It took the rest of the morning, and even well into the lunch time hour, to check the cattle, looking for signs of eye problems,

and all of that. I stayed close to Evan, taking notes. Brian was out there, too, along with Guthrie.

There were several cows with obvious issues, and after we'd ridden over the entire herd, those were the ones we separated,

putting them in the pasture to the side. The grass there was tall. There's no ready supply of water there, so I knew that would

have to be figured out.

It was shaping up to look like a long day ahead.

All in all, we herded about twelve cattle into the side pasture. It wasn't easy, cutting them separate from the rest of the herd. When I was

supposed to be guarding the open gate, to keep those that were in, in, and to not let any past that one of the guys didn't say to, a couple did slip by. It was hard to stop that.

Still smarting from my go-around with Brian, I was kicking myself, hoping that, in the midst of the moods going on, that

I wouldn't get told off about that, as well. I should have known better. That was an 'honest' mistake. Not like my talking back to

him earlier had been.

When they'd run the cattle separate, Guthrie hopped off his horse to close the gate. The five of us sat there for a few minutes, with

everybody just seeming to gather their thoughts and energy for a bit.

Guthrie remounted, and the five horses sniffed noses, and began nibbling at grass.

"What do you think?" Adam asked, running his arm across his forehead. "Did we get 'em all?"

"Pretty sure we did," Evan said. "I'll take another look in a minute."

"After lunch," Adam told him.

I decided I'd best speak up. Only Guthrie had seen the extra three or so head that had slipped past me.

"A couple got past me," I said, and waited, wondering if I'd get hollered at. Like I said, though, I should have known

better.

"Which ones?" Adam asked me. "Do you know?"

I turned to look over the cows. "It was number 23, I think. And a tannish one, that's one of the younger ones."

"Alright," Adam said, and looked to the house, where we could see Hannah waving.

Ivy's truck was parked near the barn, too.

"Let's see if Ivy wants some lunch, before we start up again," Adam said, and we all rode up, dismounting and tying the horses to

the corral fence.

As we walked up, Evan and Guthrie headed on inside. I, meanwhile, went to greet Ivy, along with Brian and Adam, as she

was pulling down the tail gate on her truck, and sorting thru supplies.

"Not a great day, huh?" she greeted us.

"We've had better," Adam said.

"What are you thinking?" Ivy asked.

They talked for a few minutes, about what they thought might be wrong, and then Adam told her they were going in, for a very short meal, and break.

"Come on inside," he told her. "You're welcome to eat with us."

"I already ate, thank you, Adam," she answered. "I'll get some supplies ready, and then I'll come in for a cold drink."

She turned to me, and smiled. "Hullo, Harlie. How are you?"

"I'm good, how are you?"

"Busy," she said.

"Alright," Adam said. "We'll see you in a few, then." He nodded at me. "Come on, Harlie."

I followed along behind him and Brian, as we headed towards the house.

"I'm sorry," I said, to the both of them. "About the ones that got past me."

Adam turned to give me a look. "It's not a big thing," he said.

"Nope," Brian said, in agreement. "It happens."

We were at the front door, and Brian was holding it open, as Adam went on in.

I thought Brian was going to say something else to me, then, but he didn't, only waited for me to pass in front of him. Inside, the lunch

table conversation consisted of the cattle, naturally enough, and what various opinions were. Crane and Ford arrived back home, as

we had begun eating. And then there was conversation about Kenny's parents, and how his dad was feeling.

Crane said, in a quiet way, that Kenny had gone to a 'boy's ranch' type of place, as opposed to a detention center.

I wondered just what that was, exactly, and if it was similar to a detention center.

I could tell that Guthrie wanted to know, too, and ask questions. But, he didn't, right then. Lunch was a hurried thing, though, no dallying

around. Hannah stayed in the house, with Isaac, but when we went back out, Clare came along, and so did Kristin.

While Ivy began working, looking at the steer in the corral first, Evan stayed there, too, as I did. The rest of the group

went out to the pasture to recheck and see if there were any more cattle, with symptoms. After that, they moved the two out that

had slipped past me. That took some real cowboying on Guthrie and Ford's part.

Then it was time to move the ones from the side pasture to the corral, so that they would be easier to examine.

It was a long, long afternoon. Anxiety was running high, awaiting Ivy's opinion.

We had to put the cattle, one by one, into the cattle shute, so she could get a close up look. The cattle, of course, resented this,

and there was a lot of kicking and banging against the sides of the steel chute.

At one point, I didn't move my hand quickly enough, and it was caught between a steer and the side of the chute. As soon as I was

able to, I withdrew, going to the yard hydrant, and letting cold water run out over it. I moved my fingers cautiously. It seemed as though

it wasn't broken. At least it didn't feel like it did last spring when I'd broken it, chasing down a calf.

Everything was in such a muddle, so much noise, and activity, that nobody appeared to notice my grimace of pain as it happened, or

my escape to the cold water hydrant. I rejoined as quickly as I could.

After the first few head of cattle, Ivy said she would continue to draw blood samples, but that she didn't think it was rhino

virus. For that, at least, I felt relieved. That was, until Brian asked her what she did think it was, and she said, sounding regretful,

"I'm not sure. It's strange. Some seem to be ill, and others just have eye irritation. I'll try to rush the blood samples thru, so

you have some answers."

When we were finished, and leaving those cattle in the corral, everybody seemed to be dragging, both in body, and in spirit.

It was nearly supper time, and the daily chores still hadn't been done. Well, not all of them, anyway.

Ivy was invited to stay for supper, but declined, saying that she had to make another call. I found a chance to have a moment

alone with her, after my brothers had all thanked her, and shuffled off.

I helped her gather and tidy things, to put back into her truck.

"How's your dog?" I asked her.

"Oh, he's as ornery as ever," she said, with a laugh.

As she was slamming her tail gate shut, I said, "Could a burro have caused our cows to get sick?"

Ivy gave me a quick glance. "A wild burro?"

At my nod, she said, "Well, it's possible. Was there a wild burro near?"

I explained to her how it had happened with the two burros, and the loss of the baby Jack. Then she asked how long they'd been

around, and exposed to the cattle and our horses.

"I don't know, Harlie," she said. "It's possible. But it's really hard to say. Do the burros seem as though they're ill?"

"No. At least the Jack doesn't. The Jenny was weak and all. But, that's due to the labor and delivery, don't you think?"

She gave me a sad half-smile. "I don't know. I wish I did. I'd have to take a look at them to be able to say."

"Okay," I said, with a sigh.

"I'm sorry," she apologized.

"It's not your fault," I said. I hadn't meant to make her feel badly.

"I know. But, from one animal lover to another, I totally understand," she said.

She paused, seeming to be thinking. "Do you know where they are right now?" she asked.

"I saw the Jack this morning, early. But, I'm not sure, exactly." I felt a burst of hope at her question. "Why?"

"Can you get close to them?"

"I was able to get fairly close to the Jack. Not today, but before. And the Jenny let Evan touch her, and all."

"Hmm," she said, looking thoughtful.

My brothers were heading into the house, via the back door. Brian stopped and called out a goodbye, and a thank you to

Ivy. She raised her hand to him in greeting.

"How about if I come over sometime tomorrow, and we take a scout out for them?" she offered.

I could hardly believe it. "Really?" I asked.

"Sure. We can try, at least," she said.

"Thanks. Thanks a lot," I said gratefully.

"No problem. I think I can make it about nine or so in the morning, barring any emergencies."

"Okay," I agreed happily.

"Should you run it past Adam first?" she asked me then. "Or Brian?"

"I probably should," I said, with regret.

Ivy laughed. "Don't look so defeated. They're good fellas, right?"

"Sure. But, they're not especially fond of the burros. I mean, they plain out and out don't like them. And, Brian already thinks

that they're the ones that made the cattle sick."

"He thinks that? Are you sure?" she asked.

"Well, I'm not sure he totally thinks that," I amended. "But-I do know he doesn't like them. Neither does Adam."

"Well, do you want to run and ask them now? Or you can call me at home tonight, and let me know if they said for me

to head on over."

I considered. And I made a split decision. Tired, and worried though they were at this point, it might be better to ask now, than as to

wait for the perfect opportunity later in the evening. The moods might not improve.

"I'll go now," I said. I began to run towards the house, and then looked back at her, feeling foolish. "Do you want to come in?" I invited.

"No. I'll wait here," she said. "I'll start my air conditioning."

As she got into the cab of her truck, I went on, hurrying to the back door. The kitchen was full. There were fans going, and

everybody was sitting in their places at the table, pouring sweet tea, and passing platters of hamburgers around.

"Sit down, Harlie, and eat," Hannah said, looking up at me.

"Okay," I said, but still standing, I went on, looking at Adam, "Ivy says she can come over in the morning, and we can

go look for the burros. She says she'll try to take a look at them, and see if they're sick, or anything."

To say that I'd surprised most of them was evident by their expressions.

"You shouldn't have asked her to do that, Harlie," Adam said.

"I didn't!" I protested. "She offered! Honest, Adam!"

"The subject just popped up, huh?" he said then.

Well, I didn't answer that. I subsided, giving him a pleading look. "Is it alright that I go with her?" I persisted.

Adam exchanged a look with Brian. They did that 'talking without words' thing that they do, and then Adam said, "We'll

think about it."

"She's waiting-" I protested.

"She's still here?" Brian asked me, and when I nodded, they exchanged another look.

"Good grief, Harlie," Adam said, sounding irritated. He got up, going thru to the living room. Brian gave me a quick glance, and

then he got up, as well. I was sort of unsure, and I let my eyes drift round the table. Clare looked sympathetic, and so did

Evan, surprisingly. I looked toward Crane, and tried to send an unspoken quick message to him.

He stood up, scooting up his chair. "Come on," he said, quietly, and went thru to the living room. I followed him, feeling

grateful.

Adam and Brian were standing out on the front porch, and Ivy stood there, as well. When I came out after Crane, I heard

Ivy saying that she didn't mind coming, and trying to locate the burros.

"I'd like to see them, actually," she said. "I've never seen burros or horses that weren't domesticated."

"If you're sure, then," Adam was saying, still looking uncertain.

"Absolutely," Ivy said. "I just wanted Harlie to check with you first, to see that it was alright."

Adam nodded, and Crane said, "I'll go along with you," to Ivy. "It's a good idea to carry a gun up there about right now."

In appreciation, I squeezed Crane's arm.

As Ivy said her goodbyes, and went to get into her truck, the four of us stood there, on the porch. I felt really on edge, because

Adam was giving me a look that suggested he was disappointed, or something. And Brian looked, well, just plain grim.

"I didn't ask her to hunt them up," I protested again, thinking to forestall what they were thinking. "I just asked her if she thought the burros could bring in illnesses, and then she offered to go look for them."

"Those burros are all you think about lately," Adam said.

Well, I didn't think that was fair! Not at all. Of course, I was interested in them, but I wasn't obsessed, or anything.

"That's not so, Adam," I protested. I tried to say it respectfully, and all. I knew they were feeling discouraged and worried about

the cattle, but it just seemed as though they were picking on me.

"Isn't it a good thing?" I went on. "If Ivy can tell that they're not sick, then that will set your minds at ease."

"How so?" Adam demanded. He was standing, his hands on his hips.

"Because-" I said, "Brian thinks they made the cattle sick-"

"What?" Brian demanded, looking startled.

"You were asking Evan if the Jenny was sick- I began.

"It's a definite possibility," Brian said, and then he shook his head, and went inside, letting the screen door

slam behind him.

"Whatever Ivy decides about the burros, our cattle are still gonna be sick," Adam said. "Aren't they?" he asked me pointedly.

"Yes," I admitted.

He regarded me intensely for a moment, and then he said, "It's time to eat," and he went in, too.

I stepped out a bit from Crane's side. "Good grief," I muttered.

"I don't see why they have to be like this about it-" I began.

"Just settle down," Crane said, in his calm manner.

"Well, Brian thinks it's all the burro's fault, and now Adam acts as though I'm committing a crime-" I went on.

"It's fine," Crane said. "Everybody's just on edge."

I sighed heavily, and Crane stepped over, pulling the screen door open. "Time to eat," he said, echoing Adam's words.

"I can't eat now," I complained. "My stomach's all churned up."

"You know you have to eat. Now come on."

So, I went in, as he held the door open.

I slid into my seat at the table, and Crane sat down to finish his already-begun meal. Guthrie was still seated, as was Kristin, and

he was eating a piece of pie.

Adam was sitting in his chair, sipping at his coffee, while Hannah bustled around. Brian, I was glad to see, had disappeared.

I was still eating, as was Crane, when we heard a knocking at the front door.

"What now?" Adam said, in an exasperated sort of way. A moment or so later, and we could hear

voices, and then Kristin's mother was there, in the doorway to the kitchen, with Ford behind her.

"Hello," Hannah said, scooting her chair back, and standing up to greet her, as did Adam, as well.

"Hello," Kristin's mother answered.

I heard Kristin sigh, but I don't think anyone else did. She got up, too, going to stand near her mother.

"Would you like a cup of coffee?" Hannah was asking. "Or some sweet tea?"

"Some tea would be nice," Linda answered. "If it's not too much trouble."

For some reason, whenever I see Kristin's mom, I'm think of her as sort of washed-out looking. She

was still attractive, and was probably really so in younger, or better times in her life. But, she always

seems hesitant, as if she thinks that she's bothering someone. I realized then that Kristin had been

just like that, when we first became friends. Nearly a year around our family had definitely brought

her out of her shell.

"It's no trouble," Hannah was saying. "We always have a pitcher or even two on reserve around here."

"Let's go into the other room," Hannah said then, and followed Linda, walking towards the living room.

Adam flicked a glance towards Guthrie and I, and then to Kristin.

"Why don't you get your mama a glass of tea?" he told Kristin, and at her nod, he followed Hannah.

Guthrie got up, taking his plate to the sink, and went to lean against the cabinet, as Kristin began

pouring a glass of tea from the pitcher on the table.

"I don't know what she's here for," Kristin said, biting at her lower lip.

"It's fine that she's here," Crane said. He'd finished eating, as well, and pushed his plate back.

"She should have just called, if she wanted me to come home or something-" Kristin began, in

complaint.

"Hey," Crane said, and Kristin paused, looking at him in question.

"Don't treat your mom badly," he said.

"I'm not," Kristin protested. "I mean, I don't. I just-" she let her words trail off. "I just want to stay here."

"I know," he said. "But, she might need you worse than what you want, Kris-10."

Kristin looked as though she was embarrassed, and ducked her head a little.

"Okay," she said.

Crane gave her a kind half-smile, and Kristin went out of the kitchen, carrying the glass of tea.

Guthrie muttered an oath, and went out the screen door. I knew he wasn't happy that Kristin

most likely had to go home again.

"This is just a great, great day," I said then, in heavy sarcasm. I dropped my fork to my plate.

Crane got to his feet then, and began gathering up the plates, stacking them.

"Finish your supper," he told me.

"I am finished."

"No, you're not," Crane said.

I gave him a rebellious look, and wished I could kick a chair, or something like that.

"I should know if I'm hungry or not," I pointed out.

"You have to eat, even when you don't feel hungry," he said. "You know that."

And, I did. Especially since I'd such a rough evening just a night or two ago, with my blood sugar. But, grrr.

"Great," I complained. "I'll eat. Then I'll probably throw up. It'll be a great ending to this day."

Crane stopped walking, turning to look at me, his hands still full of the plates.

I sensed the change in his demeanor immediately.

"Okay," he said, quietly. "Scrape your plate, then."

I sat there, with him looking at me that way, and felt immediately ashamed of myself.

It seemed as though he was going to hold my gaze forever. When he finally did turn, going to the

sink, and beginning to run hot water into the sink, I sat still for a moment or so, feeling shook.

Without saying anything more, I picked up my fork again, and finished my vegetables, and my piece of

meatloaf, all while staring at Crane's back as he stood at the sink, washing dishes.

I got up then, going to stack my now-empty plate on the counter with the others that were left still

to be washed.

Then I got a dishtowel from the drawer, and began to rinse the dishes, and then dry them.

"I'm sorry," I said quietly, after a few minutes. "For being snarky."

Crane gave me a side-glance. He nodded a bit. "Okay."

Kristin appeared at the open kitchen doorway. "I'm going home with my mom," she said, stepping

over closer to us.

Crane paused, turning to lean against the counter. "That's good," he said, sounding approving.

Kristin nodded, in understanding, and said, "I'll see you later, Harlie."

"Okay. Call when you can," I told her. And then, I pointed to the back door. "Guthrie's outside somewhere."

"I'll go find him," she said. She looked up at Crane. "Bye, Crane."

"Bye," he told her, with a smile.

When she'd gone, Crane turned back to the task of washing dishes.

"She thinks you're something really special," I confided.

"I think a lot of her, too,."

We were interrupted then, by Hannah coming back into the kitchen, and Ford, carrying the baby.

"Thanks, you two," Hannah said. "For cleaning up. You weren't on the list, were you?" she asked.

"No problem," Crane said.

"Yeah, thanks," Ford echoed, going to peer at the dishwashing chart on the refrigerator. "I was on

for tonight." He turned to grin at us. "Thanks a whole lot."

7