Chapter Two

"It's eight at night, and there's a celebration going on." Heath, who had surprised Eugene by walking into the spare room near the kitchen which held various items including some of his medical supplies. He was watching Eugene as he gathered up some of his things. "Is it really necessary to go? It's going to be dark soon and you'll miss the entire party. Can't you get Dr. Mitchell to go?" Dr. Mitchell was the town's regular veterinarian.

Eugene wished his brother hadn't seen him slip back into the house, but hoped he would accept his explanation without questioning him…and go along with not saying anything to the family unless he wasn't back by a decent time the next morning. "I told you it is. I'm their doctor and, no, they can't see Dr. Mitchell. Besides, if I'm going to be a veterinarian I need to be available at all hours and not just turn the work over to someone else. However," he said as he looked upon his brother with a look of earnestness in his eyes, "please, don't say anything to anyone. Nick's engagement party is going great. He doesn't deserve for it to be spoiled." 'Not that he'll miss me, not with his eyes on Jenny' Eugene thought as he remembered how his brother had gotten on a train and followed *Jenny Hall to Wyoming. That part had not shocked anyone thanks to Nick's past behavior. Though, they had been surprised beyond measure when he'd successfully talked Jenny into returning to Stockton. He'd courted her for another six months and then officially asked her to marry him. Though, if anyone asked Eugene, his older brother and future sister-in-law had already agreed to marry each other long before they announced their engagement.

Heath gave his brother a sympathetic crooked smile. He knew his brother was right. His work would indeed call him away from home during all kinds of hours whether he or anyone else liked it. "I won't have to say anything. Sooner or later, they'll notice your absence and ask about you and where you've gone."

Eugene smiled as he picked up his medical bag. "When that happens, just tell them I've gone to see a patient and not to worry unless I'm not back sometime tomorrow morning. Please?" He again looked at his brother in earnest.

Heath smiled again and nodded. "Okay, but please, don't be longer than you have to." If he was going to remain quiet unless someone brought up the subject, the blonde haired cowboy was at least going to get that promise out of his baby brother.

"Don't worry, I won't be." Eugene hurried past Heath and out the back door. The sooner he got to Dawn, the sooner he could get hide her someplace beside the loft.

As Heath watched his baby brother leave, he got the distinct impression that he would-sooner or later-find himself pulled into whatever matter Eugene was involved in. He didn't know whether that was good or bad; still, he had no time to dwell on it. He was supposed to be in the kitchen getting more lemonade. Turning around, Heath left the room and headed for the kitchen.

~oOo~

"Be careful," Eugene helped Dawn down the ladders…doing his best not to hit her injured wings too much. Then, keeping an arm around her waist as she seemed to be a bit weak, he helped her out the back door of the barn and into the saddle of his waiting horse. He'd quickly saddled the animal and hid it behind the barn before going to get his newest patient.

"What will you ride?" Dawn asked, looking around.

"I'll be walking as fast as I can while leading the animal." Eugene answered as he took the reins. He explained that taking a second animal would arouse suspicion and he didn't want her riding in a buggy…as he didn't know what that would do to her wings.

"You are willing to sacrifice your comfort to help me?" Dawn's shock-and admiration-could be seen in her eyes and heard in her voice.

"It's no sacrifice." Eugene told her as he began walking at a very fast pace, knowing he had to get away as soon as possible. He just prayed like mad no one would see them leaving; it was a prayer that was granted as everyone was either at the party or in town. "You're hurt and I can help. That's all there is too it."

Dawn said nothing as Eugene continued leading the horse northward. It had been ages since she'd seen anyone so willing to help an injured stranger without throwing a bunch of questions out at them first…and he did have questions. She could see it in the way he'd looked at her. Not that she blamed him; she didn't. It wasn't every day a mortal man saw the likes of her. It took a couple of hours, but soon he was helping her off the horse and leading her what looked to be a small cabin…though it turned out to be a line shack. Soon Dawn was lying on her side, near the edge of the bed, and Eugene was tending to her wings.

"So," Eugene said as he finished with her wings and stepped around the bed in order to see her face. "Where do you come from and what are you?" He quickly apologized if he was coming across negatively asking the last question.

"How well do you know your mythology?" Dawn asked after a few minutes of silence. The man was helping her; he deserved the truth.

Eugene's eyes widened. He might not know as much mythology as some people, but he knew more than others. "Are you going to tell me you're some sort of deity?" He found that hard to believe. Then again, human beings didn't walk around with wings protruding from their backs either. "I know a few stories." Eugene answered as he pulled a chair away from the south wall, the same wall the bed set against.

"Have you ever heard of the Goddess Aurora?" Dawn kept her eyes on Eugene, not surprised when his eyes opened up even farther.

"Are you saying you're her?" Eugene asked as he found himself holding the side of his chair.

"No," Dawn chuckled, "but, people create various things from the things they see. My people have been caring for the earth for longer than you can imagine, but they do not show themselves to humans on purpose. Only, once in a great while…and I mean great…a human happens see us. That is what happened to create the idea of Aurora; one of my ancestors was seen as the sun rose one morning. The gentleman-a writer- thought she must be a Goddess bringing the morning light. He followed her and, when she came down to earth to rest, he cornered her. The two fell in love but could not be together... " she paused and then shrugged her shoulders, "hence the idea of the Goddess Aurora was born." Dawn then explained that she usually she had duties around the time of day she got hurt.

"And you got hurt fulfilling those duties?" Eugene asked as he looked at the bandaged wings.

"No, I…" Dawn turned a shade of embarrassed pink. "I had free time on my hands and; well," she shrugged her shoulders. "I went exploring, but went further than I was supposed to. I then flew a bit too close to the sun and…" she glanced at her wings. "They got hurt?"

The sun! Eugene was definitely thinking someone had slipped something into his drink. However, he gathered his wits about him and started talking. "We'll stay here for awhile. The line shack isn't used this time of year, and all the nearby fences are fine. No one should be in this area for awhile." He looked towards the window. "I'll move this chair over near the window and spend the night here. I also have to make an appearance at the house by noon to keep anyone from getting suspicious. I'll come up with a believable reason for staying away for a few days, maybe even a week. Afterwards, I'll be back as soon as I can."

Dawn, who had been told to be careful of humans as they could not be trusted, watched as Eugene did as he said. It didn't pass her by that he was keeping an eye on the window. 'Maybe many mortal men have problems with trustworthiness, but I think this one is an exception to that rule." Dawn smiled and closed her eyes, praying she was right.