Chapter 22

"What do you mean you're not going?" Lynn almost shouted.

Mija sighed in annoyance, "Exactly what I said I'm not going to Mexico with you and Sheldon."

Lynn looked shocked, "Mija you can't just stay here what if DeMarco sends more people after us, they'll kill you."

"Then they'll just have to kill me then because I am not leaving this ranch," Mija argued.

Lynn stared at her in bewilderment for a long moment then snorted angrily shaking her head, "That's it then...you're just going to be a stubborn old woman and let herself get killed because of her own pride."

Mija threw the towel she was folding down on the bed and glared at Lynn. "Now you listen here missy, I may be old and I may be set in my ways but that's all I'm gonna have left when you and Sheldon leave. So don't go talking to me about morals or pride," she scolded.

"Mija please come with us. I'm sure someone in town can look after the ranch until we come back," Lynn pleaded.

Mija shook her head and resumed her folding. "I don't trust anyone enough to look after the house and the horses. So naturally the only solution is for me to stay," she said plainly.

Lynn moaned angrily, "Why do you always have to be so damn stubborn!" She gave an aggravated scream and stomped out of the room and out of the house.

Mija sighed and started to fold another towel. A moment later Jeff walked up and leaned against the doorway.

"What was that all about?" he asked already knowing.

"She doesn't exactly like the news that I'm not going with you and her," she informed.

"Can't say I blame her but...I understand and respect why you stay," he acknowledged.

She grumbled under her breath a bit. "At least you don't whine like a little child about it," she accused.

"She's just showing she cares," he defended Lynn.

Mija chuckled deeply, "You jump so quickly to defend her."

He would've rolled his eyes if he had any at her hidden comment. "You know the only reason you're being this way is because you don't want her to go either," he said. "She doesn't expect you to be superwoman and not have pain."

"What do you want me to do break down crying and weeping? What good would that do, nothing!" she said loudly.

There was a long pause.

"No...but we both know that it could very well be the last time you ever see each other again," he reminded then turned and walked away leaving her to her thoughts.

She finished the towels and sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the wall for the longest time. Like Lynn, she had a hard time opening up and letting someone know how she felt. She knew Jeff was right. When they left for Mexico it could be the last time she ever saw them. The thought scared her beyond belief. She took a deep breath and stood from the bed and made her way to the barn where she knew Lynn had ran off too.

Lynn slowly but firmly brushed her horse Mustang as she quietly sang an old Scottish folk song that she had loved ever since she was a child.

"I love to hear you sing," Mija commented catching Lynn off guard.

Lynn smiled softly, "I think I sing better when I'm alone."

"It doesn't matter where or who you're around, you still sing wonderfully," Mija said.

"Thanks," Lynn mumbled.

Mija sighed. She knew Lynn wouldn't bring the subject up on her own so..."I'm sorry about the way I reacted...I just..." she stopped trying to figure out how to word what she wanted to say. Imagine that? Me speechless Mija thought to herself. "...Truth is I don't want you or Sheldon to go and if you go I don't want to stay but as I've always said...everything happens for a reason, for a purpose."

"And you think it's your purpose to stay here all alone away from your family?" Lynn tried not to sound bitter as she continued to brush Mustang.

"I think it's my purpose to die for another," Mija sighed tiredly.

Lynn slowly came to a stop brushing the horse. She looked at Mija and a tear ran down her cheek. "What are you saying?" she asked facing her.

"I'm saying that if by staying here I die then that was my purpose in life...and if I stay and live...then my purpose was to keep the bed warm until you come home," Mija said.

Lynn swallowed and let a few more tears fall, "We will be back."

Mija smiled and nodded, "I know."

Lynn smiled back and nodded in return.