I get detention?"

"I have a feeling you'd like that too much."

That caused him to laugh, "Well, I didn't when I was in school. But then we didn't have a teacher like you there. That does change matters."

"It helps to have a pretty face to look at."

"You're much more than a pretty face, Emily." He leaned forward when he noticed her eyes well up. "Hey…"

"No, you don't get to be nice to me."

"I'll be the judge of that." He tried to take her hand, but she pulled it back.

"I mean it. I've been awful."

"Well, I'll admit I was angry…"

"You should be. Adam, I insulted your way of life, the way you raise your brothers and with that I insulted you. And then I insulted the one person in the world you can rely on to have your back, no matter what. And I was wrong on all counts."

He studied her face, she seemed so sincere. Was she saying it to get him back or because she truly meant the words? He was so confused about his own feelings, that it was hard to judge. "What…what made you come to that conclusion?"

"Learning more about how people live here. Observation. Seeing how your brothers behave. Talking to Brian. You have an amazing brother there. I completely jumped to conclusions. Not just about him. It's odd, jumping to conclusions is not my style, usually."

Adam couldn't help the wry grin, "No, that would be mine. I just can't seem to stop doing that. And my brothers always forgive me. I guess I should learn from them and do the same."

"They're your brothers, I'm just a girl you dated a few times. There's a big difference."

"No, it's all about morals and principles. We all make mistakes, the difference is in how we handle them."

"I've already apologized to Brian…"

"And I bet he'd already forgiven you before you finished talking."

"He's a very forgiving guy." She smiled at the memory of that talk, hard as it had been.

"He is. But he's also easily hurt. He just hides it well."

"I thought as much. He…," she hesitated, "He's a great guy. I'm sorry I didn't see that right away."

Adam raised his eyebrows, "Oh does that mean you'd have preferred to date him instead?" The tone was funny, but he felt a pang of jealousy that surprised him.

"Noooo," she blushed to her roots, "That's not what I meant."

"I was just teasing," but the relief he felt belied his words, if only to himself. As he finished another bite of his pie he noticed she hadn't touched hers. "Aren't you eating?"

"I'm not very hungry."

"Not hungry or….look, I've got a little brother whose appetite disappears as soon as he's upset. So I know how it works."

She let out a big sigh, "Did anyone ever tell you that you and Brian are very alike?"

"We? No. Of course not. We couldn't be more different." Adam chuckled.

"You're both annoying when it comes to eating pie."

"I think we both care. Go on, you know you'll love it. And you'd hurt Marie's feelings if you didn't finish it. And I tell you: I can't handle a second piece just to keep Marie from being hurt."

With a roll of her eyes Emily took a huge bite of pie and with her mouth full she said, "Happy now?"

It caused Adam to laugh, "Now you resemble one of my brothers. But it's not Brian, it's more Evan with his atrocious table manners."

She shrugged and tried to swallow the food. It was too big of a bite, but she had to admit it tasted amazing. Finally she managed, "You asked for it." Then she became serious again, "Adam, I really am sorry and I know I've ruined what we could have had, but I'd just really like to at least be friends."

"Is that what you really want?"

"No, but it's all I'm allowing myself to hope for."

"Look," Adam sighed, "Okay, I was hurt. And I felt defensive. And protective when you said what you did about Brian. Or more implied, but I get it. You didn't know us. We all make mistakes. I'm not mad anymore. Far from it. It's all right."

"So you forgive me?"

"I forgive you, if you want to hear it this formal," He grinned cheekily, but when he noticed her serious expression he straightened his face. "You're forgiven, I mean it. But friends? That's kinda hard when all I want to do is kiss you!"

"You do?"

"Hell yeah, especially with that bit of ice cream on your lip. I think you'd taste extremely well."

She wiped her lips with the back of her hand and groaned, "You really are bad."

"Darn it, now you've ruined it." He reached out and took her hand, "I really do. I'm just not sure where this can lead. I'm not sure bringing you home when I barely knew you, was such a smart idea. We should have dated for a while before I introduced you. So maybe….maybe we can date again? And you can tell me more about who you are?"

"Only if you can do the same."

"Ah with me it's what you see is what you get," Adam shrugged and finished his coffee.

"I don't believe that, Adam," She took a deep breath, "Alright we can try to get to know each other better." She smiled, "Brian told me to put on my big girl pants and just talk to you, to be open with you. I think I'd like to do that."

"I thought that's what you've been doing here."

"I need to tell you what I told Brian. It's not fair that he knows and you don't." It had been important to her that he'd forgive her without knowing her background. She didn't want it to be an excuse for what she did, because it wasn't, it couldn't be. Like Brian had said: she was a grown woman and couldn't hide behind her childhood any longer. But if Adam and she were to date, he needed to know her soul, not just her hobbies.

For a second Adam was worried, but he nodded and listened as she started talking.

"So how was your last day of school?" Adam was piling up his own plate with stew not looking up to see the incredulous faces of his teenagers.

"Who cares, Adam? It's Christmas break now, we don't gotta think about school for a long, long time." Anything over a week was an eternity, of course, in the mind of a 13 year old. At least, in Evan's.

"Really? You guys don't have to go to school next week?" Adam pretended to be surprised. He wasn't disappointed when Guthrie took the bait.

"Course not, Adam. It's Christmas next week. And we don't hafta go the week after either."

"Christmas? Next week? Hope Santa knows that."

"Adam, you're being silly," Guthrie lectured his brother, "You and Brian are Santa. And we all are. Santa's not real, remember?"

"Ooohhh does that mean I have to go and buy presents then?"

"Of course you do! Didn't you do that?" Guthrie looked worried, "You don't have much time anymore. Only three more days."

"More than enough time," Adam decided, although he and Brian had long stocked up on all the necessary presents. "Besides, who says you deserve presents? Maybe you'll just find switches in your stockings."

"We haven't been bad, Adam!" Guthrie looked seriously worried now and even some of the others couldn't completely escape their worries.

"Are you sure about that?" Adam looked at him seriously, "Did you always do as you were told? No disobedience? No back talk? Did your chores when and how you had to? Were nice? All those things?"

Guthrie tried to think back to remember if he could have racked up some items on the 'naughty list', but he couldn't remember a thing. Not really. "I don't think so…"

"Don't let him tease you, Guth," Daniel shook his head, "No one here did anything to deserve switches in his stocking. Adam's just playing with you."

For a moment Guthrie looked relieved, but then he worriedly glanced at Crane, "Even Crane?"

Crane blushed to his roots, "I think I'm the only one who just might."

"No you don't!" Daniel's eyes shot daggers at his older brother, "When you do something wrong and were punished for it, your slate's wiped clean. That's how it works." He was genuinely upset that his brother thought he might not deserve any presents.

"Well, I'm still being punished, buddy, my slate's not wiped clean yet."

"No one ever gets switches in his stocking," Ford piped up. "It's just folklore, not real."

"Okay, this joke has gone far enough, boys," And Brian ensured to include Adam in his glare, "There'll be no switches in any stocking this year. Except maybe big brother there who just can't stop teasing."

That caused some giggles and the mood changed.

"I wanna see that!" Guthrie shouted.

"Oh you do….well….we'll just have to see what Santa puts in Adam's stocking then." Brian winked at the younger boys and Adam just shook his head.

"I've got far more important things on my mind," He looked at Brian, "Like, what did that DA want from you?"

"Frank Harris!" Brian grinned, "Well, that was an interesting phone call. He had a proposition for us. Or rather, for Daniel."

"For me?" Daniel looked surprised. "That was the guy we saw at the mall right? The man who helped us."

"Yes, that's him."

"What'd he want from me?"

"Well, Daniel, it's not so much that he wants something from you, he wants to offer you something that will also benefit his daughter."

"He has a daughter?

"Yes, is that so strange?"

"No, but…I guess I just don't understand."

"Well, if you'd listen to me, you might find out." Brian's tone was teasing, but the message was clear and Daniel shut up. "She's studying to become a music teacher, or rather a vocal coach, and it's important that she gets experience teaching. She doesn't want to charge money for it yet, not really anyway, since she hasn't got her degree yet, but she needs the experience. And when Mr. Harris heard you sing last night, he knew he had to ask you if you wanted to be her student." Seeing the questioning look on some of the boys' face, he added, "She gives vocal lessons."

"Really?" Daniel's eyes had grown bigger as Brian talked.

"Let's talk practicalities first," Adam held up his hand before the excitement could truly take hold of the teenager. "We can't drive him hours each week for a lesson."

"We don't have to. She's home every weekend and they don't live too far away."

"And we don't take charity."

"It's not charity, Adam," Brian remained calm while his brother was going over every hurdle he could think of. "She needs the practice, so she needs good students. And Daniel could use help getting his voice through all the teenage voice changes as a singer. Mr. Harris thinks he has real talent. Adam, it's a win-win situation."

"Please, Adam! Please…please, you can keep all my presents if I can have this." Daniel threw Adam the best version of his pleading puppy eyes. Adam had to admit the boy still had it. Or that Adam hadn't grown completely immune to it. Besides, he couldn't really think of a reason to say no. Why should he? Why would he want to? The way he heard it, it wasn't charity.

"Okay….I don't see why not."

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" In a very uncharacteristic move Daniel jumped up and hugged his oldest brother, only to have the second-oldest complain.

"Don't I get a hug for being a part in this?"

Daniel grinned, "Sure…"

After he'd gotten his hug Brian looked pleased as punch, "Well, that was well worth the long, long phone call."

"You're just as silly as Adam," Guthrie commented.

Evan leaned over and whispered just a little too loudly, "They're both zappy."

"What's that mean?"

Evan rolled his eyes, "They're crazy."

"I'm sooo zappy," Adam winked at Brian, "That I think I'll let Evan do all the dishes."

"Good plan, brother."

"No, not a good plan at all," Evan protested.

"Too bad, I think it is and my opinion counts." Adam got up and carried his plate to the sink while Evan got to his feet with a loud groan.

"I'll help you," Crane offered, but he was immediately shot down by Adam.

"You'll do no such thing."

Crane closed his eyes and nodded, "Sorry. I was just trying to be nice."

"I know, I'm not mad. But you're not helping."

"What can I do then?" Crane didn't think he'd ever get used to not being allowed to do a single thing.

"You and I can talk…" Adam draped his arm around the forlorn teen. "we can talk about the things you've learned in school. And about this June of yours."

Crane had to admit it didn't sound too bad as an alternative to doing dishes and he willingly allowed Adam to lead him to the sofa and sat down.

While they talked, a grumbling Evan did the dishes. He'd just made a joke, nothing more than that. Why was calling them silly okay, and zappy not? "Bet if I was Guthrie no one would've minded…"

He nearly jumped through the roof when he heard a voice whisper in his ear, "This is not punishment, Ev. It's your turn tonight…remember?"

For a moment Evan was perplexed and then he blushed, "Oh yeah…I forgot."

"Stop and think before you get mad. I promise, it's good advice," Brian tousled the boy's hair. "Come on, I'll help you. After all, it was my turn as well."

Within seconds Brian had the boy laughing over funny stories and the dishes were gone in no time. Seeing Adam and Crane talk, Brian decided to let them be for a bit and made his way up to get Guthrie in the tub while Evan went to check on Diablo. He listened to stories about the boys' day, about 'dumb' homework for the Holidays: "Who gives homework for the Holidays, Brian? Isn't that against the law or something?" Brian had sympathized with Ford, but no, there was no such law. He'd wished for one himself quite a few times growing up. Now that he was an adult, he'd come to realize there was no such thing as holidays. The ranch didn't take breaks.

Finally, it was his turn to have the bathroom to himself and he took his time. He showered and used his best cologne, made sure his hair was just right, put on his nicest shirt with his good jeans. Even his boots were polished by the time he made his way downstairs.

"You going out?" Adam queried with an expression that betrayed his feelings.

"Yup," Brian reached for his coat.

"Must be a hot date," Crane commented with a grin.

"Sure is, kiddo, the hottest. I may not make it home tonight."

"Brian!" Adam shook his head, a little shocked Brian would imply such a thing with Crane there, but then he realized that Crane was hardly a little boy anymore. "I can't believe you."

"Why not, Adam? Aren't I allowed to have a good time? You had your date this afternoon. I prefer mine in the evening." Brian shouldered into his heavy coat.

"Is it the same girl you dated last week…Lizzy?" Adam held on to some hope.

"Adam, date a girl more than three times and to her it's a serious relationship. I can't give them that impression…" He opened the door, "See you tomorrow."

As they watched him leave the remaining two were quiet, but after they'd heard the truck drive off Crane looked at Adam, "You know why he does it, don't you?"

"No idea, it's not how we were raised. Mom would be ashamed."

"No she wouldn't be," Crane disagreed, "She'd be sad for him. But she's not here and that's exactly the reason Brian does this. Don't you see that he's afraid."

"Oh what? Of being a good guy?"

"He is a good guy."

"I know," Adam amended, "That's not what I meant…I just…it frustrates me."

"He's afraid of losing someone he loves. He's already afraid of losing his brothers the way he's lost his parents, he can't allow himself to get close enough to someone else and lose her like we lost mom. He's afraid." He thought it was the same reason Adam hadn't dated for years, but Crane kept that bit of insight to himself.

"Oh…" Adam let that sink in for a few moments, "When did you get so smart?"

"June. Told you, she's going to be a psychology major. She's got good insights."

"I can't wait to meet this girl." Adam glanced up as the clock struck nine. "You'd better head up if you want to read some before going to sleep." He saw Crane swallow at the nicely worded order. It was a hard thing to accept that he was so grounded that he was send to bed at nine. Especially since he wasn't even allowed to help with the morning chores. But Crane slowly nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"You might want to be a bit more economical with the sir."

"It felt appropriate," Crane's voice was a little husky.

"Maybe you're right. But you don't have to. Night, kid."

"Night, Adam. It was good to...talk to you tonight."

"I liked that too."

Adam watched the teen trudge up the stairs. He knew Crane knew he'd follow in half an hour to say goodnight (he wouldn't dare call it tucking in in Crane's case) and make sure the light was off. He wondered how long it would take Crane to balk against the strict regime during his grounding. Right now, the teen was accepting of it, but that wouldn't last, Adam was certain of it.

The man poured himself another cup of coffee and watched out the window for a while. Crane's words about Brian made a lot of sense. And all of a sudden he felt a lot less frustrated at his brother's late nights out and many dates.