Chapter Four

Dawn was sitting on the edge of the bed inside the line shack when she heard a rider approaching, and approaching fast. She prayed liked mad it was Eugene Barkley, as he had been gone longer than she thought he'd be. Her prayers were answered as Eugene called out that he was coming in. Once he was inside, Dawn couldn't help but see the look of concern in his eyes. If it she thought it was just her he was concerned about, Dawn would have been flattered. As it was, she grew concerned once more, for she got the strongest impression it wasn't just her well being that had put the look into this man's eyes.

"What is it?" Dawn asked slowly, keeping her eyes on Eugene as he walked over and began removing the bandages off her wings; he'd told her that he'd have to change them on a regular basis for at least three or four days.

Eugene didn't want to tell her, but he knew he had to. "It's my family." He repeated what had happened, and then what he'd overheard when he went back into the house.

Dawn's eyes widened in fright; she might have only met Eugene, but she was realizing she could trust him. However, his family…the more people knew about her, the higher the chances were that everyone in the area would know. Well, that or at least hear about her. She started to stand up, but her injured wings pulled her back down.

"Don't move." Eugene urged her. "After I left, I got thinking and I took a few precautions to slow Heath down, one reason I was gone longer than I would have liked to. I don't think he'll be here for a few hours, as he has things to do. That will give us the time we need." Without thinking, he put his hand on her right shoulder and gave it a tender squeeze.

Dawn looked at his hand and then at him with a smile on her face; the smile spread over her face and she chuckled as Eugene quickly removed his hand. She could tell he was embarrassed at what he had subconsciously done. However, as she thought on what he said he'd overheard when it came to the fire, her smile faded slightly and she turned her head away.

"What is it?" Eugene was instantly concerned, not only because he was treating her injuries, but he realized he felt drawn to this woman; this creature, whatever she was. He wanted to not only to protect her, but help her in any way possible.

It was a good three or four minutes before she spoke. "I…I may have started that fire, but" she finally answered as she turned at looked at Eugene, her eyes begging him to believe her, "if I did, it was a pure accident. I promise it was."

Eugene, who was now sitting close to her pulled back in shock only, as he looked back at her wings and the condition they'd been in, he could pretty well guess why she was coming to that conclusion. "You're wings were still simmering a bit and you passed by that way?" He asked keeping his eyes on her wings; he wasn't surprised when she nodded her head.

"I was hurting pretty badly; I didn't think to look back and see if anything might be happening." The guilt in her voice could be heard as it spilled out in every word she spoke.

Eugene didn't know if she was right or not, but with the man's nephew having the lantern around and people assuming it and the wind were the culprits, he figured it was better if they just let sleeping dogs lie and he said as much. He couldn't help but laugh at the confusion that appeared on Dawn's face. That is, until he explained the saying. "I'm not sure where it comes from, only it is best to let their assumption stand. Now," He said as he turned to face her directly. "The only question is…where do we go from here? I have an idea, but it will require you and I riding the same horse. If I help you onto the horse, will you be okay with me sitting behind you? I'd be extremely careful when it comes to your wings. Are you willing?" He asking praying like mad he could ride behind her and not further hurt her wings…as the damage were on the side of them, not behind as he had originally thought.

Dawn nodded. "I'm willing, but are you sure?" She paused and then said slowly, "It's not right to make you hide from your family, and you will be hidden from them if you come with me. Maybe you should just give me instructions and tell me where to go."

Eugene shook his head as he glanced at her still bandaged wings once more. "No, you have no way to get away from anyone or anything should you be found. And those wings still need tending too." He stood up. "I'll go get the horse saddled and then come and get you." He walked to the door, but looked back just as he opened it. He couldn't believe the extremely strong feeling radiating from her…it was a feeling of innocence and purity. He'd met a lot of women since going to college, but none that came close to making him feel the way he was at that moment. He would move heaven and earth to protect her; he just knew he would. He then walked out the door and headed for his horse, which was tethered to a nearby tree.

~oOo~

Victoria entered the barn, just as Heath was saddling up his horse. He had finished all his work and was now going to go in search of Eugene. She might have told him not to bother and that Nick was just being a bit paranoid, only it was already five o'clock and her youngest had not been seen all day. That was unusual for him, and it made her worry that there was more going on than a very badly injured patient.

"When you talk with Eugene, make sure he knows we were just concerned. We're not trying to tell him who to help or who not to help." Though, she silently admitted that she was sorely tempted to do that…only the reality was Eugene had just recently turned twenty. He was a full grown man now; she could not tell him what to do.

"I will." Heath promised her, as he led Charger out of the barn, mounted him and then rode away.