'So…' Maddie started as she walked into the dining room after finishing her lessons for the day. 'What y'all working on?'

'Finally getting around to framing the map that was found in the walls.' Bonham replied. 'Wanna join us?'

'Sure. Could use some fun after that math lesson. I'm pretty good at numbers but add letters into it…' She shook her head. 'And what is the point of y always looking for his x. Like, she's gone mate. Get on with it.'

'That's a good one.' Stella said as they all chuckled at her joke. 'How is getting caught up going?'

'Slowly. Trying to cram what, five years, of learning into one year? Let's just say that when I have to sit for SAT's, I'll have a good reason to stress about it.'

'I'm sure you'll do just fine Maddie if you put your mind to it.' Bonham said as he arranged the pieces of the frame together. 'Hand me that last piece, Augie.'

August quickly passed it to him. 'There you go.'

'You know,' Bonham remarked as he fitted the pieces in together. 'My daddy used to say that maps say more than they mean to.'

'Yeah?' Stella questioned. 'What do you think this map is saying, Grandpa?'

'Sure was dusty in them there walls.' August attempted an impersonation of a gruff male voice.

They laughed, Bonham shaking his head. 'You're funny. He's funny. When did he get funny?'

'Oh, it's a rare occurrence.' Stella teased.

'I guess so.'

Maddie watched them work for a little longer then headed into the kitchen to grab a drink of water. Abilene came in, carrying a huge plastic box. 'What are you working on?'

'Sorting out a giant-' She sighed as she lifted up a handful of tangled up Christmas lights. 'Mess.'

'Oh dear…' She chuckled as she placed the empty glass in the sink. 'That is a mess.'

'Yeah. Sure is.'

'Hey, you know the whole Davidson clan is away.' Bonham remarked, coming in to grab himself some more coffee.

'Yeah, I know.' Maddie helped Abeline get one short cord untangled. One lot of lights untangled, a ton more to go. 'Colton asked me to feed and water the horses and goat while they're gone.'

'Meaning what?' Abeline questioned, glancing over at him for a moment 'You're gonna TP their house?'

'Oh, can we?' The teen asked mischievously.

'No, young rascal.' Bonham tousled her hair as he walked past, filling his mug from the coffee maker. 'But it means that I don't have to keep such a close eye on things. How about-' He sat down at the island bench across from his wife. 'An afternoon fishing trip?' He asked her.

'Bon, I've got a whole list of things I got to knock out today.'

'Work-life balance. That's what my doctor always says. Besides, get the kids to do the work so we can have some fun.'

She held up the list of things she had to get done to make a point. 'The kids can't possibly do all of this.

'That sounds like a challenge to me.' Maddie grinned. 'I bet we can do it.' She looked over at Stella and August who were finishing off the frame. 'What do you think guys? Reckon we can get this chore list done?'

Stella nodded. 'We can handle it, Mawline.'

'See?' Bonham questioned. 'Listen, they got to learn to have some responsibility at some point.'

Abilene sighed knowing he wouldn't give in until she agreed. 'Fine. It's just that last time, I fell in the river and we didn't catch a single fish.'

'It's not about the quantity of fish, it's about the quality of time.'

'But it would actually be nice if you two come home with some fish.' Maddie replied with a cheeky grin. 'I can taste that nice Bass now… Well, that is, if you don't go swimming instead of fishing.'

Abeline looked down at Maddie. 'What has gotten into you today? Little miss cheeky pants.'

Her grin widened. 'Hey, after sitting through those math lessons, I'm allowed to have a little fun.'

Half an hour later, Stella, Maddie and August were out the front to see Bonham and Abeline off. Much to their surprise, Trey had turned up with a homemade casserole and gotten himself an invitation to go along and so he was joining them. After assuring Abeline that by the time she got home everything would be done, she finally got into the truck with Bonham and Trey and they waved them off.

'Bye guys.' August called out, Bonham waving back as they headed down the drive.'

'Bye.' Stella added.

'Bring home lots of fish for dinner!' Maddie shouted as she waved then the three of them started back inside.

'All right-' August turned to Stella. 'I invited a couple girls from my classes. You invite Todd?'

'Yes. And a few other friends.' She replied.

'How many other friends?'

Stella just smirked.

Maddie frowned. 'Ah, wait, wait, wait. Hold your horses. Inviting who over for what?'

'Some friends to help out with chores.' August repeated what Stella had told him.

It dawned on her after a moment what August was getting at. 'You mean… You guys are going to throw a party while the grownups are gone.'

Stella nodded. 'Correct.'

'I still don't think that is such a good idea.' Maddie pointed out with a worried frown. 'Your Grampa and Granma are expecting this list of chores to be done by the time they get back.'

'Don't be such a spoilsport Madds.' She replied as she placed her arm around the girl's shoulders. 'Gramps and Mawline will be gone for hours. There'll be plenty of time to get the chores done, after we have fun.'

She shook her head, not convinced. 'Well, you're just going to have to have fun without me because I fully intend on completing this list whether you both help or not.'

'Fine by us.' The three of them walked back inside, Stella and August going to the cupboards to get things out for their party. 'When you're finished, come join us.'

Maddie shook her head again. Why on earth did they think that inviting a bunch of their friends was a good idea? Looking down at the list Abeline had given her, she decided she'd start with untangling the Christmas lights and checking the ornaments for Christmas. If Stella and August weren't going to get the chores done, then she'd just have to do them herself.

'Alright… Christmas lights. Done.' Maddie murmured to herself as she penciled a line through Sort Christmas Lights then placed the pencil on the bench with a sigh. Even though she had completed six tasks on the list already it would still take her the rest of the afternoon to get the entire list done. With that marked off she picked up the plastic box and headed down to the cellar once more to return them to their spot.

After returning to the kitchen she took a seat at the island bench and rubbed her temples as she looked over the list again. The music blaring at full volume had quickly given her a headache and she knew there was no point in trying to get them to turn it down. Some help that lot will be… She thought, hearing laughter ring out again. I actually do hope that Bonham and Abeline arrive home while they're still here. Stella and August both need to be taught a lesson.

There were still another seven items listed that needed to be finished and she thought for a moment which she would do next. After trying to wrangle with her thoughts and ignore the music blasting away outside, she stood angrily. 'Can't a person think in peace?'

Feeling slightly better from her little outburst of temper, a slight chuckle escaped her and she shook her head. I think I needed to take a break for a moment… With the way Stella and August were mucking around with their friends outside it was plain to see that the last thing on their minds was the list of chores needing to be done. I've almost done half already, by myself, so I think I have earnt myself a break.

She stood and headed over to the fridge, grabbing out a couple carrots for Bel and one for herself. With having the extra chores Cordell had given her as punishment for climbing the tree and putting herself into danger she hadn't had as much time to spend with the mare as she wanted. Bel's training however was still progressing quite well and she hoped that soon she would be tame enough to be able to start working her outside the little quarantine yard.

Maddie gave her cat a quick pat as she walked past the chair she was asleep on then headed out the backdoor to go to the yard. At least Stella and August had the good sense to keep the party outside and not bring their 'friends' into the house. If there were two things that didn't go well together it was teenagers and alcohol. Somehow, one of them had brought over a keg of beer and all the teenagers except herself had been drinking.

She knew what drinking could do to a person.

She had seen it.

She had lived it.

She plain hated the smell of alcohol and every memory that went along with it.

'Hey Bel…' The mare snorted, tossing her head as Maddie approached the pen. 'Hey, look what I've got.' She pulled the carrot from her pocket, waving it in front of the mare. Bel took a few steps back, pawing the ground. She sighed and looked towards where everyone was gathered on the front lawn. 'Music and all the people bothering you hey?'

With Bel as worked up as she was, the mare had no interest at all in the carrot and so after she'd tossed them into the feed bucket in the shelter, she headed over to speak with Stella about turning the music down. Keeping her head down as she walked through the crowd so she didn't draw attention to herself, she found Stella sitting down at one of the tables with a few other teenagers. 'Hey, um… Stella, can I talk to you for a moment?'

'Yeah, what about?'

'Bel. I mean, the music, all the people here, it's getting her quite worked up.' She motioned over to the pen where the mare had started pacing the fence again. 'Could you maybe turn the music down a bit?'

'Buzzkill much.' Rick, a curly haired senior, scoffed. 'Who's this anyway?'

'Maddie, Rick, Rick, Maddie.' Stella did a quick introduction. 'I'm sure your horse will be just fine.'

'I mean, it's just a horse.' He added as he leant back in his chair 'Who cares?'

Is that… In front of Rick was one of Bonham's bottles of bourbon, half emptied. Maddie took a deep breath, ignoring him completely as she looked at Stella. 'Just turn the music down and make sure none of your friends go near her. I'm going to try to calm her down…'

Laughter followed her as she walked away again, her hands clenched into fists. Oh boy, if only Bonham and Abeline could walk in on this… Stella and August would be in for a world of trouble they'd be most deserving of.

'Sssh… easy now Bel… Easy…' She spoke softly, standing at the fence. Bonham still didn't trust the mare enough to be happy for her to work her without supervision and the order to stay outside her yard still stood. After what had happened last week with her climbing that tree, she had been doing her best to make sure she was on her best behavior. Even though they wouldn't know if she had gone into the yard or not, she still respected they wanted her to keep out.

Bel wasn't going to settle down at all.
Maddie sighed, glaring across the lawn. If anything, it sounded like someone had turned up the volume instead of turning it down. 'Damn that music…'

After attempting for a little while longer to calm the mare and without luck, she headed back to speak to Stella again. When she reached the party, she couldn't see Stella anywhere around. Neither could she find August for that matter. Great. Just great.

Finding one of the girls that Stella had been talking to when she'd first spoken to her, she headed over to her. 'Excuse me.' She started nervously. 'Do you know where Stella or August are?'

'They headed over to the Burned Luck Barn.' Annalise replied. 'Few of them went over.'

The only barn she knew of that was nearby and burnt out was the Davidsons… 'Thanks. Appreciate it.'

This afternoon was just getting better and better. What on earth were they going over to the burnt out barn for?

Goodness only knew.

Maddie had been walking in the direction of the barn but feeling a sense of urgency, she started to run instead. As she got closer she could see that August was climbing up the side of the barn, Stella and another boy joining the two girls on the ground watching him.

'August, what are you doing?' Stella questioned. 'Don't go up there. Dad's gonna kill me if you get hurt.'

August glanced down at them. 'How's the weather down there?'

'Are you just trying to prove you are stupid or something?' Maddie asked, coming to a stop with the group. 'Seriously August, get down from there! It's not safe!'

'Say's the girl who got herself stuck up a tree only last week.' He taunted.

'Come on bro, what are you doing?' Todd questioned as he kept climbing.

'This is ridiculous Augie-'

'It's fine, it's fine.' He replied, climbing over the window onto the loft.

'Come on, get down!' Maddie shouted. 'That floor won't hold you! It's not safe.'

'This is crazy, come on.' Stella added.

'See, guys? It's alright, just your average burnt-out old barn-'

There was an unmistakable creaking of wood then a crash as the floorboards gave way beneath his weight. August screamed as he fell, landing on the hard ground in a heap.

Maddie was the first to run into the barn to him, the rest standing back like they were in a daze. 'Don't move-' She cautioned him. 'Are you hurt?'

He shook his head and she helped him to sit up, the rest of the group finally coming to help.

'Are you okay?' Stella questioned as he stood, her brother holding onto his shoulder.

'I told you this devil barn was bad luck.' One of the girls exclaimed.

'Bad luck, no. Stupidity, yes.' Maddie replied. 'Let me look at your shoulder-'

August pulled away from her. 'No, no, it's fine. Wait here.' They watched as he walked over to some old boards, pulling out an old rusted lantern.

Stella frowned. 'What is that?'

'Why is there a lantern with our family brand on the Davidson's property?'

'Maddie, Maddie!'

The group turned around as one of the Walker kids guests came running to the barn, a young teenage girl Maddie hadn't met before. She stopped a little way from them, her hands on her knees as she caught her breath. 'Maddie… Rick… Your horse…'

'Just catch your breath.' Maddie told her as she hurried over, the others following her. After a moment, she wasn't gasping for air as much. 'Now tell me what's going on.'

'My brother… Rick. He's going to try to ride that wild mustang-'

'What?' She turned to Stella. 'I told you to tell your friends to stay away from Bel! What part of wild doesn't everyone understand?'

'I tried to tell him it was a bad idea-' Ruth continued. 'But he's drunk and wouldn't listen. I'm sorry-'

Not sticking around to hear the rest of what the girl had to say, Maddie sprinted back in the direction of the Walker ranch. I told them this was a stupid idea! She was furious as she ran as fast as she could back to the boundary fence, not even noticing when she scratched herself going through the barbed wire. I should have rang Bonham and Abeline and told them what was going on!

As the yard came into view, she could see all the kids that Stella and August had invited crowding around the fence. Rick was in the pen with Bel, the mare trying to escape from him chasing her with the lunge whip. Everyone was crowded around the panels, a few kids with their phones out recording a video, some of them calling for him to get out of there while others egged him on.

Bel stopped running, turning to face him and pawed the ground.

Maddie's heart skipped a beat when she saw the look in the mare's eye and she covered the remaining distance with surprise speed. 'Get out of the way-' She pushed a couple kids out of the way, finally getting to the fence. 'Get out of there Rick! Now!'

'You said this was a wild horse?' He laughed, cracking the whip. The mare tossed her head, snorting and he cracked it again. Drunk people made bad choices. 'Come on, come and get me.'

'You bloody idiot-' She climbed over the fence as Bel started to charge at him, knocking him out of the way just as the horse crashed into her. She rolled over as the mustang pounded her hooves into the hat that had just been on her head, Maddie managing to get out of her way just in time. With the mare distracted for a moment, Rick scaled the fence and jumped out of the yard leaving her to deal with the mess he had created on her own.

Hooves above her, Maddie tried to get to her feet but before she could rise, the mare had knocked her down to the ground again. She screamed as Bel brought her hooves down on her and as the mare reared up to pound her again, she grabbed hold of the fence panel and pulled herself out of the way. Bel's hooves came down onto sand.

Maddie was standing again, barely, but she wasn't out of danger yet.

Stella, August, Todd and the three girls finally arrived at the scene, watching in shocked horror as Bel went for Maddie again.

Maddie held her arm in front of her face to shield her head, screaming as the mare bit her. Her loud scream must have startled the mare for Bel suddenly withdrew, snorting. Dead silence followed, so quiet that a pin that dropped on the grass would have been heard.

'Easy… Easy Bel… Woah girl…. Easy…' Clutching her bleeding arm with one hand she focused her energy and attention into the mare. She wasn't safe yet, not until she could reach the gate which the mare was blocking. The way her hip and leg was aching there was no way she would be able to climb the fence to safety.

The teenagers gathered around held their breaths as they watched the situation play out.

Bel snorted, pawing the ground.

'You're okay… You're okay… That's a girl… Easy now… Good girl… It's okay… I'm here…' She kept talking to her, trying to sooth and calm her. Bel's sides heaved as she breathed heavily, sweat dripping down her hide. On her rump it looked like welts from the whip were starting to appear. Maddie breathed in deep, catching her breath and at the same time, trying to contain her anger. It wasn't Bel's fault. She hadn't done anything wrong.

The mare darted away with a whinny and began to bolt around the yard once more.

'Bel, Bel. Woah. Woah, Bel.' With the mare blindly galloping around the small space she was in danger of being trampled again. Bel kept bolting around, the mare switching from fight to flight mode again. Suddenly the mare crashed into the fence panels, the teens near her quickly withdrawing from the fence.

'Maddie, Maddie get out of there!' Stella shouted. 'Climb out!'

Maddie heard her but considering that Stella hadn't listened to her all day, she wasn't about to start listening to her. Bel kept running, again throwing herself into the fence. 'Woah girl. Easy… Woah…'

Bel was too worked up to listen to her.

With her hip protesting, she hobbled into the center of the yard. Her arm was still throbbing but looked like it had stopped bleeding when she looked down at it. The mare's teeth had done quite a number, having torn her shirt and given her a good bite at the same time. As the mare threw herself into the fence again, Maddie put aside the fact that she was injured to help her instead.

The sound of a loud clap stopped the mare in her tracks.

'Face up.' Maddie commanded sternly. The mare tossed her head and snorted but didn't give her both eyes. She waited for a moment then clapped her again. 'Face up.'

Their eyes met, Bel snorting.

Maddie dropped her head, easing the pressure off the mare.

It was like something inside Bel's head ticked for she took a step towards the girl.

'Good girl. Easy now…' She soothed, Bel holding eye contact with her. The mare took another step towards her, extending her muzzle forward to sniff her. 'Good girl… You're okay Bel… You're okay…'

Another step. Then another.

Cautiously Maddie held her hand out to the mare, Bel sniffing her for a moment before stepping right up to her. 'There you go… Easy now… You're okay…' She kept speaking gently to her as she began to rub the mare's face below her eyes, Bel lowering her head. 'I know… You're okay girl… You're okay… It's okay…'

The mustang closed her eyes, leaning into the girl's hold.

With the mare calm, Maddie turned her attention to the teenagers still watching from across the fence. 'And this…' She glared at Stella and August before focusing her attention on Rick. 'This is why I said no one was to come near her! She's a wild horse!'

No one said a word though a couple girls were still filming.

'Leave us.' She growled at the crowd, running a hand up the mare's face. 'Now!'

Slowly, and without a word, they dispersed until it was just Maddie left with the mare.

When they were finally alone, Maddie's strength gave out and she dropped to the sand. Her hip and leg were excruciatingly painful, her jeans torn where Bel's sharp hooves had cut through the denim. Tears started to roll down her cheeks but with a couple deep breaths she swallowed back the lump in her throat.

Bel blew on her softly, nuzzling her cheek gently with her velvet lips.

Maddie placed a hand on the mare's face once more. 'It wasn't your fault… I know… It wasn't your fault…' She breathed out softly. 'It wasn't your fault.'

A little while later Maddie was in the barn, tending to her bite wound. It didn't look extremely bad but it didn't look too good either and she had a feeling she'd have to have a trip to the ER to get stitches. Alone in the tack room she'd taken a moment to slip out of her jeans and take a good look at her hip and thigh. Two nice hoof marks were already starting to bruise though the pain had started to wear off slightly.

She had been lucky.

So damn lucky.

Pouring saline into the open wound to wash out the sand and debris, she grit her teeth. It stung like hell but it needed to be done. Until she could get someone to take her to the ER, she'd have to make do with what she could do. Standing at the sink in the tack room she flushed the wound thoroughly then placed the bottle down and gripped the sink tightly. It stung. It really really stung.

'Cordell is going to have a fit when he finds out…' She mumbled to herself. She still had a few days left of extra chores from her little tree climbing escapade but this… There was a nauseating feeling in the pit of her stomach. As soon as Bonham found out, he'd have Bel put to sleep.

It hadn't even been her fault in the first place.

After she had rested in the yard for a little while, she'd managed to get up and take a thorough look over her mare. She had five little welt marks on her rump where the cracker of the lunge whip had hit her. While they hadn't broken the skin they still would be painful for her especially when horses had thinner skin than humans did.

Bel had quietened down with her persistence until she was calm and gentle once more. By the time she had left the mare she'd been happily eating her hay she'd brought to her, the incident forgotten. For the mare it might be, but for her, she was still furious.

That boy was going to get what he deserved.

Taking a deep breath, she flushed the wound out once more then covered it with non-stick cotton dressing and used a self-adhesive crepe bandage to hold it in place. With her arm bandaged up she put away what she had used and threw the rubbish in the bin. With a glance at the time she realized it was almost five o'clock. Bonham and Abeline would be returning soon.

The party was still in progress when she walked from the barn, shivering slightly from the cold breeze. She hadn't bothered to change her clothes and her shirt had been so badly torn she'd just torn the sleeve off and threw it away. Throw away cups littered the lawn as she walked closer, her eyes searching the crowd for her target. There he was, talking to a couple boys in line while August took his turn at tossing the horseshoes.

One hand clenched into a fist as she walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

He turned around and before he could react, her fist connected with his nose with a sickening punch and he fell to the ground.

An audible gasp rose from the entire crowd.

Maddie glared at him as he held his nose. 'No one touches my horse.'

Rick looked up at her dumbstruck, blood dripping down his chin. 'You-you're crazy-'

She lent down and grabbed him by the shirt collar, anger flickering in her eyes. 'You haven't seen crazy yet.'

'Maddie, Maddie-' Stella had run over, placing her hand on Maddie's upper arms. 'Maddie, stop.'

Roughly she threw him back onto the ground then turned to her. 'This is your fault Stella, it was your bright idea to throw a party while your grandparents were gone and look at what you've done. August was stupid enough to climb up the Davidson's barn, God knows what injuries he's hiding. You abandoned your guests and while you were gone, this- this-' She glared back at him, her voice rising in volume. 'Imbecile, decides it'll be fun to chase a wild mustang with a whip, nearly getting himself and me killed in doing so. So no, don't you bloody dare tell me to stop.'

Stella was struck speechless. In the time she'd known Maddie, she'd never seen her get angry or say a harsh word.

A couple of the boys helped Rick get up, Ruth helping him brush his clothes off after having given him her handkerchief. 'You're gonna pay for that.' He hissed at her. 'I'm gonna make you pay-'

Maddie's eyes grew cold and hard. The same look that had sent her cowering from her father on more than one occasion. 'Anytime you want it, come and get it.'

'Maddie, no-' August threw himself between the two of them. 'Just stop, both of you. Okay?'

'Stay out of this August. Either move or get punched.' She hissed. 'Take your pick.'

After a moment, he moved aside.

'Wise choice.'

Rick dropped the bloodied handkerchief on the ground. 'You think I'm gonna let you get away with that-'

Maddie didn't say anything, watching his eyes. It was plain to see that he was still drunk and the effects of the drink made his reaction time slower. As soon as he made his first move, she blocked his punch with one arm and returned one of her own. It connected with his jaw, making him stumble back for a moment before he gained his bearings.

August looked at Stella with desperation. 'We have to do something.'

'Do what?' She questioned as Maddie blocked another punch. 'How are you going to stop her with your shoulder?'

Rick was getting more and more agitated and angry, that anger making it easier for Maddie to deflect his blows. The other teenagers had started to shout and cheer them on, Stella and August only able to watch in horror. One girl had even got her phone out to record the fight.

A few moments later and it was over, Maddie left standing while Rick held his re-bleeding nose once more. 'Had enough?' She questioned, her ribs and cheek aching from where he'd managed to get one or two punches in. Her eye felt a little sore too. Bet that's gonna bruise. But he looked a hell of a lot worse than she did.

'My dad will make sure that horse of yours is put to sleep.' He threatened as he stiffly got to his feet. 'This isn't the last of this.'

'What the hell is going on here!?'

Everyone turned around in horror at the roar.

Bonham and Abeline had returned home.