Carmel was tethered not far from the shack and was now perfectly calm as Ruth went up to her and the horse nuzzled in search of a treat.

"Sorry. You deserve one though. You tried to warn me, didn't you?" she asked her horse, patting the side of her head.

Ruth didn't quite feel up to walking but neither did she feel like sitting on the back of a horse.

Kid could see the dilemma going on in her mind. He pulled her up on Horse with him, allowing her to use his chest like a pillow, the most comfortable arrangement currently at their disposal.

Anna, who'd ridden there on Mark's horse, took Carmel. She looked leery of riding her.

"She's as gentle as a lamb," Ruth assured her, not recounting her own first wild ride atop Carmel.

She got on awkwardly and sat on it ineptly, but was able to stay astride with the slow pace and James lead the way to ensure the horse didn't take a notion to bolt and probably regretting he hadn't taught his children to ride. He didn't seem totally at ease himself but taking a wagon into the woods wasn't an option.

"It was silly of me to risk my life for a horse, wasn't it?" she asked Kid as they rode, not really needing an answer.

He was too happy to have her back to lecture her. "You have a caring heart even toward animals and he took advantage of that. There's no denying that you keep your guardian angel jumping though. You probably have a legion at your disposal."

She chuckled. "Well, Satan don't attack those all ready going down the wrong path too hard or even complacent Christians. I guess that's my comfort in this."

They ran into Robert and Clyde in the woods.

"You found her," Clyde said with relief.

Robert, his last real adversary, looked at him approvingly, his face communicating that he had decided maybe Kid could take care of his sister and wasn't public enemy number 1.

"It was a group effort. I'd have been sunk without Anna here and especially Samuel's brother," Kid said.

"Adam's back taking of his body. The only way to ensure no one got hurt was to shoot him. He won't be causing no more trouble," James added.

"Sad end," Robert said. He reached out and ruffled Ruth's hair and his voice strained with forced humor, "I don't know what anyone would want with a pest like you. If it'd been me that kidnapped you, I'd've brought you right back the first 5 minutes. It ain't worth getting your ear talked off."

She poked her tongue out. "And you wonder why Clyde's my favorite brother."

He laughed. "I'm glad to see you're all right, sis."

"Me too," Clyde added.

Robert shot a sympathetic look to Anna then said, "Clyde and I'll go spread the news that she's been found to the rest of the men." Then they turned their mules toward town.

The rest of the party continued toward home with Mark separating from them as they came out of the woods.

Mary and Fiona must have heard them coming before they actually saw them because they were waiting in the yard.

"You're determined to turn my hair completely gray before you leave again, aren't you?" her mother chastised as soon as she touched the ground even as she hugged her.

"Looks that way," Ruth said with a laugh.

Fiona folded her in a hug next. "I never doubted you'd be okay, but nonetheless I'm relieved to see you."

"You got something to eat?" Ruth couldn't keep from asking.

"Do you have to ask?" Mary asked with a smile. "The food's ready and waiting."

A meal of fried apples, smoked ham, canned green beans and buttermilk biscuits graced the table. Her stomach gurgled at the sight and smell.

"You're an absolute prophet," Ruth said, referring to the number of placings just enough for the present company and everything being warm to boot.

"Just like to be prepared is all. Could've warmed it up if need be," Mary answered.

They waited for James and Kid to return from securing the horses and mules. There was little talking except a prayer of thanks as the family dug into the food. None of them had eaten very much although certainly more than Ruth had.

Full, Kid and Ruth were both exhausted beyond measure and turned in though there was still daylight outside.

Her dress was ready for the rag pile; it was filthy and had received a couple tears during the ordeal but the biggest reason was it would remind her of Samuel's terrible death. It hurt even to unbutton it though and she was contemplating getting in bed with it on despite its current condition. Kid read her pain though she didn't complain and responded by coming and taking over.

Undressed, he saw more marks she had received from Samuel's tight grips and careless treatment of her. Anger filled him.

"Don't pity me. Pity him. He's before the only Judge that matters, but He does judge fairly. I believe He will take into account any limitations he had."

"If you ask me, Samuel may have been crazy, but he knew right from wrong, but I know—I know I'm not his judge. I will leave that in the Almighty's hands and praise Him for bringing us all through this."

"Amen," she echoed. "I believe I'm just going to crawl into bed and forget the nightgown."

He crawled in after her. He watched as she winced when she lay back down against the pillow and quickly sat back up. He reached out lightly feeling the back of her head. "You've got quite the lump. You sure you're okay? You feel okay? A bump on the head can be a serious thing."

"I lost consciousness for a little while. Don't even remember him taking me to the shack and tying me up, but now it only hurts if I lay against it," she said as she lowered herself back down, this time turning her head to the side. "I'll just lay on my side and be as right as rain in the morning."

He might have argued more with her over her health, but her eyes had fallen shut during the course of her report and her breathing had become deeper, signaling she was well on her way to falling sleep.

He fell asleep too just soaking in the sight of her with her hair spilled over her pillow, whole and hale all things considered.

sss

Anna and Douglas and their 3 boys came to the house the following day just as soon as they heard about what had happened.

"I wish somebody would have told me what was going on. Just because I was pregnant and then recovering from labor was no reason to leave me out of the loop," Laura complained when she'd heard the whole story.

"What could you have done?" Ruth asked.

"Worried," she answered with a smile. "But I would've liked to have been given the privilege of worrying."

Douglas shook his head. "I still can't believe it. You never truly know what goes on inside another person's head, do you?"

"No, that's God's domain," Ruth answered. "Shouldn't make us afraid to get close to people though. Sometimes hearts and minds are healed when we reach out with God's love to offer." She was looking at Anna, hoping the experience hadn't soured her on love.

A knock sounded and Ruth answered the door being the closest.

"I'm here to check on Anna," he explained at the curious look in her eyes.

Ruth smiled knowingly and moved to the side, so he could come in.

After polite greetings to the rest of the family, he went straight over to Anna. "How are you holding up?"

She blushed at his concern and attention. "I'm…doing better. We can only take things one day at a time, I guess."

"If there's anything I can do for you, anything at all, I hope you'll let me know."

Her blush grew deeper and she whispered a shy but appreciative thank you.

Ruth didn't know if they realized what was happening between them. Mark had always treated Anna like a kid sister, but from the way he was looking at her now, he certainly didn't see her that way anymore. With him realizing they would only ever be friends, he had the resolve to move forward. She was sure that Anna still needed time to process everything though she didn't look displeased with his sudden attentions and Mark knew that, but she was ever so glad for them because she could see wedding bells in their future, and she couldn't think of two people who deserved that happiness more.

"Looks like you can finally stop being so jealous," she said good-humoredly and quietly to Kid from the corner where they sat.

Kid smiled, acknowledging that he'd seen the sparks too. "I never blamed the man. I would be sore over losing you too, but I bet his momma will be jumping for joy for finally settling on another girl, a godly one that he can actually handle."

She looked at him with bemusement. "You trying to say I'm hard to handle?"

"I'm saying with the kind of trouble you seem to get yourself into, it's a good thing you married a gunfighter and not a simple farmer."

She tried to hold in her laughter to keep from drawing attention to themselves, but she couldn't help herself.

sss

Kid was outside that evening, helping search for the goats, which had somehow managed to escape the barn. He was beginning to understand Mary's frustration with them. They were first class escape artists.

He didn't find a goat, but he found Ruth coming over the hill. The sun made the red in her hair shine, making the smile that lit up her face seem even warmer. He felt his irritation lifting.

"Look what I found. My gravel flipper," she said when she'd drawn close enough, holding it up in the air for him to see.

He eyed her slingshot with a grin. The forked stick had been carved into a nicely shaped y.

"I loved the story of David and Goliath as a child. It was my favorite Bible story, so I got Daddy to make me one."

"Somehow I'm not surprised," he said with a smile. Ruth took on the world a lot like David, running into what could be a dangerous situation, knowing her strength came from God alone.

She laughed. "I was a holy terror with it, knocking innocent little birds and squirrels out of the tree. There wasn't a little critter safe for miles."

"You can still use that thing?"

"I imagine." She searched the ground for just the right kind of pebble. She placed it against the pocket, pulled back, squinted as she lined her aim up, and then released. The small gravel hit a loose hanging branch and knocked it to the ground.

"I think I fall more in love with you everyday," he said, his voice full of wonder.

"And all it takes is me wielding a weapon," she said teasingly. "You are a peculiar man."

"All it takes is you being you," he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her body flush against his.

"You are a charmer," she said, laying an enticing kiss on his chin.

"I never thought I'd hear myself saying this, but I think I'm going to miss your family when we leave in a couple days."

Her eyes lowered and she gave a sad little sigh at the thought of leaving them again. The time had slipped up on her.

"But I am looking forward to having you all to myself again," he said possessively, grazing her lips with his. "But if you'd rather—"

"No, I'd be sadder if I stayed. Too many people out there who have no spiritual or medical help anywhere near them. No, I'm going where I'm needed, where I'm meant to be. I'll just have to enjoy the time I got left with them and lock it away in my heart to last a lifetime."